The peaceful colonial city of Valladolid, despite its proximity to the touristy Riviera Maya, seems absorbed in its own time. It has managed to preserve a unique personality, charm and tenderness. 

Valladolid is a place that catches quietly. This beautiful town invites you to stroll, to have an ice cream in the square, to chat with the locals, to taste the Yucatecan food, to visit colonial buildings, museums and churches, to enjoy it without hardly knowing it.

Valladolid is not a spectacular place, it's better than that.

Colonial city of Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico.

VALLADOLID YUCATÁN LOCATION

Valladolid is located in the state of Yucatán. 158 km from Merida, 156 km from Cancun, 50 km from Chichen Itza. We could say that it is the heart between Mérida and Cancun, a fascinating area to know.

For us it is a mandatory stop if you plan to travel through Mayan lands.

HOW TO GO FROM CANCÚN TO VALLADOLID

DISTANCE BETWEEN CANCUN AND VALLADOLID: he calculates about 2 hours on the toll road, a distance of 156 km. CANCUN VALLADOLID CASETA PRICE: 319 pesos cars, motorcycles 159 pesos. If you go on the free road towards Leona Vicario-Chemax-Valladolid, it takes half an hour longer.

HOW TO GO FROM PLAYA DEL CARMEN TO VALLADOLID

DISTANCE BETWEEN PLAYA DEL CARMEN AND VALLADOLID: There are two basic roads: one along the Playa del Carmen-Valladolid quota and another via Tulum-Cobá-Chemax-Valladolid. Calculate about 1 hour 45 minutes along the toll road, a distance of 143 km. The other option is 167 km that you cover in 2 hours and a half, the road is good. Personally, we like this option more to get from Playa del Carmen to Valladolid. PLAYA DEL CARMEN VALLADOLID CASTLE PRICE: About 340 pesos cars.

HOW TO GO FROM MÉRIDA TO VALLADOLID

DISTANCE BETWEEN MÉRIDA AND VALLADOLID: He calculates about 2 hours on the toll road, a distance of 158 km, practically the same distance as from Cancun to Valladolid. CASETA PRICE MÉRIDA VALLADOLID: 185 pesos for cars, motorcycles 92 pesos. If you go on the free road towards Kantunil-Pisté-Valladolid, it takes half an hour longer.

HOW TO GO FROM BALK TO VALLADOLID

DISTANCE BETWEEN BACALAR AND VALLADOLID: Calculate 2 hours and 40 minutes a distance of 264 km. This route through the Mayan area of ​​Quintana Roo until reaching Valladolid is very interesting for rural tourism activities.

VALLADOLID TOURISM

Valladolid is a colonial city listed as Magic Town from Mexico, of the most beautiful in the Yucatan Peninsula. It is a city with a personality that catches. It is authentic, proud, colorful, cheerful and pleasant towards the traveler.

In recent years the number of tourists passing through the city has grown, not only as a passing destination but also to spend the night. The hotel offer will see in this guide that is wide and for all budgets.

Central Park, what to do in Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico.

BRIEF HISTORY OF VALLADOLID

It was one of the pre-Hispanic sites where the colonizers settled in the Yucatan Peninsula. In Valladolid, some of the first Catholic settlements of present-day Mexico were founded, such as the San Bernardino de Siena convent.

Despite growing in the shadow of the capital Mérida, Valladolid has developed without complexes, retaining its authenticity and its charming character of the Yucatecan countryside. That intangible beauty of authenticity is what unintentionally makes you fall in love with Valladolid.

Valladolid It was the most important city east of the Peninsula during the colonization period. The Valladolid are proud to have risen in arms in the call War of Castes (1847-1901 AD), a conflict that broke out due to the continuous abuses to which the native of these lands has been subjected, the Maya.

The Government Palace is the ideal place to learn part of the history of Valladolid. In the convent of San Bernardino they project a newspaper in Spanish and English on the history of Valladolid, highly recommended.

valladolid yucatan
Temple of San Bernardino and Convent of Sisal s.XVI

WHAT TO SEE IN VALLADOLID FOR AREAS

La Tourist Valladolid is comfortable and pick up, the tourist attractions are at short distances, you can walk. Let's divide it in two areas:

  • the central square and surroundings
  • and the road of the Friars, which flows into the convent of San Bernardino.

THE CENTER OF VALLADOLID

At Lóleo Eventos, main square from Valladolid we found the market, the local handicrafts center, the Municipal Palace and the Basilica of San Servacio.

The current temple of the cathedral was built in the 18th century, the porch is original from the 16th century. Several museums, including the Cenote Zací is close to the square. There are several restaurants and accommodations in this area. 

Valladolid at night, Yucatan, Mexico.
Views of the park from the Palace
San Servasio Temple, Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico.
San Servacio Temple
Valladolid restaurants. Colonial city, Yucatan, Mexico.

CALZADA DE LOS FRAILES and NEIGHBORHOOD OF SISAL

Taking the 41 street from the Plaza you go towards the Calzada de los Frailes, small street with hotels, shops and restaurants that attract tourists. This beautiful road of Los Frailes leads to the neighborhood of Sisal, where the local atmosphere mixed with the visitor in places that have been emerging around the convent of San Bernardino.

driveway friars valladolid
Calzada de los Frailes
Interior of the convent San Bernardino Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico.
Interior of the San Bernardino convent

10 THINGS TO DO IN VALLADOLID

Clearly Valladolid is one of the cities that the traveler likes, and its surroundings are amazing. Valladolid is ideal as a base camp for a few days: You can explore the beautiful surroundings and at night take a walk, go out to dinner and enjoy some popular event.

During the day they arrive in Valladolid on a short visit. groups of tourists from the Riviera MayaWhen they leave, the city takes up its most local rhythm.

Valladolid is offering more heat to the visitor with interesting local activities for those tourists who spend the night in the city and stay a few days.

1- LIVE THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE CENTRAL PARK OF VALLADOLID

As is often the case in Mexican colonial cities, the tingling of life and constitutional buildings revolve around the central square. You can visit the municipal marketcity ​​Hall and Basilica of San Servacio.  

The central source of the park is the monument to La Mestiza with the traditional Yucatan costume. The typical chairs you and me They are a Yucatecan symbol. I love sitting in the square and watching, things always happen if we look well.

Zocalo, Valladolid Yucatan, Mexico.
Valladolid, Yucatán

2- CALLEJEA VALLADOLID

Valladolid is excellent for wandering: quiet and entertaining. You will walk between the restored and the decadent, the authentic and traditional to the most tourist. A city for everyone, very cozy and close.

Come to the authentic Donato Bates Herrera municipal market on 32 Street, and try some food in the dining rooms there. Visit three small churches: Candelaria church in El Lindo park of the same name, the Church of Saint Lucia and St Anne's Church and its quiet park.

There are schedules of Free Walking Tours They leave the square at 10 in the morning and at 5 and 7 in the daily afternoon. They make interesting tours of the city. It is a pleasure to stroll around and through Valladolid.

Visit in valladolid

3- VISIT THE SAN ROQUE MUSEUM AND THE HOUSE OF LOS VENADOS:

Valladolid arteries flow from the square. One of them, 41 Street, takes you to the San Roque Museum, where you can learn the pre-Hispanic, colonizing and modern history of old Zaci.

40 Street takes you to the House of the Deer, one of the most exquisite private art collections you can see in Mexico with some 3000 pieces. Visits in the morning: 10, 11: 30 and 13. Location: 240 store on 40 street.

San Roque Valladolid Museum, Yucatan Mexico.

4- NOTHING IN CENOTE ZACI

36 Street takes you to the cenote Zací, just three blocks from the square, in the heart of Valladolid. After all the day walking around Valladolid, the best way to cool off is to take a bath in the crystalline sweet waters that give us this cenote, a luxury for enjoyment. 

there are beautiful cenotes in the Valladolid area. More adalente in the article we recommend the best cenotes to visit in Valladolid and surroundings.

Cenote Zaci Valladolid

5- PASS THROUGH THE FOOTWEAR

Calle 41 in the opposite direction to the Museo San Roque, leads you to the convent of San Bernardino de Siena, passing through the beautiful walk of the Calzada de los Frailes. In this street shops, restaurants and attractive hotels for the visitor have settled. Someday it will be just pedestrian, it would be very good a corner like that in Valladolid.

Causeway of Los Frailes Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico.

6- VISIT THE CONVENT OF SAN BERNARDINO DE SIENA 

Es of the most emblematic places of Valladolid. In its inner courtyard there is a water wheel built on the cenote Sis-há. In most of the Yucatan Peninsula, fresh water flows underground, and the cenotes were supply points near the ancient Mayan cities. And where these developed, is where the settlers settled on many occasions. 

what to do in valladolid

7- ENJOY THE VIDEO MAPPING NIGHTS OF THE HEROICA VALLADOLID

On the stone facade of the convent of San Bernardino de Siena they project a light and sound show every day which explains in an entertaining way the history of Valladolid.

I don't like these shows very much, but in this case I liked the one in Valladolid. The pleasure of buying an ice cream and sitting on the grass ready to watch the video is a good traveling feeling. Ask at the tourist office of the Municipal Palace the schedules, vary according to the time of year (from 8 to 9 at night, in Spanish and English).

Video mapping Valladolid. Audiovisual about the convent. Yucatan, Mexico

8- DISCOVER BY BIKE VALLADOLID

You can see up to 5 cenotes in one day and taste delicious Yucatecan food with this rental plan bicycle in Valladolid. You can rent a bike and do it on your own.

In Valladolid you find one local company dedicated to bike tours. I highly recommend them because I know one of the young entrepreneurs who formed the company and I know about her good work. Meet BikeTourValladolid.

As you can see we don't stop being surprised, I love Valladolid 🙂

What to visit in Valladolid. Cenotes of Yucatan, Mexico.
Saamal is one of the nearby cenotes for cycling

9- KNOW ABOUT BEEKEEPING IN VALLADOLID

In Valladolid you have the opportunity just 10 blocks from downtown to know Xkopek, beekeeping park. Local project located in a natural enclave He was born in 2016 with the intention of bringing the ancient traditions of bees, one of the animals domesticated since ancient times.

Xkopek has accommodation in cabins and camping

Bee tour, every day, 8.30 am, 10 am, 11.30 am, 1pm, 2.30 pm, 4 pm and 5.30 pm. Ask also for our packages with food included.

Mayan Legends Tour, 7 pm from Tuesday to Sunday.

Tourist places Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico.
Facebook photo of Xkopek Park

10 TASTE THE LONGANIZA DE VALLADOLID

Trinidad Pérez Valdez, known as Doña Trini, since the year of 1924 produces the famous Valladolid sausage. They continue with the family tradition of the sausage with the same seasoning. You can find it on 49 street n ° 239A x 54 and 54A in the Sisal neighborhood.

There are several restaurants and other places where you can buy and taste the sausage and other typical Yucatecan dishes. We are going to recommend some restaurants in Valladolid, bon appetit?

Longaniza Yucatan, Mexico.

WHERE TO EAT IN VALLADOLID

Valladolid is an excellent place to enjoy Yucatecan food, there are several restaurants to vary during the days you are in the city. The environments and premises are beautiful, Valladolid is a very beautiful city.

We recommend where to eat in Valladolid:

  • RESTAURANT CONATO 1910: We have a weakness for this restaurant, it is something very different in the city. We were surprised the first time and we have seen how the business grows thanks to the desire and fantasy of the Valladolid businessman.
  • IX CAT IK: traditional and popular restaurant with typical Yucatecan food. If you like authentic local enjoy the place. LOCATION: calle 39 between 20 and 22 / phone +52 985 104 1605
  • YERBABUENA DEL SISAL: a nice place of Mexican food made with love and flavor. It is located in front of the convent of San Bernardino, an excellent stop in the Sisal area. LOCATION: 54A street, 217, 49 corner / telephone + 52 985 856 1406
  • ITALY HOUSE: Italian restaurant managed by a couple of Italians who have been installed in Valladolid for many years. It is situated in the beautiful square of the candelaria. LOCATION: 35 street, in the Candelaria park / telephone + 52 985 856 5539
  • THE MARQUÉS MESSION: Typical Yucatecan food restaurant that belongs to one of the most traditional hotels in the city. It is the best known restaurant in the central park. LOCATION: 39 street No 203 x 40 and 42 / telephone + 52 985 856 2073
  • LONCHERÍA THE FRIEND CASIANO: We recommend it as typical of eating in the park market, local environment and travelers. Do not expect the most elaborate and tasty meal, but the charisma of the place deserves a taste. LOCATION: calle 39 calle 40, in the arches of the market in the central square / phone +52 985 108 3620
Restaurants Valladolid Yucatecan regional food. Yucatan, Mexico

HOTELS IN VALLADOLID YUCATÁN

Valladolid has a very wide hotel offerSurely you find your perfect option. Haciendas, luxury hotels, boutique hotels, charming hotels, family hotels, hostels. The whole range you will find.

If you want any recommendations read the entry of Valladolid hotels, We hope you find it useful.

Booking.com

HOSTELS IN VALLADOLID

Like hotels, Valladolid offers a wide range of hostels, it is a backpacking destination, of which the long-distance traveler likes it.

To facilitate your search we write an entry about where to sleep in Valladolid, talking about the different areas to place you on the map.

Hotels and Valladolid hostels recomendados

PLACES TO VISIT IN THE SURROUNDINGS OF VALLADOLID

Valladolid is a great option as a base for discover wonders of the area less than an hour and a half by car. Unmissable places such as Chichén Itzá, Izamal, Cobá, Holbox Island, Las Coloradas, the Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve or Ek Balam.

We recommend the unmissable places less than 120 kilometers from Valladolid. You will fall in love with this area, its local atmosphere, the powerful nature of the surroundings and the opportunity to do rural tourism is a great cocktail for the traveler.

8 places for visit surroundings of Valladolid

Visit surroundings Valladolid, Las Coloradas. Yucatan Mexico
The Coloradas
Tour ek balam valladolid, Yucatan Mexico ,.
Ek Balam

CENOTES OF VALLADOLID AND CENOTES NEAR VALLADOLID

If you want to leave cenotes, you arrived at the right place. Valladolid and its surroundings are a jewel in terms of cenotes: Fresh water, Popcorn, Sac-aua, X-Ca'anajaltun, Suytun, Chooj Ja ', Fantasma are cenotes that will make you fall in love.

Other cenotes you have closer to the center, to go by bicycle, such as Oxman or Dzitnup. Also remember the Zaci cenote in the city center.

Explore 14 Valladolid Cenotes and its surroundings

Cenotes of Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico.

Valladolid has a charm that catches in a quiet wayAnd who we like, we like it very much. His spell lies in the details, in his people, in his daily life, rather than in large museums, churches or restaurants.

In Valladolid you get tangled up in the details when you wander.

Doors.Valladolid colonial city, Yucatan, Mexico.
Don Casiano Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico.

If you are one of the Travelers who like places that retain their authentic atmosphere, come to know it, you will enjoy it. Sometimes I think I see my grandfather here, a place that is between the old Castilian education and the timid innocence of Yucatecan Mayan lands.

Explore Valladolid with our complete guide: visits, surroundings, cenotes, hotels and restaurants. 1

Valladolid, towns

LOCATION: Valladolid is located in the state of Yucatán. 162 km from Merida, 158 km from Cancun, 50 km from Chichen Itza.
HOW TO GET IN PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION? In Valladolid there is public transport from Cancun (2 hours), Mérida (2 h), Playa del Carmen (3 h), Tulum (2h).Official Web of the main bus company that operates in the area.
WHAT TO BRING? Comfortable and light clothing, and hat to cover your head. From May to October the heat is hard, so protect yourself from the sun and do not forget your swimsuit and a towel to enjoy the cenotes.

Good way,

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Sandra Salvadó Training photographer, traveler by vocation and certified tourism guide by the Government of Mexico. We promote natural wonders and contemporary Mayan culture. Great fan of pre-Hispanic history. Author of the blog and co-founder of The Shortest Path Travel, agency that guides you through alternative paths in Mayan lands. Social and sustainable tourism in the Yucatan Peninsula and Chiapas.
I am at your disposal for whatever you need. Let's talk.

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