Veracruz to Tehuacán, Puebla | Day 87 of Our Canada to Mexico Road Trip

📅 Date: July 21, 2025 After several fantastic days exploring the mountains of Veracruz, it was time to continue our journey into the state of Puebla. Our next destination was Tehuacán, a city famous for its mineral water history, desert landscapes, and proximity to one of Mexico's most fascinating natural regions. Although the driving distance wasn't particularly long, the day brought beautiful mountain scenery, a memorable local meal, our first ride in Tehuacán's public transportation system, and another lesson in road travel. 🚙 Travel & Vehicle Telemetry 📅 Date: July 21, 2025 📍 Starting Point: Córdoba, Veracruz 🛣️ Route: Córdoba → Tehuacán 🏁 Destination: Tehuacán, Puebla 🚙 Distance Driven: 96.9 km (60.2 mi) ⛽ Fuel Consumed: 9.145 L 💵 Fuel Cost: $256.70 MXN 🌋 Leaving Veracruz Behind The day began with a workout and breakfast before checking out of our hotel in Córdoba. One detail we quickly noticed was that the gym partnering with the hotel did not have air conditioning. Let's just say the workout felt considerably more intense than expected. 😅 After breakfast, we packed up and got back on the road. The drive toward Puebla offered spectacular scenery, including beautiful views of Pico de Orizaba, Mexico's highest volcano. 🌋 Mountain views 🚙 Curving highways 🌿 Changing landscapes The route felt like a natural transition between Veracruz's lush mountains and Puebla's semi-arid valleys. 🚔 A Respectful Encounter with Traffic Police Shortly after arriving in Tehuacán, we made an honest mistake. While navigating unfamiliar streets, we inadvertently made a prohibited turn. A traffic officer stopped us shortly afterward. The officer was professional, the conversation remained cordial, and the situation was resolved without complications. It was a good reminder that attitude matters when traveling. 🚐 Exploring Tehuacán by Combi Rather than driving into the busiest parts of the city, we decided to try something different. We left the Jeep behind and explored using local public transportation. 🚐 Combis. For only a few pesos, they provided a simple and authentic way to move around the city. For visitors unfamiliar with Mexico, riding a combi is an experience in itself and offers a glimpse into daily life that many tourists never see. 🏙️ Discovering Downtown Tehuacán One thing immediately stood out: The city operates on a different rhythm. Because of the intense midday heat, much of the activity begins later in the afternoon. As the temperature eased, the center gradually came to life. We spent time walking through: 🏛️ Historic streets 🛍️ Commercial areas 🌮 Local food vendors 🍉 Traditional markets 🏨 New Base Camp in Puebla For the next several days, Tehuacán would serve as our operational base for exploring the surrounding region. We checked into: City Express by Marriott Tehuacán 📍 Tehuacán, Puebla 🛏️ 3-night stay (July 21-24, 2025) 💲 Cost per Night: $1,408.39 MXN While the location was practical, we felt the value proposition was somewhat limited due to: ⚠️ Weak sound insulation ⚠️ Shared parking with a shopping plaza Still, it provided a convenient base for upcoming excursions. 🌎 Day 87 marked another transition in our journey. We left the green mountains of Veracruz behind, entered Puebla, experienced local transportation, explored a bustling traditional market, and established a new base for the next stage of our adventure. 👍 If you enjoy road trips, authentic local experiences, public transportation, hidden destinations, and exploring Mexico beyond the tourist route, don't forget to Like, Subscribe, and Follow along. 🌵 Next Episode: San Juan Raya and the giant cactus trail in the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Biosphere Reserve. 🚐 TRAVELNAUTAS RESOURCES 🗺️ Road-trip guides, border-crossing logistics, vehicle preparation tips, travel tools, and practical travel resources. 🌐 Website: https://travelnautas.co 📍 Follow our complete Canada-to-Mexico journey on Polarsteps: https://www.polarsteps.com/Migueloria... 📚 GET THE BOOK 🇺🇸 ENGLISH Drive to Mexico in Your Own Vehicle A Practical Guide to Crossing the U.S. and Exploring Mexico by Road Amazon: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0GX3BC6YJ Google Play Books: https://play.google.com/store/books/d... 🇪🇸 ESPAÑOL Rumbo a México en tu propio auto Amazon: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0GX2YK2R2 Google Play Books: https://play.google.com/store/books/d... 🇫🇷 FRANÇAIS En route vers le Mexique avec votre propre véhicule Amazon: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0H1Z2C3DS Google Play Books: https://play.google.com/store/books/d... 🌎 Travel smarter. Cross borders confidently. Explore further. #️⃣ Hashtags #Tehuacan #Puebla #MexicoRoadTrip #Travelnautas #RoadTripMexico #MexicoTravel #Combi #PublicTransportation #ExploreMexico #PicoDeOrizaba #AdventureTravel #TravelVlog #MexicoByCar #HiddenMexico #RoadTrip