SouthernPortal
  • Home
  • Colonial Cities
    • Aguascalientes
    • Campeche
    • Oaxaca
    • Cuernavaca
    • Dolores Hidalgo
    • Guanajuato
    • Merida
    • Puebla
    • Queretaro
    • San Miguel de Allende
    • Taxco de Alarcon
    • Tlaxcala
    • Valle de Bravo
  • Beaches
    • Cabo San Lucas
    • Cancun
    • Ensenada
    • Guaymas
    • Mazatlan
    • Playa Del Carmen
    • Puerto Escondido
    • Puerto Vallarta
    • Zihuatanejo
  • Natural Wonders
    • Tequila
    • Sian Ka'an
    • Sea of Cortez
    • La Bufadora
    • Isla Mujeres
    • Copper Canyon
  • Geography
    • Mountains and Rivers
    • Seismology
    • Biodiversity
    • Interactive Map
    • Climate
  • Meso Ruins
    • Calakmul
    • Chichen Itza
    • Edzna
    • Monte Alban
    • Palenque
  • Demographics
    • Background
    • Immigration
    • Nationality
    • Cities and Metro Areas
    • Religion
    • Languages in Mexico
    • Ethnic Diversity
    • Culture
    • Art and Literature
    • Music and Sports
    • Cuisine and Holidays
  • Blog
  • Search

About the city of Puebla in the state of Puebla, Mexico

Puebla, Mexico is located just two hour drive from Mexico City. During the Spanish rule, Puebla was considered one of the most important cities of the new empire.


Puebla is a larger city in Mexico and has a population of approximately 1.3 million inhabitantss and is a city full of colonial treasures, cafe lined squares, muesums and vibrant arts and craft. The large historic center is a World Heritage Site. New hotels are everywhere and airlines offer easy access to this gem of a city from the United States. Puebla is known for an amazing cuisine. This crayon colored city as some call it will not disappoint whoever comes  to visit it. 

Brief history of Puebla

The state of Puebla borders the states of Veracruz to the east, Hidalgo, Mexico State, Tlaxcala and Morelos to the west, and Guerrero and Oaxaca to the south. 

The Mexican War of Independence was waged in many individual battles throughout central Mexico. Former priest Jose Morelos led successful military campaigns that reached into the vicinity of Puebla. Eleven years after the insurrection began, Austin DE Iturbide marched his army into Puebla and declared Mexico to be an independent country.
Picture
click image to enlarge
From the late 1820’s until 1867, Puebla was plagued by political unrest. As the country grappled with self government control, the state was contested by many political movements including federalists, capitalists as well as liberals and conservatives. In 1861 Mexico suspended payments of it’s debts angering other countries and opened the door for the French invasion. In 1862 Mexican patriots defended a superior French force known as the battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. In the late 19th and early 20th century many Europeans moved to Puebla and their influence can still  be seen in the cities architecture.

Cinco de Mayo, a fun and culturally packed day in the United States for Mexian heritage is after the battle of Puebla.  
Advertisement
Today automotive and textile production are part of Puebla’s main manufacturing industries. Manufacturing constitutes the largest percent of the economy. Many of the rich traditions in Puebla involve food and art. Mole poblano a spicy sauce was developed around the 17th century and is still enjoyed today. Puebla is also well known for it’s Talavera ceramics, which are crafted using the same techniques introduced by Spaniards in the 16th century. 

Tourism in Puebla

Picture
By Felipe Alfonso Castillo Vázquez (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Puebla’s  warm hospitality, relaxed atmosphere, colorful surroundings and distinct colonial history make it a worthwhile destination. While you are in Puebla be sure to go on a walking tour of Puebla’s historical center to discover beautiful historic buildings. You can also take the turibus or tranvia for a guided tour of the city. This will help you get to know the city and have someone there to answer questions that you may have. One of the most important historical museums in Mexico is located in Puebla, which is the Amparo Museum. The museum is housed in two colonial buildings that date back to the 17th and 18th century. The museums permanent collection traces Mexico throughout history.  

Puebla is well known among Mexicans for it’s cuisines that include mole poblano and chiles en nogada. Chalupas are also very popular as well as the street tacos. Puebla has many small cafes in the historical center that do not disappoint. Puebla is also a great destination for shopping at places such as the Mercado el Parian, which has a charming handicrafts market. At Uriarte Internacional you can purchase talavera pottery as well as see how it is made. Puebla’s annual fair is held from April to May 5th. 

There  are a few hotels within the historical center of Puebla that are well worth looking into when you are searching for where you are going to stay. Staying in the historical center gives you the opportunity to be in the heart of town and to experience the traditional feel of this charming location. Hotel Colonial, Hotel Royalty and Meson Sacristia de Capuchinas are all in this area and are each unique in their own way and would make a great place to stay on your trip.

Puebla travel information

Airport: Juarez International Airport (Mexico City)
Address: Av Capitan Carlos León S/N, Venustiano Carranza, Peñón de los Baños, 15620 Ciudad de México, D.F., Mexico
Local phone number: +52 55 2482 2400

Is a passport or travel visa required? This depends on your nationality and your country of origin. We recommend that you check with your travel agent or Mexican Consulate in your area to know what documents you need to travel to Puebla Mexico.
Read about the next colonial city > or jump to any of these other popular colonial towns and cities below:

Oaxaca | Campeche | Cuernavaca | Dolores Hidalgo | Aguascalientes | Guanajuato | Merida | Morelia | Puebla | Queretaro | San Miguel de Allende | Tlaxcala
Advertisement

You may also like to view

Picture
Queretaro
Picture
Oaxaca


Other colonial towns

  • Oaxaca 
  • Campeche 
  • Cuernavaca 
  • Dolores
  • Hidalgo 
  • Aguascalientes 
  • Guanajuato 
  • Merida 
  • Morelia 
  • Puebla 
  • Queretaro 
  • San Miguel de Allende 
  • Tlaxcala
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
Photos used under Creative Commons from aldo c zavala, Urban Girl