travel and stay in Mexico
Valladolid Ultimate Travel Guide
Valladolid is an incredible hidden gem in the Yucatan state of Mexico, known for its natural beauty, thousands of cenotes, and the iconic Chichen Itza
Valladolid Ultimate Travel Guide – 2022
Valladolid is an incredible hidden gem in the Yucatan state of Mexico, known for its natural beauty, thousands of cenotes, and the iconic Chichen Itza.
Most people have heard about Merida, Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum; however, if you plan to travel to the Yucatan Peninsula, you shouldn’t skip Valladolid.
Valladolid is a charming small city of 48,000 people with colorful homes, historic colonial buildings, and churches combined with a laid-back atmosphere and an authentic Mexican lifestyle.
Most people who visit Valladolid only go there for a day trip; however, this town does warrant at least two or three days to explore and appreciate it. So, If you have the time in your itinerary, you’ll be amazed at how beautiful and relatively inexpensive this town is.
Is Valladolid Mexico Safe?
Valladolid is located in Yucatan, considered the safest state in Mexico; therefore, for most travelers, Valladolid is a safe town to visit.
What’s the best time to visit Valladolid?
Weather-wise, the months of November to April are pleasant, with max temperatures oscillating between 25 to 32 degrees Celsius (78 to 89 F) and humidity at bay.
Although these months are high season for travel, Valladolid doesn’t get as crowded as other destinations.
How to get to Valladolid?
Valladolid does not have an airport. However, as Valladolid is centrally located between Merida and Cancun, you can either fly into the Cancun International Airport (code: CUN) or Merida International Airport (code: MID); then rent a car and drive or take a bus.
Renting a car is the easiest and most convenient way to travel to Valladolid; however, if you are not comfortable driving, you can take a bus.
Cancun to Valladolid by bus
You can catch the ADO bus from Cancun to Valladolid at the Cancun Centro (Downtown) station. The trip is about 2.5 hours each way, and the bus tickets average $250 pesos ($12USD) each way.
Cancun to Valladolid by car
Take Highway 180 and head west, and then take Highway 180D. Then, about an hour later, you’ll see the signs for Valladolid/Highway 295 South.
Highway 295 south will take you right into downtown Valladolid. The drive time is about two hours from Downtown Cancun or 2.5 hours from the Cancun Hotel Zone.
Recommendation: Download a map from Google Maps or Maps.Me before the trip, as you’ll likely lose cell signal for a while.
Tulum to Valladolid by bus
You can catch the ADO bus from Tulum to Valladolid at the Tulum Centro (Downtown) station. The trip is about 1.5 hours each way, and the bus tickets average $150 pesos ($7USD) each way.
Tulum to Valladolid by car
This is an easy drive, as you’ll only take one road the whole way. From Downtown Tulum, take Highway 109 northwest; when you cross into Yucatan state (Tulum is in Quintana Roo state), the Highway changes to Highway 180, which takes you right to Valladolid. The drive time is about 1.5 hours.
Recommendation: Download a map from Google Maps or Maps.Me before the trip, as you’ll likely lose cell signal for a while.
Merida to Valladolid by bus
You can catch a bus at Terminal de Autobuses de Merida (TAME) on Calle 69 in Centro Historico (Downtown Merida). The trip is about 2.5 hours each way, and the bus tickets average $250 pesos ($12USD) each way.
Merida to Valladolid by car
Take Highway 180 east and then Highway 180D. Then, about an hour later, you’ll see the signs for Valladolid/Highway 295 South. Highway 295 south will take you right into downtown Valladolid. The drive is about two hours from Downtown.
How much time do you need in Valladolid?
Because of its size, you only need a few days in Valladolid; therefore, it’s the perfect place for a weekend trip from bigger and busier destinations like Cancun, Tulum, or Merida. However, Valladolid is still a good destination for a day trip if you don’t have too much time.
The ultimate guide to visiting Valladolid Mexico
1. Stroll through Calzada de los Frailes
The Calzada de los Frailes is known as the prettiest street in Valladolid. This is the street that leads you away from the city center towards the fort or the Convent of San Bernardino de Siena and the sign with the big, colorful Valladolid letters. While walking through the street, take the time to admire the colonial buildings, some painted in bright colors that house boutique shops, boutique hotels, bars, restaurants, and coffee shops.
2. Visit the Convent of San Bernandino
The Ex-Convento de San Bernardino de Siena is an ancient Franciscan Monk church and convent that dates back to about 1555. Its architecture, reminiscent of medieval fortresses, makes it a jewel worth visiting.
Just outside of the church grounds, you’ll find the Valladolid letters sign, which is colorful but a little worn down.
3. Have a spa day at Coqui Coqui Valladolid
Coqui Coqui is a perfume shop that also offers Spa treatments from massages and facials to entire holistic healing rituals.
4. Explore Cenote Zaci and other nearby Cenotes
Valladolid is hot for most of the year, so luckily, there are gorgeous cenotes nearby to cool off.
There are about 6,000 Cenotes in Yucatan; however, some of the most beautiful and popular ones are located in Valladolid, or within 45 minutes of town.
Cenote Zaci is the only cenote in the town of Valladolid, so there’s no need to get transportation. You can easily walk from Downtown. There are many signs or the tourist information to help guide you!
You can either swim or simply enjoy the view from the platform in this cenote.
Cenote Maya: visiting the Cenote Maya Native Park is a daylong experience, complete with an authentic Mayan blessing ceremony, a traditional meal, rappelling, rope swings, and the cenote itself.
Cenote Xkeken or Dzitnup: This is a unique underground Cenote, that is a must-visit.
Cenote Suytun: This cenote is located underground in a cave, with a platform in the center that is the perfect spot for an Instagram post.
5. Have a picnic in the main square
The main square in Valladolid has a little park and a white fountain, which isn’t all that impressive, but it certainly adds to the romantic atmosphere the little square exudes.
Grab some lunch or ice cream and lounge on one of the seats, and create our own little picnic.
6. Dine at one of the Main Square Restaurants
There’s a range of fabulous little restaurants on the main square that serve authentic Yucatan cuisine.
7. Admire the mix of the past and the present
Admire the conversion to Christianity with an explicit colonial touch (past); however, boutique shops are popping up in old colonial-style buildings and old haciendas serve as open-air restaurants (present)
8. Mercado Municipal
If visiting local markets is your thing, check out Mercado Municpal in the morning. This is a bustling place but one of the best places to visit in Valladolid for your dose of authentic, local culture.
9. Take a free walking tour
Joining a free walking tour is a great way to see Valladolid. In 2022 tours are available seven days a week, four times a day: 10am, 5pm 6pm and 7pm. The Valladolid Free Walking Tours start near the fountain in the main square.
10. Admire the art in Casa de los Venados
Valladolid does not abound in museums and art; however, the San Roque mansion and the Casa de los Venados (Deer House) boast a remarkable collection of local craftsmanship. You can find a plethora of handicraft pottery, furniture, and colorful textiles here. The entrance is free, but they accept donations that go to local charities.
11. Take a day trip to Chichen Itza and Ek Balam
Chichen Itza, one of the “Seven Wonders of the World,” is home to towering temples, sacred sinkholes, and curious Mayan ballcourts. Centrally located in the Yucatan Peninsula, this magnificent place is visited by 2.5 million people each year.
Chichen Itza covers 740 acres, and you can find several Mayan pyramids and unique Mayan archeological sites. Upon entering Chichen Itza, the first pyramid you see is El Castillo (AKA the Temple of Kukulcan); this is the Chichen Itza pyramid you’ve seen in photos. Other notable sites include the Temple of the Warriors, Group of a Thousand Columns, El Caracol Observatory, and Sacred Cenote.
Ek Balam is a smaller site that provides a totally different experience than Chichen Itza. The temples look very different, you can climb the ruins at Ek Balam, and is less crowded and less touristic.