About Puebla
Puebla de Zaragoza, formally Heroica Puebla de Zaragoza, formerly Puebla de los Ángeles during colonial times, or known simply as Puebla, is the seat of Puebla Municipality. It is the capital and largest city of the state of Puebla, and the fourth-largest city in Mexico, after Mexico City, Monterrey, and Guadalajara. A planned city from the viceregal era, it is located in the southern part of Central Mexico on the main route between Mexico City and Mexico's main Atlantic port, Veracruz—about 100 km (62 mi) east southeast of Mexico City and about 220 km (140 mi) west of Veracruz.
Places to visit in Puebla
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Puebla Cathedral
Religious · 1 mi from centreA massive cathedral on the main square with two of the tallest bell towers in Mexico and a richly decorated interior. Come back at night, when the facade is lit up.
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Chapel of the Rosary
Religious · 1 mi from centreA chapel inside the Church of Santo Domingo covered almost entirely in gilded plaster and carvings, one of the high points of Mexican baroque. Be quiet and avoid flash photography during services.
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Great Pyramid of Cholula
Historic · 6 mi from centreThe largest pyramid in the world by volume, now covered by a hill topped with a colonial church. Join a tunnel tour inside the pyramid, then climb to the church for volcano views.
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Biblioteca Palafoxiana
Historic · 1 mi from centreThe first public library in the Americas, a long hall of carved wooden shelves holding thousands of old books. It is small, so combine it with the nearby cathedral and main square.
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Museo Amparo
Museum · 1 mi from centreA museum in two colonial buildings with a strong collection of pre-Columbian, colonial, and modern art. Don't miss the rooftop terrace, which has a cafe and great views of the cathedral.
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Barrio del Artista
Neighborhood · 2 mi from centreA small artists' quarter in the historic center where painters work and sell from open studios. Pair it with a walk to the nearby Callejón de los Sapos for antiques and Talavera pottery.
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International Museum of the Baroque
Museum · 3 mi from centreA striking modern building by Toyo Ito exploring baroque art, music, and architecture with interactive displays. It is outside the center, so take a taxi and allow a couple of hours.
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Africam Safari
Zoo · 10 mi from centreA drive-through wildlife park outside the city where giraffes, rhinos, and zebras roam large enclosures. Use the park's own bus tours if you don't want animals near your car.
Things to do in Puebla by type
31 tours, tickets and experiences across 7 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.
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Art & culture 15 experiences Atlixco and Cholula -
City tours 8 experiences City Tour Puebla -
Outdoor activities & Adventure 5 experiences Cuetzalan Caves & Extreme -
Day Trips & Excursions 4 experiences Discover Atlixco - Full-Day Tour with Mezcal Tasting -
Air, Helicopter & Balloon Tours 2 experiences Fly in a Hot Air Balloon in Huamantla with Transfers -
Gastronomy & nightlife 2 experiences Canteens Tour -
Zoo, Aquarium & Nature 2 experiences Africam Safari
- Over 6 hours 7
- 3-6 hours 5
- Up to 1 hour 2
- 1-3 hours 1
- Private 9
Top experiences in Puebla
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 31 available.
Zacatlan and Chignahuapan
From $94 per adult
Historic Center of Puebla and Cholula
From $94 per adult
Valquirico and Ex-Hacienda of Chautla
From $82 per adult
Puebla's Historic Center - Walking Tour
From $12 per adult
Africam Safari
From $191 per adult
Atlixco and Cholula
From $99 per adult
Tlaxcala and Huamantla
From $99 per adult
City Tour Puebla
From $89 per adult
Turibus Puebla Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
From $9 per adult
Tour of the cities Cholula and Talavera
From $172 per adult
Private Cholula Experience
From $203 per adult
Secrets of Puebla - Private
From $136 per adult
Where to stay in Puebla
Popular hotels in Puebla, out of 186 properties you can book.
NH Puebla Centro Histórico
From $150 per night
NH Puebla Finsa
From $89 per night
City Express By Marriott Puebla FINSA
From $659 per night
La Quinta By Wyndham Puebla Palmas Angelopolis
From $186 per night
Casa Eva Hotel Boutique & Spa
From $384 per night
Casona Maria
From $126 per night
City Express Junior By Marriott Puebla Angelopolis
From $221 per night
City Express By Marriott Puebla Centro
From $141 per night
San Pedro
From $108 per night
City Express by Marriott Tehuacan
From $73 per night
Escala Puebla Centro
From $51 per night
Puente Real Puebla
From $206 per night
Best time to visit Puebla
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Puebla is November to April, when average daytime highs are around 72–82°F and rain falls on about 3 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Puebla weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 72° 57° 88%
- Thu 22 Oct 71° 55° 90%
- Fri 23 Oct 72° 54° 35%
- Sat 24 Oct 71° 49° 18%
- Sun 25 Oct 64° 51° 27%
- Mon 26 Oct 71° 50° 29%
Know before you go
- Currency
- Mexican peso (MXN)1 US dollar ≈ $18.4
- Language
- Spanish
- Calling code
- +52
- Driving
- On the right
- Time zone
- America/Mexico_CityUTC−6
- Capital
- Mexico City
Upcoming public holidays in Mexico
- Revolution DayDía de la Revolución
- Christmas DayNavidad
- New Year's DayAño Nuevo
- Constitution DayDía de la Constitución
- Benito Juárez's birthdayNatalicio de Benito Juárez
- Labour DayDía del Trabajo
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to Puebla
These are the airports closest to central Puebla. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- PBC Hermanos Serdán International Airport12 mi (20 km) from the city centre
Getting around Puebla
For finding city bus connections, Moovit is somewhat better than Google Maps as of Nov 2021. Moovit shows you the number of the bus line. In the app you can filter for only showing you direct connections. The general fare is M$8.50 (Nov 2021), paid in cash. There is no public transport card. (Safety note about buses: they are generally safe, but they tend to carry pickpockets, especially when crowded. Always have a hand over any bags or backpacks that you have.) The buses generally run from about 07:00 to 22:00.
By taxi
Taxis are almost always safe. They tend to run between M$60-120 (Sept 2021) for a ride. Negotiating a fare before entering a taxi is normal as the taxis do not carry meters in Puebla. If the driver does not offer you a fare that you like, you can wave them off and wait for the next taxi.
Puebla travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Puebla?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Puebla is November to April, when average daytime highs are around 72–82°F and rain falls on about 3 days a month.
What is the weather like in Puebla?
May is usually the warmest month in Puebla, with average highs of 83°F (28°C). December is the coolest, with average lows of 47°F (8°C). The wettest month is typically September, with about 209 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Puebla?
Hermanos Serdán International Airport (PBC) is the closest airport, about 12 miles (20 km) from the centre of Puebla.
What currency is used in Puebla?
Puebla uses the Mexican peso (MXN). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ $18.4.
What time zone is Puebla in?
Puebla uses the America/Mexico_City time zone (currently UTC−6). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Puebla?
For finding city bus connections, Moovit is somewhat better than Google Maps as of Nov 2021. Moovit shows you the number of the bus line. In the app you can filter for only showing you direct connections. The general fare is M$8.50 (Nov 2021), paid in cash. There is no public transport card.
What are the best places to visit in Puebla?
Top sights in Puebla include Puebla Cathedral, Chapel of the Rosary, Great Pyramid of Cholula and Biblioteca Palafoxiana. A massive cathedral on the main square with two of the tallest bell towers in Mexico and a richly decorated interior. Come back at night, when the facade is lit up.
What are the top things to do in Puebla?
Popular experiences you can book in Puebla include Zacatlan and Chignahuapan, Historic Center of Puebla and Cholula and Valquirico and Ex-Hacienda of Chautla. Destina Holidays offers 31 tours and activities here.
What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Puebla?
The most popular types of experiences in Puebla are art & culture (15), city tours (8), outdoor activities & adventure (5) and day trips & excursions (4). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.
Where should I stay in Puebla?
Popular areas for hotels in Puebla include Puebla. Well-reviewed options include NH Puebla Centro Histórico and NH Puebla Finsa.
How many hotels can I book in Puebla?
Destina Holidays currently lists 186 properties in and around Puebla, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.
