Puebla, Mexico Dec 2020

By Ali Karim
This post is part of a series called Pueblo & Veracruz Dec 2020

Puebla, Mexico December 2020

Our first overseas trip once Covid started was to Mexico on 20th December 2020. Why Mexico? Because Mexico was the only country that would accept US passport holders coming over without any Covid quarantine restrictions. 

So, we decided to check out Puebla, a city in the central highlands of Mexico, about 1hrs drive from Mexico City. We flew into Mexico City, and rented a car at the airport, and drove straight to Puebla, which we knew had come out of Covid lockdown and had relatively few cases. We checked into the Hotel Intercontinental where we got good rates. The hotel was decent, but was in need of a full renovation.

A little bit about Puebla; it is the 4th largest metro center in Mexico and is the capital city of Puebla state. Founded in 1531 by the Spanish, it became the main route from Mexico City and the interior to the port of Veracruz on the Gulf of Mexico, and to Spain. The fertile valleys here produced a lot of food crops that supplied the capital. The city is famous for having defeated the French in May of 1862 in the Battle of Puebla and is thus the birthplace of the Cinco de Mayo (5th of May) celebrations, which has nothing to do with Mexican independence. Its claim to current fame is quality education, with renowned and prestigious Universities, Culinary schools, and the largest Volkswagen plant outside Germany, which brought along a lot of local supply shops of auto components. The historic city center area was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987. Located at 7,000ft above sea level, it never gets too hot or too cold here. Puebla is also the state where Popocatepetl volcano is located; and was easily seen from Puebla city

Some views of Puebla are below; as we enjoyed the truly tasty and well-prepared/presented variety of dishes & foods in Puebla; a tribute to its reputation as a center of culinary excellence.

Puebla, Mexico Dec 2020, The Mural restaurant
The Mural restaurant
Puebla, Mexico Dec 2020, Breakfast at Mural cafe
Breakfast at Mural cafe
Puebla, Mexico Dec 2020, Typical City Street
Typical City Street
Puebla, Mexico Dec 2020, Another typical colorful Street, majestic churches everywhere
Another typical colorful Street, majestic churches everywhere
Puebla, Mexico Dec 2020, The Biblioteca Palafoxiana, established in 1646, was the first library in the Americas and is the only one to survive to the present day.
The Biblioteca Palafoxiana, established in 1646, was the first library in the Americas and has survived to the present day.
Puebla, Mexico Dec 2020, Ornate and beautiful architecture everywhere
Ornate and beautiful architecture everywhere
Puebla, Mexico Dec 2020, The tiles covering the walls are unique in this area and called Talavera tiles. On these buildings, decorative figures in Talavera tilework are added
The tiles covering the walls are unique in this area and called Talavera tiles. On these buildings, decorative figures in Talavera tilework are added, also made with Talavera tiles

The Puebla cathedral in the center of the city Zocala, had construction started in 1575 and took 300yrs to complete. It is very majestic & beautiful

Puebla, Mexico Dec 2020, Puebla Cathedral with 2 bell towers and a large tiled cupola
Puebla Cathedral with 2 bell towers and a large tiled cupola
Puebla, Mexico Dec 2020, The interior of the Puebla Cathedral is amazingly beautiful and ornate
The interior of the Puebla Cathedral is amazingly beautiful and ornate
Puebla, Mexico Dec 2020, Altar of the Puebla Cathedral
Altar of the Puebla Cathedral

More scenes of Puebla below

Puebla, Mexico Dec 2020, Street along the Zocalo; outdoor restaurants were busy
Street along the Zocalo; outdoor restaurants were busy
Puebla, Mexico Dec 2020, Busy pedestrian street
Busy pedestrian street
Puebla, Mexico Dec 2020, Street scene, with dulces tipico shop for this area
Street scene, with dulces tipico shop for this area
Puebla, Mexico Dec 2020, The Museo del la Revolution that preserves the bullet holes from the Mexican Revolution against the Spaniards
The Museo del la Revolution that preserves the bullet holes from the Mexican Revolution against the Spaniards
Puebla, Mexico Dec 2020, Getting ready for Xmas
Getting ready for Xmas
Puebla, Mexico Dec 2020, Delicious and very well-presented food everywhere, even in basic restaurants
Delicious and very well-presented food everywhere, even in basic restaurants
Puebla, Mexico Dec 2020, Decked out for Xmas 2020 in the Zocalo
Decked out for Xmas 2020 in the Zocalo
Puebla, Mexico Dec 2020, Nativity scene in the Zocalo park
Nativity scene in the Zocalo park
Puebla, Mexico Dec 2020, Night view of the Puebla Cathedral
Night view of the Puebla Cathedral
Puebla, Mexico Dec 2020, Obligatory photo
Obligatory photo
Puebla, Mexico Dec 2020, Street scene at night
Street scene at night
Puebla, Mexico Dec 2020, Many restaurants were uniquely decorated; this one was in the basement of a bookstore, with an open ceiling into the bookstore above. Note the food presentation also.
Many restaurants were uniquely decorated; this one was in the basement of a bookstore, with an open ceiling into the bookstore above. Note the food presentation, dishes.
Puebla, Mexico Dec 2020, No visit is complete without a stop in the local market; very colorful and busy
No visit is complete without a stop in the local market; very colorful and busy
Puebla, Mexico Dec 2020, Fruits everywhere
Fruits everywhere
Puebla, Mexico Dec 2020, Lots of cemita bread which is unique to Puebla
Lots of cemita bread which is unique to Puebla
Puebla, Mexico Dec 2020, Lots of greens
Lots of greens
Puebla, Mexico Dec 2020, That cemita sandwich was really filling, with yummy cheese & avocado
That cemita sandwich was really filling, with yummy cheese & avocado
Puebla, Mexico Dec 2020, All kinds of beans, legumes, chilis etc
All kinds of beans, legumes, chilis etc
Puebla, Mexico Dec 2020, Talavera Tileworks for Dia del Muertos
Talavera Tileworks for Dia de Los Muertos
Puebla, Mexico Dec 2020, Impressive Talavera tilework figurines
Impressive Talavera tilework figurines

The Amparo Museum is very interesting, showcasing the history of the Mayans. It was not open for several days due to Covid, and finally reopened, so we grabbed the chance to check it out. Its rooftop had great views of the city

Puebla, Mexico Dec 2020, Amparo Museum is very interesting
Amparo Museum is very interesting

Views of Puebla historic area from Amparo Museum rooftop, including Popocatepetl volcano

Puebla, Mexico Dec 2020, Nice doorway to an equally inviting interior courtyard
Nice doorway to an equally inviting interior courtyard
Puebla, Mexico Dec 2020, More food, flavorful and very well presented
More food, very flavorful and well presented
Puebla, Mexico Dec 2020, Puebla Teatro, with inscription “The good art ennobles people”
Puebla Teatro, with inscription “The good art ennobles people”
Puebla, Mexico Dec 2020, Another part of Pueblo, near the Fuerte de Loreto, with interesting street art
Another part of Pueblo, near the Fuerte de Loreto, with interesting street art
Puebla, Mexico Dec 2020, Puebla street art
Puebla street art
Puebla, Mexico Dec 2020, Rooftop restaurant in the zocalo with a great view of the Cathedral. Again, note the food, presentation, plates etc
Rooftop restaurant in the zocalo with a great view of the Cathedral. Again, note the food, presentation, plates etc

We were at this rooftop restaurant for a coffee and saw the dinner they were serving which looked delicious, and since they were full, we decided to come there the next day for dinner and asked the server to make us a reservation for the next evening. We were told that was not possible because Covid cases had increased in the city and the governor had decreed a lockdown starting the very next day for 2 weeks. Lockdown meant restaurants, public places, museums etc would be shut down. That meant we would not be able to visit any more places in this area nor would we be able to eat out. Not good at all.

We had already spent several days here and had really enjoyed Puebla historic city, the architecture, buildings, people, and the food, and we since we had a car, we had visited and toured some of the surrounding towns like Cholula, San Nicolas etc. So the next day, we packed up, checked out of our hotel and drove to Veracruz on the Gulf of Mexico which did not have any such Covid restrictions. Puebla is definitely a recommended place that has high quality, fresh foods with really great taste; a must visit for foodies.

Xalapa and Veracruz next

Our trip so far

Puebla, Mexico Dec 2020, China
China
This entry was posted in Mexico, North America, Puebla

21 thoughts on “Puebla, Mexico Dec 2020

  • Pingback: Veracruz, Mexico, December 2020 - Ali Karim Travelog Mexico

  • Nevin December 4, 2022 at 9:10 am Reply

    Thank you for sharing your Pueblo trip..beautiful architecture of the buildings…Through your trip i am tempted to go there to discover…Your photography is superb!!

    Regards
    Nevin Harji…Montreal

    • Ali Karim December 4, 2022 at 3:40 pm Reply

      Thanks Nevin, for the feedback. So glad you enjoyed the blogpost.
      I have achieved my goal with writing travel blogs when even 1 of my readers decides to visit as a result of reading my blog.
      The world is full of beautiful wonders; meant to be seen & visited.
      Enjoy
      Thanks again

  • Noorallah Jooma December 3, 2022 at 8:48 am Reply

    Interesting – thanks for sharing!

    • Ali Karim December 3, 2022 at 8:50 am Reply

      Thanks Noorallah; glad you found the blog interesting

  • Mahamud Jinnah November 29, 2022 at 7:49 am Reply

    What a hidden gem. Would have never thought that.

    • Ali Karim December 3, 2022 at 8:49 am Reply

      Thanks for the feedback Mahamud

  • Muslim Harji November 25, 2022 at 5:23 pm Reply

    Simply beautiful.. it’s on my bucket list now….Asante.
    Love to Dilshad
    Love, Light & Cheers
    Muslim Harji

    • Ali Karim November 25, 2022 at 6:50 pm Reply

      Thanks Muslim; so glad you enjoyed this blog enough to want to visit there yourself.

  • Ashraf Manji November 25, 2022 at 5:23 pm Reply

    Thanks for sharing

    • Ali Karim November 25, 2022 at 6:49 pm Reply

      Most welcome; hope you enjoyed the journey with us

  • moez nagji November 20, 2022 at 9:22 am Reply

    Wow looks amazing. Thanks for sharing

    • Ali Karim November 20, 2022 at 5:30 pm Reply

      Thanks fo the feedback Moez

  • Nazmina Ladhani November 11, 2022 at 8:52 am Reply

    Very descriptive & nice photos
    Delicious food.
    Excellent trip
    Thank you for sharing.

    • Ali Karim November 11, 2022 at 8:59 am Reply

      Thanks Nazmina. So glad you enjoyed the blog of our trip

  • Tamiza November 6, 2022 at 3:29 pm Reply

    Interesting to read about your travel during the height of covid. Glad everything was safe. Great pics 🙂

    • Ali Karim November 7, 2022 at 9:35 am Reply

      Hey Tamiza, during this trip, we realized that Mexicans were taking Covid much more seriously that Texans were.
      So that was a good sign. And Yes, thank goodness we did not have any issues..
      Thanks for the feedback

  • Amir & Roshan Mulji October 22, 2022 at 2:13 pm Reply

    Excellent place.shukhar, you can travel.

    • Ali Karim October 22, 2022 at 2:15 pm Reply

      Thanks Amir & Roshan.
      Yes, we are truly blessed to be able to travel like we do.

  • Lin October 14, 2022 at 10:34 am Reply

    Beautiful pictures, really enjoyed the blogpost.

    • Ali Karim October 14, 2022 at 11:44 am Reply

      Thanks Lin

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