LOTUS EATERS TRAVEL

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IS VALLADOLID WORTH VISITING + BEST THINGS TO DO IN VALLADOLID.

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I fell a little bit in love with Valladolid. A small city in the centre of the Yucatan Peninsular, many tourists pass through here on route to Chichen Itza and only stay for a day. But, if you can, we recommend staying a little longer to explore what the town has to offer.

Valladolid is one of the most photogenic places that I have ever been to. Every corner I turned made me want to take thousands of photographs.

It is a visual sensation. But unlike other large cities in the Yucatan, it is laid back and not hectic.

Valladolid has a sensual feel to it, romantic but languid. Even though it is small, I could have spent weeks here just wandering. And I hope that you will feel the same too!

Read on to find our guide to visiting Valladolid.

Don’t have time to read the full article?

Why Valladolid is worth visiting

We absolutely think Valladolid is worth visiting. Not only does it make an excellent base from which to explore Chichen Itza and Ek Balam, as well as the many wonderful Cenotes, but it is a charming town filled with culture and beauty.

At every corner in Valladolid I wanted to stop to take photos, it is captivating and uniquely vibrant. It may not have the same authenticity as a city like Merida, but Valladolid is much more walkable and accessible and infinitely more interesting than Cancun. Valladolid has a sensuality to it, romantic, languid and beautiful.

How long should you spend in Valladolid?

Valladolid is not a large place, but there are so many amazing day trips to take. It serves as an excellent base to explore nearby Chichen Itza, Ek Balam and the many cenotes in the area.

The town itself is also very pretty and easily walkable – making it a fantastic destination on any Yucatan itinerary. We recommend spending at least two days in Valladolid, or more if you want to take a couple of day trips.

How to get around Valladolid

Valladolid is a relatively compact town, and getting around is relatively easy. Here are some common ways to get around Valladolid:

Walking: The central area of Valladolid, including the main square and many attractions, is easily walkable. Walking allows you to explore the charming streets, discover hidden gems, and enjoy the town’s relaxed atmosphere. You can also join walking tours in Valladolid – there are daily free tours of the town available in both English and Spanish – find out more here.

Bicycles: Many accommodations in Valladolid offer bicycle rentals, providing an eco-friendly and efficient way to explore the town and its surroundings. Bikes can be great if you wan to explore the town and go a little further afield on day trips.

Taxis: Taxis are readily available in Valladolid and can be a convenient option for reaching destinations beyond walking distance. Taxis are relatively affordable, and you can negotiate prices before starting your journey. Make sure to clarify the fare with the driver before getting in.

Bus Tour: If your time is short in Valladolid, you could consider taking a bus tour around the city. There are a few options in the town, but this one Turibus offers a one hour bus tour to see the main sites.

Best things to do in Valladolid Mexico

Valladolid is an excellent base from which to explore, but try to carve time into your itinerary to explore the town too. Here are some of the best things to do in Valladolid itself.

1/ Swim in cenote Zaci

Valladolid’s hidden gem, Cenote Zaci, invites you to dive into its refreshing waters. Embrace the natural beauty of this cenote, found bang in the centre of town!

As far as cenotes go, it’s realtively cheap to visit Cenote Zaci at 60 Pesos per person, including mandatory use of a life vest. It’s a nice place to take a dip, but not the type of cenote that you can spend hours hanging around as it’s a semi covered cenote – meaning, below ground level and slightly covered i.e. it gets a little chilly down there.

2/ Learn at the Mexican clothing history museum

Valladolid is not a big town, so unlike Merida, it doesn’t have lots of museums. But, we did enjoy a short stroll around the Mexican clothing museum in Valladolid. A fascinating building which has been donated to be used as a small museum. There are only three display rooms and it takes around 30 minutes, but as it is a donation based system, we think it’s worth it.

3/ Enjoy coffee and people at Cafe Arte

There are some trendy coffee shops around Valladolid. However, we recommend visiting Cafe Arte, which is a cofee kiosk in a food court in Valladolid. It may sound a bit basic, but the food court is a large “indoor-outdoor” space in the centre of the town and seems popular with locals and tourists. If you like people watching, it’s a great spot to go. And Cafe Arte, makes an excellent iced coffee to cool down before you get back to exploring the city.

4/ Walk along Calzada de los Frailes

Calzada de los Frailes is a street running from the Park of Francisco Canton Rosado to the Convent. Stroll down the charming Calzada de los Frailes, a picturesque street adorned with colorful colonial buildings, trendy boutiques, and inviting cafes.

The perfect setting for a leisurely walk and some boutique shopping and of course the obligatory photos in front of the colourful buildings.

Do note, prices are a little higher on this street than in the rest of Valladolid.

5/ Discover the San Bernardino Convent

Immerse yourself in history at the San Bernardino Convent. Marvel at the 16th-century Franciscan architecture and explore the museum housed within, providing a deeper understanding of Valladolid’s past. It’s an inexpensive place to visit at only 40 Mexican Pesos too.

6/ Visit the Templo de San Servacio

The imposing Templo de San Servacio is in the centre of the town next to the pretty Park of Francisco Canton Rosado. Admire the stunning architecture and step inside to experience the serene ambiance of this iconic landmark. The church is free to enter and seems to remain open all day.

7/ Enjoy a happy hour deal

At night Valladolid comes alive. It’s not the most late night or party town, but it has a romantic and vibrant feel nonetheless.

Relax and unwind with a happy hour deal at one of Valladolid’s lively bars. Sip on refreshing cocktails and soak in the vibrant evening atmosphere. Look out for 2 for 1 deals in most bars between 17:00 and 19:00.

8/ Eat out in style

There are some great restaurants in Valladolid, ranging from fancy to very low key. If you want local and authentic food, you can’t go wrong with visiting a Taqueria. We really liked Antojitos Lo Que Sea, which serves fantastic veggie quesadillas and sandwiches. The food court, found here is also a very local place to eat, with many taquerias serving up hot and tasty food.

Our favourite place to eat in the town was the family run restaurant San Drito Cocina – a tiny little place with three tables outside in the pretty garden. Every plate we tried was delicous and so beautifully presented too.

9/ Go on a Cantina crawl

Cantinas are low key bars found in many Mexican cities. We had mixed experience with visiting Cantinas – no two Cantinas are created equally – but found a few that we liked in Valladolid. La Joyita is a very authentic Cantina and one that is particularly busy during the day, head in for a beer and a snack. It is a little quieter in the evening, but the staff are very welcoming.

Cantina Bar Tenampa, is technically a Cantina, in that it is a very informal bar. But, it’s more of a “party vibe”. Nevertheless, we loved their spicy margaritas and fun music.

10/ Watch a light show

Cap off your night by witnessing a mesmerizing light show. Light shows are really popular in many Mexican cities as ways to show off the beautiful buildings and explain a little about Mexican history. Discover Valladolid’s history through captivating visuals that illuminate the Convent at 21:00 (Spanish) and 21:20/21:30 (English version). It’s completely free too!

11/ Take a romantic stroll through the plaza

At every turn you take in Valladolid, you seem to come across different parks, squares and plazas. Our favourite to walk through in the evening was the pretty Park of Francisco Canton Rosado. The centre piece is a fountain but the main attraction to the park for us was that it was vibrant and thronging with people by night.

Look out for fantastic park furniture which make the perfect seating for a romantic conversation. According to the Yucanta Today Newspaper, these chairs are called ““Confidentes” (confidant), “Tú y Yo” (you and me), “De los Enamorados” (for those in love) and in more technical terms “Sillas Binarias” (binary chairs).”

Best day trips to take from Valldolid

There are plenty of things to do in Valladolid, but you can also find some fantastic day trips from the town too. Here are three of the best.

1/ Visit a modern wonder of the world – Chichen Itza

Arguably the best thing about staying in Valladolid is the proximity to Chichen Itza. One of the seven modern wonders of the world and the most famous Mayan site.

Many people choose not to visit Chichen Itza, but honestly I think it’s a mistake. Yes, it does get crowded and no you cannot climb the monuments, but it is still breathtaking.

We recommend getting there early – if you’re staying in Valladolid, you can get there as doors open at 0800. If you don’t, you can expect queues to be very long.

For the best experience, take a tour to give you the chance to learn as you explore.

2/ Visit Ancient Mayan site Ek Balam

An alternative, or in addition to Chichen Itza, is Ek Balam archeological park. A less crowded, less touristy and still very interesting Mayan ruin near to Valladolid.

Find out all about how to visit Ek Balam in our post here.

3/ Explore the different cenotes near Valladolid

Cenotes are natural sink holes that are popular for swimming in Mexico. The Yucatan Peninsular is particularly famous for them. There are many near to Valladolid. Here are some of the most popular:

Cenote Ik Kil: Approximately 7 km (4.3 miles) from Chichen Itza

Cenote Ik Kil, near Valladolid, is a well-known cenote with high walls, lush vegetation, and a mystical atmosphere. It offers 85 feet deep turquoise waters, along with vines and waterfalls from the opening above. Visitors can swim or relax on the surrounding platforms.

Cenote Xkeken and Samula: Near the town of Dzitnup, about 7 km (4.3 miles) from Valladolid

Cenote Xkeken and Samula are two cenotes located close to each other, making it convenient to visit both in one trip. Xkeken is an open cenote with a small island in the center and hanging vines, creating a magical setting. On the other hand, Cenote Samula is partially covered, featuring a small opening in the ceiling, allowing beams of sunlight to illuminate the underground pool. Both cenotes are interconnected by a cave system, offering a unique and interconnected swimming experience.

Hacienda Cenote Oxman: Near to Valladolid about 5km (3 miles) from the centre.

This is a popular cenote to visit for the day because it has an in house restaurant and swimming pool complex. The cenote is small but has a fun rope swing and you can spend the afternoon hanging by the pool, socializing and eating.

4/ Combine all three

If you want to combine all three (Chichen Itza, Ek Balam and a cenote) into one day trip, you can book a fantastic tour with MexiGo tours. If you’re short for time or just want everything to be taken care of for you, they will whisk you to Chichen Itza, take you for lunch and a swim at a Cenote and then guide you around Ek Balam before dropping you back at your hotel in Valladolid. Marvelous. Find our more and book here.

Where to stay in Valladolid

There’s a hotel for every budget in Valladolid. Try to stay near to the centre where possible. Here are some recommendations:

BUDGET: Hostel Candelaria is a fantastic budget option in the heart of the old town. It is beautifully decorated and offers social activities. Dorm rooms and basic private rooms are available. Popular with couples on a budget.

MID-RANGE: Casa Xu’Unan is a popular choice in the centre of town very close to the main tourist sites. A colourful hotel with a pretty garden, a popular choice with families.

LUXURY: My choice for luxury hotels in Valladolid would be either Mayan Majesty Boutqiue Hotel – a 5 star option with a beautiful pool. Or, the chic Colonial style building of Casa Tia Micha.

How to get to Valladolid

Valladolid is easily accessible by bus or car from major cities in Mexico. Whether you’re arriving from Cancun, Merida, or Tulum, efficient transportation options make Valladolid a convenient destination and a useful base.

On public transport, Ado Bus is the best solution to get from all the nearby big cities to Valladolid. You don’t always need to book Ado Buses in Mexico, but it’s best to do so at busy times or if you want to get a specific bus. You’ll also find long queues at bus stations to get tickets.

Book Ado bus either directly via the Ado Bus website.If you’d prefer to book bus tickets in your own currency, you can also use Bus Bud – a handy booking site that operates for all Ado buses in Mexico.

Valladolid from Tulum

There are frequent Ado Bus services from Tulum to Valladolid. You can expect the journey to take around 2 hours direct from Tulum. An easy route via bus.

Valladolid from Bacalar

The journey from Bacalar to Valladolid takes around 5 – 6 hours. There is one bus leaving Bacalar each day at around 08:00. This bus leaves Bacalar and goes to Valladolid via Tulum.

Valladolid from Merida

Buses run every hour or so from Merida to Valladolid. You can expect a relatively short and easy journey of 2 and a half hours.

Where to next in the Yucatan?

• Cancun – beaches & food
• Tulum – beaches, yoga and nightlife
• Holbox – island paradise
• Bacalar – paddle boarding and relaxing
• Celestun – flamingos & laid back beach
• Progreso – fun beach town
• Sian Ka’an – nature reserve
• Merida – gastronomic city & culture
• Campeche – glamorous historical city
• Valladolid – history & culture

Written by Emma

Wine Lover. Yogi. Hiker. Writer.

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