Atlixco Travel Guide: Discover the Magic of Atlixco, Puebla

People who visit the city of Puebla often spend a day in nearby Cholula. Its proximity and wealth of interesting attractions make it the most popular day trip destination from the capital. But did you know that Atlixco can easily be visited on a day trip as well?

Also known as Atlixco de las Flores, this charming pueblo magico is located less than an hour southwest of Puebla de Zaragoza. If you’re spending enough time in Puebla and have already been to Cholula, then taking a day trip to Atlixco is something you may want to consider.

This detailed Atlixco travel guide will tell you everything you need to know to plan your trip.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

MEXICO TOURIST CARD (FMM)

You may need a visa to visit Mexico depending on what type of passport you carry. You can check iVisa.com for information on tourist visas to Mexico.

Whether or not you need a tourist visa, all visitors need an FMM (Forma Migratoria Múltiple) to enter the country. It’s often referred to as a “tourist card” and it’s something you can get if you’re entering Mexico by land or by air.

Tourists flying into Mexico are usually provided one by their airline (cost included in the airline ticket) while people arriving by land can get one at the border (with a fee).

You can also process the FMM ahead of time online through the INM website or iVisa.com. Click on the link to learn more about the FMM.

ATLIXCO AT A GLANCE

Atlixco is one of ten pueblo magicos (magical towns) in the state of Puebla. It’s situated at the foothills of Popocatépetl volcano, about 19 miles (30 km) southwest of Puebla city. Home to over 140,000 people, it was declared a pueblo magico by Mexico’s Secretariat of Tourism in 2015.

The name Atlixco can be attributed to a Nahuatl phrase meaning “water in the valley” or “water in the ground”. As described, the city is also referred to as Atlixco de las Flores, thanks to its production of flowers, ornamental plants, and fruit trees.

Atlixco has been described as having one of the best climates in the world, making it suitable for the cultivation of flowers like roses, geraniums, gladiolas, and chrysanthemums. All of its potted plants are sold in Mexico while up to 80% of its cut flowers are sent and sold abroad, mostly to the US.

IS ATLIXCO SAFE?

Personally, I never felt unsafe in Atlixco. It’s one of the more visited pueblos magicos in Puebla so I expected the locals to be accustomed to seeing tourists. I spent the whole day in Atlixco and not once did I get any surprised stares, which is always a relief.

Some parts of Mexico have a reputation for being unsafe, but if you do a search for the safest states in Mexico, then you’ll find Puebla on many lists. According to multiple sources, it’s one of the safest states in the country.

With that said, it doesn’t mean bad things can’t happen in Atlixco or Puebla (which is the case anywhere you go). As long as you prioritize safety and follow the usual precautions – stay in populated areas, don’t wear anything flashy, don’t walk alone at night – then you should have an incident-free time in Atlixco.

The US, Canada, and UK governments give general Mexico travel advisories but I suggest bookmarking the Puebla and Atlixco forums on Tripadvisor as well. If there are any recent incidents that you should know about, then they’ll typically pop up there first. People on these forums are usually helpful so you can post any questions you have there too.

BEST TIME TO VISIT ATLIXCO

The climate in Atlixco is ideal so there really is no bad time to go. I went in August, which is one of the rainiest times of the year, but it was still mostly sunny during my visit. It was overcast in the afternoon but it didn’t rain at all.

If you’d like to visit when precipitation is historically at its lowest, then December till March is the best time to go. Click on the link for more information on Atlixco’s climate.

HOW TO GET TO ATLIXCO

Atlixco is one of the easiest pueblos magicos to visit from Puebla City. You can travel by direct bus which runs back and forth throughout the day.

As far as I know, there are no direct buses to Atlixco from Mexico City. Visitors from the Mexican capital will need to go to Puebla first before continuing on to Atlixco.

From Puebla City

BY BUS: The ORO bus runs routes from Puebla CAPU to Atlixco throughout the day. You can check the ORO website for a schedule but you’ll need to purchase tickets at the gate. Tickets go for MXN 40 each way. You can also catch the ERCO bus (ORO’s lower line) for just MXN 35 each way.

BY GUIDED TOUR: If you’d rather not worry about transportation, then booking a guided tour is an excellent option. Not only will your roundtrip transportation be taken care of, but you’ll have a guide explaining everything to you. You can book guided tours to Atlixco on Get Your Guide.

By Rental Car

Getting around by car is another popular way of exploring Mexico, especially for American tourists. If you don’t have a car, then you can rent one through rentalcars.com.

WHERE TO STAY IN ATLIXCO

I visited Atlixco on a day trip but people looking to stay the night shouldn’t have any problems finding a hotel. Listed below are some of the most popular hotels in Atlixco.

If you don’t think these hotels are right for you, then you can do a search on Booking.com, Agoda, or Airbnb for alternate listings. You can also search for Atlixco hotels using the handy map below.

THINGS TO DO IN ATLIXCO

1. Walk Up La Escalera Ancha

This eye-catching staircase is the perfect place to start your day of sightseeing in Atlixco. Meaning “the wide staircase” in Spanish, La Escalera Ancha takes you up to Calzada 16 de Septiembre and the base of Cerro de San Miguel, two of the most popular attractions in Atlixco.

The staircase features a colorful mural on its steps depicting a couple wearing traditional costumes and doing a regional dance known as the Calabaceado. Based on what I’ve read, this staircase was the sight of the first Atlixcayotl Festival in 1965, which over time, would become the biggest festival in the state of Puebla. The festival is held every year on the last Sunday of September.

Near the top of the staircase is the reloj floral monumental, or “giant floral clock”. I don’t know its history but I wouldn’t be surprised if this clock was produced in Zacatlan de las Manzanas, a fellow pueblo magico that’s home to the first producers of monumental clocks in Latin America.

This is what the view looks like from the top of the staircase.

Ex-Convento de San Francisco

Near the steps of La Escalera Ancha is this church – Ex-Convento de San Francisco. Unfortunately, it was closed during the time of my visit.

2. Climb to the Top of Cerro de San Miguel

Like Cholula, one of the most distinguishing characteristics of Atlixco is a church sitting on top of a hill. An imposing sight, it’s hard not to notice it no matter where you are in the city!

After walking to the top of La Escalera Ancha, you can make a left and follow the path leading up Cerro de San Miguel (San Miguel Hill) to get to the church.

There’s the Chapel of the Archangel Saint Michael within shouting distance. Unfortunately, like Ex-Convento de San Francisco, it was closed at the time of my visit.

The church may have been closed but nothing was keeping me from enjoying this spectacular view from the top of Cerro de San Miguel.

3. Visit the Viveros de Atlixco

True to its name, Atlixco de las Flores is known for its cultivation of flora. A short walk from Cerro de San Miguel is a series of viveros or plant nurseries featuring a wide array of flowers, ornamental plants, and fruit trees. If you like flowers or have a green thumb, then you’ll definitely want to make a stop here.

Among the many plants and flowers that thrive in Atlixco include roses, geraniums, poinsettias, chrysanthemums, and gladiolas. My personal favorites are always the succulents. Aren’t these gorgeous?

4. Take a Stroll Down Calzada 16 de Septiembre

Calzada 16 de Septiembre is the prettiest street in Atlixco. It features colorful murals on both sides along with rows of potted plants and flowers. If you’re looking for the ideal place to snap your Instagram #OOTD, then this street is the perfect place to do it.

There’s no shortage of Instagram-worthy backdrops along Calzada 16 de Septiembre.

Calzada 16 de Septiembre is the street at the top of La Escalera Ancha. If you don’t feel like climbing to the top of Cerro de San Miguel, then you can just make a right and walk down this street. It’ll take you all the way down to the zocalo or main square.

Like I said, there’s no shortage of Instagram-worthy backdrops on this street. The hanging plants and flowers against the colorful walls are so pretty!

5. Explore the Zocalo

Every city or town in Mexico will have a zocalo or main square. It’s the heart of the city and the perfect place to go people-watching.

After visiting a few zocalos in Mexico, you’ll find that they share many characteristics.

Letras Gigantes

These giant letters spelling out the city’s name are a common sight in Mexico. A popular photo backdrop, they can usually be found at the city’s zocalo.

Palacio Municipal

You’ll typically find the city’s palacio municipal or municipal palace around the zocalo. Many are plain and uninteresting but Atlixco’s palacio municipal is one of the most beautiful I’ve been to in Mexico, thanks to these gorgeous murals that adorn its inner walls.

I don’t know how old these murals are but they look fairly fresh and new.

Mexicans love murals. You’ll find them in every city in Mexico and the murals inside Atlixco’s palacio municipal are among the most striking I’ve seen so far.

Parroquia de Santa Maria de la Natividad

Every Mexican city is filled with beautiful churches but the city’s biggest church can usually be found at the zocalo. In Atlixco, that church is Parroquia de Santa Maria de la Natividad.

The Italian Coffee Company Kiosko

The previous structures are features you’d find at any typical Mexican zocalo. This next one isn’t.

Most zocalos will usually have a kiosko or gazebo but the kiosko in Atlixco is an entirely different animal. Arabic-looking in its design, it’s much larger than your typical kiosko and features a branch of the popular Italian Coffee Company inside!

The second floor of the kiosko takes people-watching to new heights in Atlixco. What a great place to enjoy coffee and while away the time.

In spite of its name, The Italian Coffee Company is a Mexican brand that I believe started in Puebla. You’ll find branches of this popular chain throughout Puebla state and beyond.

6. Enjoy Christmas at Museo de la Navidad

As its name suggests, Museo de la Navidad is a museum dedicated to Christmas. It features exhibits on Christmas lights and decorations along with a train ride that young kids will surely enjoy. You can refer to the Museo de la Navidad website for more information.

The museum is open only on Saturdays and Sundays from noon till 7PM. Entrance to the museum is MXN 60 while the train ride is MXN 40.

7. Explore Mercado Benito Juarez

If you have a fondness for markets like we do, then you may want to make a quick stop at Mercado Benito Juarez. Located in the heart of downtown Atlixco, it’s a typical Mexican market that features fresh produce, meats, and dry goods.

8. Visit Jardin Magico

I didn’t have time to go but if the viveros weren’t enough to satisfy your green thumb, then you may want to visit Jardin Magico. It’s a large botanical garden that features many types of plants, flowers, trees, and succulents, not to mention a whimsical topiary with bushes sculpted to look like different animals and objects.

You can refer to Jardin Magico’s Facebook page for pictures and more information. The cost of admission is MXN 55 per person and you can get to the botanical garden by Uber. I checked and Uber does operate in Atlixco.

9. Wander the Streets of Atlixco

Like any pueblo magico, one of the best things for you to do in this magical town is to wander aimlessly and enjoy the atmosphere. Atlixco may be small but it’s a beautiful town with a warm, welcoming vibe.

I don’t know the name of this little church but it was gorgeous, perhaps the most beautiful in Atlixco. I just randomly walked by it while taking photos around town.

This string of dried corn made for an interesting focal point. I wonder if the Mexican pedestrians thought I was loco for taking so many pictures of corn. Ha!

POBLANO FOOD GUIDE

The state of Puebla is famous for its food, which is a big reason why we chose to make it our home away from home in Mexico. Mole poblano is the most famous dish but be sure to check out our Poblano food guide for more suggestions on what traditional dishes to look for in Puebla.

WHERE TO EAT IN ATLIXCO

1. Doña Rosenda

This fantastic neighborhood restaurant was my very first stop in Atlixco. After getting off the bus, I made a beeline for Doña Rosenda to enjoy this delicious plate of memelas for breakfast. It set me back just MXN 65 and I could have as much coffee as I wanted.

What an awesome way to start my day in Atlixco!

Doña Rosenda is located just a couple of blocks from La Escalera Ancha and makes for a delicious first stop in Atlixco. Aside from memelas, they serve other typical Mexican dishes like chalupas, chilaquiles, enfrijoladas, and molletes.

2. Lolita Enchiladas

If you have a taste for enchiladas, then one of the most popular places to go in Atlixco is Lolita. Open since 1972, Lolita specializes in enchiladas but they do serve other antojitos as well like tortas, tostadas, and taquitos.

Pictured below is my tasty platter of enchiladas topped with cecina Atlixquense. Cecina refers to thinly-sliced beef or pork that’s been salted, marinated, and then sun-dried.

Lolita is located in one of the busiest parts of downtown Atlixco, near Mercado Benito Juarez. If you’re visiting on a day trip, then this is a great place to have a late lunch or early dinner before hopping on the bus back to Puebla.

POINTS OF INTEREST IN ATLIXCO

To help you find these restaurants, hotels, and attractions in Atlixco, I’ve pinned them all on this map. Click on the link for a live version of the map.

ATLIXCO ITINERARY

Thanks to its proximity and frequency of buses, Atlixco is easy to visit on a day trip from Puebla. I suggest taking an early bus from Puebla, around 8-9AM, to make the most of your visit. Here’s a sample 1-day Atlixco itinerary to help you plan your trip.

ATLIXCO TRAVEL TIPS

1. Stay Connected with a Mexico Sim Card or eSIM

It’s important to have a steady and reliable internet connection in Mexico. In my experience, pocket wifi devices don’t work well in Mexico so it’s best to get a SIM card or eSIM. Telcel is generally regarded as the best ISP in Mexico while airalo is a trusted eSIM provider.

You can purchase a Telcel SIM card in Mexico but I highly recommend getting one before your trip through Amazon (affiliate link). It’ll come loaded with 3GB of data so you’ll be connected and ready to go as soon as you arrive in Mexico.

If you have an eSIM-capable mobile phone, then you may want to get an eSIM instead through airalo.

2. Bookmark the Puebla and Atlixco Tripadvisor Forums

Safety can be a concern in Mexico depending on where you go so it’s important to stay abreast of current events. In my experience, the best way to do that is to watch the travel forums on Tripadvisor. They have one for every city and it’s a great way of knowing what the situation is like on the ground before you go.

Click on the links to read through the Puebla and Atlixco forums on Tripadvisor. They’re frequented by locals, expats, and repeat visitors so it’s a great place to ask questions too.

3. Learn Basic Spanish

Many people in Mexico don’t speak English so it helps to know a few basic phrases in Spanish. Here are some of the most commonly used phrases:

Por favor: “Please”
(Muchas) gracias: “Thank you (very much)”
Buenos dias: “Good morning”
Buenas tardes: “Good afternoon”
Buenas noches: “Good evening”
Perdon/Desculpe: “Sorry” or “Excuse me” (when you didn’t hear what someone said)
Con permiso: “Excuse me” (when passing someone on the street)
La cuenta por favor: “The bill please”
¿Cuanto cuesta?: “How much does it cost?”

4. Start at the Tourist Information Center

The tourist information center is a good place to start your visit in any pueblo magico. There isn’t as much information about some of these magical towns online so the tourist center is a great place to get information on attractions, tours, and other travel-related services.

I didn’t go to the office in Atlixco but tourist information centers in Mexico are typically located around the zocalo.

5. Take Uber

Atlixco is a very walkable city but if you need to catch a ride somewhere, then book Uber. It’s available in Atlixco.

Unless it’s from an official stand at the airport or bus station, I’m extremely wary of taking taxis in Mexico, especially after reading about this express kidnapping incident in Puebla.

6. Bring Cash

Some of these pueblos magicos are quite small and don’t have as many banks or ATM machines. Establishments may not accept credit cards either so it’s a good idea to bring enough cash with you.

7. Don’t Drink Tap Water

Tap water isn’t safe to drink in Mexico so you should always buy bottled water or drink from a filtered water bottle. You don’t want to come down with an untimely case of diarrhea so be sure to read my article on the drinking water in Mexico before going.

8. Leave a Tip

While there is a tipping culture in Mexico, it seems to apply more to larger cities that receive large numbers of foreign tourists. In some of these smaller pueblos magicos, tipping doesn’t seem to be as common (ie no tip jars).

With that said, Atlixco is one of the more visited pueblos magicos in Puebla so a tip may be expected. Personally, I always left a tip of around 10% of the total bill. You can read my article on tipping in Mexico for more information.

9. Get Travel Insurance

Getting travel insurance is a must when traveling. Frankly, you never know what might happen on a trip so it’s good to always be prepared.

For peace of mind, we always buy travel insurance from SafetyWing. Click on the link to learn more and get a free quotation.

10. Bring the Right Power Adapter

Mexico has Type A or Type B electrical outlets so be sure to bring the right power adapters for your devices. Electrical voltage is 127V and the standard frequency is 60Hz.

WHAT I LOVED ABOUT ATLIXCO

Before I let you go, I just wanted to share some of the things that I personally loved about Atlixco:

OUR TRAVEL GEAR

Here’s some of the travel equipment and gear I brought with me to Atlixco and Mexico. (Amazon affiliate links)

Disclosure

Some of the links in this travel guide to Atlixco, Puebla are affiliate links. What that means is that we’ll earn a small commission if you make a purchase at no added cost to you. As always, we only recommend products and services that we use ourselves. We really appreciate your support as it helps us keep this free Puebla travel website going. Thank you!

Thank you for sharing!