Vacation In Puebla
You’ve been working so hard that you deserve a vacation. So, how can you make the most out of your trip? Below are tips and advice on vacation in Puebla.
Planning a vacation to Puebla? Have no idea about where you should go? Let me help you discover and tour the best leisure spots in this city.
When people don’t think of a vacation, they tend to associate it with going somewhere close by. But that’s not necessarily the case. What if you get to experience what you usually wouldn’t have? That’s why choosing where you’re going is also a battle itself because it’s not every day that we get to talk about real vacations and have fun at the same time. So today, I’ll be discussing my experience in Puebla, Mexico.
Take a trip to Puebla, Mexico, that vacation hotspot. A city filled to the brim with galleries, museums, and other culture-based attractions is a must see place for those on vacation. Dine in Puebla’s small restaurants and you’ll never leave hungry (or disappointed).
Vacation In Puebla
Mexico’s fifth-largest city,1 Puebla de Zaragoza is the capital of Mexico’s Puebla state. With well-conserved Baroque-style architecture, a UNESCO-recognized historic center, and iconic regional dishes like mole poblano, Puebla’s blend of modernity and rich history make the city a must-visit on any Mexico itinerary. As it lies 80 miles southeast of Mexico City, Puebla is an easy day trip from the country’s capital, but it is well worth staying a few days. Here are 15 of our favorite things to do.
Stroll Around the Zócalo de Puebla
Located in the city’s historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site2, is the Zócalo de Puebla, the main square. Formerly a marketplace and bullfighting stage, this large and attractive plaza today is a common gathering ground for cultural and political events. Plan a visit here to see the Catedral de Puebla (Puebla Cathedral), statues and monuments, and San Miguel Arcángel Fountain, which dates back to 1777. The Zócalo can get quite crowded on weekends, but it makes for great people-watching. This is the perfect starting point for a walking tour of Puebla.
VIEW MAP
ADDRESSAv. Don Juan de Palafox y. Mendoza, Centro histórico de Puebla, 72000 Puebla, Pue., Mexico
PHONE +52 800 326 8656
WEB Visit website
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Tour the Amparo Museum
Spread across two buildings, the Museo Amparo (Amparo Museum) houses impressive collections of pre-Colombian, Viceregal, 19th-century, and contemporary Mexican art. Among the objects here, you’ll find bowls, stelae, figures, and more crafted by civilizations indigenous to Mesoamerica, including the Aztec, Maya, and Teotihuacan cultures. Along with excellent museography and interactive displays, you’ll find a variety of temporary Mexican and international exhibits highlighting themes ranging from archaeology and history to architecture and design. Be sure to head up to the café and rooftop terrace, where you’ll get a gorgeous view of Puebla.VIEW MAP
ADDRESSC. 2 Sur 708, Centro, 72000 Puebla, Pue., Mexico
WEB Visit website
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See the International Museum of the Baroque
The striking architecture of this all-white building, designed by Japanese architect and 2013 Pritzker Prize winner Toyo Ito, is decidedly modern—but the exterior belies what you’ll discover inside. Spanning seven halls, you’ll see a stunning collection of paintings, sculptures, installations, and interactive exhibits that explore the Baroque period, which ran from the early 17th to the late 18th centuries, in Mexico and abroad. A highlight is the Angelopolis exhibit, which features a scale model of Puebla’s historical center. It’s open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesday to Sunday.VIEW MAP
ADDRESSAtlixcáyotl 2501, Reserva Territorial Atlixcáyotl, 72830 Puebla, Pue., Mexico
PHONE +52 222 326 7130
WEB Visit website
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Meet Elephants, Giraffes and Tigers at Africam Safari
This wildlife conservation zoo is home to more than 450 species of animals that roam across roughly 500 acres of various habitats, from Botswana’s Okavango Delta to the Huasteca. View elephants, giraffes, rhinos, tigers, zebras, and more from the comfort of your own car or via guided tour (4×4, bike, and walking tours available). There are a couple of sections of the park where you can park your vehicle and grab food, browse the gift shop, or meet smaller critters, as in the Zona de Aventuras (Adventure Zone), where you’ll find a butterfly zoo, botanical garden, and insectarium. You can also sign up for fun and educational experiences with the different animals, including picnicking with the giraffes and feeding the flamingos. Africam Safari is located 10 miles south of Puebla; buses leave from the Zócalo and the CAPU bus terminal daily.VIEW MAP
ADDRESSCarretera al Oasis 17302-22, Oasis, 72960 Puebla, Pue., Mexico
PHONE +52 222 281 7000
WEB Visit website
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Visit the Catedral de Puebla
Catedral de Puebla (Puebla Cathedral) is a Roman Catholic church located right in the city’s historic center, on the southern side of the Zócalo. Although construction began in 1575, it wasn’t until the late 1600s before it was finally complete. Its two towers, which stand at about 226 feet, are the tallest in Mexico. Admire the cathedral’s architectural design, a blend of Baroque and Renaissance-Herrerian styles, before stepping inside to explore its 14 chapels.VIEW MAP
ADDRESSC. 16 de Septiembre s/n, Centro histórico de Puebla, 72000 Puebla, Pue., Mexico
PHONE +52 222 232 2316
WEB Visit website
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Sample Some of Puebla’s Delicious Regional Foods
Puebla is well-known among Mexicans for its cuisine: Both mole poblano and chiles en nogada are said to originate here. Be sure to try the mole at Fonda Santa Clara, a Poblano landmark with two locations in the historical center, or at Casona de la China Poblana, a boutique hotel whose restaurant serves up a pine nut-based version. Chalupas—mini corn tortillas topped with shredded pork, chopped onion, and red and green chili sauce—are also very popular, and can be best enjoyed at La Casita Poblana. And if you’re hankering for some snacks, La Calle de los Dulces (Sweet Street) is the place for treats like camote, muégano, and las tortitas de Santa Clara.
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Learn About Cinco de Mayo at the Forts of Loreto and Guadalupe
The Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, in which the Mexican army led by General Ignacio Zaragoza defeated French forces, is celebrated every year as the Cinco de Mayo holiday—and it took place right here. Overlooking the city atop Acueyametepc hill, the neighboring forts of Loreto and Guadalupe (Fuertes de Loreto y Guadalupe) were originally built as chapels in the 16th century, but both were fortified in the 1800s to protect the city during its independence movement. Wander around Fort Guadalupe to see the remains of its walls and cannons, then visit the Museo de la No Intervención (Museum of Non-Intervention), which showcases weapons, uniforms, documents, and oil paintings portraying the battle. If you take the Turibus city tour, you’ll drive by here, but you’re better off taking a taxi if you would like to visit the museum.VIEW MAP
ADDRESSAv Ejercito de Ote 100, Zona de Los Fuertes, 72260 Puebla, Pue., Mexico
WEB Visit website
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Take a Day Trip to Cholula
Just 6 miles outside of Puebla, you can see The Great Pyramid of Cholula, the world’s largest pyramid by volume. Also known as Tlachihualtepetl, it is said to comprise six structures, which collectively stand at 180 feet tall and have a base of 1,480 by 1,480 feet. Now mostly covered in vegetation, you can explore the archaeological site, including a fraction of its 5 miles of tunnels, on a guided tour before visiting the on-site museum. The church at the top, La Iglesia de la Virgen de Los Remedios, is open and free to the public.VIEW MAP
ADDRESSC. 14 Pte. S/N, San Miguel, Zona Arqueológica San Andrés Cholula, 72760 San Andrés Cholula, Pue., Mexico
PHONE +52 222 247 9081
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Get Lost in the Stacks of Palafoxian Library
The oldest public library in the Americas, the original collection of the Biblioteca Palafoxiana (Palafoxian Library) was donated by Bishop Juan de Palafox in 1646 with the stipulation that the books be made available to the public and not just academics. Now boasting more than 45,000 works, the library features not only its original collection of books but also the original shelving, which dates all the way back to the 1770s. Don’t miss the splendid 14th-century altarpiece, located at the far end of the library. Biblioteca Palafoxiana is open for guided tours, Tuesday through Sunday.VIEW MAP
ADDRESSAv 5 Ote 5, Centro histórico de Puebla, 72000 Puebla, Pue., Mexico
PHONE +52 222 232 1227
WEB Visit website
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Sign Up for a Talavera Workshop
Puebla isn’t called the “City of Tiles” for nothing. Talavera poblana (Talavera pottery) is a type of hand-painted, tin-enameled earthenware that was first introduced to Puebla in the 16th century by colonizers from Talavera de la Reina, Spain. Today, the city is one of the few places in the world producing authentic Talavera, and seeing some of Puebla’s master artisans at work will add a whole new level of interest to your shopping expedition. You can watch the whole process by signing up for a workshop tour of Talavera de la Reyna or Uriarte Talavera, after which you will have the opportunity to purchase some beautiful ceramics to take home