Best of Mexico City & Puebla - 9 Days

Day 2: Night Food Tour of Mexico City

In the evening, you're off to Navarrete. This residential neighborhood has become a prime foodie destination due to its many traditional taquerias. On a four-hour guided tour, you'll visit food stalls run by vendors who've been in the neighborhood for decades. Delicious tacos you'll enjoy include volcanes (flame-grilled tortillas smothered in cheese and peppers), suadero (a lean cut of beef), and of course, the famous al pastor (pork shoulder roasted on a spit). Then toss back a chela (beer) at a local cantina and finish the night with a mezcal tasting led by a local chef.

Day 4: Visit Chapultepec Park

Today you'll venture into Mexico City's great outdoors for a three-hour guided tour of Chapultepec Park. At 1,695 acres this is one of the largest urban green spaces in the world. It's also one of the oldest, as back in 1428, it was a summer retreat for Aztec rulers. Besides lakes and gardens, the park contains nine museums, a zoo, and an amusement park. One landmark you'll visit is Chapultepec Castle, which dates to 1785 and is located atop the park's hill. Once the residence of the Viceroy of New Spain, today it's the National Museum of History, home to a magnificent collection of historical artifacts and murals.

Day 5: Bike Tour of Teotihuacán, Pulque Tasting, Transfer to Cholula

In the morning, your guide will pick you up at the hotel for the drive outside the city to one of the most impressive archaeological sites in Mexico: Teotihuacán. Known as the "City of the Gods," this 8-sq-mile (20-sq-km) site was founded as early as 400 BCE, meaning it long pre-dates the Aztecs. During its heyday (around 500 CE), it was home to 200,000 people and over 2,000 buildings, making it the largest city in the western hemisphere. Rather than taking a walking tour of its wide pathways, you'll experience Teotihuacán a bit differently—on a bicycle.

Upon arrival, you'll hop on a bike and ride around the archaeological site, first passing the many murals that decorate the structures and depict cultural and religious motifs and natural landscapes. Then travel down the Avenue of the Dead, Teotihuacán's main path that runs for a mile (2 km). You'll also visit the Pyramid of the Sun, the most prominent structure at 215 feet (66 m), and the Pyramid of the Moon, which towers 140 feet (43 m). Then stop at the Temple of Quetzalcoatl (Temple of the Feathered Serpent), which has bas-reliefs of the feathered serpent deity carved into its sides.

Afterward, you'll enjoy a pulque tasting. Known to the Aztecs as "the blood of the gods," this traditional Mexican spirit is made from the maguey plant's fermented aguamiel (sap), a type of agave. You'll also visit a workshop specializing in the pre-Hispanic flavors of the Teotihuacán region, which makes products from local flora like the fruits of the nopal and xoconostle plants. Afterward, you'll hop in the car for the two-hour drive southeast to Cholula, a district located a couple of miles outside the city of Puebla.

Day 6: Cholula Tour & Tortilla Workshop, Transfer to Puebla

The area that is now Cholula was first settled around 200 BCE, making it one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities. On a five-hour guided tour down its colorful streets, you'll learn about its history, culture, myths, and legends. Then you'll head up to the Nuestra Señora de Los Remedios, Cholula's gilded neoclassical church that dates to 1574. It was famously built atop a 177-foot-high (54 m) pyramid that is part of a large pre-Hispanic archeological site. You'll have an impressive view of the city from the church and, on a clear day, can even see the towering volcanoes of the Valley of Mexico. 

A big part of the tour also focuses on the gastronomy of Cholula. To this end, you'll visit a local market and marvel at the wide variety of fresh produce and other available foods. In particular, Cholula is known for its handmade tortillas, a culinary tradition passed down from generation to generation. Participating in a tortilla workshop teaches you every step of this artisanal process, from milling the corn to shaping the final product with your hands. Naturally, once your batch of tortillas is ready, you'll get to snack on them with a refreshing drink. 

After the workshop, you'll transfer to nearby Puebla, where you'll check in to your hotel.

Day 7: Puebla City Tour & Talavera History

Today you'll enjoy a three-hour guided tour of Puebla's historic center, which has earned UNESCO World Heritage status. Start at the 17th-century Cathedral, which overlooks the Zócalo (main plaza) and is a fine example of Mexican Baroque architecture. Continue to a talavera (handmade pottery) workshop followed by the Palafoxiana Library, which dates to 1646. You'll also visit the Calle de Los Dulces (home to an array of artisanal sweet shops), the Barrio del Artista (Arts District), and Barrio de Los Sapos (a historic neighborhood good for antique shopping), as well as the El Parián handicrafts market.

Day 8: Free Day in Puebla

The day is yours to enjoy at your own pace. This city has a rich historical legacy, as it's the site of the famous Battle of Puebla, which occurred on May 5, 1862. It was in this area that Mexican forces repelled French invaders, and the nation has been holding its annual Cinco de Mayo celebrations ever since. To learn more about this event, you can head to the Museo Interactivo de la Batalla del 5 de Mayo. This interactive museum is located at Los Fuertes de Loreto—the historic forts where the battle took place. 

Day 9: Puebla to Mexico City, Depart

It's time to say goodbye to Mexico. At the appropriate time, your drier will pick you up for the transfer from Puebla to the airport in Mexico City, where you'll catch your flight home. Safe travels!

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Mexico? Check out these other Mexico itineraries, explore different ways to spend nine days in Mexico, or learn about the best time of year to visit Mexico.