The centre of Tehuacan is compact and walkable. The zócalo, cathedral, market, and Museo del Valle are all within easy walking distance of each other. Taxis are plentiful and cheap for getting between the bus station and the centre, or for reaching the Garci-Crespo springs on the edge of town.
To explore the Tehuacan-Cuicatlán Valley — the road south toward Zapotitlán Salinas — you need a car or a taxi hired for the day. Collectivos (shared minivans) run from the market area to Zapotitlán Salinas and other nearby villages, but services are infrequent and the schedule is loose. If you want to visit the valley at your own pace, renting a car in Puebla before traveling to Tehuacan is the most practical option.