Location: San Pedro Cholula
Top Things to do in San Pedro Cholula
- 1. Iglesia de Santa Maria Tonanzintla
- 2. Church of Our Lady of Remedies
- 3. Great Pyramid of Cholula
- 4. Templo San Francisco Acatepec
- 5. Ex-Convento de San Gabriel
- 6. La monarca
- 7. Museo de Sitio de Cholula
- 8. Plaza de la Concordia
- 9. Jazzatlan Club de Jazz & Brewpub
- 10. Parroquia de San Andres Cholula
Top Restaurants in San Pedro Cholula
10 Things to Do in San Pedro Cholula That You Shouldn't Miss
San Pedro Cholula is a municipality in the Mexican state of Puebla and one of two municipalities which made up the city of Cholula. The city has been divided into two sections since the pre Hispanic era, when revolting Toltec-Chichimecas pushed the formerly dominant Olmec-Xicallanca to the eastern side of the city in the 13th century. The new lords called themselves Cholutecas and built a new temple to Quetzalcoatl on the San Pedro side, which eventually eclipsed the formerly prominent Great Pyramid of Cholula, now on the San Andrés side. When the Spanish arrived in the 16th century, the city of Cholula was an important religious and economic center, but the center of power was on the San Pedro side, centered on what is now the main city plaza and the San Gabriel monastery. The division of the city persisted and San Pedro remained the more dominant, with Spanish families moving onto that side and the rest of the population quickly becoming mestizo. Today, San Pedro is still more commercial and less residential than neighboring San Andrés with most of its population employed in industry, commerce and services rather than agriculture. Although Cholula's main tourist attraction, the Pyramid, is in San Andrés, San Pedro has more tourism infrastructure such as hotels, restaurants and bars.
Restaurants in San Pedro Cholula
1. Iglesia de Santa Maria Tonanzintla
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 89 reviews
Reviewed By Jesusmiguel58 - Buenos Aires, Argentina
This is a beautiful example of novohispanic baroque art, planned by the first Spanish settlers of the area and completed in all its naif beauty by indigeneous people, as in many other Mexican churches. The only shame is that you can`t take pictures and the postcards that the guardians have in stock do not show all the countless details of precious stucco decoration that the church has on offer. Undoubtedly worth the short trip from central Cholula while you are there.
2. Church of Our Lady of Remedies
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 414 reviews
Reviewed By kayaklady2 - Washington State
Check before taking a bus or taxi to Cholula from Puebla. We tried to visit the last of October and the pathway up to the church was closed from the September earthquake. It looked like the tops of both towers had crumbled and were being repaired so they did not want people up there. It is possible, however, to walk around the pyramid which sits under the church, and see it from afar. One can go through tunnels into the pyramid. That was not very enticing to me, because the last place I would want to be if there were an aftershock would be in a claustrophobic tunnel. The pyramid itself is a little disappointing if you have been to other major sites, as only a small part of it has been reconstructed. The church was probably built with stone from the top of it. It is interesting if you have seen other archeological sites for comparison. I like the little museum across the street which is "free" if you have purchased a ticket to walk around the pyramid. It has a scale model of the pyramid and church. Seniors have a 10 peso savings, so ask.
3. Great Pyramid of Cholula
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 809 reviews
Reviewed By Bereniceschen
We went in November and the church was closed due to the earthquake. We visited the local museum, which is very informative. We also had a guided tour to the tunnel inside the pyramid (in English). Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and we learnt a lot from him.
4. Templo San Francisco Acatepec
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 78 reviews
Reviewed By Jesusmiguel58 - Buenos Aires, Argentina
The facade of this church is one of the very best in all the country showing an extremely ellaborated decoration both inside and outside the building. The main facade offers a beautiful combination of multicouloured small tiles while inside the variety of naif sculptures and original architecture covering all the walls and roofs give the whole church a very baroque impression of richness and luxuriousness.
5. Ex-Convento de San Gabriel
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 48 reviews
Reviewed By alvaradodavide
Though the interior of the church has been ruined by the unkind intervention of well-meaning parish priests over the years, some traces of the exquisite indigenous stone work remain. The real highlight, however, is the "Capilla de Naturales" with it's 49 domes. The simple, elegant design of the space has strong mystical overtones. The library in the actual former monastery is fascinating as well.
6. La monarca
Overall Ratings
5 based on 22 reviews
Boutique specialized in Mexican folkart, silver and fashion jewelry of some of the best Mexican silversmiths and designers. Find here your the unique jewels of the successors of William Spratling and of the artists Edith Brabata, Martha Vargas, Annabel Humber, Violante Ulrich and others. Find extraordinary Mexican designed handbags, original tenangos, handblown glass, and contemporary art of prize-winning Mexican artists. Get professional advice directly from the owner and connoisseur Celia Ruiz.
Reviewed By Agnes R - Tulsa, Oklahoma
I´ve been 3 weeks now in and around Puebla. Found this shop one morning when I visited the pyramid of Cholula. This shop is rather unique if you like good silver jewelry or fashion handbags of serious mexican designers. Worth while a visit.
7. Museo de Sitio de Cholula
Overall Ratings
5 based on 15 reviews
Reviewed By Matthew G - Tulum, Mexico
Just opened in January 2017, the Cholula Regional Museum should be at the top of your sightseeing list. Excellent Pre-Colombian collection, Mexican folk art, sacred art, all housed on beautiful, expansive grounds. Well worth several hours, especially if you lunch at their on site restaurant. Wheelchair accessible.
8. Plaza de la Concordia
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 13 reviews
Reviewed By An0nyMs - Tucson, Arizona
When we talked about this city to people we met, looked at artesanias here in the main plaza, and read my Lonely Planet guidebook, all called it simply Cholula. But most of the TripAdvisor listings are under its formal name, San Pedro Cholula. Whatever... FYI.
It's a tree-shaded plaza with lots of benches (we always seemed to find some). There's a gazebo toward the west side. All four days we were in Cholula, there were vendors selling artesanias. For food. there were frozen treats and elote (boiled corn served on a stick, with mayonnaise and polvo (hot Chile powder). There's much more food at restaurants that line the west-side portal and at restaurants like Guero's and the authentic Mexican :) Subway.
There are churches, too (San Pedro Apostol on the north side and Convento de San Gabriel on the east). Google Maps says that next to San Pedro Apostol is the Museo de Ciudad de Cholula -- which we didn't manage to visit.
Cholula is a great alternative to Puebla for staying the night. It's much quieter, and it's only a 10 km bus ride away. (There's also a train from near the Gran Pyramide. We didn't try it because it's a fair distance from the plaza.) A hotel on the plaza, like Hotel MS, make this area a really good choice.
9. Jazzatlan Club de Jazz & Brewpub
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 27 reviews
Reviewed By Tamie C
After an afternoon conversation with the owner, my husband suggested that we visit the club at night. Make Reservations. We didn't and even though we were seated at the farthest away top of the club, the music was clear and loud. It gave us the opportunity to talk together and still listen to the music. The food was good but the ambiance was wonderful. A club filled with people who love good music makes for a great vibe.
10. Parroquia de San Andres Cholula
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11 reviews
Reviewed By FoodMonsterTravels - Berlin, Germany
This is a beautiful church which was unfortunately hardly hit by the earthquakes (leave a small donation for rebuilding the convent). It is still worth visiting it - come in the morning because some parts of the area are closed in the afternoon.
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