Mexico is getting more expensive but after 30 days living in Puebla I realized some cities are more expensive than others.
I have traveled Mexico many times for a holiday and while many people recommended Puebla as a food city I still hadn’t gone.
In fact, Puebla wasn’t on my radar until I needed a safe Mexican city for my boyfriend’s first time in Latin America. I knew flying 30 hours from Asia to the Americas would be a lot.
And I also knew Mexico City would be too overwhelming. He was still reeling from watching videos of Tijuana on YouTube and wondered if I was taking him somewhere dangerous.
After spending 30 days there, I learned things that no guidebook mentions about what it’s really like to live there as a foreigner.
Why Puebla Makes Sense for Expats
Most people skip Puebla for flashier destinations. That’s actually what makes it perfect for expats who want authentic Mexico without the tourist circus.
Puebla is Mexico’s fourth largest city with over three million people. Don’t let that scare you. The historic center feels like a small town with walkable streets and colonial charm.
Safety was our biggest concern coming from Southeast Asia. Puebla delivered on its reputation as one of Mexico’s safer cities. We never felt threatened walking around, even with camera equipment. The most aggressive thing we encountered was street vendors, and even they were pretty mellow.
You won’t hear much English here. That’s either perfect for language learning or potentially isolating depending on your Spanish level. Even in tourist areas, most interactions happen in Spanish.
The Real Cost of Living in Puebla
Everyone wants to know about money. I take photos of all my receipts and import them into a spreadsheet .
Here’s what we actually spent for two people in 30 days: $1,950 USD.
Housing: $967
Finding short-term rentals in Puebla is tricky. Facebook groups and Puebla hotel booking sites were good for a week but didn’t offer monthly discounts..
We ended up stuck with Airbnb options, which inflated our housing costs.
Our apartment came with new everything but terrible wifi and a German neighbor who blasted music at 6 AM every morning. The building management tried to help with the internet but couldn’t do much about the noise.
Although they advertised it as a high speed apartment they took the test in their office. As my apartment unit was new they did not realize the signal was so weak that I couldn’t even stream from the smart television.
I had to put pressure on them by constantly sending speed tests. I hate being the annoying complainer but I paid for high speed and felt like I was getting dial up.
But I learned from the experience and will see a place before I commit when possible to do a speed test. When I can’t I will ask for a speed test done in the actual apartment, not the building office. Ask about neighbors before you commit to a place.
Food: $750
This was our biggest pleasant surprise. We averaged $25 USD per day for both of us, including groceries and restaurants.
Puebla is a serious food city. We ate comida corrida (set lunches), market stalls and traditional fondas. The local markets have incredible produce at prices that would make you laugh if you’re coming from North America or Europe.
Food in Mexico
Walmart and Soriana exist for imported items like Greek yogurt, but local shops beat them for quality and price on Mexican staples.
Transportation: $63
This might be misleading because we mostly walked. Puebla’s public transportation exists but it’s confusing for foreigners.
The Metrobus system works if you’re going directly somewhere. Most destinations we wanted to visit required multiple connections though. The Ruta minivans are better but still required transfers for most of our trips.
Google Maps helps but doesn’t make the system intuitive.
Many tourists take Uber and Didi but that get expensive fast. A mall visit cost 150 pesos one way, which adds up quickly.
Local buses cost 7-8 pesos per ride. Once you figure out the system, transportation becomes incredibly cheap.
Gym: $120
Avoid this expensive mistake.
SmartFit gym chain told us we could cancel with seven days notice. When we tried to cancel, they demanded 30 days notice and charged us for an extra month we couldn’t use.
Their corporate office never responded to complaints. Look for apartments with gyms included or stick to day passes at local facilities.
I will never give my credit card information to a gym again. Lesson learned.
Other Expenses: $70
All of the miscellaneous costs from tips to getting crazy glue to fix shoes.
What Works About Puebla
Authentic Mexican Culture
We stayed in Centro Histórico for the full colonial experience. It’s beautiful during the day with constant activity in the main square. Museums, restaurants and shops are all walking distance.
You’re not sharing your neighborhood with other expats and digital nomads. This means real Mexican experiences but also means you need decent Spanish skills to function.
Great Weather
Puebla sits at high altitude with mild temperatures year round. You’ll need a light jacket some evenings but never heavy winter gear.
Food Scene
Traditional Mexican cooking thrives here. Mole poblano originated in Puebla and you can taste why it’s famous. Street food, markets and family restaurants offer incredible variety at local prices.
Infrastructure
Modern amenities exist alongside colonial architecture. You get reliable internet (mostly), good medical care and shopping options when you need them.
Location
Two hours from Mexico City by bus. Puebla has its own airport for international travel. Day trips to Cholula, Tlaxcala and surrounding towns are easy and cheap.
What Doesn’t Work
Quiet Nights
The historic center shuts down after 8 PM. Finding a casual cafe for evening drinks becomes surprisingly difficult. Night owls should look at modern neighborhoods outside the center.
Transportation Learning Curve
If you can’t figure out the bus system quickly, you’ll spend a lot on ride shares. Consider this in your budget.
Mexican Drinks
Limited Expat Community
Great for immersion, challenging if you want English-speaking friends nearby. There is an expat community on Facebook but unlike in other cities there didn’t seem to be meet ups or events.
Spanish Language Reality
Puebla is perfect for language learning if you’re ready to be challenged. Very little English accommodation exists outside upscale hotels so it forces you into immersion.
tWe took classes at Spanish Institute of Puebla and loved the cultural focus alongside grammar lessons. The school understands foreign students but the city itself doesn’t cater to English speakers.
Should You Choose Puebla
Puebla works for expats who want authentic Mexico at reasonable prices. You’ll need decent Spanish, patience with transportation and realistic expectations about nightlife.
It’s not for people seeking established expat communities or English-friendly services. But if you want to experience real Mexican culture while saving money, Puebla delivers exactly that.
The infrastructure supports modern remote work. The food will spoil you for Mexican cuisine anywhere else. The safety record speaks for itself.
Just don’t expect it to be easy. Puebla rewards people who adapt to Mexican rhythms rather than expecting Mexico to adapt to them.