Valladolid in Mexico – a hidden gem in Yucatán

Last Updated on March 27, 2024

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Valladolid in Mexico is a beautiful Colonial town, that is still a bit of a hidden gem in the Yucatán Peninsula. Many people quickly pass through it on the way to the bigger and more popular Mérida or make a brief stop after visiting Chichén Itzá. But after spending 2 days in Valladolid in Mexico, I can tell you they are really missing out.

It didn’t take me long to fall in love with this beautiful town. It’s colorful, cozy and laid back. Locals are extremely welcoming and friendly, but in Valladolid life doesn’t revolve around tourism. It has this small town feel, without feeling overwhelming, even for a first time visitor. It has beautiful architecture, fascinating history and natural beauty. I don’t think it comes as a surprise, that Valladolid became one of Pueblos Mágicos in 2012.

If you need another reason to visit, Valladolid’s central location makes it a great base for exploring nearby attractions. When staying in town, you have an easy access to not only Chichén Itzá , but also Ek Balam, Mérida, as well as plenty of cenotes. But don’t ignore the town itself, as it really is one of the most authentic and charming places in Mexico.

If you are looking for a non beach destination in Mexico, put Valladolid on your list. It’s also one of the safest destinations in Mexico for solo travelers. I spent 2 days in Valladolid, and not once I felt unsafe or uneasy.

Valladolid in Mexico- where is it and how to get there

Valladolid is located in the heart of the Yucatán Peninsula ( in the Yucatán state ). This area is very easy to explore independently and a lot of people visit Valladolid as part of the Yucatán road trip. If that’s your plan as well and you need a rental car, I recommend Discover Cars. It’s a price comparison website, that searches all the reputable car rentals to find the best deals.

The town is also very well connected with other destinations across the Yucatán Peninsula. ADO provides first class bus service from Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Mérida and Tulum, with multiple departures a day. The buses are cheap, very comfortable, with AC and onboard entertainment. Once you’re in Valladolid, ADO Bus Terminal is conveniently located just a couple of blocks from the main square, so most likely you’ll be just a short walk away from your hotel.

Cancún to Valladolid

If you don’t have a car, you can easily get to Valladolid by ADO bus. The journey takes 2 hours and it’s an easy and comfortable ride. Buses leave from the main terminal in downtown Cancún every couple of hours. If you want to prebook your ticket ( although I don’t think it’s necessary ), you can do so on the official ADO website. Some foreign bank cards are not accepted, so if you encounter that problem, you can head over to Busbud.com and book your ticket there. Or you can purchase your ticket when you get to the ADO bus station.

To get to the main bus station from the Cancún airport, you can either take a taxi or a bus. The ADO bus platform is located to the right as you exit the airport. There’s a little stand to purchase your ticket. It’s 120 MXN and it takes about 30 minutes to get from the airport to the main terminal.

Mérida to Valladolid

The best way to get to Valladolid from Mérida without a car is to take the ADO bus. The buses leave from the CAME station located on Calle 70 ( between 69 and 71 ). There are multiple departures a day, so there’s really no need to book the ticket in advance. The ride from Mérida to Valladolid takes a 2 h 15 min.

Playa del Carmen to Valladolid

You can easily get to Valladolid by taking the ADO bus from Playa del Carmen. The journey takes anywhere from 2 h 20 min to 2 h 40 min, depending on the bus you take. There are about 5-6 buses daily leaving from the ADO Terminal Turistica located on 5th Ave and Juarez Ave. Check the bus schedule either on the ADO website or Busbud.com.

Group Tours

Valladolid is often a stop on an all day Tour from more touristy areas like Cancun or Playa del Carmen. While this is not nearly long enough to experience this beautiful town, it is better than nothing and it might spark your interest, so you plan a longer visit in the future. Here are some of the top rated tours from

• From Cancun : Chichen Itza, Ik Kil Cenote, & Valladolid with Lunch

• From Tulum: Chichen Itza, Cenote, and Valladolid Tour

• From Mérida: Day Trip to Valladolid and Izamal

How many days to spend in Valladolid in Mexico

I spent 2 days in Valladolid and I think it was the perfect amount of time to not only see all the sights, but also to immerse yourself into the local culture. If you plan on using Valladolid as a jumping off point to explore all the attractions nearby, which there are plenty, you can easily spend 4-5 days.

Best time to visit Valladolid

Weather-wise, the best time to visit Valladolid is between November and March. You’ll have nice, hot weather, without being oppressive and minimal rainfall.

The shoulder season falls between April and August. You can expect less visitors, but it’s also when it’s the hottest. If you are not fond of high temperatures, it might be too much, especially for exploring. As a reference, I was in Valladolid at the end of May, and it was between 95-100 F each day. Personally, I love the heat and it doesn’t bother me, but I see how it can be unbearable for someone who prefers cooler temperatures and less humidity.

Best things to do in Valladolid in Mexico

Parque Principal Francisco Cantón Rosado

Francisco Cantón Rosado Park is the heart of the city and the main park in Valladolid. It’s a great place to relax, people watch and immerse yourself into the local life. There’s a fountain in the center, plenty of seating and lots of vendors selling local food and crafts.

The walk through the park is a must when you visit Valladolid. Whether it’s the first thing in the morning, when the town is just waking up, or later in the day when it’s buzzing with activity. Around the park, there are also tons of shops, restaurants and a couple of hotels.

San Servacio church ( Iglesia de San Servacio )

Iglesia de San Servacio, located just south of the main square, is the most recognizable landmark of Valladolid. The beautiful church was first built in 1545, then demolished in 1705 and rebuilt just one year later.

Most people only admire the exterior of the church, but you can step inside as well. As long as there’s no service going on and you are being respectful, the church is open to visitors ( free ).

Go to the 2nd floor of Ayunamiento

Right in the main square, you can find Ayunamiento, Valladolid’s main tourists office. It’s a great place to get information on latest events happening in the city. Besides that, you can walk up to the 2nd floor and enjoy the views of the San Servacio church and the Square. There are also several murals up on the walls depicting the history of Valladolid.

Take a free walking tour

I love taking walking tours when I visit places for the first time. Not only you can learn a lot, but it’s also a great way to get your bearings in the new city. They are usually run by knowledgeable, enthusiastic guides. Plus, they always have the best local tips. If it’s your first time visiting, I recommend it as one of the first things to do in Valladolid.

You can join a free walking tour of Valladolid every day at 10 am, 5 pm, 6pm and 7 pm. Meeting point is at the fountain on the main square ( look for the red umbrella ). Even though the tour is free, always remember to tip the guide!

Visit Casa de los Venados

One of my favorite things to do in Valladolid was visiting Casa de los Venados. This is a private home, that could easily pass for a museum, owned by an American couple. John and Dorianne Venator purchased the house in 2000, spent 8 years renovating it, then filled it with over 3,000 pieces of Mexican folk art they collected from all over the country. They decided to share their impressive collection and opened up their home to public for guided tours.

The collection is truly incredible and it will give you a deeper understanding of Mexican culture. Since this is a private home, you can only visit Casa de los Venados on a guided tour. They are offered daily at 10 am, 11.30, 1 pm, 2 pm and 3pm. The official website only mentions the 10 am, but there are several more. Just show up and ring the door bell around any of those times.

Casa de los Venados is free to visit, but there is a suggested donation of 100 MXN. Well worth seeing this amazing house. The proceeds go directly to local charities.

• Location: Calle 60 ( between Calle 41 and 43 ), right off the main Square.

Take a walk down Calzada de los Frailes

Calzada de los Frailes is referred to as the most picturesque street in Valladolid, and it’s hard to argue with that. It’s charming, colorful and lined with cute cafes, stores, galleries and hotels. If you enjoy photographing pretty buildings and interesting doorways, you will find yourself reaching for your camera a lot. Even though Calzada de los Frailes is not pedestrian only, it often feels like it, as the traffic is pretty minimal compared to other streets in town.

To get to Calzada de los Frailes, walk down Calle 41 from the main Square. After a couple of minutes, when the road splits, go to the left and that’s when Calzada de los Frailes starts ( also known as Calle 41 A ).

Convento de San Bernardino de Siena

When you reach the end of Calzada de los Frailes, you end up at one of Valladolid’s main attraction, the Convent of San Bernandino de Siena. This prominent 16th century convent served both as a church and a fortress. It’s also the 2nd largest Convent in the Yucatan Peninsula.

For a small fee, you can also walk around the convent. There’s also a small museum, with a display of artifacts.

If you’d like to come back at night, there’s a free video mapping show, explaining the history of Valladolid. The 20 minute show starts at 9 pm with a Spanish version, that is followed with an English one.

• Entrance fee: 40 MXN

• Opening hours: daily 9 am – 5 pm

Get a picture with Valladolid sign

Of course, there’s a Valladolid sign for that perfect, obligatory tourist picture. Those colorful signs can be found in many Mexican towns, but this one is one of my favorites. If you take a closer look, you’ll notice, that each letter has images of different things characteristic for the town.

Cenote Zaci

One of the biggest attractions of Yucatán Peninsula are cenotes, that are scattered all over the area. Just outside of Valladolid, you can find several, a short car or even bike ride away. But if you don’t want to or have time to venture out, there is one right in town. Cenote Zaci is just a short walk away from the main Square and is a perfect place to cool off for a couple of hours.

Cenote Zaci is a partially open cenote. It’s pretty deep, making it perfect for cliff jumping. There are several spots at different heights, where you can do just that. There is also a path, that goes all around with stairs in a couple of spots for easy access to the water.

I have to admit, I visited Cenote Zaci with low expectations and was pleasantly surprised. Because of its location right in town, I expected it to be crowded, but there were just a handful of other people there. It is also much bigger than I thought. It was a perfect way to cool off after hours of exploring Valladolid. There are no facilities or lockers, but most people leave their stuff on the side. You can always use the bathroom at the restaurant to change for a small fee.

There is a small restaurant on site, where you can get a drink and a meal, and I found the prices to be reasonable. If you spend 100 MXN or more, the entrance to the cenote is free.

• Entrance fee: 60 MXN, it includes the life jacket, which is now mandatory to wear ( the entrance is free if you spend 100 MXN or more at the restaurant on site ).

• Opening hours: every day from 9 am – 5 pm

Mercado Municipal

For a glimpse into an every day local life, visit Mercado Municipal. It’s a large market place, a few blocks away from the main square, close to Cenote Zaci. There you can find vendors selling anything from fresh produce, flowers, crafts to fresh meat. Whether you plan on buying something or just want to browse, Mercado Municipal is a great place to soak in that local atmosphere.

• Location: Calle 32

• Opening hours: daily from 5 am – 4 pm

Parque Candelaria

This small and pretty park happened to be right behind my hotel. It’s very colorful, peaceful with plenty of seating to take a break from walking around and relax. There’s also a small playground, if you are visiting with kids.

Sample the Yucatán cuisine

First thing that comes to mind when you think of Mexican food are most likely tacos and burritos. But Mexico is a huge country, and each region has its own distinctive cuisine. When you visit Valladolid in Mexico, you are in the prime spot to taste Yucatán cuisine, which is deeply rooted in the Mayan culture.

One of the most famous Yucatán dishes is Cochinita Pibil, a slow roast pork, marinated in orange juice, achiote, wrapped in banana leaves and cooked underground. It’s one of those must try dishes when you visit the region. When in Valladolid, make sure to try Longaniza de Valladolid, a sausage, that is made locally. Some of the other Yucatán dishes not to be missed are Sopa de Lima, Salbutes ( deep fried corn tortillas, topped with meat, tomatoes, lettuce and avocado ) and Relleno Negro ( turkey in a dark chille sauce ).

Don’t be afraid to also try some of the amazing street food. For a great snack between the meals, pick up some tamales and if you are craving a sweet treat, you can’t beat a Marquesita from one of the vendors.

Take a day trip from Valladolid to Chichén Itzá

Chichén Itzá needs no introduction. It’s one of the new Seven Wonders of the World, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the most famous attraction in all of Mexico. It’s estimated, that the most famous archeological site gets over 2 million visitors a year. To say it’s a popular attraction would be an understatement and visiting Chichén Itzá often goes with having to deal with massive crowds.

But it is possible to avoid that and enjoy the place without thousands of tourists around you. If you stay in Valladolid, you are just 45 minutes from Chichén Itzá and it’s very easy to get there right when it opens at 8 am. While you won’t be the only person there, the number of people will be minimal and given the size of the complex, it will feel pretty empty. If you arrive right when it opens, you have at least 2 good hours before the tour buses start to arrive. Another perk of arriving early? The vendors will be busy setting up their stands, so you won’t have to to deal with them trying to convince you to buy something every other minute.

Plan on spending about 2.5 – 3 hours exploring Chichén Itzá. El Castillo, also known as the Temple of Kukulcan, is what you usually see in pictures, but the entire complex is bigger than most people realize.

Chichén Itzá is open daily from 8 am – 4.30 pm. Avoid visiting on a Sunday. This is when Mexican citizens and residents get free admission, which means it gets REALLY crowded.

How to get to Chichen Itza from Valladolid

• Collectivo – to arrive at Chichen Itza right when it opens, take the first Collectivo at 7 am. You can find it on Calle 39 ( between 46 and 48 ). It takes about 45 minutes to get there and it costs 40 MXN one way. Collectivos leave when they are full, but it’s usually not more than a 10-15 min wait.

• ADO bus – you can also take the first class ADO bus from the main bus terminal on the corner of Calle 39 and 46. They are definitely more comfortable than Collectivos, but the schedule is very limited. Currently, there’s only one bus leaving at 10:47 am, which gets you to Chichen Itza around 11.30 am. The return bus back to Valladolid leaves at 4:07 pm. The timing is not the best, as you will be there when Chichen Itza is the most crowded.

• Drive – if you have a rental car, you can also leave early enough, to get to Chichen Itza right when it opens at 8 am and beat the crowds. There is a huge parking lot, but it fills up quick later in the day. It costs 80 MXN to park.

For a more detailed guide read Chichen Itza – how to plan the perfect visit.

Day trips from Valladolid, Mexico

Valladolid in Mexico is not only worth visiting for its charm and authenticity, but also because of its excellent location close to many other attractions. Chichen Itza is first one that comes to mind, but there are many more in the area, that you can easily access when you base yourself in Valladolid.

• Ek Balam – being just 30 minutes north of Valladolid, the archeological zone Ek Balam makes for a perfect excursion. It might be not as famous as Chichen Itza, but that doesn’t mean it’s less impressive. Ek Balam are some of the tallest ruins and their design is also quite unique. Although it’s less visited than one of the 7 Wonders of the World, its popularity is definitely on the rise. Unlike at Chichen Itza, at Ek Balam you can climb to the top of the tallest structure El Torre. The views from the top will sure be a nice reward for the steep climb. The entrance fee is quite steep as well ( 413 MXN ), but totally worth it. You can get to Ek Balam from Valladolid by either driving or taking a Colectivo ( they are located on Calle 44, between Calle 35 and 37 ).

• Uayma – this little village is just a 20 min drive from Valladolid and makes for a great, quick excursion. Uayma is home to a beautifully decorated Convent church, which is the town’s biggest landmark. There isn’t really much to do there, besides strolling around, so a couple of hours is all you need.

• Izamal – known as the Yellow City, Izamal is a charming, Colonial town, that is famous for having all the buildings painted yellow. It’s also one of the Pueblos Mágicos in Mexico and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Convento de San Antonio de Pauda is the main attraction, which is located right in center and is free to visit. Besides that, you can just wander around the beautiful streets and enjoy this picturesque town. If you enjoy photography, you will love Izamal.

• Cobá – if you’ve already been to Chichen Itza or are looking to visit Mayan Ruins, that are less popular ( read: less crowded ), be sure to plan a day trip to Cobá. This small town, just an hour away from Valladolid, is home to Coba Ruins, one of the best Mayan sites in Mexico. Nestled in the deep jungle, with structures spread over a large area, Coba Ruins are quite unique and best explored by bike. You can rent one on site for 60 MXN and head straight for Ixmoja pyramid, which is the second tallest pyramid in the Yucatan Peninsula. If you get there early enough, you’re very likely to have it all to yourself. With the entrance fee of 100 MXN, Coba Ruins are a bargain, compared with other Mayan Ruins in Mexico. After you are done exploring the Ruins, you can take a dip in one of the three cenotes located in town.

Where to stay in Valladolid in Mexico

There are plenty of great places to stay in Valladolid, ranging from cheap hostels to charming boutique hotels. If you’re on a budget, there are several great hostels, but for just a bit extra, you can easily get a nice boutique hotel. Your pesos will definitely go far in Valladolid.

Hotel Fundadores – for my 3 night stay in Valladolid I booked Hotel Fundadores and couldn’t have been more happy with my choice. It’s a charming, colonial style hotel, located a short walk away from the main Square. It was very comfortable, spotless with a beautiful courtyard and a small pool. I stayed in the Junior Suite, that came with a kitchenette and having a fridge and a microwave came in really handy. There is no breakfast served at Hotel Fundadores, but you’ll find several cute places nearby. One of them is just a block away, Café del Profesor Pitágoras.

Hostel Candelaria – this is one of the top places to stay in Valladolid, if you are on the budget. The colorful hostel is located in the Candelaria park, a short walk from the main square and ADO bus station.

Hotel Posada San Juan – one of the top rated hotels, just a couple of blocks away from the main square. Beautifully designed rooms, outdoor pool, hammocks and delicious breakfast included make it one of the best places to stay in town.

Hotel Zentik Project – this adults only boutique hotel is one of the most unique places to stay in Valladolid. It’s set on beautiful grounds, with lush gardens and a big outdoor pool. One of the highlights is definitely the underground saline cave pool. The hotel is located a bit outside of the town center, a short taxi ride to all the main sights. If you feel like staying put after all day of exploring, there is a restaurant on site.

Where to eat in Valladolid in Mexico

Café del Profesor Pitágoras – this cozy, little Café was just around a corner from my hotel and ended up being my go to place for breakfast. It’s also a great place to get lunch with a nice selection of healthy food. If you are a vegetarian, they also have several options.

El Atrio del Mayab – a beautiful restaurant, located right in the main square, serving traditional Yucatán food. You can dine either indoor or out in the courtyard, and I recommend the latter. The outdoor dining area is beautiful. I found it to be reasonably priced, especially given the location right in the heart of town.

Ix Cat Ik – this off the beaten path restaurant is a great place to try traditional Mayan food. I’ve had Empanada de Chaya and Panucho K’ek’en Pibil and both were excellent. The presentation and service were exceptional. Many of the ingredients are grown in the outside garden and you will be invited for a small tour of the place. It’s a bit pricier than other restaurants, but definitely worth the great culinary experience. Ix Cat Ik is about a 20 min walk from the main square or a short taxi ride.

Wabi Gelato – if you are are looking for a cold treat, this is the place to go. The flavors are unique and change frequently.

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READ MORE:

• Chichen Itza in Mexico – how to plan the perfect visit
• Visiting the Yellow City of Izamal, Mexico
• How to visit Coba Ruins – one of the best Mayan sites in Mexico

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