I will be visiting Puebla, Mexico thanks to a blog trip through Traveldudes and We visit Mexico. I will be tweeting, posting on Facebook, and of course blogging starting on Wednesday. To get us in the Puebla, Mexico mood, Jetting Around has graciously offered to share her experience of the city in this awesome post.
Visiting Puebla, Mexico – All photos courtesy of Pola from Jetting Around
Puebla, located 85 miles south-east of Mexico City, is the 5th largest city in Mexico (population 1.5 million). Founded in 1531, it’s also one of the country’s main Spanish colonial cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its Renaissance and Baroque architecture. It’s also where the Mexican Revolution began and Battle of Puebla May 5, 1862 took place. Nowadays the latter is commemorated by the holiday of Cinco de Mayo (Spanish for May 5th).
The city is easily accessible by bus from Mexico City, a roughly two-hour ride. The Estrella Roja/ADO company runs first-class buses that come with lots of legroom, snacks, a beverage, and onboard Wi-Fi.
Visiting Puebla, Mexico
While in Puebla, there is lots to see, do, and taste. Here are a few suggestions for visiting Puebla:
Five tips when visiting Puebla
1. Relax in the zócalo
You may feel like you’re across the pond in this European-style main square, complete with a cathedral, arcade buildings and outdoor cafes. It’s a great place to spend a “lazy” afternoon and soak in the city’s atmosphere.
2. Walk the historic district
The city’s old town has a number of well-preserved buildings dating back several centuries ago. Many of them feature elaborate tiles. One such building is Casa de los Muñecos (“House of Dolls”), once a yarn warehouse, now a restaurant and a cultural institution. Another one is Templo de San Francisco, the oldest Catholic church in the city. Paseo Bravo, a long and narrow plaza, features a tiled-church and fills up during the week with lunch crowds.
3. Get to know the history & local crafts
History enthusiasts will have plenty to see when visiting Puebla beginning with numerous museums, including pre-Hispanic collections at Museo Amparo and Mexican Revolution artifacts at Museo Regional de la Revolución Mexicana. The city is also home to Uriarte Talavera, a painted pottery workshop and store.
Visiting Puebla, Mexico
4. Try local cuisine
Puebla has long been known for its culinary traditions. It is the birth place of mole poblano, a dark-colored sauce made from around 20 ingredients, including chili peppers and chocolate. Cemitas are a type of sandwich, served on a round bread-roll and with a variety of toppings, including quesillo, a Mexican string cheese. Chiles en nogada is a dish of stuffed peppers in a walnut cream sauce.
5. Take a day trip
Lots of historically-significant towns are located a short bus ride from Puebla, including Cholula (one of the longest-inhabited places in Mexico and the site of the Great Pyramid of Cholula). For a relaxing day out, head to Atlixco (the “City of Flowers” is known for excellent weather).
Pola Henderson is the founder and editor of Jetting Around: City Travel Blog. A native of Krakow, she has called Chicago home since 2002. When not busy in her 9-5 job, Pola ventures out to explore cities and their culture. She can be found on Twitter, Facebook and Google+.
Adventure on!
The goal of Traveling Ted is to inspire people to outdoor adventure travel and then provide tips on where and how to go. If you liked this post then enter your email in the box to get email notifications for each new entry. Daily travel photos are excluded from your email in order to not flood you with posts. There is no spam and email information will not be shared. Other e-follow options include Facebook (click on the like box to the right) or twitter (click on the pretty bird on the rainbow above).
On the right sidebar is a donate button. If you would like to donate in order to support the site, it would be appreciated. All donations would cover travel expenses and improvements to make the site better.
Welcome to Puebla! I hope you enjoy your stay, and I appreciate Pola’s link back to my Explore page. I suspect that the Mexico tourism folks have your itinerary planned, but if you’re looking for more things to see, do, eat, and explore, check out my website. Saludos
Great meeting you in Puebla Rebecca.
Have a great time in Puebla, Ted! It’s one of my favorite cities in Mexico.
Rebecca – great page! 🙂
Pola recently posted..5 Boutique Picks in Chicago’s Bucktown Neighborhood
That’s right, Ted! You’re soon off to Puebla. Have a wonderful time in Mexico.
Leah recently posted..Texas Tuesday: Toobin’ the Guadalupe
A roughly two hour ride by bus OR a rough two hour ride??!! LOL
I am excited for you. I have not been to Puebla but have heard about it all my life. It seems a charming town and I can’t wait to hear your perspective on it.
Raul (ilivetotravel in Twitter) recently posted..Getting Good Cuban Food in Tampa
jealous! and great tips & photos, pola!
the lazy travelers recently posted..tales from a tbex first timer
Thank you, ‘m glad you like the post. 🙂
Pola (@jettingaround) recently posted..Photo of the Week: A grocery store in Florence
I think #6 will be churches, there are over 365 in Puebla… one for each day of the week.
stay adventurous, Craig
Craig Zabransky recently posted..Sunset Sunday – Sunset at Keystone Resort, Colorado
Hi Ted – I visited Puebla two years ago – so glad you wrote about it – brings back great memories – Cholula is so colourful and pretty too. If I could add something else to take it would be an umbrella/rain-proof jacket – we got caught in an electrical storm and torrential downpours in July on an open-top bus – will never forget it!!
I never go anywhere without my gore-tex rain jacket.
Sounds like an awesome place…have a blast Ted!
D.J. – The World of Deej recently posted..Bay Hill Golf Club – Footsteps of The King
Puebla sounds like an incredible city. You’re going to have a blast, no doubt!
I have been here less than a day, and I am finding out it is quite a remarkable place.
How exciting for you Ted!! Looking forward to living vicariously. And those great photographs too!
Thanks Jeff! You would love this place. It has a very European feel.
Wow, this looks absolutely beautiful – very European! I have only experienced Mexico the way typical travelers have – a cruise to Cozumel and an all-inclusive resort in Riviera Maya. But, I’ve longed to see more of the country.
I can’t wait to hear all about your experiences there!!
The World Wanderer recently posted..Lunch at The Culinary Institute of America.
mexican food is my favorite! so so jealous, Ted. i’m currently stalking you on FB to see all the pictures of your time in Puebla!
have fun!! xo – lola
lola recently posted..NYC: why the Meatpacking District is so delicious!
I love visiting Colonial Latin American cities…I’m actually headed to one in the next couple weeks! Hopefully it’s as beautiful as Puebla.
John recently posted..Cowtown, USA
What great photos! It’s nice to know who we have to thank for mole — yum!
I first thought you had me with “European-style main square” until I read that Puebla is birthplace of mole poblano! I’m pretty sure I need to go there now. Incredible post, Pola, and thanks, Ted, for sharing it with us!
Francesca recently posted..Hometown travel: Chicago area adventures
Thank you, Francesca. I had a great time writing this for Ted. 🙂
Pola (@jettingaround) recently posted..Photo of the Week: A grocery store in Florence
Puebla sounds like my kinda town! Gorgeous photos, and chiles en nogada sounds like a food I could gladly gorge on. Somewhere to add to the Mexico bucket list along with Oaxaca 🙂
Waegook Tom recently posted..Happy Anniversary To Me: 40 Things I’ve Learned About Life In Korea
Puebla was fantastic. I would definitely return.
I have to visit Mexico. I like these scenes. Nice shots…
John Terry recently posted..http://maxworkoutsreviewed.net