Puebla: A State of Natural Beauty and Rich Culture

There is a place between heaven and earth populated by angels... where time can be touched. Land of gods and God, of magic and perfection... of beliefs and knowledge... of the mixture of indigenous and Spanish. In Puebla, life stops to take a breath...

Puebla is a state whose richness is reflected in multiple manifestations. Its vast natural beauties range from forests that cover a tortuous mountain range in the north with amazing waterfalls, unusual caves, large lagoons, and bucolic landscapes, to unsuspected places in the south with a valley of giant biznagas, priceless fossils, a biosphere reserve, and semi-desert panoramas that together make biodiversity with magical scenery. In its capital, architectural beauty and rich cultural life are integrated into a baroque symphony of attractions to welcome tourists, in addition to providing a wide range of services and modern entertainment centers.

The City of Puebla

This jewel of world architecture, located only 120 km from Mexico City, is called de los Angeles due to the dream of the Bishop of Tlaxcala Fray Julian Garces, in which he saw angels descend from heaven with gold and silver cords to trace the city in a valley. The greatness of its architecture is one of its main attractions because it keeps true jewels in more than five thousand buildings worthy of admiration located in the historic center and the monumental area of the city, which is why Puebla is considered a Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Main attractions. The Cathedral, begun in 1575, shows off its Herrerian-style towers that reach 73.93 meters in height. The Palafoxiana Library dates from the 18th century and has more than 40 thousand volumes, among them 3 incunabula books. The Amparo Museum, with a large collection of works from different periods, is located in two buildings from the XVII and XVIII centuries. And the Chapel of the Rosary is considered by many as the eighth wonder of the world for its baroque style churrigueresque. It is covered with stucco lined with 22-karat gold leaf.

Museums. Guardians of priceless jewels of history, the museums transmit the cultural tradition and give a distinctive touch to the place. Visit the Forts of Loreto and Guadalupe, the main scenarios of the Battle of May 5, 1862, the first of which is currently the Museum of the Intervention. Be sure to visit the Amparo Museum, the Poblano Museum of Viceroyal Art, the Regional Museum of Anthropology and History, and the Museum of the Revolution, located in the former home of the Serdán brothers. The Bello y Gonzalez Museum. As well as the Museum and Art Gallery José Luis Bello y Zetina, where you will discover splendid works of art.

Religious buildings. They are admirable works for their beautiful architecture and rich ornamentation, which speak of the power of faith, among them are the Cathedral, the Church of Carmen, the Church of the Company, the Former Convent of Santa Monica, and Santa Rosa, today the State Crafts Museum.

Civil architecture. Some examples are the Municipal Palace, the Main Theater, El Portalillo, today the Council of the Historic Center, the Hotel Palacio San Leonardo of Porfirian style, the Casa de Alfeñique built-in 1790, and the Casa de los Muñecos whose facade is covered with poblana Talavera tiles, the former market La Victoria, as well as the Casa del Deán founded in 1580 in the classic renaissance style, among many other buildings.

Walking tours. Visit the Plazuela de los Sapos, an esplanade closed to traffic and surrounded by typical colonial houses painted in very Mexican colors, where you will find antique shops, restaurants, and lively bars. Stroll down Paseo Bravo, one of the largest and most beautiful avenues in the country, as well as Juarez Avenue, where you can feel the city's economic activity. If you like handicrafts, visit the El Parián market, where you will find onyx, Talavera, miniatures, costumes, and typical sweets.

Puebla, the venue for your best events. Puebla has a modern Convention Center located in the historic center, with specialized halls for congresses, conventions, conferences, social and cultural events, exhibitions, and galleries, with a covered area of more than 4,600 square meters, as well as beautiful open spaces. The city also has a wide range of hotels of different categories, typical and specialty restaurants, and countless bars to celebrate the success of your events.

Archeology, Ecology, and Fun

Starting from the city of Puebla, you can visit archaeological sites, zoos, and resorts.

In Cholula, the ancient seat of the cult of Quetzalcoatl with 2,500 years of existence, you will see a pyramid dedicated to the Rain God Chiconahui Quiáhuitl, whose base is the largest in the world with 450 m per side. This construction is formed by several superimposed pyramids since it was a tradition that each generation marked by the beginning of a solar cycle covered the pyramid with adobe and made a new one over the previous one. So when Cortés arrived at Cholula, the pyramid was already covered.

Cantona is one of the few cities of ancient Mexico whose urban planning was extremely elaborate. In the archaeological zone, 15 architectural units have been enabled for public viewing, among which are two causeways, ball game complexes, the central plaza, the palace, and the eastern plaza.

Yahualichan, with less urban development than Cantona, presents structures covered, both in its cornices and niches and slopes, with slabs of metamorphic rock similar to granite. As if it were a gigantic jigsaw puzzle, the slabs are embedded to give the squares and frames of each niche with practically no mixture, as each part is pressed into place. The main buildings are grouped around a central plaza.

At Africam Safari, the most spectacular zoo in Latin America, you can admire more than 3,000 animals of hundreds of species living in the wild and have fun with the innovative entertainment options for the whole family. The tour consists of a safari, which takes place by car or bus, through the sections where animals representative of various regions of the world await you; each visit is unique because you will always find new surprises.

In Metepec there is a resort with swimming pools and excellent facilities. Next to it is a camping and trout fishing site.

The Northern Region of The State of Puebla

The Nothern Highlands of the State of Puebla is a charming area of green valleys and high mountains that enclose typical villages of beautiful colonial architecture, archaeological sites that reflect the greatness of ancestors, as well as splendid landscapes. The entire region has hotels, cabins, and restaurants to stay comfortably and taste the delicious cuisine that has given international fame to the state.

Chignahuapan is a perfectly laid out town, whose Plaza de Armas boasts one of the most picturesque kiosks in Mexico, decorated with bright colors and raised from the ground by eight colorful columns. Also, in its surroundings, enjoy the outdoors and swimming in one of its many swimming resorts. Zacatlán, the city with the eternal smell of fruits, is a delight for its architecture and its ex-Franciscan Convent from the XVI century. Here ecotourists can visit the Valley of Piedras Encimadas, the San Pedro waterfall, the Barranca de los Jilgueros and the caves of Camocuautla.

In the middle of the highlands of Puebla, Zacapoaxtla is reminiscent of the villages of northern Spain with its typical tile roofs. Cuetzalan stands out for its beautiful landscapes and its architectural jewels: the "church of the little jugs", a temple dedicated to the Virgin of Guadalupe, whose tower has the edges adorned with clay pots, and the church of San Francisco de Asis of sober Renaissance style.

The Southern Region of The State of Puebla

The southern part of the state preserves beautiful convents, archaeological sites, fossils, mineral springs, and delicious gastronomy.

In the mountains, there are beautiful places such as Huatlatlatlauca with its convent that preserves a magnificent coffered ceiling on the roof of the church. Atexcal with its amazing valley of giant biznagas. Zapotitlán Salinas, where a spectacular biosphere reserve is located. Tehuacán is the cradle of corn and the origin of a whole cultural tradition. Atoyatempan, with its great waterfall formed by three waterfalls. And Molcaxac, where the spectacular Puente de Dios (God's Bridge) is located, crosses the mountain range.

Puebla always awaits you to offer you its hospitality, which seems to have inherited from the angels for the gentle treatment that distinguishes its inhabitants.