Walking tour
Season: Year-roundPuebla historic centre walking tour
- The cathedral, the Rosary Chapel and the Palafoxiana library
- Tiled mansions, local legends and the Callejón de los Sapos
The essentials
| Location | Central Mexico, about 130 km south-east of Mexico City |
|---|---|
| Altitude | About 2,100 metres |
| Founded | 1531, as Puebla de los Ángeles; historic centre a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987 |
| Time zone | Central Standard Time (UTC−6), with no daylight saving time |
| Currency | Mexican peso (MXN) |
| Airports | Mexico City (MEX) for most visitors; Puebla (PBC) for some domestic flights |
| Plugs | Types A and B, 127 volts |
| Emergency number | 911 |
When to visit
Puebla has spring-like weather for most of the year, thanks to its altitude. The dry season, from October to April, is the most popular time to visit, with sunny days and the clearest views of the volcanoes. The rainy season brings green hills and short afternoon storms.
| Months | What to expect |
|---|---|
| March to May | The warmest and driest months, with purple jacarandas in March, Holy Week processions, the Feria de Puebla and the Cinco de Mayo parade. |
| June to September | The rainy season, with sunny mornings and afternoon storms. Chiles en nogada season, Independence Day on 15 and 16 September and the Huey Atlixcáyotl festival in Atlixco. |
| October and November | The rains end, the sky clears and the Day of the Dead fills the region with marigolds, altars and flower carpets. |
| December to February | Sunny days and cold nights, sometimes close to freezing, with Christmas posadas, lights and the best volcano views of the year. |
Weather and what to wear
Days are usually warm, in the low to mid 20s °C, and nights are cool all year, especially from November to February. The sun is strong at this altitude. Dress in layers.
- Comfortable walking shoes for cobbled streets
- A warm layer for the evenings, and a jacket in winter
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat
- A light rain jacket from June to September
- Warm clothes for the volcanoes, where it can snow
Festivals and events
- Spring equinox: around 21 March, crowds climb the Cholula pyramid to greet the sun.
- Holy Week: processions in the historic centre, including a silent procession on Good Friday.
- Feria de Puebla: the state fair, from late April into May.
- Cinco de Mayo: a great parade on 5 May marks the victory over the French army at the Battle of Puebla in 1862.
- Chiles en nogada season: roughly July to September, when fresh walnuts and pomegranates are in season.
- Independence Day: the “Grito” on the night of 15 September and parades on the 16th.
- Huey Atlixcáyotl: the last Sunday of September in Atlixco.
- Day of the Dead: 31 October to 2 November, with altars, markets and a flower carpet in Atlixco. See our Day of the Dead guide.
- Christmas: posadas from 16 to 24 December, and lights in Atlixco and Puebla.
Money and costs
Puebla is good value, and cheaper than Mexico City for food and hotels. Cards are accepted in hotels, restaurants and big shops, but carry cash for markets, street food and small shops. Use ATMs inside banks. Tip 10% to 15% in restaurants.
Safety and health
- Getting around at night: use Uber, DiDi or taxis from a taxi stand, rather than hailing cabs in the street.
- Valuables: keep phones and bags close in markets, crowds and festivals.
- Water: do not drink tap water. Bottled water is cheap everywhere.
- Altitude: take it easy on your first day, and drink plenty of water.
- Popocatépetl: the volcano is active. Ash can occasionally close the airport or roads, and access to the national park depends on the alert level, so check local news before a trip to the volcanoes.
- Earthquakes: central Mexico has earthquakes. If you hear the seismic alarm, follow the people around you to a safe place.
Etiquette
- Greet people with “buenos días” or “buenas tardes” before you ask a question.
- Dress modestly in churches, avoid flash and stay quiet during Mass.
- Ask before you photograph people, especially in markets and villages.
- Learn a few words of Spanish. English is less widely spoken than in Mexico City or the beach resorts.
