Magic town Valladolid- colourful gem of Yucatan

29.03.2021.

Sweet, colonial town Valladolid is a perfect base if you want to pull out the misterious mayan history. Once called Zaci like the central cenote here this charming town lives its mexican authencity. After the downfall of Mayapan- the ancient ruined Mayan city- arise of new provinces which included Valladolid started to appear between 11.-16. century. If you will be exploring Yucatan, Merida will pleasantly surprise you.

Valladolid is located 1,5h from Tulum, 2,5h from Playa del Carmen and 2h from Cancun. Considering that Quintana Roo takes 1h difference within time zones that the rest of mexican places, this adds another hour towards Valladolid. Valladolid offers such an authentic charm, just like mountainous town Mascota on the other side of Mexico.

If you’re in Tulum, consider visiting these enchanting beach hotels.

What to see in Valladolid

Rolling around Grand Plaza

Encircled by the yellow fence and lovely park, this square is specially alive at night when you can get some snack like marquesita or corn with flavours. It’s surrounded by wonderful church decorated with flags, hotels and restaurants.

What is marquesita? It’s Yucatan delicacy, something between waffle and pancake filled with fruits/cheese/nutella or only sweet cream like nutella or peanut butter.

I loved to see so many huge shops around the corner with clothes where you can actually get very cheap prices. It’s something I didn’t discover in other mexican places because the clothes were more expensive.

Love chairs are another characteristic of Yucatan where two persons can sit one across another.

It’s interesting that every Sunday evening people gather at the main Square to dance but I didn’t see anything, maybe because it was raining or maybe because of current Covid situation.

Calle de los Fraies

This legendary street is the cutest and most colourful in the town. It was built in the 16th century to connect Valladolid with the indian town of Sisal. Elegant shops and restaurants are based here. Enumerated as the number 41 this street leads to monastery of San Bernardino de Siena with the colourful letters of Valladolid. Entrance is 40 pesos (1,5 euro).

Museums of Valladolid

Next time I’ll make sure to visit Choco story or MUREM, museum dedicated to ethnic clothing. Special cheers goes to Casa de los venados which is a private house offering incredible exhibitions of mexican folk and contemporary art with over 3000 pieces of art.

Cenotes

Cenote Zaci properly at the centre of Valladolid sounds like a chance you cannot miss, specially considering that the price is only 30 pesos (1,5 euros). In the shelter of the cave this beautiful water might not be as clean as the others but it’s still the perfect chance for refreshment. To add the feeling onsite restaurant looks pretty attractive. Besides, you can meet Mayans like I did. I didn’t ask for the stories but only to tell me something in mayan, what a funny opportunity.

Cenote Oxman is a beautiful hacienda with the pool and hammocks that we actually found just by chance on the way from Chichen Itza as it was easily reachable. It’s located only 15 minuted drive from Valladolid close to the main road with the signs always pointing out. 72 steps are needed to reach the cenote, to have more fun you can enjoy the rope swing.

Onsite restaurant can be included in the price but you can also buy a separate ticket which costs 150 pesos (around 6 euros).

Hacienda San Lorenzo was once an agave field dating from 1746. but now hosts this amazing cenote.

The unique opportunity to visit cenotes in Valladolid should be taken by bike, please consider this tour company as it’s located just near the cenote Zaci.

Cenote Suytun as one of the most instagrammable cenotes as it enlightens the whole cenote in the magic way.

Chichen Itza

Valladolid will give you the perfect chance to discover the ancient mayan town Chichen Itza as it’s only 20 minutes by car. If you’re travelling on your own, I would recommend taking a tour either from Merida or Playa del Carmen/Cancun as the tours from Valladolid itself are 3 times double. I was lucky enough to meet at my hostel the same morning the girls that were going with their rented car so I could joined them. It’s incredible to say that tours from Merida will offer you to see yellow town Izamal (which is only 1h away from Merida, much closer than from Valladolid) plus some cenotes plus free lunch.

Entrance fee is not little, 480 pesos (20 euros).

It’s incredible how full of souvenir vendor it is.

The main pyramid, El Castillo (Kukulcan Temple) is an impressive sight but you cannot climb on it like the case is with Ek Balam, another mayan site.

Few other pyramids and structures can be seen within Chichen Itza like Temple of the warriors, Maya Ball Court, Group of 1000 columns, cenote.

Where to stay in Valladolid

Budget friendly options:

Hostal Tunich Naj– colourful place, big rooms, good breakfast for additional price but charming experience;

Hostal Candelaria– another colourful place with the charming backyard and free breakfast;

Boutique hotels:

Casa Quetzal Boutique Hotel– pretty charming place with the adorable pool and garden

Middle budget hotels:

Hotel Meson de Marques– the main hotel in Valladolid right on the main square, lovely collonial building with the amazing garden & pool, price can be set from 60-150$ a night;

Hotel Fundadores– charming tiles and pool, price is from 50-60 $ a night;

Luxury hotels:

Hotel Verde Morada– located in the loveliest street Calle de los Fraies this is a vintage style place with beautiful tiles and lush garden;

Le Muuch Hotel– tiles, hammocks & lovely pool;

All in all

Valladolid is a place you’ll feel step back in time, you’ll be embraced by the colours and vibe of real Mexico. Still a touristic place Valladolid keeps its charm as the window to mayan times surrounded by its ruines.

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