When I mentioned to an acquaintance that I would be revisiting Mexico, he remarked, “Nice. Are you planning on leaving the resort?” I suppose many travelers to the country do cloister themselves nowadays, but while I enjoy occasional bouts of pure relaxation, walling myself off from a destination is not my style. On this trip, I intended to return to the colorful colonial cities near the center of Mexico, which offer an entrancing combination of indigenous culture and European architecture. These are world-class destinations within easy reach of the continental United States, and, moreover, ones that offer excellent value for the money.

When heading to Mexico, people invariably ask me, “Is it safe?” Most drug cartel-related murders in Mexico occur in hot spots along the U.S. border, which is at least eight hours by car from the closest hotel we recommend. (It takes nearly as long to drive from Manhattan to Cleveland.) True, I’ve read recent reports of cartels extorting small businesses, even in some of Mexico’s safest cities. But the average traveler is highly unlikely to encounter problems. For an additional sense of security, I recommend using a reputable ground operator to arrange for transfers and guiding. I’ve employed Journey Mexico several times, and the company always provides top-quality guides and drivers.

This time, I returned to two cities I’d overlooked on my previous visit to colonial Mexico: up-and-coming Puebla and ever-popular San Miguel de Allende. The former, a city of about 1.5 million people, is well-known to residents of Mexico City, an easy two-and-a-half-hour drive away. Travelers from other countries visit in far fewer numbers, giving Puebla an authentic, unspoiled atmosphere. I found it surprising that the city isn’t more famous, considering the charms of its pedestrian-friendly and well-preserved 16th-century center, a UNESCO World Heritage site full of elaborate churches, impressive museums and stylish bars. The city has an unusually rich culinary heritage, which I relished in both traditional and innovative restaurants. And — not least important — Puebla recently saw the openings of two enticing luxury hotels.