Is Puebla safe?

Is Puebla safe? Let’s find out below.

Welcome to our Puebla City safety guide. Known for its colorful culture and friendly people, it’s a staple along any Mexican backpacking route.

Here you’ll find many beautiful cathedrals, plazas and other architecture which are worth wandering around. There’s also the incredible ruins of Cholula too, which is a giant temple located on top of a hill.

Puebla City Quick Summary:

• 📍 Where is it: Central Mexico
• 🗺 Difficulty Getting There: Moderate
• ⏱ Time needed: 3-5 Days
• ☀️ Best Time to Visit: March-April

Is Puebla City Safe?

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore everything you’ll need to know about Safety in Puebla City as a backpacker or traveler to this area of Mexico.

We’ll look at all the different factors, our top safety tips, other useful information as well as an FAQ section where we answer your key questions.

Is Puebla Safe Right Now?

Quick Answer: Yes, the majority of the city is very safe for travelers to head too. The historic centre is one of the best places to stay in as there’s hardly any crime (as well as many things to see and do).

As always wherever you are in the world, be sure to avoid doing things that make you a target, and you’ll be fine. This includes wearing expensive jewellery, flashing accessories or walking with your phone out in your hand.

May 2023 Update:

As of right now (and it has been the case for years), Puebla City is among the safest cities you can visit in all of Mexico. Drug cartels and associated crime is very low, and there’s rarely acts of assault or kidnapping targeted towards travelers.

At night it’s still wise to not walk in an unknown neighbourhood or street, simply because you never know what might be there (it’s the same wherever you are in the world).

We would advise any travelers who are thinking of heading to Puebla City to do extra research before traveling.

Where to Stay in Puebla City

Those who are looking for a cheaper stay will want to head to Casa Veeyuu. Located in the historic centre, you’ll be just a couple of blocks from the Zócalo. You’ll also have a comfortable dorm bed within a beautiful colonial building.

If you’re looking for a more deluxe stay, then the Royalty Hotel Boutique is by far the best option. Here you’ll be upgrading to a beautiful private room overlooking the Zocalo. As well as providing a continental breakfast, the hotel also has an on-site bar and restaurant.

Things to do in Puebla City

Any trip to Puebla City is best started by heading to the historic centre. Here you’ll be able to appreciate the many beautiful colonial buildings found here that include the Catedral de Puebla as well as the Casa de los Muñecos. The Capilla del Rosario is a must-see with this cathedral filled with gold inside, in what has to be one of the most stunning of its kind in Latin America!

One of the best highlights of a trip to Puebla is actually found in the nearby town of Cholula. Here we can head to Cholula Ruins, which is an ancient site built on top of a hill. What makes it even more impressive is the fact that it’s actually the biggest pyramid to ever be built on earth (and the largest structure by volume too!). We recommend heading with this awesome tour which includes all transport and the entrance ticket.

Compared with Mexico City, Puebla City is much calmer, and is a great place for those who want a more relaxed city experience. Given it’s so safe, you can go for a stroll along its cobblestone streets at any time of the day, and also enjoy various street foods that were born in Puebla such as Mole Poblano and Chiles en Nogada.

Is Puebla Safe to visit?

Below we’ll take a look at the current safety situation in Puebla City.

Puebla Travel Warnings

There are currently no high-risk travel warnings for those who are heading to Puebla City.

In the majority of the tourist areas it’s safe to walk by yourself during both the day and night, although it’s still best to leave valuables at home (remember that pickpocketing can happen anywhere at any time).

If heading into other barrios or non-tourist areas, then it’s best to do your research on these and to take Ubers to and from where you’re staying.

Crime in Puebla

The majority of incidents that occur in Puebla are things like vandalism or street theft, which are very minor in comparison to other big Mexican cities.

There have been cases of robbery or being ripped off by those who have hailed taxis in the streets, however these are very rare. Even despite this, it’s still best calling registered taxis or using apps like Uber to get around.

Assault and more violent crimes are also very rare, however this isn’t a licence to wander off and let your guard down completely.

Safety in Puebla during the day

You can walk pretty much anywhere in this city during the day and be fine, given you’re following safety precautions and don’t look too lost!

The Historic Centre is very touristy so there is an increased police presence here, as well as a more secure feel to the place. It’s still best not to walk with your phone out in your hand, and to ask locals who are working for directions rather than the first random person you see.

Even outside this area you’ll feel quite safe, especially if you’ve already been to places like Mexico City or Cancún which can quickly feel seedy after a couple of wrong turns.

Puebla Safety at Night

After you’re done exploring for the day, you’ll probably want to head out and enjoy a few beers or an evening walk. And Puebla is one of the safest cities in Mexico to do just this.

You can walk without issues, although taking a cab would be smarter if heading into barrios that you’re not yet familiar with (to avoid looking lost as mentioned before).

Again it’s best to follow safety precautions here (which we’ll list later in this guide). This includes things like not wearing too many flashy accessories, or getting too drunk and wandering around aimlessly by yourself.

7 Safety Tips for Puebla City

Below we will list 7 of our top safety tips for when heading to Puebla City.

1. Bring a Safe Wallet

Although Puebla City is very safe, there’s still a risk of being pickpocketed (just like anywhere else on the planet). We recommend carrying this Safe Wallet, which helps to keep your cash, cards and other valuables more securely fastened. Even better is to keep this wallet in your front pockets for extra protection.

2. Use Ubers and Registered Taxis only

Even more important for those at night and also for solo female travelers. Non-registered taxis can be risky since there’s no protection for you if anything goes wrong (like getting robbed or assaulted). However apps like Uber are super safe since all drivers are checked and registered, and also with a high level of service so you’re never waiting too long for a ride.

3. Stay within the Historic Centre

Whilst this city is pretty safe, the Historic Centre is on another level by itself. Here you’ll see many police guarding streets and important buildings, which makes the area feel more secure and deters any opportunistic criminals. Here you can walk around freely both during the day and night, although it’s still best to take other precautions that we’ve listed here.

4. Only Travel with Legit Tour Companies

This is an interesting one that we don’t usually pay attention to, however is still an important one to follow. In the historic centre you’ll find many legit tour offices or salespeople on the street selling you decent tours, however there’ll also be a chance of a shady character or two trying to sway you with a pitch too. Booking tours online is an even better idea, and we recommend this tour when heading to Cholula Ruins.

5. Don’t Accept Drinks from Strangers

Something we were taught as teens is still pretty much applicable when traveling – and if anything is more important during these times. Given you’ll still be working out where you are and how you’ll get back, it’s best not to get too sloshed (especially by yourself). This applies more to solo females, given there’s always a risk that a drink could be spiked.

6. Avoid Getting Black-Out Drunk

Nearly following on from our last point is this. Mexico is definitely a great time to party, enjoy yourself and meet new people. We certainly made the most of it during our travels here. However going the extra mile isn’t such a good idea if alone, given the fact that Mexico is still a third world country with lots of poverty. If you’re going to do it anyway, then it’s best to head out with a group or someone you know that will have your back (or legs, literally speaking…).

7. Use a Money Belt when heading on Day Trips

Although Puebla is safe, areas in Central Mexico can be hit or miss, such as Mexico City or other big cities like Pachuca and Veracruz. This is why it’s a good idea to carry a secure Money Belt with you, where you can keep all your valuables hidden away and somewhere safe. Even though you may feel you don’t need it in Puebla, you’ll be thankful once you start heading through local bus stations and in other areas!

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Puebla Safety FAQ Guide:

Here we’ll look at some of the questions we get asked by our readers about safety in Puebla.

Is Puebla Safe? Final Words

And that’s all for our guide on how to stay safe in Puebla City.

This picturesque city is a perfect stop for travelers in Mexico. With many stunning cathedrals, beautiful plazas as well as the scenic pyramid of Cholula to see, you’ll want to make sure your camera is fully charged before exploring!

Staying safe in Puebla City is easy, given it’s one of the safest cities you can visit in Mexico. The Historic Centre is a good area to base yourself in, and then it’s just a case of following usual precautions and not doing anything overly stupid.

In this guide, we’ve explored the current safety situation in Puebla City, which includes the areas to avoid, as well as any current travel advisories. As well as looking at the best things to do in Puebla City, we’ve also included our FAQ which answers your most burning questions.

While you’re still here, be sure to read our Mexico City Itinerary for more tips and nearby travel inspiration.

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