This beautiful and affordable historic city is one of Mexico’s trendiest destinations this year

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We all know and love Mexico for its pristine white sands, turquoise seas and five-star luxury resorts along the beach, but we Love it because of the authentic Mexican culture, the soulful cuisine and the beautiful architecture.

Besides the glitz and glamor of Cancun, there is a whole country with… pueblos not yet spoiled by gentrification, begging to be discovered.

If you’re hoping to get a taste of the real Mexico on your next visit, and an all-inclusive stay in the Caribbean isn’t cutting it, then maybe it’s time you increasingly trendy Puebla:

Is Puebla the next big cultural hotspot?

One of the fastest rising destinations this year, this colonial city in central mexico has a 8% increase in the number of visitors year-on-year between January and August.

This is a particularly impressive achievement considering the unimpressive numbers in Tulum, from which some airlines are already withdrawing, and the Mexican economy. overall decline in terms of tourist numbers. If our southern neighbor is losing its shine, it is certainly not palpable in Puebla:

On average, tourists stay one and a half to two nights, and they are not attracted by luxurious experiences and paradisiacal beaches (Puebla is hundreds of kilometers away from both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts), but by a fascinating historycultural value and delicious food.

Mexico’s capital of the Baroque

It is home to one of the best preserved and most beautiful historic centers south of the border, dotted with monumental Baroque churches, colonial facades that have remained virtually unchanged since the Spaniards were driven out, and beautiful shouts.

Rising above the colonial cityscape, Puebla Cathedral features a duo of impressive towers and an ornate interior that leaves nothing to be desired compared to the great basilicas of Europe.

Puebla has many more churches, from the iconic Rosary Chapellocated in the 16th century Temple of Santo Domingowith exaggerated gold decorations everywhere, to the lesser known Temple of San Josewith a beautifully tiled exterior.

Yet the most impressive colonial monument is not a church, but a library:

The oldest and most beautiful library in the New World

Not somewhere in New England, Canada, or any Caribbean transit hub that Christopher Columbus happened upon: the first public library in America was built here in Puebla and leaves nothing to be desired compared to its European counterparts.

It’s the Biblioteca Palafoxianastacked wall to wall with antique leather-bound books dating back centuries. They are carefully arranged in meticulously carved cedar, and the cthedral-like, vaulted ceiling is nothing short of a man-made wonder.

Still can’t get enough of Puebla’s timeless charm? You can visit a traditional one casa pueblana dating from the second half of the 18th century: Casa de los Munecos still retains its old furnishings and colonial tile work.

Colonial monuments abound

Now if you fly all the way to Puebla to try some of their traditional dishes mole poblanothe rich, cocoa-heavy sauce that seems to go with everything you want to reserve a seat for The mural of los Poblanos:

While they are certainly on the pricier side, they still serve local dishes at reasonable prices (expect to pay around $27), and the restaurant itself is located in a 17th century palacewith tables spread across an arcaded courtyard that’s postcard-ready.

For a more casual setting, as frequented by locals and not just tourists with deep pockets, Comal is the perfect place in the Old Town not only for moles, but also for carnitas and chalupas – and the view of the cathedral is too priceless.

On average, a three-course menu is served here will cost you $18-22.

For dinner, try something more modern at the Santóua Gastrobarpopular for its innovative interpretations of centuries old poblana recipes and delicious cocktails. It’s one of Puebla’s top-rated nightlife spots, and you can spend about $18 here for a meal and drinks.

An ancient pyramid that you have never heard of

If you are staying in Puebla for more than 2 nights, make sure you take a day trip Cholula: Another colonial-era town that’s equally charming, just a 30-minute drive from central Puebla.

It is best known for its monumental pre-Columbian pyramid (whose base is the the largest in the world in terms of volume), topped by a yellow wash Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de los Remedios.

The picturesque city center, crisscrossed with cobbled alleys and filled with cozy cafes, street markets, more churches and of course plenty of photo opportunities, is also not to be missed.

For a three-night stay, including a day trip to Cholula, you’ll need to spend about $75 per night on accommodation (prices for 3- and 4-star hotels on Booking.com range from $41 to $109).

This season you will find the best value for money at NH Puebla Centro Historicoan 8-minute walk from the cathedral. Sharing the costs of a double room as a couple costs you money only $36.50 each.

Read more about Puebla here (and get inspired).

Vinicius Costa

Vini, our senior head writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60 countries to his name (and is currently weaving stories from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.