Where to stay in Puebla?

Centro Historico is, perhaps unsurprisingly, the historic center of the city. Declared a Historic Monuments Zone by presidential decree in 1977, it was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO 10 years later in 1987.

Unfortunately, due to a number of earthquakes in recent years, many of the buildings have become damaged, although most do still remain standing.

Among the most popular buildings in the area, you have the stunning 16th to 17th-century Renaissance and Baroque buildings such as Puebla Cathedral, the Municipal Hall Of Puebla, Church of Santo Domingo, Templo de San Franciso, and the Teatro Principal De Puebla, as well as a large number of beautiful churches and chapels.

Puebla’s cathedral is located near the central square, Zocalo where you can find many colonial architecture houses, restaurants, and shops. The square also hosts numerous cultural and political events.

Parian Market is another of the cities most visited attractions. A large, traditional handicraft market, it hosts 112 stands, all featuring traditional Puebloan architecture.

Hosting galleries, artists, sculptors, and vendors selling pottery, leather, and jewelry, El Parian is a fabulous place to visit, whether you want to purchase a souvenir or some traditional products, or even if you simply want to look around and take in the atmosphere and architecture.

The Casa De La Cultura and the Maqueta Del Centro De Puebla are great places to learn about the area, while the Biblioteca Palafoxiana is a fabulous place to improve your knowledge in general, as it is recognized as the oldest library in the Americas, having first opened in 1646.

The district even features distinct neighborhoods within it, such as Barrio del Artista – Artist’s Quarter, known for its arts and crafts, and Barrios De Los Sapos (also known as the Alley of the Toads), which is famed for its brightly colored buildings, antique books, and famous Talavera pottery.

If you love museums, the Centro offers plenty of choices. You will find Museo Amparo (the Amparo Museum), Museo Casa del Mendrugo, Museo Regional De La Revolución Mexicana Casa De Los Hermanos Serdánm, and Museo Nacional De Los Ferrocarriles Mexicanos.

If you are hoping to get a true experience of what the city has been like for the last 500 years or so and want to be surrounded by its people and sample their traditional foods, drinks, and wares, this is definitely the place for you.

You must try local cuisines like cemitas (Mexican sandwiches), chalupas (thin, crunchy tortilla), tacos arabes (traditional Puebla dish), mole poblano (dark red-brown Puebla sauce made with ancho chiles and chocolate).

If you have a sweet tooth, head to the Calle del Dulce (Sweet Street), the three-block-long street is packed with shops that sell a wide variety of sugary treats.

Puebla Centro has a wide range of accommodations that suits all budget from backpacker hostels to luxury hotels.

Stay in Puebla Centro if you are interested in the history of the city; you love beautiful churches; you want to visit the oldest library in the Americas; you want to visit the city’s largest craft market; you want to be in the heart of the city.

Angelopolis (Centro Comercial Angelopolis) is a largely residential and commercial area within the city, covering 15 square kilometers. Considered one of the most modern areas in all of Mexico, as well as one of the most important in Puebla, it is largely inhabited by fairly wealthy residents and boasts a number of skyscrapers and expensive buildings.

It is well known internationally as it features 3 highly regarded universities: the Instituto Tecnologico Y De Estudios Superiores De Monterrey, Universidad Iberoamericana and Universidad Anahuac.

When you combine these with the number of private schools and academies in the area, it makes Angelopolis a hub of learning and cultural enhancement.

Noted as one of the most luxurious areas in the country, it is popular among tourists seeking a more sophisticated style of entertainment. Designer shopping malls, cultural spaces, lush parks, tourist attractions, service centers, and beautiful developments are abundant, making it a great choice for those looking to take a break with a little bit of class.

Angelopolis is also home to Estrella de Puebla – Star of Puebla, the largest Ferris wheel in the city with stunning views of the volcanoes in the background. It’s close to Angelópolis Lifestyle Center Mall and Parque del Arte.

The Estrella de Puebla is part of a complex that contain the Ecoparque Metropolitano, Paseo del Río Atoyac, Parque Lineal, Jardín del Arte, and the International Museum of the Baroque.

Nearby on the Vía Atlixcáyotl, you can find the Torre Natyvo, a 27-story skyscraper with offices and a shopping center, and the Museo Internacional del Barroco, a Mexican museum dedicated to Baroque art.

As you might expect, accommodation in the district is large of high quality and has a price tag to match, whether that be the hotels or the privately operated guesthouses and apartments. That said, there are a few lower-priced options available, for those who want to stay in the area but don’t have money to burn.

Stay in Angelopolis if you want to stay in an exclusive part of the city; you are, or are visiting, a student at one of the universities; you like high-end accommodation and amenities; you want to stay in one of the most modern, luxurious areas in all of Mexico.

Located in the very northern section of the city, Finsa is a largely residential area. Featuring great public transport links back into the center of the city, this is an ideal location for visitors who would rather stay out of the hustle and bustle of the inner city for the duration of their trip, but still, want access to see the attractions when they choose.

Speaking of attractions, you will admittedly be very limited within the district, as that isn’t what this area is about. The true selling point to Finsa is the local experience that it offers. With many of the bars, shops, and restaurants in the area run by and catering to locals, it gives you the opportunity to have a more authentic experience.

Shopping and dining with the native people will allow you to get a true feel for what life in the area is really like on a day-to-day basis, away from the tourist hub that takes over the city center. Soak up the culture, strike up a conversation and take the opportunity to learn and see things that most other visitors to the city will miss.

While this lack of focus on tourism will certainly limit your choices for accommodation compared to other parts of the city, what is available is generally of a lower price, being that is less in demand because of its distance to the popular attractions. This makes it ideal for anyone traveling on a budget or who wants to save a little money to spend on other things

Stay in Finsa if you want a more authentic, local experience; you are traveling on a budget; you don’t mind having to travel to see the sights.

Located 12 km outside of Puebla, the small colonial city of San Andres Cholula is Magical Town that has two distinct selling points for visitors: its cultural and historical sites, and its festivals.

Its most famous sight is the Great Pyramid Of Cholula, known locally as Tlachihualtepetl, which translates to “made by hand mountain”. Standing 55 meters tall, at its base it features an area almost double that of the Great Pyramid Of Giza.

Built in prehistoric times and surrounded by smaller structures, including the Courtyard Of Altars, as well as murals and other items of historical significance, it is a fabulous destination for anyone interested in the ancient history and culture of the area.

In the city itself, a collection of small, colonial-era churches can also be found, allowing you to get a sense of how the area has changed throughout the centuries.

On the festival side of things, you have events held at numerous times throughout the year, where the city comes to life to celebrate and embrace their culture. Carnival, Vaniloquio, Holy Week, La Bajada, and the feast day of the Virgin Of The Remedies are the most important religious festivals, all taking great significance for the majority of residents.

Beyond these, smaller festivals are also held to celebrate things such as the crop harvest or the existence of the Great Pyramid.

Other points of interests in Cholula are The Sanctuary of the Virgen de los Remedios, Church of Santa María Tonantzintla, The San Pedro Cholula Market, Cholula Ethnobotanical Garden, and Talavera de la Reyna Cholula workshop.

If you are looking for a place to stay where you can have a unique cultural experience and explore some stunning historical locations, there simply isn’t a location in the city that comes anywhere near to rivaling San Andres Cholula.

Stay here if you are interested in the ancient history of the city; you want to attend some of the incredible festivals on offer; you want to explore the collection of colonial-era churches; you want to be surrounded largely by indigenous people; you want to visit the Great Pyramid Of Cholula.

Located to the northwest of Centro Storico, La Paz is a largely residential, laid-back part of the city. Perhaps its greatest claim to fame is for its incredible gastronomical endeavors. A huge collection of trendy, high-end restaurants can be found here, offering some of the finest food in the city.

Cuisines such as Mexican, Japanese, Italian, French, American, and many others can all be found here, drawing visitors from all over the city to dine in its restaurants each night.

This not only gives you the opportunity to sample a huge range of expertly cooked foods, but you also have the chance to interact with a diverse range of people, getting a full experience of all corners of the city.

Food isn’t the only selling point to La Paz though, as there are a number of fabulous attractions in the area for tourists to enjoy during their stay.

For starters, you have the Fuente De Los Frailes, a gorgeous, sculpted fountain in the middle of a rotary. A beautiful location that shows of the architecture of the region, it is perhaps even better at night when it is illuminated from all sides.

The Iglesia Del Cielo is a beautiful church, featuring a stunning, bright white cupola, located on top of Cerro De La Paz hill. This is an ideal spot for visitors to learn a little about the culture and history of the area, as well as take in some amazing views of the city.

The neighboring Monumento A La Bandera features a huge Mexican flag set in a lush green park. Not only does this provide more culture and stunning views, but it also provides you with a pleasant location to take a relaxing stroll or sit down for a while.

With a more laid-back feel than other areas, La Paz is perfect for those who want to balance fine dining and relaxation with a little bit of culture during their stay.

You should stay here if you want to sample a wide range of gourmet cuisines; you want to take in stunning views of the city; you want to relax in a beautiful park; you want to see the iconic fountain or flag memorial.