Marina Mercado — Local services in City Centre

This is definitely THE place to go for souvenirs. And to book tours (and such). The entire mercado/marina area spans nearly a 2 mile walk, and it is a massive 'tourist trap'. You will be sold goods from street vendors, called into (nearly) every shop, and called by dozens of people booking tours. Either refuse to make eye contact or practice 'No, Bueno'. At one point, we had to tell 20 separate vendors, tour guides and restaurateurs No in about a 200 yard stretch. If you know what to expect you can get through it without having to book tours that you don't want or buy an extra suitcase to bring back oh, so much more than you planned! Enjoy it as it is truly part of the experience of time spent in another country (where they assume all Americans are dripping with...

The owner of this place takes advantage of tourists and charges $1.00 per person (non-negotiable) for bathroom access with waterless urinals and claims it's to pay for water, which is ridiculous. Nowhere else have I visited and needed to pay. You might need to buy something at other places, but this guy is a leech who will try to convince you that locals pay 20 Pesos. Riiight. Imagine how his shops rip you off because you may not know any better. I'm just glad I needed to use the bathroom before buying something or I might have gotten suckered for even more cash, especially since I was planning on visiting the pharmacy, which probably just sells sugar pills based on my interaction...

Today, I wanted to support the local food vendors in the parking lot. I took my parents with me to try the vendor who sells tacos, tortas, and quesadillas. I asked the woman how much it cost, and I heard her say 280 pesos. I said okay great. Meanwhile, the man came out the food truck said it was 20 dollars for everything. RIP OFF for 3...