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Municipal city seat in Yucatán State, Mexico
Photo: User: (WT-shared) ByeByeBaby at wts wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Valladolid is a small city of 56,000 people (2020) in the state of Yucatán that is about a 45-minute drive from the (lesser-used) east entrance of Chichén Itzá. It offers an alternative base for visiting the ruins, while having its own charms as well – although further from the ruins than the town of Piste, Valladolid is less tourist-oriented (although this is changing fast) and has more historic charm. It is one of the Pueblos Mágicos de México (Magical Towns of Mexico).
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Beautifully restored 17C private house museum with a stunning collection of over 3,000 pieces of Mexican folk art. Tours in English and Spanish daily at 10AM. A must-see.
Iglesia de San Servacio
Cenote Zaci
A spectacular sinkhole located in a public park only few hundred meters from the central plaza, this cenote is traversed by a walking path that passes under a curtain of stalactites in an overhang area. You can jump off from 6 meters into the water. In case it gets too crowded you'll have to wait a bit and will be asked to not stay more one hour).
This street consists of colonial homes with great architecture. It commences at the "cinco calles" and it ends at the park of the ex-convent San Bernardino de Siena.
This 15th-century ex-convent and church is situated around a public park where you can sit and enjoy tranquility.
This small museum contains Mayan and colonial artifacts and traditional items.
Two cenotes about 7km west of Valladolid on Highway 180. Can be reached by colectivo/taxi or paved cycle path from Valladolid. X'keken is a large vaulted photogenic swimming hole with opening in ceiling. Samula is more ethereal. Compulsory lifejackets included.
This brand-new complex is located 2 kilometers north of the central plaza. The cenote is inside a cave and can be accessed via stairs on its side. A wooden deck features steps leading into the water, along with jumping boards and a zipline. The water is 45 meters deep, and sunlight beams reach the bottom due to its exceptional clarity. Showering before entering the cenote is mandatory, as is wearing a life jacket. Tours often include this cenote, so it can get crowded from 11:00 AM onwards—it’s best to visit earlier. The complex also has a snack bar offering food and drinks, as well as areas with hammocks for relaxing between swims.
Tasty tortas for M$30 (Oct 2023). The bread is super soft and you may not have tried that meat before. The food stall is shown inside Google Maps. The opening hours on Google Maps may not be correct. In January 2022 it was open around 17:00-19:00.
Simple authentic restaurant. Tacos with carnitas and pastor meat for M$16 (Jan 2022). Also served are vegetarian tacos, tortas, gringas and quesadillas. They have a menu card in English. It's open M-F 8:00-22:00 and on weekends 9:00-22:00
Super tasty with many ingredients. You can choose between Tostitos or Doritos nachos. The price is just M$35 (Jan 2022). It's sold in the evenings inside the Tortillería “El rosario”.
A hotel on the north side of the town square, offers dining beside a charming interior courtyard, with excellent food. Mains in the M$200-350 range (Jan 2022).
A small and charming Italian restaurant on the south edge of the square in Candelaria, four blocks north and one block west of the main square. Their pizzas, baked in a wood-fueled oven, are wonderful and inexpensive.
A restaurant with a beautiful patio that specializes in regional cuisine and provides great cocktails.
An epicurean adventure into the world of tradtional Mayan culture with authentic Mayan recipes prepared using traditional processes and techniques (starting with a wood-fired stove). Expect unexpected flavors as many of the dishes use unusual herbs and spices from the Yucatan jungles that are not part of traditional Mexican cooking. Ask for recommendations from the staff and keep an open mind. The fish steamed in banana peels is a good choice for those seeking a "safe" dish that won't seem too "weird". Try the Xtabentum, a traditional Mayan honey wine (like a mead) made from the honey of a small stingerless bee raised by Mayans since pre-Hispanic times.
Bed & breakfast and butler service, for special occasions, along with Yucatecan snacks of your choice.
Four-star boutique hotel offering various spas and therapeutic massages. Yoga and Chi Kung classes offered.
Very clean.
A nice backpacker hostel with small pool
Friendly and well kept. It is on the main square. You can get a double with A/C. The restaurant opens up to the square and has great food.
A two-floor hotel with a variety of rooms ranging from a single with no A/C up to a quintuple with A/C.
Eight air-conditioned guestrooms and a swimming pool with a small palapa by the side.
Friendly hostel with small pool, free breakfast, cycle hire and regular activities for guests. Well-located for bus station and colectivos.
By carpooling
You can have a look on Blablacar for shared rides. Especially from Cancun and Mérida there should be some. Check also from other cities of the Yucatan peninsula.
By bus
By train
Vallodolid is a station on the Tren Maya intercity railway that loops through the Yucatan Peninsula.
By bicycle
To explore the city you can also rent bicycles at a reasonable rate.
By taxi
Other alternative choices are taxis (although be aware that the drivers do not speak English). A 6 minute and 2 km ride costs about M$35 (Jan 2022). As always, agree on the price before.
By bus
There are no city buses in Valladolid, only colectivos (minibuses) going on the federal roads out of town for example to the western and northern direction, but not south.
By motorbike
It is possible to rent a scooter and use it to drive around the city and to nearby sights. It should cost no more than M$ 400 per person per day, depending on your haggling skills.
Orientation
Locally the streets or Calles are numbered with the odd numbered streets going east and west and even numbered streets going north and south.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Tulum · International · TQO
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