Frutas Baca is a greengrocer (a fresh fruit and vegetable stand) that is part of a collection of markets and stores known as the Emiliano Zapata Municipal Market or the Mercado Emiliano Zapata as it is located within Colonia Emiliano Zapata. As you walk east on Lázaro Cárdenas toward the Municipal market, Frutas Baca will be the first greengrocer you will encounter on the right at the corner of Lázaro Cárdenas and Camachin. It can be confusing as there are three or four greengrocers in the immediate area. Frutas Baca, along with all the other greengrocers are bustling places as many restaurants, locals and tourists alike are vying for various fresh produce items.
Walking through Frutas Baca left me a bit confused since there really are no prices marked on any of the products (unlike some of the other greengrocers nearby). I was worried about getting gringo prices since nothing was marked with a price. However, while browsing, we ended up talking to a nice lady who was buying several fruit and vegetable items. She assured us that all the prices were very competitive with the other nearby greengrocers, and they actually give a receipt. She also explained that she likes to support Frutas Baca as it is a family owned business. I asked her where the avocados were located and she explained that Baca keeps them behind the counter to protect them from all the squeezing that can happen by people trying to pick out their own avocados. She told us to simply tell the cashier that you want an avocado "por hoy or para mañana" (for today or for tomorrow) and they will pick out what you need.
We bought lettuce, mangos, bananas, cucumbers, carrots, limes and avocados for a total of 91.50 pesos (~usd $4.95). As we waited in line for the cashier a guy behind us mentioned Bacas also makes fresh squeezed juice to order.
We shopped here several times during our week-long PV vacation. About half the time we received a printed receipt, so they are somewhat inconsistent on that score. Overall this is a great market to drop in and pick up fresh produce (they also have flour tortillas and a big basket of baguettes and bread loaves - I assume for the benefit of the tourist clientele). read more