Tehuacán travel guide

Tehuacán is the second largest city in the Mexican state of Puebla, nestled in the southeast of the valley of Tehuacán, bordering the states of Oaxaca and Veracruz. The 2010 census reported a population of 248,716 in the city and 274,906 in the surrounding Tehuacán municipality, of which it serves as municipal seat.

Tehuacán is one of the oldest areas of human settlements in Mexico, and is believed by many anthropologists to have been an early agricultural area where corn (maize) might have been first domesticated almost 9,000 years ago. In 2025, archaeologists at INAH confirmed that cave paintings found near Tehuacan are at least 10,000 years old, making them older than the oldest Mesoamerican civilization yet known. The city was occupied by different indigenous cultures over the centuries, including the Mixtecs.

Getting in

From Mexico City, ADO and other bus lines serve Tehuacán via the TAPO bus station. The ride takes 4 hours and costs M$300 to M$1200, depending on class and demand. From Puebla, ADO has direct buses to and from Tehuacán at least hourly. The ride takes 2 hours and costs M$100 to M$1000, depending on class and demand.

Getting around

Many hotels, restaurants, and shops are located in the central downtown area, so walking will often be your best option. Taxis and Uber are the most reliable ways to get around to places outside the city center. The city has local bus services and combis.

Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.