This “most European of Mexico’s cities” offers culture, history, charm and gourmet dining, all for a fraction of a trip to Europe. Puebla may not be on everyone’s favorite Mexican destination list, but its boutique hotels, adventurous restaurants and historic charm will soon be discovered. Introduce your clients to the next “in” spot.

Do you know Mexico pretty well? How many clients have you sent to Puebla, capital of the state of Puebla? Just 85 miles from Mexico City, this colonial city of 3.5 million was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987. Classic Mexican dishes such as mole poblano originated in this city, famous for its haute cuisine restaurants. Several of Mexico’s top universities are located here.

Puebla was meticulously planned in 1531 by a Spanish city designer; visitors have designated it “the most European of Mexican cities.” Despite its great charm and importance in Mexican history, Puebla has not made a name for itself in the travel world. Most North Americans clamor to Mexico’s favored destinations such as the Riviera Maya, Baja, Mexico City and Puerto Vallarta. You can offer your clients another Mexican experience, though, one that rivals a European vacation.

Offer Puebla to clients who would love a European city experience for a fraction of the cost, who want to learn Spanish at one of Puebla’s schools, who know they’ll need an urban break after a few days at the beach, who live to cook and/or eat, who enjoy places that feel “real” without hordes of tourists, or to your clients who just love Mexico—its culture, people and food.

Layers of History
History buffs can tour magnificent sites such as the Cathedral, San Francisco Acatepec and Tonanzintla, visit top-rated museums and Franciscan monasteries or wander through narrow streets lined with colonial buildings constructed in the 16th century. Seventy-six churches grace the city of Puebla. It boasts 2600 historically important buildings.

The Spanish, however, were not the first to leave their imprint on this part of Mexico. Archeologists have found evidence that the valley was first inhabited between 1500 and 2000 BC. The largest pre-Columbian pyramid in the world, Tlachihualtepetl, is a must-see attraction in nearby Cholula; though excavation is incomplete, visitors can walk through a maze of tunnels inside the mountainous edifice and climb to the top where the Spanish built the Church of our Lady of Remedies in the 16th century.

Puebla is known as the most Catholic of Mexican cities, a conservative place that has carefully preserved and protected its cultural and architectural heritage. It prides itself for its safe, clean streets and just about anyone you meet seems to know its history and folklore. Clients attracted to narrow cobbled streets and dining al fresco while people watching will thank you for introducing them to this charming colonial city.

Tesoros: Treasures of Mexico
The Mexico Treasures Quality Club (El Club de Calidad Tesoros de Mexico) is a group of properties that focuses on preserving both historic boutique hotels and the classic cuisine of Mexico. Accommodation in this group must be located in traditional buildings which have been carefully preserved; restaurants-also located in historic buildings-offer dishes recaptured from Mexico’s culinary past. Of the Tesoros group’s 44 hotels and 28 restaurants, 15 properties are located in the state of Puebla, 11 in the capital city of Puebla. Standards for authenticity and service are high; many properties that have tried to join the Tesoros group were rejected.

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