VALLADOLID
Leave the beaches of Mexico’s Caribbean coast behind and get a taste of authentic Mexico in the Yucatan’s charming city of Valladolid. This quaint, quiet city in the heart of the Yucatan Peninsula, is the perfect spot to get a different travel experience, where you can encounter the region’s culture and history (with Mayan and Spanish influences), meet friendly locals dressed in colorful, traditional dresses from the area, sample delicious, regional food and dishes, learn about the history of the city - with its colorful and colonial architecture, picturesque and cobbled streets, and historic buildings. Valladolid is steadily growing in popularity due to its charm, as well as its collection of breathtaking cenotes, and its proximity to the archeological sites of Ek Balam and Chichen Itza, however, it is still the perfect spot to encounter the real Mexico, with fewer crowds than you may be used to in the Caribbean, and a more local feel. Valladolid is an affordable, compact, and safe city that is great for exploring by foot, or bicycle, and perfect for those seeking more than white sand beaches, and vibrant nightlife.
What is there to do?
Many day trippers briefly visit the city of Valladolid as part of a day trip to Chichen Itza and the cenote Ik Kil, however, many don’t have the time to experience and get a real feel of this Pueblo Magico “magic town”, with its abundant history, and cultural attractions. Valladolid is well known for its picturesque streets and buildings, the collection of cenotes in and around the city, as well as its proximity to the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza and Ek Balam. When you stay for several nights, the city acts as a great point of departure for trips to the two archeological sites, the many cenotes, as well as some of the small towns close by, and Rio Lagartos and Las Coloradas. But in addition to the city being a travel hub, there is also so much to do within the city, with museums, markets, cultural shows, and sightseeing to be enjoyed.
Top Activities in Valladolid:
Visit a Cenote
Valladolid has easy access to a number of ancient, open, semi-open, and cave cenotes (water-filled sinkholes) in the jungle, as well as in the city center at Cenote Zaci. In the heat of the summer, you can cool off with a refreshing, freshwater dip, or visit for a great picture opportunity at some of these cenotes - Suytun, X’keken and Saamul, Dzitnup, Oxman, Zazil Tunich, SAC-AUA.
Watch the Free Video Mapping and Hear Valladolid’s Story
Watch the free video mapping show and hear Valladolid’s history projected onto the convent of San Bernadino de Siena - in English at 9:25 PM, daily. And on the Cathedral of San Servacio in the main square at 9PM.
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Go Shopping
Shop for fresh honey, homemade salsas, and more to take home with you in the Mercado Municipal. There are also artisanal, and handmade accessories and clothing for you to buy as souvenirs.
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Take a Day Trip to Mayan Ruins
Take a day trip to the archeological sites of Chichen Itza and Ek Balam. Go early in the morning when the ruins open at 8 AM, before the buses arrive from the Riviera Maya, and avoid the crowds.
Enjoy a Marquesita in a Love Seat
Enjoy a marquesita (a delicious regional snack) in one of Valladolid’s famous love seats in the main square, Parque Francisco Canton. Enjoy the magical, local atmosphere.
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Visit the Convent
Visit the ex-convent of San Bernadino de Siena which is open to the public.
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Take a Walking Tour
Join a walking tour, and learn about the story of Valladolid.
Ride Valladolid
Rent a bicycle or a scooter to explore some of the cenotes outside of the city, and get around the city center easier.
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Go to Rio Lagartos and Las Colorados
Go on a day trip to Rio Lagartos and Las Colorados - this is a great day trip to the north of the region, where you can witness the pink lakes.
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See Mexican Folk Art
Visit Casa de los Venados - a private house/museum, where the owners exhibit their grand collection of Mexican folk art.
Visit Museums
Learn about the history and culture of Valladolid and the region in one of its other museums.
Visit the Yellow City
Izamal is literally a yellow town, with the colonial buildings in the historic center all painted yellow, providing many amazing photo opportunities. This is a great day trip from Valladolid.
Get Some Great Photos
Explore and get some memorable photos for Instagram from the scenic, colorful streets of Valladolid. Walk from the main square down the entrancing street Calzada de los Frailes (which looks like it is straight out of a movie), arrive at the convent, and get a photo in front of the Valladolid letters… Valladolid has so many photo opportunities!
Eat Local
Eat breakfast or lunch at one of the economic kitchens in the local market, opposite the main square. Check out local, and regional dishes such as longaniza, poc chuc, cochinita pibil, lomitos and panuchos, to name a few.
Getting to Valladolid & Where to go After:
Valladolid is accessible from the cities of Merida and Cancun by Tren Maya®, the “Mayan Train”, both cities have international airports. If you are arriving in Mexico you may be arriving in Merida, Valladolid is only a short trip away. You can explore Merida, the capital of the state of Yucatan, with its colonial architecture, historic buildings, and interesting culture … a very similar, but much bigger version of Valladolid. Chichen Itza is also only one stop away from Valladolid, go for a day trip by train, and explore the ruins of this once-great, Mayan city. There are also some small towns and cities accessible on the Mayan Train from Valladolid, such as the Yellow City - Izamal. Or you can drive to towns such as Tizimin, Rio Lagartos, and Las Colaradas, these all make great day trips, but you can also stay to explore more of the culture of the Yucatan Peninsula. Another off-the-beaten-track town that you can explore is the town of El Cuyo, a small fishing village and coastal town only a two-hour drive away from Valladolid … truly a hidden gem. The boho island of Isla Holbox is also easily accessible via private transfer or bus from Valladolid.