Welcome to/Bienvenidos a Puebla!
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The two nearest airports to Puebla are Mexico City’s International Airport and Hermanos Serdán Airport in Huejotzingo, Puebla:
Puebla City is about 130 kilometers from Benito Juarez Mexico City’s International Airport (AICM) (MEX code), and it should not take more than two hours to travel there by car and three hours by public transportation. The following methods could be used to get to the Center of Puebla from the Mexico City International Airport.
Estrella Roja provides nonstop, first-class bus service to Puebla from Mexico City, including its two terminals inside the airport. The two-hour ride, approximately, includes beverage service, air conditioning, videos, on board internet access, and personalized surround system for music and/or a movie. This bus arrives at both the CAPU (Puebla’s central bus station) or the “Paseo Destino” station.
We recommend taking the bus to Paseo Destino because the cabs inside that terminal are safe and it costs approximately $100 pesos (~5 dollars) to get to one of the recommended hotels. However, you can take the bus to the CAPU and take an official cab from the cab stand inside the terminal. Give the dispatcher the address of the hotel, the dispatcher will charge you about $300 pesos (~18 dollars) and assign you a cab number.
You can take an authorized taxi in the Mexico City International Airport, but the cost of a trip directly to Puebla Center at the hotel you will stay is about $2000 pesos (~100 dollars).
Puebla has a small airport, called Hermanos Serdán (PBC). It is located in the nearby town of Huejotzingo, about 40 to 50 minutes from downtown Puebla. Hire an official taxi for $400-$450 pesos (~25 dollars) at the stand inside the terminal. The disadvantage is that all international flights come through Houston, Texas and hence there are fewer options than when flying to Mexico City.
If you are already in Mexico, you can take a bus that arrives to CAPU depending on the place you are. The most common lines departing from Mexico City are ADO and Estrella Roja, a detailed list of lines can be found at this link, if you are in another state you can travel to TAPO in Mexico City and then travel to Puebla by ADO or Estrella roja.
Citizens of the U.S., Canada, the European Union, Japan, and some countries of Latin America are not required to obtain visas for short visits (up to 3 months) to Mexico; you will require only a valid passport and a landing card supplied by the airlines. Citizens of most other countries will require a visa obtainable at the nearest Mexican consulate or embassy. In the (unlikely) event that you have problems obtaining a visa, please notify us as soon as possible.
The history of the Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla (BUAP) dates back to April 1578, when members of the Society of Jesus founded the College of the Holy Spirit. BUAP’s trajectory and its presence in the development of science and culture in the state of Puebla merited the recognition of the State Congress, which granted it the title of Benemérita on April 2, 1987.
The institution is nationally consolidated, distinguished by its high standards of academic quality, research and innovation. It is ranked among the top 10 universities in the country. Currently, it has an enrollment of more than 110,000 students trained in various disciplines, and academics who conduct scientific research. The university has different spaces equipped for the comfort of students; the downtown area, university city, health area, university cultural complex and ecocampus. The largest of these, Ciudad Universitaria (CU), has most of the university’s faculties, the central library, the sports complex, the rector’s tower, among many other areas, which make it an impressive space where university students develop their potential day by day.
Puebla is a state located in east-central Mexico, southeast of Mexico City. The state capital brings together a great culinary history, jewels of colonial architecture, modern spaces, exquisite cuisine and historic sites. It is recognized for its beautiful traditions and customs, as well as for the elaboration of Talavera pottery.
Puebla’s gastronomy is internationally recognized for its variety and history. Among the most emblematic dishes, we can highlight the mole poblano, chiles en nogada and mole de caderas. Architecture is very important, as you walk through the streets you can appreciate enormous buildings that are architectural jewels, such as churches, educational centers or cultural houses. Festivities, such as Holy Week and the Day of the Dead, offer unforgettable experiences, immersing the city in a spiritual atmosphere. Puebla is a cultural treasure with a diversity of events that highlight its popular and traditional values.
The following information was prepared by a local from the City of Puebla, as an informal resource for csv, conf, v8 attendees.
We suggest that when going out into the city always keep your belongings close to you, use authorized cabs and make sure your bags or backpacks are securely closed. It is advisable to stay in well-lit streets at night and avoid wearing flashy jewelry or expensive accessories. We recommend that you do not use your telephone on public roads. In case of an emergency, dial 911.
We share with you the telephone numbers that will be very useful during your stay in the city:
Lada for dialing in Mexico: +52
Emergencies and Help: Police, Fire Department, Red Cross, etc. For any criminal episode, call 911.
For medical emergencies, you can call the Red Cross, Phone: 213 7700, if available you can also contact your traveler’s insurance.
Gender violence: Call the Telmujer emergency hotline, with direct number 222-232-37-38, or the emergency number 9-1-1, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to request psychological counseling, legal advice, and emergency services.
Public Prosecutor’s Office specialized for tourists: +52 (222) 232 4478
Some areas where you should be very careful are El Centro, Bosques de San Sebastian, Guadalupe Hidalgo and La Paz. Outside of the tourist streets, it pays to be careful even during the day.
The Mexican peso is the official currency of Mexico, ($; with 100 cents in each peso). Cash is available in bills ($20, $50, $100, $200, $500 and $1000) and coins (0.50 c, $1, $2, $5, $10,). Credit and debit cards are widely accepted at stores, restaurants, etc. The most widely accepted cards are Visa, American Express and MasterCard.
If you wish to bring money in UDS in cash and exchange it for Mexican pesos, due to various macroeconomic factors, the value of the dollar is in constant change, but in the city you will find different exchange houses, do not exchange your money on the street, it is a common scam. Instead, ask your local host to exchange your money. The exchange houses use the official exchange rate. Inside the airport you can change your money at Globo Cambio - Currency exchange services, Location: Main access to the airport. Public area. Opening hours: Open all year round. From 7:00 am to 11:00 pm. Phone number: 01-800-00-45626-
Near the conference venue you can exchange your dollars at DIVER-EX - Casas de cambio en Puebla, Address: Blvd. Héroes del 5 de mayo 312-3, Huexotitla, 72534 Heroica Puebla de Zaragoza, Pue. Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Telephone: 221 565 9632
In the same way, in the city we have ATMs, if you wish you can withdraw cash with debit card, (An average of $9,000.00 Mexican Pesos per day - Please check with your bank before traveling). There may be an additional charge for withdrawing money from foreign accounts.
We share with you the ATMs near the event venue: BBVA ATM: Av. 63-A Ote., Loma Linda, 72589 Heroica Puebla de Zaragoza, Pue.
Citibanamex ATM: I. M. Altamirano 1868, San José Xilotzingo, 72583 Heroica Puebla de Zaragoza, Pue.
HSBC ATM: Circuito Juan Pablo Ii 3232 Local A1 Y A2, La Margarita, 72560 Heroica Puebla de Zaragoza, Pue.
Banking and business hours: Banks are regularly open Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Stores are open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Malls are open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
In the city, the municipal WiFi network has 600 free Internet access points, with a browsing speed of 50 Mbps, provided free of charge by the government of the City of Puebla. Many times the connection is not secure, so we recommend connecting to a VPN network, in many places in the city, such as hotels, restaurants, etc., have internet connection, it is only necessary to request access.
In the same way, you can use mobile data. If your cell phone provider does not yet allow you to roam in Mexico, we recommend you to buy a prepaid SIM card, directly with one of the phone providers in Mexico, (TELCEL, MOVISTAR, AT&T) you can make the purchase directly in the store, for this you will need an official identification, (Passport or ID).
There are many cab and shuttle services that you can hire at the airport. Most of the time, you pay a fixed price before making the trip. To use this service, simply go to the cab stand and request a cab. Fares vary according to the destination and the route. The trip from the airport to downtown Puebla or Puebla’s Zocalo usually takes about 30 minutes and costs approximately $27 to $33 USD.
Cab companies near the airport
Radio Taxis Puebla, Address: Mayorazgo, El Mayorazgo, Puebla Phone: +52 222 221 221 2121, Website: www.radiotaxispuebla.com
Servicio de Taxi Capu, Address: Privada Cuauhtémoc No.16, San Felipe Hueyotlipan, 72000 Puebla, Telephone: +52 222 224 6300, Website: taxiscapu.com
Cab Express, Address: Calle Francisco Sarabia 11, Ampliación Francisco I. Madero, Francisco I. Madero, 72130 Puebla, Phone: +52 222 224 3535, Website: www.taxiexpress.mx
You can also find a bus line, “Estrella Roja” they offer transportation service from the airport to the CAPU terminus, if you wish you can buy your ticket in advance, on their website: https://www.estrellaroja.com.mx/, the cost of the ticket starts at $110.00 Mexican pesos.
** To move within the city: **
To move within the city there are different ways, the fastest ways are with the use of site Taxis or Taxi Apps, such as Uber or Didi, as long as you take care of your safety. It is important to always check that the information matches that of the application.
But in the same way, you can move around the city through the Metrobus, “Ruta”, in the city we have three lines, which operate on a schedule of 5:00 hrs. - 23:00 hrs., Monday to Sunday. Line 1 (Chachapa - Tlaxcalancingo), Line 2 (Margaritas - Diagonal), Line 3 (Valsequillo - CAPU).
There are also 32 feeder routes, which go to places where the Metrobus does not usually go.
In order to use the service it is necessary to use a prepaid card with credit to access the system’s trunk and feeder services. The cost of the card is $20.00 and the Metrobus fare is $8.00 Mexican pesos.
To learn more details about its routes, visit the website where you will find more information. http://ruta.puebla.gob.mx/
Similarly, throughout the city there is public transportation, which connects you to different points of the city, which can be by bus or by combi, public transportation has a cost of $8.00 Mexican pesos.
You can find information about when buses or subway arrive and how to get anywhere using Google Maps, search for any destination and get step by step directions; very useful for public transportation (Bus, train and subway).
AIRBNB: offers a wide range of prices and accommodations. You may want to book a place near the CSV conference, which is located at Av. San Claudio s/n, Cd Universitaria, La Hacienda, 72592 Heroica Puebla de Zaragoza, Pue.
HOTELS: NH Puebla Centro Histórico, is a hotel located near the area where the conference will be held. Located at Calle 5 Sur 105 Centro Historico, Puebla 72000 Reservations +34 91 398 46 61 Tel.: +52 222 3 09 19 00
Puebla is a place with a very extensive history in gastronomy, internationally recognized, during your stay we consider it important that you taste the traditional food of Puebla. We share with you some of the dishes you have to try: mole poblano, green pipian. Chiles en nogada, mole de caderas, but unfortunately those are only prepared seasonally. The antojitos are something you can’t miss, enjoy a traditional cemita, chalupas, tostadas, tacos dorados, tacos árabes, pelonas, pambazos, elotes preparados and esquites. Each of these foods will delight your palate.
In the city, you can eat fruits and vegetables, it is advisable to wash them after buying them. Animal products such as milk, cheese and butter are pasteurized. You can find in most dishes meats such as chicken, beef and pork.
There are different restaurants, cafeterias or fonditas, which usually serve different types of food, most of them offer their service from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Breakfast is usually served from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., lunch starts at 1 p.m. until 5 p.m., dinner goes from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., some restaurants close at midnight. It all depends on the establishment.
We recommend drinking purified or mineral water (sparkling or still), as tap water is not recommended and may cause stomach damage.
We hope you enjoy the city during your visit. Here we suggest several activities and places to enjoy during your stay.
The Zócalo: Of course, the Zócalo is a place you can’t miss in Puebla since it is the heart of the historic center and was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Since its foundation in the 16th century, it has always been the main square of Puebla, as evidenced by its important buildings (the cathedral, the municipal palace), the restaurants, stores and cafes that surround it. At the Palacio Municipal (Portal Hidalgo 14) you will find tourist information about Puebla with maps, etc.
The cathedral: whose full name is Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Inmaculada Concepción, is a place to see in Puebla: it is the second largest cathedral in Mexico. Built between the 16th and 17th centuries, with a Renaissance-style façade and a Baroque interior, it contains numerous paintings, sculptures, gold and silver work, three organs and impressive woodwork. The altar of the Altar of the Kings especially impressed me with its wealth of detail. Monday to Saturday, 9 am to 1 pm and 4 pm to 8 pm. Entrance fee: free of charge
The Chapel of the Rosary of the Temple of Santo Domingo: (1650-1690), even more impressive than the cathedral of Puebla. It is considered the finest example of Mexican Baroque and it is easy to understand why upon entering: everything here is richly decorated from floor to ceiling, heavily charged and covered with 24-karat gold leaf. Address: 5 de mayo esquina 4 Poniente #101, Puebla. Tuesday to Thursday, 11:00 am to 1:30 pm and 3:00 pm to 5:30 pm, Friday to Saturday, 11:00 am to 1:30 pm and Sunday, 3:00 pm to 5:30 pm. Entrance fee: free of charge
Biblioteca Palafoxiana: On the second floor of the Casa de Cultura de Puebla, in a magnificent vaulted room, is the Biblioteca Palafoxiana: with its 43,000 volumes (from the 15th to the 20th century), it was the first public library on the American continent. In 1981 the library ceased to be public and became a museum, and today it is an important tourist attraction in Puebla for its history and the beauty of the place. Address: 5 Oriente 5, corner with 16 de septiembre, Puebla. Tue-Thurs 10am to 5pm, Fri-Sun 10am to 6pm. Entrance fee: $45.00 pesos.
Museo Amparo: Located in a palace and hospital of the colonial era, it houses a large collection of Mexican art: 7 rooms on the pre-Hispanic era, 3 rooms on the viceregal era and the nineteenth century, as well as exhibitions of modern and contemporary art. It has national and international exhibitions. It is a must visit when in Puebla. In the museum you can also access its terrace and enjoy the cafeteria, where you will enjoy a panoramic view of the historic center, ideal for taking pictures. You can enjoy breakfast or lunch. Address: Avenida 2 Sur 708, Downtown, Puebla. Open from Wednesday to Monday from 10:00 hrs. to 18:00 hrs. Entrance fee $85.00 Mexican pesos.
La Calle de los Dulces: Calle 6 Oriente, nicknamed Calle de los Dulces (or Calle del Dulce) in the historic center. Here you will find different traditional sweets of Puebla, such as: sweet potatoes, macaroons, muégano, jamoncillo, borrachitos, cocadas, coconut stuffed lemons, alegrías and Santa Clara cakes. We recommend a visit to La Gran Fama, the first confectionery that opened in the 19th century, and to Dulcería Santa Clara, another Puebla institution, open since 1907.
El Parián handicraft market: this is the best place in Puebla to buy talaveras (and even handicrafts in general) as there are many shops selling all kinds of traditional crafts, talaveras, leather, textiles, jewelry, sweets, ceramics, wooden objects, etc. It is considered the first handicraft market in Puebla, its history dates back to 1760. Address: Calle 6 Norte #205, Puebla. Open every day from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm.
El callejón de los sapos: it owes its name to a flood: it is said that, in colonial times, the San Francisco river overflowed regularly, causing floods. Some people decided to take advantage of the situation by installing mills, which ended up attracting many toads due to the stagnant water. Today, it is a small pedestrian street lined with restaurants, cafes, bars and stores. On Friday and Saturday nights it is a good place to have a drink and listen to music, but Sunday is the best day: from 10 a.m. it is the big market with antiques, handicrafts and all kinds of objects. Address: México 6, México 83, 72017 Heroica Puebla de Zaragoza, Pue.
Mercado de Sabores: is the place to eat on a budget in Puebla. You can try the cemitas, those huge sandwiches that are delicious. Located at Av. 4 Pte. 1104, Historiadores, 72000 Heroica Puebla de Zaragoza, Pue. 10 minutes from the Zócalo.
Los Globos: located right next to the Zócalo, it is a good cheap restaurant in Puebla where you can try some typical dishes (like mole poblano). Calle 2 Sur 509, Puebla.
Clementina cocina Poblana: It is a small neighborhood restaurant, with very good quality and affordable prices. Where you can enjoy traditional dishes from Puebla, located at Av. 6 Ote. 411, Centro, 72000 Heroica Puebla de Zaragoza, Pue.
Augurio: a good restaurant in Puebla to discover the regional cuisine. It is best known for its moles and won the 2017 Gourmet Award for best new restaurant in the state. Located at Priv. 9 Ote. 16, Centro histórico de Puebla, 72000 Heroica Puebla de Zaragoza, Pue.
Demiurgo Foro Cultural: this is an amazing place where you can enjoy pizza and craft beer, where curious minds and lovers of science and culture meet to dialogue, debate and reflect on transcendental topics. Located at Plaza Herencia, Av. 2 Ote. 811-Piso 1, Centro, 72000 Heroica Puebla de Zaragoza, Pue. With hours from 2:00 p.m. to 10 p.m. Open from Tuesday to Sunday.
El Balcón: More than 40 years of traditional Mexican food, especially from the Center of the Republic. With a unique seasoning, quality service, good hygiene and suitable for families. At very affordable prices, located at C. 7 Sur 1301, Centro, 72000 Heroica Puebla de Zaragoza, Pue. With a schedule from 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. open from Thursday to Tuesday.
Puebla is a very diverse state with a wide range of attractions for tourists, including stunning natural landscapes, vibrant cities, rich culture and history, and world-renowned food.
Some of the top destinations in Puebla include:
Cholula: known for combining the living history of a pre-Hispanic town with the architectural and cultural richness of colonial constructions. Its magic The city of two towns, San Andres and San Pedro, is accompanied by the Popocatepetl volcano. The Sanctuary of Nuestra Señora de los Remedios, a church with domes covered with tiles built by the Spaniards in the 16th century, rises up as if reaching for this snow-capped giant.
Zacatlán: commonly nicknamed Zacatlán of the apples, for being its cultivation one of its main economic activities, it is one of the 217 municipalities that make up the Mexican state of Puebla. With a very varied tourist attraction.
Chignahuapan: it is an interesting Magical Town, a microcosm where you can find natural wealth, as well as a splendid religious architecture. Recognized for the handcrafted elaboration of spheres. It is known for the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception and its enormous figure of the Virgin Mary, carved in cedar. The central Plaza de Armas has a colorful wooden kiosk and the Parish of Santiago Apostle, with its brightly colored facade. The spring-fed Almoloya Lagoon is located to the east.