Nothing hits quite like a home-cooked meal. And for home dining, you need a food market, local grocery store, la tienda, or dependable supermercado to tick off those items on your ever-growing shopping list. To help you on your sustenance expedition, we have put together a list of our top 10 spots for buying groceries in Tulum.
1. Gypsea Market
If you have lived in Tulum long enough, you would have heard of Gypsea Market. This health food store is where people go to buy those harder-to-find ingredients not readily available elsewhere in town. The majority of their stock is either organic, vegan, gluten-free, or keto but they also sell fresh bread, staple veggies, and alcohol. Most of their goods are imported and as a result, the price tag will reflect this but you can’t complain if you finally found those Beyond Meat Balls you’ve been craving! We recommend grabbing one of their ready-made desserts to go for a naughty treat.
Location: Avenida quinta sur, manzana 892, lote 006, colonia, La Veleta, 77760 Tulum, Q.R.
2. Woolis Foodie Market
Woolis is a higher-end foodie shop with prices that won’t break the bank. You can get a reasonable portion of mixed greens for $50 pesos and homemade delicious crunchy peanut butter for $100 pesos (a rarity in Tulum). They also sell sea moss, a few select veggies, duck, chicken, and the occasional beef.
Their second location in Aldea Zama also offers cooked food so you can grab a bite to eat after picking out your favourite food items. It’s also worth noting that both locations host a service where you can drop off your food compost for our admirable green warriors!
Location: Satélite Sur local 4, Tulum Centro, 77760 Tulum, Q.R. or Avenida Itzamna, Aldea Zama Manzana 26 Lote 137, Zona Comercial, 77765 Tulum, Q.R.
3. Frutas y Verduras Pool
Just a skip away from Woolis market, Frutas y Verduras Pool has great local prices and a large selection of fruits and veggies. You can also buy fresh juices, honey, warm corn tortillas, dry goods, cleaning supplies, copal, myrrh incense, and candles. If you can’t find what you want, ask(!) as they keep some items out back.
Location: Satélite Sur Mza. 15 lote 002 Tulum, Centro 77760.
4. Sojol Hortalizas Organicas
Sojol is a farmer’s market and a reliable corner store for La Veleta residents! We dig it. The selection can sometimes be limited but you are guaranteed produce that is fresh, local, and organic. You can also buy edible flowers here if you’d like to add some pzazz to your culinary creations!
Location: Calle 14 Sur Calle 7 Sur y, La Veleta, 77760 Tulum, Q.R.
5. Chedraui
All hail Chedraui! This mammoth supermarket (by Tulum standards) is a favourite amongst locals due to its sheer extensive collection of products – from fresh produce to alcohol, cleaning products, clothes, and household supplies. They also sell a mean rotisserie chicken if that’s your thing! You won’t find everything on your shopping list but you will find most of it. Avoid coming here on weekends or in the evenings unless you have a deep passion for slight chaos and queues.
Location: Neptuno, mza. 004 Tulum 2, Lomas de Padierna, 77780 Tulum, Q.R.
6. Fresh Market
Fresh Market is an upscale grocery store located in Aldea Zama. A favourite among neighbourhood residents, come here to pick up bread, dairy products, alcohol, pantry items and eggs. You can even purchase grab-and-go meals at their food counter in the back where you can order ready-made hot foods and deli sandwiches!
Location: Calle Itzamna, Aldea Zama Mz 12-L 121, 77766 Tulum, Q.R.
7. La Pebeta
This Argentinian cafe/bakery located in the heart of La Veleta sells a variety of traditional and unique baked goods. Stop in to grab some fresh bread for your day and stay for a delicious filling breakfast, or keep it light and sip on a freshly pressed fruit juice and snack on a (highly recommended) empanada. Just make sure you stop at the ATM first, because they only accept cash payments!
Location: Calle 7 Sur S/N 77760, La Veleta, Tulum, Quintana Roo.
8. La Macarena
La Macarena is mid-sized supermarket in Tulum Centro where you can buy all your essentials. Make sure you explore the back store of the store as they have a separate fruits and vegetable section (their herb variety is a little limited but their stock changes day to day). La Macarena is a good halfway store if you want to avoid the crowd at Chedraui but want to avoid going to multiple tienditas. They also regularly have sales for any bargain hunters out there!
Location: Calle Sol Pte. Mz4. Lt5, Tulum Centro, Quintana Roo.
9. Tortilleria Y Molino Salmo 23
Tortilleria Y Molino Salmo 23 is not exactly a grocery destination but it is where you’ll find REAL corn tortillas. Made with actual corn kernels and not just the empty husks (which is how a lot of the commonly available tortillas in Tulum are made)! We guarantee this place will change the way you think about the staple Mexican flatbread.
Location: Calle Júpiter Nte., Tulum Centro, 77760 Tulum, Q.R. (around the corner from Aguacate Limon).