Why I'd choose Puebla as a top destination for an extended stay in Mexico

Now that I’ve wrapped up my series of stories on Taxco, it’s time to move to another one of my favorite Mexican destinations. As you know, last year I convinced Joan to consider Mexico as a more affordable place to live while she pursues her location independent work as a content writer. Taxco is a wonderful place for a weekend getaway, but for more modern conveniences, you’re going to want a place like Puebla. With 6 million people, there is something for everyone including huge shopping centers and international cuisine.

You may not have heard of Puebla, but you’ve most certainly heard of the historic event it is most notable for: Cinco de Mayo. Often mistaken for the day of Mexico’s independence from Spain (Sep 6), May 5th is actually the day that Mexico thwarted a French invasion of Puebla. While the French eventually conquered the city, the battle inspired patriotism throughout Mexico, though Cinco de Mayo is much more celebrated in the U.S., albeit as a drinking holiday, than in most parts of Mexico.

Another interesting fact about Puebla is that there are 288 churches. A popular myth is that you could go to a different church every day for a year. Clearly that’s not entirely accurate, but that’s still an impressive number of churches for an area of only 80 square miles.

One story behind the unusual number of churches is that having a family member in the church guaranteed access to heaven for the whole family. As a result, every family tried to enroll their sons in seminary school. With that kind of demand, seminaries (and their accompanying churches) multiplied.

So why consider Puebla for an extended stay?

Food

Clockwise: Cream cheese wrapped in trout, Tamale stuffed with mushroom, Dessert, Trout with squash blossom

Puebla has the most variety of Mexican food I’ve experienced in Mexico. The traditional favorites are: mole, cemitas, and chile en nogada. We also enjoyed the fusion of modern approaches to traditional dishes.

Culture

Puebla’s main cathedral reminds me of the Vatican

Puebla has over 25 museums and the most grand cathedral in Mexico

Art

Collection of handmade pottery at Puebla talavera studio, Uriarte

Aside from having beautiful art museums, Puebla is home to many local artisans. You can try your hand at spinning pottery or painting. Joan toured a Uriarte talavera pottery studio where they still hand craft the traditional pottery we’ve all seen.

Other reasons to consider staying Puebla, Mexico

Ultra modern supermarkets
Modern medical facilities
Affordability – apartment rents average $500/mo
Easy access to airports – There is an airport in Puebla with connecting flights to the US, or you can take a luxury bus directly to the Mexico city airport with flights to anywhere in the world.
Close to Mexico city – It’s just over 2 hours by comfortable bus to Mexico city
Cheap transportation – Uber trips most anywhere in the city are no more than $5
Safe – Despite being such a large city, it is filled with families walking the streets at all times of day
Language – Most places in the center and the malls have someone who speaks English and many have English menus. Joan struggled very little to order things or ask questions.

Perfect temperature

Like most of Mexico, the daily mean temp is about 75 degrees, with 27 inches of rain that fall mostly in September.

What we enjoy about Puebla

We enjoy daily walks to lunch or dinner. It’s important to get out at different times a day, because at night, everything is lit up and festive. The pedestrian-only boulevard through the center of the historic district is always filled with people shopping or strolling with their families. The fact that it’s always crowded makes me wonder if the people here also have flexible work schedules.

The pedestrian boulevard in the center of the city is always full

You can find anything in the markets downtown, and each street seems to be dedicated to a different commodity, whether it be shoes, chocolates or Quinceañera dresses. And if you need something specific from the states, you can head out to the shopping malls where all the major brands are represented.

We’ve been working with a local tour director here to put together gastronomic and artisan tours. For those looking for a winter refuge or a more affordable cost of living, we’ll begin offering expat tours next year as well.

Maybe you’re ready to go already? Check out my top 6 recommendations for expats in Mexico.