Visiting Puebla, Mexico
The Enchanting Town of Churches, Pottery & Mole
Experience
What is special about Puebla Mexico?
Puebla, the capital of Mexico‘s Puebla state, is a vibrant city that ranks as Mexico’s fifth-largest urban center. Renowned for its well-preserved Baroque-style architecture, a UNESCO-acclaimed historic center, and delectable regional delicacies such as mole poblano, Puebla seamlessly combines contemporary elements with a captivating historical backdrop. Undoubtedly, Puebla stands out as an essential destination worth exploring when planning a trip to Mexico.
At only a two hour drive from Mexico City, the Historical Center of Puebla is the perfect escape from the hecticness of the big city. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Puebla offers a little bit of everything: baroque and colonial-style architecture, 17th century churches, unique pottery, culinary delicacies and much more!
On a day trip from Mexico City, I wander down one of Pueblaโs pristine, colonial streets and I am dizzied by the blasts of color. Blue, green, yellow, orange – every perfectly manicured building calls to me to knock on their large, wooden door to see if there was an equally stunning courtyard behind it. After passing by a cluster of even more technicolored buildings, I stumble upon one of Pueblaโs gradious churches. In the city famous for its baroque-style architecture, I spend hours contemplating the intricate details of these 17th and 18th century masterpieces.
In search of a special memento to bring home, I head for the local artisanal market. There I stand in awe at the brightly painted, white and blue talavera pottery, made there in Puebla. Tempted to buy a whole dish set and somehow ship it home, I settle on a decorative plate that I can carefully protect in my carry-on bag. With all that sensory overload, I am famished. Not the worst problem to have when youโre in the capital of one of the most famous moles in all of Mexico. The rich, spicy, chocolaty sauce smoothers the morsel of chicken. The complex flavors take me to another world as it melts in my mouth. The waiter comments that itโs their โspecial recipeโ of 23 ingredients which is married together over the course of two weeks.
I could easily spend weeks here but yet, I am obligated to catch my five oโclock bus back to the city. The mole sits happily in my belly as we pull away from this enchanting town. I admire my plate and vow to visit again soon to discover even more that Puebla has to offer.
SEE – Photos & Videos
GO – Getting There
By Plane:
Major airlines such as Aeromexico and American fly to Puebla by way of Mexico City or direct from the US.
By Bus:
- From Mexico City International Airport: – Take the direct bus with Estrella Roja. Go to the Aerobus Ticket office in Terminal 1 (T1) or Terminal 2 (T2) (see this map). Buses leave almost every hour and the ride takes about 2.5 hours. You can check the bus schedule here (destination will be Puebla CAPU Bus Terminal). The price should be about 300 mxn for a one-way ticket.
- From TAPO Bus Station: – If youโre already in Mexico City, you can go to the TAPO Bus Station and purchase a ticket with Estrella Roja or ADO (the destination will be Puebla CAPU Bus Terminal). The price should be about 200 mxn for a one-way ticket and should take about 2.5 hours.
How do you get around in Puebla?
Puebla is a busy city with various transportation options such as buses, cars, and walking. The best methods to rely on are the “metrobus”, Puebla’s bus system, and Uber to get around.
Do – Activities & Attractions
- Stroll Around the UNESCO Heritage City Center – Wander through Pueblaโs pristine, brightly-colored colonial streets. See if you can spot the difference between colonial and baroque style buildings. Make sure to save some time to venture over to Avenida 6 Oriente, nicknamed โLa Calle de Los Dulces,โ or โcandy streetโ which is lined with shops selling traditional candies of Puebla.
- Visit churches – Coined as the โNew Jerusalem,โ legend says that there are 365 churches in Puebla, one for every day of the year. Although this is a slightly fabricated number, itโs not that far off! Many of these churches are adorned with intricately detailed baroque-style architecture both inside and out. Donโt miss the gold, baroque-style Capilla del Rosario inside of the Templo de Santo Domingo.
- Eat Mole – Pueblaโs iconic Mole Poblano is a rich brown sauce made of chiles, spices, and chocolate and is normally served over chicken. Check out our list of restaurant recommendations in the โeatโ section to try the best mole.
- Shop for traditional pottery at the Artisanal Market – Looking for something really special to take home? Look no further than Mercado El Pariรกn. Keep your eye out for the bright white and blue, talavera-style pottery which is one of Puebla’s proudest exports.
- Visit the International Museum of the Baroque – Located in the modern area of the greater city of Puebla, the Baroque Museum is totally worth the trip outside the city center. Opening its doors in 2016, this stunningly innovative museum pays tribute to the cityโs most prized architecture. Aside from the state-of-the-art museum inside, the buildingโs architecture is so unique that there are separate tours for students and professional architects who just want to marvel at its construction!
- Visit the town of Cholula – If you are staying for an extended weekend, itโs definitely worth the trip to visit Cholula, another colonial town with bright buildings and just as many churches! Itโs claim to fame, though, is the Great Aztec Pyramid of Cholula, said to be the largest in the world. Unfortunately, due to poor care, it has been left overgrown making it resemble a large mountain rather than a pyramid. The lovely yellow church perched on the top, complete with a backdrop of the Popocatepetl volcano, is worth the hike for some jaw-dropping photos.
Affiliate Disclosure: Some links in this post are affiliate links, which means WSE Travel may earn a small commission if you choose to book or buy through themโat no extra cost to you. We only recommend products and services we believe can genuinely enhance your travel experience.
Stay – Accommodation
- Budget: Posada Vee Yuu Avenida 7 Poniente 107, Centro Histรณrico
Situated in a baroque-style house with an original courtyard, this hostel offers dorm-style lodging and free breakfast. - Mid-Range: Hotel Sofia Avenida 3 Poniente 319, Centro Histรณrico
With an exceptional location, this hotel is the perfect mix of elegance and colonial charm at an affordable price. - High-End: El Sueรฑo Hotel Avenida 9 Oriente 12, Centro Histรณrico Meaning โdreamโ in English, this converted โcasonaโ or โGrand Spanish Houseโ is the lap of luxury. It has been tastefully remodeled to incorporate some contemporary features while maintaining itโs colonial grandeur.
Eat – Restaurants
- Budget: Fonda La Mexicana Calle 16 de Septiembre 706, Centro Histรณrico
Tucked away in an unassuming building, this restaurant serves up all the traditional favorites at affordable prices. - Mid-Range: El Mural de Los Poblanos Calle 16 de Septiembre 506, Centro Histรณrico
Admire the colorful murals on display in the courtyard while you enjoy some of Pueblaโs most famous dishes. - High-End: Sacristรญa de la Compaรฑรญa Calle 6 Sur 304, Centro Histรณrico
Considered the crรจme de la crรจme in Puebla, the quaint decor and excellent Pueblan cuisine of this restaurant is something really special!
Time – Seasonality & Schedules
Puebla has mild temperatures all year long. The city can be overrun with tourists around Battle of Puebla Day (May 5th), Independence Day (September 16th) and Christmas.
Safety – Possible risks
Pueblaโs Colonial Center is likely one of the safest areas in all of Mexico with regards to theft. Not that many of the others are overly dangerous mind you, but there is a certain feeling of security being here. It is likely due to the high percentage of tourists to locals, mixed with the kind and gentle demeanour of people that makes this place safer than most.
Physical danger certainly exists and if at all you don’t feel confident with your own abilities to navigate the town, be sure to hire a guide and/or bring a friend along. It is best to always let family or friends know of your movements when you travel in case you go ‘off the map’ – and it is no exception in Puebla.
Please Note: Travel inherently comes with an element of risk (just like crossing the road does). You are putting yourself in elements that are unfamiliar and foreign to your usual lifestyle and with that, become more susceptible to fall victim to those who try to play off those unfamiliar to their local scams. There are also potential dangers in the environments to which you may not be accustomed to.
Please take extra care in travelling, ensure that you have adequate medical insurance (accidents seem to happen when you least expect them), and have let a trusted colleague, family member or friend know your whereabouts and activities.
Where Sidewalks End travel advises you to travel at your own risk, and to be extra aware of your surroundings (without letting it spoiling your time).
Pay – How much does it cost?
A day trip to Puebla from Mexico City, including round trip bus fare and a stop for some mole will run you about you 600 mxn – 800 mxn. Add in a shopping trip at the artisanal market and an overnight at a hotel in order to visit neighboring Cholula will increase the cost.
Responsible Travel – Best Practices
While visiting churches in Puebla, be respectful of the mass schedule and anyone who might be praying. Take off your hat and keep voices low while inside. Always be cognizant of signs prohibiting photos with flash.
Reality Check – Be Aware
Puebla is a wonderful day trip from Mexico City or can stand alone as a destination all in itself! It is a colonial city famous for its architecture, history and food so if youโre looking for something more adventurous, Puebla might not be the place for you. As the colonial center is small, you might find that churches and restaurants hold relaxed hours or may not have posted hours at all so stay flexible. Also, as Puebla is less-visited by foreigners, you may find that fewer people speak or understand English and therefore, itโs a good idea to brush up on your basic Spanish phrases.
JOIN US! WSE Travel Packages
This sounds like quite the adventure, right? We thought so too! Though we realize it can be pretty intimidating to get out there into the world on your own, especially when travelling to some of these off the beaten path locations. We love it when our readers give it a shot and try it for themselves! In fact, please leave us feedback if you do!! If trying something โthisโ adventurous on your own is just a bit outside of your comfort zone, WSE Travel is here to help!
Follow this link for our โChoose Your Own Adventureโ Tours โ packages that are highly personalized and tailored at your request.
Puebla, Mexico Travel Resources
These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.
- Best Flight Deals: Trip.com โ Trip is my favorite flight search engine. It is a flight aggregator that provides travelers with the best rates on airline tickets. Its innovative search finds the best option for specific travel dates by comparing airfares offered by all major airlines and agencies. The aggregator displays final prices, without any hidden fees. They are hands down the number one place to start.
- Best Hotel Deals: Booking.comย โ Booking is the best all-around hotel booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates because it compares all the other major hotel booking sites. They have the widest selection of comfortable accommodations. In all my tests, theyโve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
- Best Tour Deals: Where Sidewalks End (of course) โ WSE Travel is a boutique tour operator with specially curated tours, events, and workshops. We have many tour options available in cities in Mexico and worldwide, including cooking classes, walking tours, art workshops, and more!
- Best Car Rental Deals: Discover Cars – If you want to have mobility freedom, renting a car is an incredible option, but finding the best deal can be a nightmare! Discover Cars scans all the major car rental sites and includes all mandatory fees, taxes, and extras in the quoted price so there wonโt be any unpleasant surprises when you arrive at the rental desk.
- Best Travel Insurance Deals: SafetyWing – SafetyWing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to all your travel needs. They have cheap plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road. They even have subscriptions if you are planning long-term, without having to re-apply for each segment of your trip.
- Best E-Sim Provider: Airalo – Airalo is one of the most versatile e-sim providers I’ve ever found, offering e-sim in almost every country on earth! No need to take your home phone provider’s sim card out and risk losing it on your trip! As long as your phone has e-sim capabilities, Airalo has you covered at really good rates too, meaning you can be connected at all times on your trip!
- Best 100% Pick-pocket Proof Clothing Deals: Clever Companion โ They make clothing specifically for travel, with hidden pockets to hide your valuables. From hoodies to briefs, they cover all your clothing needs – each with hidden pockets to hide your money, wallet, and anything else you want to keep safe!
- Best Eco-Safe Travel Products: TreeTribe – This company is just awesome! From water bottles to yoga pants, wallets to bikinis, and everything in between – all their products are great quality, and eco-friendly AND they plant a tree for every purchase!
- Best Outdoor Travel Product: LifeStraw โ My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
Have you ever been to a city that had a really unique historical or cultural feature? Where was it and what made it so unique?
If you return to Mexico City from Puebla, don’t miss out on the chance to Bicycle your way through CDMX!
Please feel free to share your stories and thoughts in the comment section below!