PuertoDISE: Grocery Shopping Tips in Mexico

Friday, October 1, 2021

Grocery Shopping Tips in Mexico

A friend of mine went grocery shopping recently at Chedraui in Puerto Aventuras, Mexico. While shopping, she sent me a frantic text message saying she could not find cornstarch. In addition, she said she didn’t feel comfortable asking anyone at the store for assistance because she didn’t speak Spanish.

It just so happens that I had had the same experience when I first moved to Mexico, but quickly learned that once I identified a product, I took a photo and saved it in my photo library on my phone. That way, anytime I needed that product again, I could look at the photo and be good to go. I looked through my photos, identified the cornstarch photo and texted it to her.

See photos at the bottom of the blog post.

After my friend returned from shopping, unpacked, and relaxed a little, she spoke to me about feeling out of her element shopping in another country, where she didn’t speak or read the language. So, it’s her recent experience that prompted me to write this blog post.

My goal is to share some tips that have helped me over the last eight years. Keep in mind this post is not the “be all, end all,” of shopping in Mexico. Feel free to contribute to the conversation in our comment section below. Without further ado, let’s get started.

TIP #1: Unless you can speak and read the language, or have someone with you that can, never go grocery shopping without installing a free Spanish/English translation app on your smart phone. There are several to select from, so identify the one you feel the most comfortable using.

Let me share a little story with you. I remember my first grocery shopping experience at Soriana’s in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. I was so excited. What I thought was going to be a short trip turned into a 3-hour scavenger hunt. Let me explain. Most of the products were in Spanish only. So basically, I had to check almost every item with my translation app. Talk about a long, frustrating, experience! I’m in a new country, I don’t know the language, I’m in an unfamiliar store, walking up and down each isle hoping that anything, something, looks familiar. I think you get the picture. Over time, you’ll recognize items rather quickly, but…it will take time.

TIP #2: When you find your item, take a photo right then. Don’t wait until you get home because you may forget about it. Remember the expression “a picture is worth a thousand words?” TAKE A PHOTO!

TIP #3: Don’t expect your item to be packaged the way you may be accustomed to in your home country. It may be, but it may not be. You don’t want to waste time looking for something that looks nothing like you expect. Keep an open mind with respect to packaging. It will make your experience more pleasant. For example, going back to my friend and cornstarch. I was busy looking for a package with a picture of corn or something like ARGO cornstarch on it. But after consulting with other expats, they shared with me what to look for. The box of cornstarch in Mexico looked nothing like what I was looking for…not even close. But hey, I’m a pro now. 😉

TIP #4: Always use the local currency - pesos. If you use U.S. Dollars (USD) for shopping, you will receive your change in pesos. So, unless you know the exchange rate and how to convert your USD change to pesos, it may be a challenge trying to determine if you are receiving the correct change back.

TIP #5: Take your own see-through mesh fruit and vegetable bags. With the world becoming more environmentally conscious, shoppers and stores alike are embracing abandoning plastic. In fact, Chedraui no longer uses any plastic bags; not in their fruit, vegetable, or pharmacy sections...nowhere.

TIP #6: Bring your own tote bags. Every grocery store sells their own bag, so if you forget yours, you can purchase a few at the store. And with so many different choices of bags to select from, you could really have some fun with them. Or create your own.

TIP #7: Depending on where you live, in relation to your grocery store, and what you are purchasing, and how much you are purchasing, why not purchase a shopping tote and walk to the store instead of driving or taking a taxi. You get to see your community more up-close and personal, overall good for your physical health, reduced stress, (think parking and traffic), and less wear and tear on the car.

TIP #8: Make a grocery shopping list. This tip is not just for Mexico. But making a shopping list saves you time, money, memory, in addition to helping with your meal planning and preparation.

TIP #9: NEVER, EVER, EVER, shop on a payday…normally, the 1st and 15th of each month. TWO WORDS…long lines!

TIP #10: Although most of the grocery stores in Mexico have a very wide selection of items, often you may find that you will need to go to more than one store to find what you need. For example, my experience has been that tomato paste is a challenging item to find in Mexico. Sometimes I can go into a store and purchase several cans at a time. Other times, it’s nowhere to be found. In fact, it has gotten to the point where I order it online and have it delivered to our Mexico condo. For example, I recently had some guests over and decided to make a dish that needed tomato paste. I went to 7 stores and could not find any. It’s just not part of the Mexican diet.

TIP #11: Although the grocery stores in Mexico have a wonderful selection of baked goods at their bakery, few items are enclosed in covered containers. When selecting your baked goods, look for little finger pokes (from children taste testing icing), or occasional flies.

TIP #12: Once you have identified and selected an item, double check to ensure that the item has not already be opened and compromised. Think boxes of crackers, chips, bread, basically anything.

TIP #13: Grocery stores have become a favorite and apparently lucrative place for pickpockets. If possible, keep your wallet in your front pocket and/or carry a cross-body bag with it facing the front. And never allow yourself to be distracted by anyone. The thieves typically work with a team of people to distract you. Trust me, the thieves are watching you!

TIP #14: Shopping at the larger grocery stores is fine but remember to support your local farmers market and community abarrotes. These little corner stores will typically carry small amounts of necessities and come in handy if you just need a few items.

TIP #15: Be prepared to follow the CDC guidelines for COVID-19. As of this writing, grocery stores require customers to wear mask and practice distancing while shopping. In addition, some of the grocery stores are only allowing one family member in the store at a time. For example, if you and your spouse go shopping together, you may be stopped at the door and only one of you are allowed into shop.

HAPPY SHOPPING!!!