Day trip from Mexico City to Puebla, Mexico

When planning my trip to Mexico, I knew that one of the places I wanted to visit was Puebla. Located only 130 km from the capital, the city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is known especially for its impressive Baroque architecture. If you are looking for a nice getaway from the hustle and bustle of Mexico City, visiting Puebla is a perfect choice.

I really enjoyed my day trip to Puebla (and two bonus places just outside of the city). I visited these places on my second day in Mexico, and together with the capital, it was such a good introduction to the country, its history, and its culture.

Below, you can read all about the day trip from Mexico City to Puebla and why choosing a tour is actually a better idea on this route. Read on to get to know your options and plan the perfect day trip to Puebla.

Why visit Puebla, Mexico

Puebla is one of the largest cities in Mexico, with a population of approximately 1.7 million inhabitants. Don’t let this fact intimidate you. The city has a long and rich history that makes it worth visiting. Puebla is one of the most important colonial cities in Mexico, founded by Spanish conquistadors in 1531. With its strategic location between the Port of Veracruz and Mexico City, Puebla was a vital center in the region and developed significantly over the centuries.

The best testimony of this golden era is the architecture of Puebla. In the center, you will find a few thousand historical buildings of great value, representing various architectural styles, including Baroque, Renaissance, and Classical. This is the reason why Puebla was granted the UNESCO World Heritage Site title in 1987. Exploring Puebla is a real treat, and the city’s vibrant atmosphere makes it even more enjoyable.

How to get to Puebla

Even if getting from Mexico City to Puebla is relatively straightforward, it might take too much time if you plan to visit the city only on a day trip. There are direct buses connecting the cities, with a travel time of around two hours.

Be sure to check the departure point, as, depending on the connection, those might vary, and some of them are located a bit away from the center of Mexico City. The most convenient starting point for a day trip from Mexico City to Puebla is the TAPO ADO Bus Terminal, which is next to the San Lazaro metro station (located on metro lines 1 and B).

In Puebla, buses arrive at the central bus station, which is located around 5 km away from the historical center. To get there, you need to take a city bus no 44 from in front of the Domino’s.

Mexico City to Puebla tour

After doing my research on taking a day trip from Mexico City to Puebla, I’ve decided that the best option is to go on a tour. Not only would I not have to navigate public transport (which can be confusing in a new place, especially if you don’t really know the language), but with the tour, I could have seen more places than only Puebla as it also includes Cholula and Tonantzintla in the itinerary. The price was also not significantly more expensive compared to the cost of taking a bus (and getting to and from bus stations).

There are many tours from Mexico City to Puebla to choose from. I booked this one on Viator and was not disappointed. The group was small, consisting of only around ten people. The ride was comfortable, and the guide was a really friendly and knowledgeable woman who took care of everything. In each of the places, after the guided part, there was plenty of free time to explore the place on your own. Click here to check the details and book this tour.

Other highly-rated day trips from Mexico City to Puebla:

• Private Tour to Cholula and Puebla
• Puebla and Cholula
• Puebla, Cholula & Tonantzintla Day Tour

What to see in Puebla in one day

Even if the city is packed with attractions and you could easily spend a few days enjoying things to do in Puebla, sometimes all you have is a few hours only. You will most likely focus on the historical center – the Zocalo – with its beautiful colonial architecture.

The most important landmark here is the Cathedral, built between 1575 and 1640, with two of the tallest church towers in Mexico. The building is beautiful both from the outside and inside, so be sure not to miss its interior, too.

Across the street from the Cathedral, you can visit the Palafoxian Library. This beautiful place, founded in the 18th century, is known for its unique collection of books.

A short walk away from the Main Square is another highlight of Puebla – the Rosary Chapel with a jaw-dropping interior. The whole decor is very elaborate and rich in detail, with everything covered in gold. Locals called this small chapel “The Eight Wonder of the World,” and it will surely take your breath away with its beauty.

There are also some interesting museums in the area, such as the Museo Casa de Alfeñique, where you can explore the interior of a historical house and view artifacts primarily from the 19th century.

But the best thing to do in Puebla is simply to wander around the center, admire beautiful architecture, find hidden passages and colorful lanes, and walk along tree-lined streets. Wherever you go, a vibrant atmosphere surrounds you, making Puebla an enjoyable place to visit. If you get hungry or tired, there are numerous cafes and restaurants where you can sit down to rest and look at the world around you.

If you feel like doing some souvenir shopping, there’s a nice handicraft market (Mercado de Artesanías El Parián) not far from the main square.

What to see near Puebla

If you decide to take a tour from Mexico City to Puebla, you will likely visit other places during your day trip, including Cholula and Tonantzintla. I must admit, I didn’t know much about them before the trip (as I was really looking forward to visiting Puebla), and both turned out to be such a lovely surprise.

Cholula is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in North America, with its history dating back to 500 B.C. The place is mainly known for its Great Pyramid, the largest pyramid by volume on a platform in the world. You might be a bit disappointed with it, though, as the site doesn’t resemble a pyramid much, even though some old parts at the bottom are uncovered. The place is engulfed with vegetation and resembles more of a regular hill, with the historic church on top (it was placed there by the Spanish).

Reaching the top of the pyramid may be a challenge for some, as the path up is rather steep, but it’s definitely worth the effort. Not only can you visit the beautiful church, rich in decor, but the view from the top of the pyramid is also quite impressive. On a clear day, you can admire the volcano Popo from there, as well as the panorama of Cholula town and its surroundings.

A short drive away from Cholula, you will visit Tonantzintla and its unique Church of Santa María Tonantzintla from the 16th century. What makes it special is the interior, which features decoration in the indigenous Baroque style, incorporating many local folk motifs.

This is a one-of-a-kind church where you can find a unique blend of Catholic and local beliefs, such as statues of little angels wearing traditional Indian feather headdresses. Unfortunately, it’s forbidden to take pictures inside, but the church is definitely worth a trip if you are visiting Puebla.

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