Like in every city I visit, I went on a discovery tour in Puebla and just tried to follow my nose. I passed all sorts of different corners of Puebla and was able to soak up the vibe a little.
Puebla is like a perfect mix of city flair, a lively vibe and relaxation. There’s always something going on at the Zócalo and its surroundings. Nevertheless, the atmosphere is relaxed. There are also sometimes slightly crazy wooden constructions around the Parían market, which I think are supposed to support houses. Really fascinating. If you then wander around the side streets, it quickly becomes quieter, but still remains relaxed. What I mean by that is safety.
In general, I found Mexico to be much safer when I was travelling than it is generally portrayed in Europe. This was also the case in Puebla. Even if a street is quieter and there are fewer people, it’s not a problem, but still fine. At the same time, Puebla is one of those places where the center is really interesting, but when you reach the smaller and side streets it rather looks like any other Mexican city and you quickly get the feeling that you have seen everything. Nevertheless, there is still life here and I think it’s definitely worth a stroll. Especially because you always discover something somewhere. Plus, I discovered these delicious mini cinnamon pastries that I literally could have bathed in. That by simply letting myself get lost a little in the streets. I will admit though, that that was still close to the centre.
Personally, I would describe Puebla as lively and vibrant, but not chaotic and too crowded. Simply lively and chilled. This is particularly noticeable when you visit Puebla’s markets, the main shopping street or the Zócalo. Yes, it’s lively, but without the hustle and bustle of the big city, in my opinion.
Go or not go? I’m always in favour of wandering around a bit and getting to know a place in a different way. So one hundred per cent! 😊