Cholula is a fantastic little town just outside of the city of Puebla. The town is likely most famous for the Great Pyramid of Cholula. The largest pyramid in the world, by volume, at the top is the Church of the Virgin of Los Remedios, itself an important site for visitors. The town below is divided into two districts, those of San Andrés and San Pedro. The two districts are further divided into 18 colonial-era barrios. But that's just where the fun begins.
Cholula is arguably the most famous arts district in greater Puebla. It was famed throughout that long colonial period for its 37 churches and 159 smaller chapels. In legend, this number was upped to 365 total churches making it arguably one of the most religious places on the planet. The Temple of San Francisco Acatepec with an incredible Talavera façade keeps inside a collection of religious art unlike anything you've ever seen. That is, unless you get to Santa Maria Tonantzintla, the neighborhood next door. The mix of indigenous and European art is jaw dropping. But church inflation aside, Cholula is still a wildly famous place for lots of good reasons.
The archaeological zone will let you peek inside that giant pyramid and there are ancient relics literally everywhere. Outstanding food is sold everywhere. The main Cosme del Razo market is surrounded by people cooking and serving all manner of Cholula specialties. And there is a Sunday-only tianguis that covers most of central San Andrés.
Talavera is just the finest of local pottery. You'll find all kinds of other works in clay, and examples of popotillo artworks in addition to the fine arts gallery scene in the town.
Cholula goes all in for the Fiesta de Pobres y Labradores every june. But there are also big carnival celebration, an annual Procession of the Lanterns, and the Burning of the Panzones. But year round, something is always going on.
Nearly all trips to Cholula are going to at least brush past the capital city of Puebla. From Mexico City, TAPO buses will often run direct. And there are a variety of tour packages available. But in Puebla, buses run from all around the CAPU station to the center of San Andrés Cholula. That trip should take less than an hour.
