A short drive from Mexico City, this often overlooked destination is hailed as one of Mexico’s culinary capitals, thanks to its centuries-old gastronomy. But while sampling mole poblano (chocolate-based spicy sauce) and chiles en nogada (stuffed chiles covered in cream) is a must, things to do in Puebla City don’t just involve food. Marvel at 16th-century paintings at Puebla Cathedral (Catedral de Puebla), admire thousands of rare books in the antique Palafoxiana Library (Biblioteca Palafoxiana), and take a day trip to the archeological site in Cholula, home to Mexico’s largest pyramid.
Like most of Mexico, the best time to visit Puebla is during the Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) festivities leading up to November 1–2—although no other city celebrates Cinco de Mayo quite like Puebla. It’s here where Mexico defeated the French on May 5, 1862, and the city hosts parades and historical reenactments to commemorate the battle every year. April–June sees the hottest temperatures and highest rainfall, but regardless of when you visit, Puebla’s evening temperatures plummet due to its high altitude.
Puebla’s historic center is compact and walkable; there’s one bus terminal in this part of the city, which is serviced by buses from Mexico City and Oaxaca, among other major cities and towns. If you’re catching an ADO bus (a more luxurious option for longer bus journeys), you’ll need to head outside of the city as the terminal is a 15-minute drive from the center.
If you’ve got a sweet tooth, then you’re in luck. Calle de los Dulces (the nickname given to Avenida 6 Oriente in Puebla’s historical center) features rows of rainbow-colored confectionary stores that each make sweet treats according to recipes passed down through generations. Be sure to sample dulces típicos (traditional sweets) such as cocada al horno (coconut cakes), barra de piñón (pine nut candy bar), and jamoncillo de pepita (condensed milk and pumpkin seed sweet).
