Mercado 10 de Agosto — Attraction in Cuenca

I experienced racial harassment both inside and outside of this market. As I was walking towards it, a senior guy, around 50 or 60 with kitchenwares approached me, saying ”China? China?” and tried to sell me those. I said ”no thank you” a few times but he followed me to a fruits store outside, opposite of the market entrance, and wouldn't leave me alone. He even came physically closer to me to force sell the kitchenwares and it was very scary. I shouted ”I will call the police!” and he said something like ”This is Ecuador! Foreigners should leave!” despite the fact that it's the very foreigner he was trying to sell his products to. The fruits store lady said something to him, and there was another local lady who was trying to intervene, and the guy eventually left. I then found two police officers walking a little away from the fruits store, and reported the incident. The fruits store lady gave them a detailed description of the old guy and what happened, and the police said they would continue look for him. The guy looked like a drug addict, and I really didn't feel safe especially when he got physically closer to me. My brain has just registered that Ecuador is unsafe even if it's Cuenca. Also there was another fruits store lady, located inside the market, who shouted ”China, China” and racial discrimination in Latin America or Ecuador seems fairly common. I feel very unsafe and will never ever go near...

This is a great big building filled with vendors. The other reviews describe it very well. I can add that I, as an obvious foreigner, have been treated with respect, a smile and courtesy here. I am not very familiar with that treatment in Ecuador, and I do appreciate it.

If you are not familiar with Latin American mercados, this place is big and it may overwhelm you. While it is big, it pales in comparison to some mercados I have visited in Mexico.

This mercado is manageable and knowable. After a few visits you will know where everything is.

Among other things, it is a great place to get fresh produce, fruit and vegetables. If you are a newbie, just concentrate on the produce and try to keep your mind open, about all the rest of the market.

These mercados are part of the culture, and if you don’t like it, nobody wants to hear about it. You can easily solve your problem at the local Supermaxi.

Less abled people should know, the escalators and elevator are frequently disabled. Once you get up there on the second level, the most interesting thing to see (and try) is the whole roasted pig. It is called Chancho. Excellent. You can buy a plate full for $3.00, $4.00 or $5.00 Try a bowl of the Mote Pillo too! (Boiled corn) A real...

I Iove shopping at the mercados in Cuenca and the size and location of this one is perfect. Warning they can be gritty and very real, especially the meat sections.

The fruits and veggies are usually fresher and more vibrant than what you'll find in the super tiendas and the vendors are friendly and helpful, for the most part. But always ask the price and quantity for a dollar first and look at the produce and wares of all the vendors. Many times there are better looking or fresher items on your shopping list just a few stalls down.

I walk the mercado completely and return to the best looking produce. After a while you'll establish a relationship with certain vendors and they take care to give you their best produce. Also walk the sidewalks in front and on the side of the mercado, those vendors can have even better looking, fresher produce. Sometimes police shoo these street vendors away from the entrances but they are just...