Best of Puebla City ￨ History Culture & Culinary Tour-7 days

Arrive to Puebla City and check in at our hotel in the historic center of the city. The rest of the day is free to relax or go exploring on our own. We will sleep in Puebla City for the next 6 nights. Note: You can fly into the Puebla City Airport (PBC) or fly into the Mexico City International Airport / AICM. The airport 3 letter code is MEX. From Terminal 1 there are buses that go direct to the Puebla City Bus Station (CAPU). Depending on traffic, the bus ride is a little less than 3 hours.

This morning we’ll meet our host guide for breakfast. She will give us an overview of the coming days, brief us about Mexican customs, and answer any questions.

We’ll then take off on a walking tour to learn about Puebla’s early history, including a visit to the Basilica de Catedral de Puebla and the Templo de Santo Domingo with its many tiny chapels. We’ll also enter the very old Biblioteca Palafoxiana (first library in America) to learn about its history and view its shelves which contain thousands of volumes. Toward the end of our morning walking tour, we will visit several small restaurants which specialize in Antojitos (translated means, “Little Cravings”). This will actually be our lunch for today.

The rest of the day will be free to relax, go exploring, or perhaps visit a local museum. Later in the evening, our adventure continues as we will have the opportunity to select a restaurant (or street food) on our own to have dinner. Our host guide will give us some ideas of where to go. (B,L)

After breakfast, we’ll drive down some small rural roads to view a couple hidden waterfalls. There are clear refreshing pools below these falls which give us the opportunity to jump in. On a nice warm tropical day, the cool water will feel great!

Later we’ll head over to another beach where we may encounter local families and small groups of seniors enjoying the day. The Gulf of México water will be warm and inviting for a swim. We will have lunch there right on the beach at one of the rustic palapa restaurants and have the afternoon to just relax by the sea. 

Overnight at the same hotel.  (B,L,D)

After breakfast, we’ll meet up with our guide and head over to a family run Talavera operation. We will learn the process of how they create these famous ceramic pieces which are only made in Puebla, Mexico. We can also look over the shoulders of the artisan workers as they meticulously hand paint the designs on each original piece.

Then we are off again to explore a most recent local discovery; tunnels. A whole network of about 6 miles of tunnels were discovered under the city in 2015. After much restoration, a portion of these tunnels are now open to the public. We will enter them and learn about their secret purpose and how they were discovered.

Well break for lunch at a local typical restaurant and then head up to a bluff where there are two massive fortresses. Here our guide will relate the story about a famous battle that took place against the best trained army in the world at that time, the French army. After visiting one of these fortresses and its museum, you will then understand the real story behind “Cinco de Mayo.”

The rest of the afternoon and evening are free to wander. (B,L)

Today will be an authentic Puebla food experience to remember. We will start our culinary journey by taking a walk through some of Puebla’s oldest neighborhoods to reach a local market. We’ll experience the sights, sounds, aromas, and flavors as we select the ingredients required to make traditional Antojitos (appetizers) along with the special sauces that complement them. Then we’ll head to our cooking class to meet a local Doña (cook) who will lead us step-by-step on how to make different kinds of Antojitos. To prepare the sauces, we will do it the “old school” way; by using a mortar and pedestal (molcajete). (B,L)

Cholula dates back to the 2nd century BC. This was a trading outpost which linked the gulf coast to Mexico’s central valley.

Our guide will take us on a short drive from Puebla City to the town of Cholula. She will lead us on a tour of this very old town and will relate the history of what took place here during the Spanish invasion as well as the history

about the Great Pyramid of Cholula (Tlachihualtepetl). It is twice the volume of the largest pyramid in Giza, Egypt. Although not as tall and steep as the Giza pyramids, it is still the largest pyramid in the world by volume. We will walk up to the top of this partially covered pyramid and view the beautiful church the Spanish built on top of it.

We will also visit two other interesting churches in Cholula. The interior walls and ceiling of the sanctuary in Santa Maria Tonantzintla is absolutely stunning! Carved painted figures out of stucco totally blanket the inside of this

place of worship. In the other church, San Francisco Acatepec, the uniqueness of the exterior facade is a must see. It is totally decorated in Talavera ceramic tile.

Later, we will return to Puebla City and enjoy a farewell dinner with our host guide. (B,L,D)

Breakfast is included but there are no group activities today. We can help you with any post tour exploration plans. If you are interested, contact us prior to going on this tour and we can help you arrange a guided extension tour to

explore either Mexico City, Veracruz, Oaxaca City, or Cuernavaca & Taxco. (B) Buen Viaje!