Day Trips from Puebla

Puebla is one of Mexico’s best-placed cities for day trips — a UNESCO historic centre with the Cholula archaeological zone 15 minutes away, pre-Columbian murals at Cacaxtla, Mexico’s smallest state capital at Tlaxcala, and an active volcano visible from the street.

Quick comparison

Day Trip	Distance	Transport	Cost	Time Needed
Cholula	15 km W	Colectivo ~MXN $15	Pyramid ~MXN $85	Half day
Cacaxtla + Xochitécatl	55 km NE	Bus + taxi	~MXN $85	Half day
Tlaxcala	30 km N	Bus ~MXN $40	Free (town)	Half day
Africam Safari	25 km SE	Taxi ~MXN $200	~MXN $350	Half day
Val’Quirico	40 km N	Taxi ~MXN $300	Free (town)	Half day
Mexico City	135 km NW	Bus ~MXN $200–300	Varies	Full day

All prices approximate, as of 2026.

Cholula (15 km west, 20 minutes)

The closest and most essential day trip. The Great Pyramid of Cholula (Tlachihualtepetl) is the largest pyramid by volume in the world — its base measures 450 metres per side, larger than the Great Pyramid of Giza. The exterior looks like a natural hill because the Spanish built the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de los Remedios directly on top in 1594, creating one of Mexico’s most striking visual juxtapositions.

Explore the excavated tunnels (approximately 4 km of passages through the pyramid’s interior — the longest stretch takes about 20 minutes to walk) and climb to the church at the summit. On clear days — especially winter mornings — Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl volcanoes are visible from the top. Entry approximately MXN $85. Open Tuesday–Sunday 9 am–5:30 pm. Allow 1.5–2 hours for tunnels and climb.

The surrounding town has two distinct areas: San Pedro Cholula (the main pyramid and market area) and San Andrés Cholula (more restaurants, bars, and student nightlife — it is home to UDLAP university). The weekend craft market on the main square sells quality textiles and pottery. Cholula also claims to have a church for every day of the year — an exaggeration, but there are approximately 37 churches for a town of 130,000.

Getting there: Colectivos from Puebla run frequently from 6 Poniente and 13 Norte (approximately MXN $15, 20 minutes). Taxi approximately MXN $80–120. Uber is also available.

Cacaxtla and Xochitécatl (55 km northeast, 1 hour)

Cacaxtla contains some of the best-preserved and most vivid pre-Columbian murals in Mexico. The murals date to 600–900 CE and depict battle scenes, merchants, and figures in jaguar skins and bird costumes — the colours (especially the blues and reds) are remarkably bright thanks to protective roofing installed over the site. The Battle Mural and the Venus Mural are the most significant. Entry approximately MXN $85. Open Tuesday–Sunday 9 am–5 pm. Allow 1–1.5 hours.

Xochitécatl (adjacent, included in the same ticket) is an older ceremonial site with a circular pyramid and views across the Tlaxcala valley. The two sites are connected by a 1 km path.

Getting there: Take a bus from Puebla’s CAPU terminal to Nativitas (approximately MXN $40, 45 minutes), then a local taxi to the sites (approximately MXN $40–60). Alternatively, combine with Tlaxcala — the sites are between the two cities.

Tlaxcala (30 km north, 45 minutes)

The capital of Mexico’s smallest state is often overlooked — which makes it a pleasant, unhurried day trip with no tourist crowds. Key sights:

• Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Ocotlán — a baroque church on a hilltop with an ornate white stucco facade and a richly decorated interior. Free entry.
• Palacio de Gobierno — the state government building on the main plaza, with murals by Desiderio Hernández Xochitiotzin covering the history of Tlaxcala from pre-Hispanic times through the colonial era. Free entry.
• Ex-Convento de San Francisco — one of the oldest churches in Mexico (built 1524), with a wooden Mudéjar ceiling. Free entry.
• Museo Regional de Tlaxcala — inside the ex-convento, covering the Tlaxcalans’ role as Cortés’s crucial indigenous allies during the Spanish conquest. Entry approximately MXN $50. Open Tuesday–Sunday 10 am–5 pm.

The main plaza has coloured portales (arcaded walkways) with cafés. Lunch at a market fonda costs approximately MXN $50–80. The city is walkable from the bus station.

Getting there: Buses from Puebla’s CAPU terminal approximately every 30 minutes (approximately MXN $40, 45 minutes).

Africam Safari (25 km southeast, 30 minutes)

Mexico’s largest drive-through safari park, with animals from Africa, Asia, and the Americas roaming in semi-open enclosures. Drive through in your own car or take the park bus (included in entry). Species include lions, elephants, giraffes, hippos, and white rhinos. Entry approximately MXN $350 for adults, approximately MXN $300 for children. Open daily 10 am–5 pm. Allow 3–4 hours.

The park also has a reptile house, a bird aviary, and a small amusement park area. Popular with families — weekdays are quieter.

Getting there: Taxi from Puebla centre approximately MXN $200 one way. Some tour operators offer transport packages. There is no regular public bus service to the park.

Val’Quirico (40 km north, 45 minutes)

A purpose-built village designed to resemble a Tuscan hill town, with stone buildings, cobbled streets, wine bars, cheese shops, and boutique stores. It is essentially an upscale shopping and dining village rather than a historic site — but the setting in the Tlaxcala countryside is pleasant, and it makes for a relaxed half-day outing. Free entry to the village. Restaurants serve Italian and Mexican food (mains approximately MXN $150–300). Weekend farmers’ markets sell artisan cheese, wine, and bread.

Getting there: No direct public transport. Taxi from Puebla approximately MXN $300 one way, or drive (40 minutes via the Puebla-Tlaxcala highway). Some visitors combine it with Tlaxcala.

Popocatépetl views

The 5,426 m active volcano is visible from Puebla city on clear days. For closer views, drive to Paso de Cortés — the mountain pass between Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl, approximately 70 km from Puebla. The pass sits at approximately 3,600 m and offers panoramic views of both volcanoes. Access depends on volcanic activity levels — check CENAPRED alerts before going. When the volcano is active (which is frequently), approach is restricted to the pass; climbing Popocatépetl is permanently prohibited. Iztaccíhuatl can be climbed with a permit and guide.

Getting there: No public transport to Paso de Cortés. Drive or hire a taxi (approximately MXN $500–700 round trip with waiting time). Some tour operators in Puebla offer half-day volcano excursions.

Mexico City (135 km northwest, 2 hours)

The reverse of the classic “Puebla day trip from CDMX” — if based in Puebla, Mexico City is equally accessible for a full day. Estrella Roja and ADO buses depart from CAPU terminal every 20–30 minutes (approximately MXN $200–300 each way, 2 hours). The bus arrives at TAPO terminal in eastern Mexico City, connected to the San Lázaro metro station. Start early, return on a late bus.

Combining day trips

Northern circuit: Tlaxcala and Cacaxtla/Xochitécatl can be combined in a full day. Visit Cacaxtla in the morning (it is between the two cities), then continue to Tlaxcala for lunch and the afternoon sights.

Western circuit: Cholula fills a comfortable half day. Morning for the pyramid and tunnels, lunch in town, browse the craft market, and return to Puebla by mid-afternoon.

With Val’Quirico: Combine Val’Quirico with Tlaxcala if you have a car — they are 15 km apart. Without a car, do them on separate days.

Plan your trip: tours in Puebla · car hire · travel insurance.

More Puebla Guides

• Back to Puebla Guide
• Food to Try in Puebla
• Things to Do in Puebla