Puebla
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A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Puebla, Ciudad de los Angeles (City of Angels) is also very close to Mexico City, just 75 miles east on the far side of the magnificent Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl volcanoes. Puebla lies in the shadow of its own distinctive volcano, a splayed and inactive land mass called La Malinche (or locally, Malintzi) and is capital of the state of the same name. Its burgeoning industry focuses on textiles and auto parts manufacturing. The state is home to more than 20 universities.

Puebla became a great colonial center after the decline of an earlier settlement, Cholula, which lies just half an hour out of town. It is home to a large pyramid, ancient monastery, and myriad churches. The whole region abounds with unexcavated archeological sites, testaments to a vivid pre-colonial history as well as folk traditions that are kept very much alive behind the scenes. This is where the evangelization of the American continent began, with the arrival of the first friars from Spain in the 1520s.

The city of Puebla, famous also for its battle against French invaders on May 5, 1862, offers so much to do and see that tourists rarely find even five days to be enough. In May, the whole state enters permanent fiesta mode. With a greater metropolitan area of over two million, traffic is probably the city’s greatest irritant, for this is a safe and laid-back destination with plenty of poise and polish at welcoming foreign visitors.

It is a good city for walking, but be prepared for high temperatures and baking sun between 12 and 4pm. Wear a hat, sunblock, and make sure you have a bottle of water to keep you hydrated while you explore. Taxis are safe, but check the price before setting off (trips within the city center should not cost more than US$4).