Exploring Puebla

Popocatépetl is an active stratovolcano and is the second highest peak in Mexico.

Cities throughout Mexico are becoming popular travel destinations now that people are thinking out-of-the-box and wanting to explore places that offer more than just a beach. Introducing Puebla, located just south of buzzing Mexico City.

This city not only offers similarities to the capital, but also offers antique markets, delicious mole, and rich architecture all within walking distance.  Puebla offers everything we love about Mexico.

For one thing, it’s full of history.  Lining the city’s center, 16th-century mansions from the Spanish conquistadors fill the town.  Callejón de los Sapos is not only one of the most antique markets available, but also provides a rainbow of colorful house ranging from pink to orange to purple.

Talavera paints.

The city is also known for its ceramics.  If you go into Uriarte Talavera, you’ll discover a 200-year-old ceramics workshop and gallery where you can watch women hand-paint each piece that comes out of the kiln.  If you find yourself hungry from spending so much time there, you can easily walk across the street to the Mercado de Sabores and order a cemita de pollo, Puebla’s legendary sandwich of fried chicken (or pork), avocado, and queso fresco. If chicken is not your thing, you can always try Mexico’s most famous dish, mole poblano.  El Mural de los Poblanos is a fabulous restaurant that highlights the spicy, saucy, chocolate deliciousness of mole, and is located right next to the 17th-century cathedral.

This 17th-century cathedral, Capilla del Rosario, is made up entirely of gold.  Yes, gold. The sun brilliantly bounces off the gold leafing and illuminates the entire space.  It is one of the most spectacular buildings in all of Mexico.

Everything wouldn’t be complete without the Popocatépetl volcano in the background of all of Puebla’s wonder, one of Mexico’s most active volcanoes.  It was dormant for decades until its eruption in 1994. Since then, its rumblings have become part of daily life for residents.

You can visit the Iglesia de los Remedios, which is in Cholula, to get a look at the most famous image of Puebla. This Catholic Church was built stop one of the widest pyramids in the world, Tlachihualtépetl. The church practically glows an orange-pink from its perch on the hill and from its courtyard, incredible panoramic views can be seen in all directions. While you are there, take a minute to explore the pyramid and surrounding ancient structures of this archaeological site. Cholula is also the town that is famous for having 365 churches, that’s one for every day of the year!

If you’re looking for off-the-beaten-path that is also rich in culture and things to do, Puebla is absolutely the place to go. Just a stone's throw from Mexico City! Let us know if you'd be interested in extending your trip after Mexico City and we’ll tell you how to make it happen.