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Culture and Traditions
Destinations
Adventure and Nature
Magical Towns
Information
MICE tourism
A VEGETATION-COVERED PYRAMIDAL STRUCTURE WITH A VICEREGAL CHURCH AT THE TOP
Cholula is actually two cities, San Pedro and San Andrés, and was built on top of a pre-Hispanic city that served as a major ceremonial center with centuries of tradition.
In Cholula, you can find pre-Hispanic shrines and colonial buildings, as well as artistic expressions manifested in beautiful creations of red clay and ceramics. This magical town has also preserved the tradition of Talavera, so there are several workshops where you can buy high-quality pieces.
You can travel from Puebla to Cholula by taking the Tourist Train. To board the train, you need to arrive 30 minutes in advance, and the terminal is located at the Cholula Archaeological Zone.
There is also a tram that offers a three and a half-hour tour of the city. The tour departs from the main square of Puebla and covers the main attractions of Cholula. It operates daily at 11:00 am.
Cholula is located 13 km (about half an hour) from the city center of Puebla and 125 km (2 hours and 20 minutes) from Mexico City (CDMX).
Cholula
What to See in Cholula
Tourist Attraction in Cholula
Plaza de la Concordia (Main Plaza)
The gathering place of San Pedro Cholula is the monumental Plaza de la Concordia, flanked by the Ex-convent of San Gabriel and the Guerrero Portal, the longest in Mexico with 170 meters in length and 46 semi-circular arches.
This square dates back to 1573 when it was built to host the busy market (tianguis). In 1646, it was remodeled and boasts a beautiful fountain of San Miguel Arcángel, donated in 1554 by King Philip II of Spain.
Great Pyramid of Cholula
This wonderful structure resembles a hill as it is composed of a series of superimposed pyramids and is the largest pyramid in the world, measuring 450 meters on each side.
Inside the pyramid, a total of eight kilometers of tunnels have been excavated, where interesting pre-Hispanic murals have been found, such as the "mural of the pulque drinkers."
The archaeological zone has a Site Museum, which showcases the history of the pyramid and the church.
Santuario de Nuestra Señora de los Remedios
At the top of the pyramid is the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies, built in 1540. Its beautiful dome is covered with tiles and contrasts with the impressive Popocatépetl volcano.
Ex Convento Franciscano de San Gabriel
It is one of the oldest temples in Mexico, as it was built in 1549 on a pre-Hispanic temple dedicated to Quetzalcóatl, and it features a small gallery of Sacred Art.
Capilla Real o de los Naturales de Cholula
It is the building attached to the Ex Franciscan Convent of San Gabriel. Inside, it houses a baptismal font from the 16th century. However, the most impressive feature is its roof with 49 domes.
Iglesia de Santa María Tonantzintla
Built in the 16th century, it boasts impressive indigenous or novohispanic baroque art with lush decorations that incorporate elements such as dark-skinned angels, Mexican fruits, and feathered headdresses. This is a good example of the combination of pre-Hispanic culture with Spanish influence.
Templo de San Francisco Acatepec
The temple was built from 1650 to 1750 and features a marvelous facade with multicolored mosaics, considered a jewel of Mexican Baroque.
Parroquia de San Andrés Cholula
Considered a small museum for the quality of the colonial paintings it houses.
Museo de la Ciudad de Cholula, “La Casa del Caballero Águila” (Museum)
This museum is housed in a building dating back to the 16th century and features an interesting collection of pieces from pre-Hispanic and colonial times.
Regional Museum of Cholula
This museum has eight rooms that cover the geological evolution of the Puebla Valley, as well as its history, including pre-Hispanic, colonial, and contemporary popular art exhibits. Its peculiarity lies in its corridors, which connect with the tunnels of the Great Pyramid.
Gallery of Sacred Art
This interesting space is located within the Ex Franciscan Convent of San Gabriel in Cholula, a construction worth visiting. It has a collection of sacred pieces.
Alarca Talavera Museum
Located next to the Talavera de la Reyna store, the museum provides an overview of Talavera from the 16th century to the present. It features approximately 300 pieces and an area where you can watch videos showing the Talavera production process.
La Barrica Museum
It is the Live Museum of Copa de Oro (Golden Cup) and aims to showcase the production and tradition of cider.
San Pedro Cholula Market
At the market, you can find fresh food, colorful flowers, and a wide variety of handicrafts. It is a great option to taste local gastronomy and enjoy a delicious breakfast or lunch.
Francisco Peláez Roldán Ethnobotanical Garden
This is a place for nature lovers. You can visit the living museum that exhibits over 600 plants from all over the world, stimulating all your senses as you can smell, see, touch, and sometimes taste them. During the tour, you can learn more about their characteristics and uses.
Container City
For those who enjoy original places, you can visit Container City, a very unique space built with stacked shipping containers that house several restaurants and bars.
What to do in Cholula
Select your Adventure in Puebla
UNMISSABLE EXPERIENCES IN CHOLULA
Visit Cholula Archaeological Site
Visit the Santa María Tonantzintla Temple
Visit the Regional Museum of Cholula
Enjoy Cholula from the Skies
In the surroundings of Cholula, you can enjoy the great adventure of paragliding or hang gliding. Also, if you are a mountaineering enthusiast, it is a good place to start the ascent to Popocatépetl.
If you don't want to make the effort of climbing the impressive volcano, you can fly over this unique landscape in a hot air balloon.
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Huauchinango
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