San Andrés Cholula is one of the most historically important towns in Mexico. This Pueblo Magico sits surrounded by the soaring volcanic peaks of Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl. Find ornate colonial churches located beside sites that date back to the Aztec Empire. Delve into San Andrés Cholula’s fascinating heritage at its museums, take time out at leafy squares and discover lively bars and restaurants.
Make your way to the Zona Arqueológica de Cholula, which dates back to the Mesoamerican era. Here the Spanish-built Church of Our Lady of the Remedies looms over the town. It was built on top of the half-buried Great Pyramid of Cholula. The pyramid is the world’s largest hand-built pyramid and is traversable via a network of tunnels. Learn more about the archaeological site, local handicrafts and geology at the Regional Museum of Cholula.
Plaza de la Concordia is the heart of the town’s social activities. Friends, families and couples meet to chat, eat street food and shop for artisanal crafts at this central square. Don’t miss Los Portales, a 558-feet (170-meter) long building made up of 46 arches on the plaza’s west side. On the east side, the San Gabriel Convent stands on the grounds of an ancient Quetzalcoatl temple.
A large student population makes Cholula one of Puebla’s best places for nighttime entertainment. Hop between cocktail lounges, nightclubs, pubs and taco bars on and around Avenida 12 Oriente street. Boisterous bars and casual food joints characterize the Universidad de las Americas district.
Get back on the cultural trail at the Templo San Francisco Acatepec. This 16th-century church marvels with its Mexican Baroque architecture and a facade adorned with colorful Talavera tiles. Equally impressive is the indigenous baroque design of the Church of Santa Maria Tonantzintla. Change the scenery by spotting big cats, bears, birds, primates and reptiles at Loro Puebla Zoo.
San Andrés Cholula is a 25-minute drive from Puebla and about 2 hours by car from Mexico City. A free tourist train travels daily between Puebla’s Historic Center and the archeaological zone.
