Valladolid, Mexico – My Complete Guide to My Favorite Town
👉 Jump to: Why Visit Valladolid | Where to Stay | Things to Do | Restaurants | Nightlife & Bars | Facts & Things to Know | Safety | How to Get to | Cenotes | Hotels
Valladolid is an incredible hidden gem located deep in Mexico’s Yucatan jungle, and my absolute favorite town in the world.
Vibrant. Authentic. Unique. In my opinion, Valladolid represents Mexico at its best.
Ready to plan your visit? This mega guide is chock-full of practical information and insider tips. Fair warning, it’s a long guide, but everything you need to plan your visit is on this page.
Affiliate Disclosure: Travel Lemming is an independent reader-supported blog. You can support us by purchasing via the affiliate links on this page, which may earn us commissions. See our Advertising Policy for further explanation. Thank you!
Why You Should Visit Valladolid
I’ve collectively spent more than a year, over a dozen visits, traveling in Mexico’s Yucatan. And, while there are a lot of awesome places on the peninsula (Celestun, Bacalar, Tulum…), I always tell people that Valladolid should be at the top of their Mexico bucket list when they ask me what they should see.
Why?
Well, watch this short video I made with the entire town on my last visit to show you why Valladolid is so magical (Valladolid’s mayor even makes a cameo!):
While it’s hard to deny that some travelers are starting to discover it (especially with the recent construction of the Tren Maya), Valladolid is still relatively underappreciated. So it offers an opportunity to experience authentic Maya culture and history, something you can’t find as easily in the over-touristed beach towns like Cancun and Tulum.
Despite the fact that a million tourists whiz by Valladolid on their tours to Chichen Itza, the town itself is still mostly untouched by the worst ravages of tourism.
From wandering its colorful streets to exploring the cenotes of Valladolid and immersing yourself in Maya culture and history, there is so much interesting stuff to do here.
Where to Stay in Valladolid
I’ve stayed in several Valladolid hotels and visited dozens, but my current top recommended hotel in Valladolid is the Real Hispano hotel.
It’s a new hotel in a renovated historic convent, located just steps from the main square. The location is perfect. I recently stayed there and loved it. Plus, rooms start from just $50 per night on Booking.com!
If you want more options, though, here are some other great hotels in Valladolid (sorted by budget).
Luxury Hotels
- Le Muuch Boutique Hotel – A newer place that brings a ton of style. I really love the hammock over the pool and the stylish bar.
- Hotel Zenti’k Project – This is a one-of-a-kind hotel that has a boco chic vibe similar to Tulum’s hotels. The star attraction is the private underground saline cave pool. It’s pretty incredible.
Mid-Range Hotels
- El Meson de Marques – A nice hotel with a “local feel” just north of the main square, this is probably the most popular place to stay in Valladolid. You’ll love the rooftop views of the cathedral.
- Hotel Posada San Juan – The highest rated hotel in Valladolid, Hotel Posada San Juan offers a gorgeous pool in the courtyard of this converted colonial home.
Budget Hotels & Hostels
- Hostel Tunich Naj – One of the most popular hostels in Valladolid, Mexico, Tunich Naj is a colorful hostel offering up breakfast and some great public spaces for chilling out.
- Hostel Candelaria – A great place to make friends while backpacking in Valladolid, Hostel Candelaria impresses with its friendly staff and large public areas.
- Hotel Quinta Marciala – A great locally-owned budget hotel (say hi to the owner, Noe, for me!), perfect for families or couples. Just a few blocks outside downtown Valladolid. You’ll find a charming courtyard and a small swimming pool.
Want more? Check out my full list of the best Valladolid hotels.
22 Things to Do in Valladolid, Mexico
#1 – Cool off in Valladolid’s Cenotes
A cenote is basically a swimming hole carved into limestone bedrock by spring water. They look like something from the Indiana Jones movies! There are tens of thousands of cenotes in Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula, and some of the best cenotes are near Valladolid.
Some of my favorite Valladolid cenotes:
- Cenote Suytun – pictured above, this is perhaps the Mexico’s most famous cenote because its platform is great for Instagram (honestly, it’s not the best cenote for swimming, though)
- Cenote Zaci – right in the middle of town, for just 30 pesos, it makes for a great place to take a dip and cool off
- Cenote San Lorenzo Oxman – a gorgeous cenote with a rope swing!
- Cenote Saamal – my personal favorite cenote because it has a gorgeous (though artificial) waterfall, plus a comfortable hacienda with a lunch buffet and other facilities.
For more, see my full list of the best Valladolid cenotes. Whichever of the nearby cenotes you pick, it is definitely a can’t-miss thing to do.
#2 – Marvel at Maya Art at Casa de los Venados
It’s not a museum, but actually a large house that the owners open up to the public for tours at 10 am every day.
Inside you’ll find a stunning renovated hacienda housing one of the largest collections of pre-Hispanic Mexican artwork in the country.
Casa de los Venados is conveniently located just off the main square.
Location: Calle 40 #204 x 41 col. Centro Valladolid, Yucatan Mexico
Tours: 10 am every day (100 pesos suggested donation, given to local charities).
#3 – Witness The Nightly Traditional Dance Performance
Walk through Valladolid’s main square, Parque Francisco Canton, around roughly 5:30 pm and you’ll usually find traditional Maya dancers or a colorful troupe showing off Jarana, a traditional dance in the Yucatan.
Sure, it feels just a tad touristy (they put on the shows for tips from the visitors, after all) but the crowd is hardly enormous and the quality of the performances is surprisingly awesome!
#4 – Visit Chichen Itza
Taking a trip to see Chichen Itza is often what brings folks to Valladolid in the first place. And it’s no wonder why: after all, this incredible complex of Mayan ruins has been named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World!
But also with that distinction has come a ton of people. Picture this: loads and loads of tourist buses hoarding in thousands of visitors from Cancun each day for tours to Chichen Itza and a cenote or two.
👉 Pro Tip: if you’re staying in Valladolid overnight, you have a leg up on visiting this site before the crowds get there. Get up EARLY and try to be at Chichen Itza at 8 am when it opens, or at least before 9:30 am (when the tour buses from Cancun roll in). This well rated tour from Valladolid will get you there first thing!
How to Get from Valladolid to Chichen Itza:
- Option 1: Take the brand new Tren Maya one stop over (website here)
- Option 2: Book this well rated tour, the only one I know of from Valladolid. It arrives at opening time (i.e., before the buses from Cancun!) and also takes you to the yellow city of Izamal.
- Option 3: Take a collectivo shared minibus from the small station on Calle 46 between 37 and 39 (cost: ~40 pesos). Just be warned the minibuses can get packed.
- Option 4: Go to the ADO station and buy a ticket on one of very few buses servicing Chichen Itza.
- Option 5: Drive in your rental car.
#5 – Explore Mayan Ruins Off the Beaten Path at Ek Balam
Want to explore Mayan ruins free from the crowds at Chichen Itza? Check out the Ek Balam archaeological site. This complex is so huge that at one point around 800 AD it was home to over 20,000 people!
Visit Ek Balam from Valladolid by driving in your rental, braving a collectivo, or by joining this highly-rated Ek Balam / cenote combo tour.
#6 – Browse the Mercado Municipal
The best part of a trip to Valladolid is the opportunity to experience real Mexican culture. And there’s no more authentic experience than browsing the colorful stalls at the Mercado Municipal.
You can find everything from vegetable vendors to butcher shops to handicrafts at this large covered market just a few blocks from centro.
Even if you’re not planning to buy anything, just wandering the stalls and soaking in the colors and smells is an awesome way to experience the character of the town.
#7 – Meander Down Calzada de los Frailes
Perhaps one of the prettiest little streets I’ve seen anywhere in Mexico, Calzada de los Frailes is a quiet mostly-pedestrian street whose colorful walls and doorways just cry out for a photographer’s lens.
You’ll find a handful of restaurants and cafes, and a number of fashionable boutique shops selling hip clothing, purses, and more. A walk down Calzada de los Frailes shouldn’t be missed during your trip to Valladolid.
#8 – Watch the Video Mapping Show at the Convent of San Bernardino of Siena
If you wander to the end of Calzada de los Frailes, you’ll end up at Parque Sisal, which houses the Convent of San Bernardino of Siena.
The building may not seem the most impressive until you realize that it’s nearly 500 years old! You can poke around inside or head up the bell tower for views of the plaza.
And, if you’re lucky enough to be there on the right night, you can come back after dark to see the convent lit up by a light show!
Valladolid’s free “video mapping” show runs Tuesday through Sunday at 9 pm in Spanish and 9:25 pm in English.
#9 – Snap a Photo at the Valladolid Sign
Come on, we all know you want to show off how cool you are for exploring Mexico off the beaten path.
So bust out your phone, fire up Instagram or TikTok or whatever the kids are using these days, and pose for a photo in front of this colorful Valladolid sign. You’ll find similar signs in nearly every Mexican town, by the way, though I’m not sure if there’s a prize for collecting them all.
The sign is located in Parque Sisal just in front of the convent. And, in all seriousness, the locals would actually love for you to take a photo and to share it with your friends. The local economy could really use more tourism dollars (and euros, pounds, and pesos) after the past couple years.
#10 – Visit the Xkopek Beekeeping Park
The Xkopek beekeeping reserve is a quiet natural retreat where you can learn about beekeeping. There is a restaurant, a pool, a dry cenote, and even a space where you can pitch a tent.
You can go independently (contact them at +52 985 125 0964). Or many people go via this popular Valladolid Mayan Bees tour that takes care of all the organizing details for you.
#11 – Take a Day Trip to Rio Lagartos & Las Coloradas
About 90 minutes north of Valladolid, along the Gulf of Mexico, you’ll find Rio Lagartos. It’s a small town located inside a nature preserve teeming with wildlife like flamingos and crocodiles.
A little further east lies Las Coloradas, the Yucatan’s “pink lakes.” They aren’t really natural lakes, so much as evaporating ponds for a salt factory, but they are really big – and, yes, really pink!
Given their location, a trip to Rio Lagartos and Las Coloradas is best done as a combo day trip. I suggest taking this combo tour from Valladolid, which also works with a stop at Ek Balam along the way.
#12 – Try Some Unusual Local Dishes!
Yucatecan cuisine is super unique and you have to at least try it on your trip.
Maybe start with some grasshoppers? Chapulines, as they are called locally, are actually a popular local snack (it even often comes as a guacamole topping). Now, if I’m being honest, I took a pass on these little guys. But you should give it a shot!
Or, if you prefer your food without legs still attached to it, try a cochinita pipil, a traditional Yucatan dish involving slow-roasted pork with a tinge of orange flavor. Or check out the papadzules (pictured above), egg-filled crepes covered in a delicious cream sauce.
Clara is a big fan of elotes and esquites, which are basically corn dishes (served on the cob or in a cup, sometimes served with a cream mayonnaise and cheese sauce).
My top choice for food in Valladolid, though, is to hunt down one of the carts in the main square dishing out marquesitas: a delicious dessert that is sort of like a Nutella and cheese crepe (trust me, it’s better than it sounds!).
#13 – Marvel at the Iglesia de San Servicio
The most recognizable point of interest in town is the towering Iglesia de San Servicio (sometimes called the Cathedral San Gervasio) located just south of the main square.
The Spaniards built this cathedral over a demolished Mayan pyramid, using some of the pyramid’s stones to build the cathedral itself. The cathedral still holds regular services, but when there isn’t one you can wander inside to marvel at the intricate detail of the interior.
#14 – Grab Some Gelato at Wabi
If your legs get tired from walking around Valladolid’s old town, swing by this tiny gelato shop for a serious treat. There are only a handful of flavors on offer at any given time, but the owner will let you try them all.
I couldn’t make up my mind, so somewhere I settled on a combination of Mayan chocolate and mango yogurt. It paired better than you might think!
Wabi is located near the main square on Calle 39 #136, at the corner of Calle 38 (Google Maps). It’s open from 10 am to 10 pm.
#15 – Saddle Up to the Bar for a Drink With the Locals at La Joyita
At the corner of Calle 41 and Calle 38 (Google Maps), you’ll find a tiny hole-in-the-wall cantina and bar that’s something of a local icon in Valladolid (it’s the gathering place for politicians, business owners, and just about anyone).
So swing open the saloon doors of La Joyita, settle into one of the small bar’s stools, order some mezcal, and brush off your Spanish for some friendly chit chat with the locals (they will actually chat with you)!
#16 – Take a Bike Tour to Cenotes
Several of the cenotes near Valladolid are accessible by bicycle paths. There is a popular locally-run bike tour that will take you to the Mercado Municipal, Cenote San Lorenzo Oxman, Cenote Xkeken, Dzitnup, and the village of Chichimila all in one day.
#17 – Take a Scooter Tour of Valladolid, Mexico
If you know how to ride a scooter, it can be a wonderful way to explore Valladolid and the surrounding area!
The town is small and easy to get around, with relatively safe streets by Mexican standards.
Scooter Rent Valladolid is the best place to rent one. It’s located right off the main square at Calle 41 No. 197 x, Centro, 97780 Valladolid, Yuc., Mexico.
#18 – Try Cochinita Pibil at Tacos & Tortas El Tigrillo
Cochinita pibil is the most famous regional food. It’s basically a marinated pork barbeque meat dish. You can find variations of it at many of the best restaurants in Valladolid, but the most iconic spot is the El Tigrillo taco stand on the corner of Calle 44 & Calle 41. Tacos start at around 50 cents USD!
As a plant based eater, I’ll admit this is the one thing to do in Valladolid where I lack firsthand experience. But I’m pretty sure it’s a good one based on the looks on my carnivore friends’ faces when they try it.
#19 – Check Out Iglesia San Juan
It’s just a small church facing a little square and park, but Iglesia San Juan encapsulates real everyday life in Valladolid.
Just a 10 minute walk from the main square, this smaller square is blissfully free of tourists.
You’ll find vendors out front selling elote (corn), helado (ice cream), or all sorts of other sweet delicacies. Come on a Sunday afternoon and you might be treated to a small local market.
#20 – Step Back in History at Museo San Roque
Located on Calle 41 between 38 and 40 across from La Joyita (Google Maps), the Museo San Roque has a small but interesting collection of historical items reflecting the history of Valladolid and the Yucatan region.
There is no admission cost, which makes it a great free activity.
#21 – Check out the Murals at Ayuntamiento Valladolid
Located in the town’s main square (Google Maps), the Ayuntamiento (“village house”) houses the city’s official tourism help office, which is a great place to get information on the latest events or happenings in the city.
And while you are there, be sure to head upstairs to witness the huge murals painted on the second floor which reflect the history of Valladolid.
#22 – Photograph the Colorful Walls!
One of the things that makes Valladolid so beautiful is the plethora of colorful colonial walls.
They make for excellent backdrops for photographs, or just a pleasant vista to enjoy as you stroll down the street.
For bonus points, see if you can find an iconic Volkswagen beetle parked in front of a colorful wall (extra bonus points if the car matches the wall!).
🌴 Want to Explore More of the Yucatan Off the Beaten Path? Check out my epic guide to El Cuyo, Mexico. Like Valladolid, it’s incredibly underrated!
Where to Eat in Valladolid
Valladolid may be small, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t some awesome places to eat here. From hip Italian bistros to traditional local fare, there’s something for every type of foodie in Valladolid.
The best part? The prices are significantly less than in the beach resorts!
Check out my full list of the best Valladolid restaurants for more places to eat, but here’s a quick summary of some top picks:
- 🍽️ Conato Cultural 1910 (Calle 40 between 45 and 47 – Google Maps) – In my opinion, this is the best restaurant in Valladolid, Mexico. But one thing is for sure: the funky and colorful at Conato is not to be missed. You’ll also love the modern spins on the local fare. Sit downstairs to be serenaded by live music or on the upper terrace to enjoy the breeze.
- 🍽️ Cafeina Food Company (Calz. de Los Frailes 212A – Google Maps) – Pizzas, pastas, and excellent cocktails are on offer at this stylish bistro. Come here for dinner and slip next door to continue your night at the connected Don Trejo bar afterwards.
- 🍽️ El Meson de Marques (Calle 39 between 40 and 42 – Google Maps) – One of the more popular places to eat in Valladolid, located just on the main square. Try the jamaica margaritas, which I was chastised for missing by one of my Facebook followers 🙂
- 🍽️ ConKafecito (Calzada de los Frailes, Número 226 – Google Maps) – Very cute and popular coffee shop with good drinks and pastries. Also a good place if you need a strong WiFi connection.
👉 See my full list of best restaurants in Valladolid.
Valladolid Nightlife & Bars
Look, you don’t come to Valladolid because you want a nightlife destination.
But I’d be lying if I didn’t also admit to having faced a few serious hangovers after nights out in Valladolid! There aren’t a ton of nightlife options here, but the ones that do exist are high quality.
A few bars worthy of a stop:
- 🍸 Don Trejo Mezcaleria (Calz. de Los Frailes 212 – Google Maps) – This joint next to Cafeina is probably the most popular bar in Valladolid. There is a welcoming garden in the back with large bed-style seating, or you can grab a table near the small but active dance floor, which pulsates to the beats of salsa music on weekends.
- 🍸 Libranos del Mal (Calle 39 between 38 and 40 – Google Maps) – It has the feel of a dive bar but the attitude of a place that takes partying seriously. Be sure to check out the back patio if it gets too hot inside.
Facts & Things to Know
Valladolid is a really easy travel destination, but here are the answers to some commonly asked questions to help you prepare for your trip:
Fast Facts About Valladolid:
- 📈 Population: About 56,000 people [Source]
- 🌤️ Weather: Hot in the day, with average daily highs exceeding 85 F, but cooler at night.
- 🕑 Time Zone: UTC -6 (CST, though no daylight savings observance)
- 🏙️ Sister City: Asheville, North Carolina (USA)
- 🇪🇸 Language: Spanish, with some English spoken in tourist establishments
Is Valladolid Safe to Visit?
Valladolid is among the safest towns in the Yucatan peninsula. Crime is relatively uncommon, and tourists can comfortably walk around the main town even in the evenings.
Still, exercise caution as you would anywhere else and be sure you have travel insurance for Mexico.
How to Get to Valladolid
You can reach Valladolid from Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, or Merida via the Tren Maya, ADO bus or by renting a car and driving. Depending on your starting point, it will take 1-2.5 hours to reach Valladolid.
With the opening of the Tren Maya (official website), Valladolid can now be reached by train straight from the Cancun airport. You can also take it onward to Chichen Itza, Izamal, Merida, or other nearby destinations.
Another option is renting a car, which gives you more freedom to explore nearby cenotes and ruins. Driving in Mexico is easy but be careful, because car rental companies are known to advertise low prices and then charge loads for “mandatory” insurance. That’s why I always suggest using Discover Car Hire to compare quotes and get honest agency reviews.
Taking the ADO bus – They are clean, comfortable, and reliable. You can check timetables at the ADO website. Just be aware that many American credit cards don’t work on the site, so you may have to go to the bus station to buy tickets directly.
You can also read my guides to getting to Valladolid from Cancun or from Tulum:
Listen to My Yucatán Podcast Episode
Want to hear more about the Yucatán? Listen to Episode 2 of the Travel Lemming Podcast on YouTube! (segment begins at 10:10). You can also check us out on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
If you like the podcast, be sure to subscribe and give us a 5-star rating. We’re just starting out and appreciate all your support!
***
That’s it for this Ultimate Guide!
Keep planning with my other guides to Valladolid:
I hope those guides help you enjoy this incredible town as much as I do. If you enjoyed this article (or even if you didn’t!), I’d love to hear from you! Just scroll down and leave me a comment (it warms my heart to get your comments!).
Hola, Nate, I am a writer/filmmaker from Montreal Canada and I’m looking to rent a casita or apartment with 1 or 2 bedrooms from January 1 to April 30. I would like it in a quiet area close to the centro and near to easy hiking trails. Do you have any recommendations?
Gracias,
Margarita
Hola Nate, I have been studying Spanish in Oaxaca for several years and now looking for a new experience. Valladolid is my next destination and want to study Spanish. Do you know of any language schools in Valladolid? Your information was terrific!
Thank you,
Mary Ann
Hi Mary Ann! While I think Valladolid is a great place to learn a language, I haven’t heard of any operating schools there (that’s not to say there isn’t – just that I don’t know about them). El Camino (a school based in Tulum) does have a Valladolid section on their website, so you might try contacting them. If you do find one and remember, we’d love for you to come back here and share for future readers.
I hope you enjoy Valladolid!
Also check out MUREM off of parque San Juan – a museum dedicated to the celebration and preservation of Mexico’s ethnic clothing.
Loved reading about this town! Can anyone comment on the safety of the food and water there. We are all foodies, but no one wants to get sick!
The water is not safe to drink in Valladolid, as is true in most of Mexico. But bottled water is perfectly fine and easy to find. Food safety has always been fine for me over many trips to Valladolid. You can of course catch a stomach bug anywhere, but Valladolid isn’t worse than anywhere else in Mexico.
We just got to Valladolid and are staying at Real Hispano and love it so far! Do you know of any place we can fill our water bottles up with filtered water?
That’s a great question! I don’t, but please check back if you find an answer. I’m sure if you ask the front desk at the Real Hispano they’ll know! Enjoy Valladolid!
Just left beautiful Valladolid.
We kept referring back to your article using many of your recommendations, thank you so much. Just want to add 2 special places: Zentic project hotel, stunning and different with cave pool, heated water.
El ella caffe, vegan beautiful food and currently adored by young locals.
So glad you enjoyed Valladolid – and my heart is warmed to hear I helped! And, yes, absolutely endorse both of those places. The Zenti’k Project cave is super special.
This was so helpful, thank you!!! For future travelers: Cenote Zaci is closed for repairs but the restaurant overlooking the Cenote is open. By the looks of it, it appears it may be quite some time before they reopen
Hey Nate, going to Valladolid tomorrow and enjoyed your video. I saw you had some drone shots. Is it legal or safe to fly a drone in Mexico or in these areas? Thanks for all the great info!
That footage was part of a project I did with the city’s involvement and some local videographers a few years ago. At the time there were no drone laws, but that has since changed. Now the rule in Mexico is that you need a permit for anything over 250 grams, and permits are essentially only available to Mexicans. As a practical matter, I will say that I would be very surprised if anyone locally to Valladolid cared. But there have been public instances of the Mexican government going after popular drone videographers who post drone footage taken in prohibited places (e.g., over Chichen Itza, where all drones are definitely banned). My last few visits to Valladolid I’ve forgone the drone, but I also already have footage. What I would probably do myself if trying to fly my new (sub 250 g) drone is simply approach a law enforcement officer in the main square and ask permission. I’ve tried that approach in many pueblo magicos over the years and usually been told to go for it.
Hi Nate!
Is the water and ice safe to drink in Vallalodid and Merida restaurants? Thanks!!
In restaurants, yes (it’s filtered). I wouldn’t drink from the tap though.
Hi Nate,
Heading to Vallladolid next week and wondering if you have a list of places to get covid tests upon leaving?
Simi Lab does covid tests in Valladolid (Google Maps). Enjoy the town!
I wonder how a place where the main plazza gets filled with tour buses by the late afternoon can be considered out of the beaten path. Definitely we have different concepts of “out of the beaten path”. After five weeks in Mexico, Valladolid and Merida were the most touristic spots I visited.
Hi Ricardo, glad to hear you’re exploring Mexico. If you just look at the numbers, Valladolid has about 1/100th the visitors of Tulum, Playa del Carmen, or even Holbox. Those tour buses stop over on their way to Chichen Itza for about 30 minutes. Those tourists do not stay overnight. Also, you must have visited on an unusual day if it was filled with them. I have spent personally spent dozens of afternoons in the plaza – over many visits over the years, including recently – and have never seen more than a single bus. Would love to hear what other places in Mexico you loved!
Hi! I read about the Mayan ceramic class. Do you know if it’s still possible to do this? Greets Nikki
As of my last visit in September, no it wasn’t available unfortunately.
I would love to watch your video of Valladolid but can’t seem to find the link??
Hi Amy – It should normally load in the post, but sometimes the gears get out of whack on the backend here. In any event, you can always find it on Youtube! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWveuAvpWZs
I hope you have fun visiting Valladolid!
Cheers,
Nate
Nate,
My family and three others are going to Valladolid and are having a hard time finding an Airbnb to rent. Do you know of any? There will be 14 of us!
Hi Sandra!
You might need to break up the party and get two if you want to use apartment rentals. I recently stayed in one you can find by searching “A Scene Out of a Mexican Movie” on Airbnb. That was the biggest my friends could find, and even that one only holds 8 people across 4 rooms. As an alternative, you could consider just getting several rooms in the same hotel. Here are some I reccomend. I hope you enjoy Valladolid!
Cheers,
Nate
Nate thanks for all the tips, I visited Cancun in July 2020 , we loved it ! We were In Valladolid for about an hr. Its a beautiful place, I wish we would of been allowed to stay longer to sight see more but had to stay with the tour group, the marquesitas were delicious, the church was beautiful, and the people very friendly. Can’t wait to go back and tour at my own pace. Maybe we’ll stay in a hotel in Valladolid and go from there. Love vacationing in Mexico! Thank for you Maria
Thanks Maria! I’m glad you got to experience the magic of Valladolid for at least a bit, and hopefully you can make it back! Enjoy your Mexico travels.
On our way to the Yucatan peninsula on July 4th for a week. We’re planning to go to Merida and then head to Playa del Carmen. All the tips here are going to be super helpful. We’re now planning to stop by Valladolid since reading all the great comments. Really looking forward to it.
That sounds amazing – I absolutely love all those destinations! When in Valladolid, be sure to have a meal as Casa Conato. It’s really incredible!
What a helpful article. We are passing through here on our way from Holbox to Cozumel. Now we have a plan! Thank you!!
Thanks Erin! I hope you have fun in Holbox! Be sure to head to the far west tip of the island for sunset some night. It’s relatively quiet out there, and my favorite part of Holbox.
Planning a trip to Holbox in two weeks! We’ve done the Yucatan but never here. We are backpackers and enjoy off the beaten path and culture over luxury. Can you share your itinerary and any tips? Assuming you rented a car?
Hi Heather! For Holbox, you definitely don’t need a car on the island (in fact, you can’t even really drive one unless it’s a golf cart). You can rent one to get to the ferry from PDC, Cancun, Valladolid, or wherever you are headed to from. Do be aware Holbox can get muddy this time of year, so plan ahead. At least you won’t have to face the seaweed that is currently all over the Riviera Maya.
Hope that helps! Have a safe trip to Holbox!
Cheers,
Nate
A few weeks ago, I traveled to Valladolid, and luckily I stumbled upon your blog before my trip and added the Ek Balam Ruins to my tour. I had a great time; I estimate it was about an hour’s drive between Valladolid and the ruins. Anyway, I just wanted to thank you for mentioning it in your post.
Thanks for this post! it´s really informative.
I´m planning a trip to Yucatan in a few months (if COVID allows it), and I´ve heard Ek Balam Ruins are majestic.
I went to Uxmal ruins a few years ago and I absolutely loved them! Also, I highly recommend Coba´s cenotes.
The only thing I struggle with a little was transportation. But I found a really good option to do so, and my stay was really pleasant.
Cheers.
Uxmal is great right? It’s kinda unreal how many fewer visitors it gets compared with Chichen Itza, even though it’s equally impressive to me.
I hope you enjoy your trip! Thanks for reading along.
-Nate
For anyone in Valladolid the Iglesia San Juan Market and Ceramic Pottery class are no longer on. This is as of . 27th May 19. : )
Thank you Lynton. Sorry to hear that – hopefully they will re-open it. I’ve updated the post to reflect that.
Add Italian resto l’osteria Dell 43 must be one of the best restaurants in and around town! Food, drinks, service, exterior, atmosphere,… just perfect!!!! And I’m picky!!!!
Thanks for the tip! I’m headed to Valladolid again soon. Will check it out 🙂
Hi have you been in the last year or two? Have the prices gone up much like everywhere else!?!
Yes. Of course inflation and currency exchange rates affect everywhere – but overall Valladolid is still very affordable compared to other Mexican destinations.
I spent a month in Valladolid last spring and loved it there. A great town.
Absolutely. Valladolid is such a hidden gem!