Is Puebla Safe to Travel to Right Now?

Is Puebla safe to visit? Certain parts of Mexico have gotten a bad reputation for safety concerns. So, it’s only natural to want to know more specifics before planning any Mexico travel.

But there’s no need to worry if you have Puebla in your Mexico itinerary. Puebla, a city believed to have been built by angels, is safe and even recommended for solo travelers.

I’ve traveled to Puebla several times over the years as a solo female traveler, and I am here to share everything you need to know about Puebla safety.

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How Safe is Puebla?

You might hear many people who haven’t spent much time in Mexico talking about how dangerous it is. While Mexico isn’t perfect, it’s safer than you might think.

And Puebla is a relatively safe city in central Mexico, near Mexico City. Based on personal experience in the two bustling commercial hubs, I felt more comfortable in Puebla City than in Mexico City.

But that doesn’t mean Puebla is faultless. In fact, in a security study conducted in 2020, locals in Puebla felt less secure living in Puebla than residents in other cities. That means many locals think that Puebla is not a safe city.

Fortunately, other data don’t support this sentiment, and Puebla ranks no higher than other large cities in Mexico.

In this blog post, I’ll talk more about safety in Puebla, Mexico, as well as some other information that might be useful before planning your trip to the City of Angels.

👉 Is Puebla Safe to Travel Alone?

Puebla is not much different than traveling to any major city alone. In general, it’s safe for solo travelers. However, you should always take caution when out on your own.

Traveling alone makes you a little more vulnerable to specific scenarios and crime. Try to avoid this by using common sense, like paying attention to your surroundings and avoiding being too flashy with jewelry and accessories.

You can always meet other travelers to go out and explore with. Puebla isn’t as popular as Mexico City, Cancun, or other tourist destinations in Mexico, but many domestic and international travelers are still passing through.

👉 Is Puebla Safe For Female Travelers?

If you’re a solo female traveler, you might wonder, is Puebla City safe for me?

Yes, Puebla is safe for female travelers and male travelers alike. There aren’t any major prejudices in the city. As a solo female traveler, I walked around Puebla, went on several day trips, and even went hiking alone, and never felt uncomfortable.

👉 Is It Safe To Visit Outside The Hotels In Puebla?

Yes, it’s safe to visit outside the hotels in Puebla. You should make time for some of the best things to do in Puebla, like the cathedral in the city center, the oldest public library in the Americas, and a day trip to Cholula.

You don’t want to travel around neighboring villages and Puebla’s suburbs. These tend to be lower-income areas, and crime against travelers might be more common.

However, most of the action is in the city center or Cholula. So, you won’t have much reason to venture too far out of the city.

Safety In Puebla, Mexico

Puebla Mexico crime isn’t your only concern while traveling. Natural disasters or food poisoning are the biggest threats in places like Puebla. But as long as you’re prepared and vigilant, these likely won’t affect your travels to the region.

✔️ Natural Disasters

Despite Mexico always being in the news for cartel violence and other crime reports, I’d argue my biggest fear when traveling to Puebla is natural disasters, like volcanic eruptions.

Several volcanoes, including Popocatépetl Volcano, surround Puebla. Popocatépetl (often called ‘Popo’) is an active volcano with ongoing eruptions for years.

It continuously emits volcanic gas and emissions, which you can see spouting up from the volcanic crater 24/7 from Puebla. Now and then, there are larger eruptions that sometimes even rain ash on the city.

I was never in Puebla during a volcanic eruption, but in 2023, I was in Mexico City trying to fly out during a major eruption. Almost all flights were canceled or delayed for about three days, and I saw pictures of Puebla covered entirely in ash.

Another natural disaster to watch for in Puebla is an earthquake. Puebla does experience earthquakes, with the largest in recent history in 2017, causing over 350 deaths in the city.

Fortunately, natural disasters of a large magnitude are rare and shouldn’t sway you from stopping by Puebla during your travels.

✔️ Crimes

Crime and robbery against tourists are somewhat of a concern, especially in crowded places. The most common places for crime are markets and overcrowded buses, and the most prevalent type of crime is pickpocketing.

You should always keep your belongings close to you and avoid wearing flashy jewelry and walking with your phone out.

Fortunately, this is the biggest concern regarding crime in Puebla, Mexico. There’s a low risk of violent crimes, cartel violence, and corrupt police that you might see in other hotspots in Mexico.

It’s important to remember that Puebla is a big city. It’s the fifth largest city in Mexico. Because of its size, there will be petty crimes often associated with large cities and populations.

✔️ Transportation

Public transportation in Puebla is one of the best ways to get around. While there aren’t many transportation-related crimes within the city limits, some reports of roadblocks are robberies outside the city.

It’s easy to travel by bus from Mexico City to Puebla and from Puebla to other states, like Oaxaca. The roads around Puebla are also well-maintained and traveled by buses.

There aren’t too many problems in Puebla with taxi or bus scams, so you won’t have to worry about that. Although, it’s always good to be vigilant either way.

The biggest concern with public transportation is reports of pickpockets on crowded buses. If you do take a bus, make sure to keep your belongings close to you at all times.

✔️ Health Issues

Another minor concern when traveling in Puebla is the possible health issues.

First, Puebla is renowned for its incredible food. Chiles en nogada, cemitas, tacos arabes, and mole are some of the foods that come from Puebla. And there are endless streets with street food carts on every block.

While I’ve never had food poisoning in Puebla, trying new foods is always a concern. I recommend avoiding vegetables on street food (as you don’t know if they cleaned it) and avoiding fish/shellfish foods.

Another health concern some face when traveling in Puebla is problems with the altitude. Puebla has an elevation of 2,135 meters (7,004 feet).

The altitude is similar to Mexico City, which is 2,240 meters (7,349 feet), so you should be adjusted if you spend time in Mexico City first. But if you plan on hiking nearby or doing a lot of physical activities, you might notice difficulty breathing and other minor issues in high-altitude places.

✔️ Safety At Night

The night is probably the most dangerous time for Puebla. You should avoid walking around late at night and avoid dark streets with no other people.

If you go out at night, try to take a taxi or rideshare to and from your destination and go out with a small group. You should not be overly concerned about it, but it’s always better to be cautious when abroad.

Safety Tips For Traveling To Puebla

Here are a few Puebla safety tips for your travels:

📌 Avoid flashy jewelry and clothes: You don’t want to draw attention to yourself and don’t need to wear expensive watches when traveling.

📌 Don’t walk with your phone: One of the most likely times to have your cell phone snatched is when walking down a street with your phone out while not paying too much attention.

📌 Stay aware of your surroundings: This is important anywhere you travel, especially in a public place.

📌 Don’t go out alone at night: After dark is one of the most dangerous times for travelers in the city, so try to avoid staying out late, especially if you’re traveling alone.

📌 Stay in tourist areas: As long as you’re in the right neighborhoods, likely nothing terrible will happen to you. When in doubt, stay where the tourists are.

📌 Pay attention to the altitude: If you’re having difficulty with the high elevation of Puebla and notice breathing difficulty, try to take it slow and rest for a day or two.

What Are The Safest Places To Visit In Puebla?

👍 Puebla City

Staying near the zocalo (city center) in Puebla is my favorite place and one of the safest places to stay in Puebla.

The Zocalo is located around the Catedral de Puebla (the main church in the city center), Biblioteca Palafoxiana (the oldest public library in the Americas that is now a museum), shopping streets, lots of street food, museums, and everything else you’d like.

The Zocalo is also quintessential, with narrow cobblestone streets, colonial-style buildings, and a unique charm you won’t find anywhere else.

It’s very safe here, though it gets a little more dangerous the further away you go from the Zocalo. There are minor concerns, but overall, it’s a great vibe.

👍 Cholula

Cholula is a small city in Puebla and a pueblo magico (magic town). It’s about a 30-minute drive from downtown Puebla City. It’s known for the Great Pyramid with Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de los Remedios sanctuary built on top.

It also has exceptionally vibrant streets, many tourist shops, and good restaurants. Some people prefer staying in Cholula because it’s quieter and smaller than Puebla City, and it’s still very easy to travel between the two.

👍 Atlixco

Atlixco is another pueblo magico near Puebla. It’s about a 30-minute drive from downtown Puebla City.

It’s also known as Atlixco de las Flores because it produces flowers, ornamental plants, and fruit trees.

Now, to answer the question, is Atlixco Mexico safe?

Atlixco is quieter than Puebla City and Cholula and feels more like a traditional Mexican town overflowing with culture and colors. Some people prefer staying in Atlixco while traveling to Puebla because of this overall safe and welcoming atmosphere. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts: Is Puebla Safe?

Statistically, Puebla is ranked just below Mexico City regarding safety and crime, making it a little safer to visit. Speaking from personal experience, I always felt completely comfortable traveling all around Puebla, and I can’t say the same for Mexico City.

There’s very little violence in Puebla, Mexico, so you don’t have to worry too much.

That said, it’s essential to stay aware of your surroundings and not do anything that would make you a target for any reason. But overall, you should enjoy your time in the electric city.

Hopefully, you have the answer to your question: is Puebla Mexico safe? And you’ll be ready for the beauty and rich culture of this underrated city in Mexico.