Table of Content
Welcome to Valladolid, Mexico
Valladolid is a small and colourful colonial city in Mexico and a visit should be on every traveller’s list! When planning a trip to Yucatan, Mexico, many travellers will choose to stay in Mérida. But the colonial city of Valladolid is quite simply one of the most vibrant, authentic places you’ll find in Yucatan! Valladolid is the hidden gem of Yucatan and is still off the beaten path which makes it a great opportunity to experience the more authentic Mayan culture and history.
Where to Stay in Valladolid, Mexico
As you would expect from a major travel destination, Seychelles has no shortage of options when it comes to accommodation. As always, I’d suggest you stay somewhere central, to make accessing all the attractions as easy as possible.
Best Luxury Hotels
Hacienda Kaan Ac: This luxury hotel is set in a beautifully restored 18th-century hacienda, offering a blend of historic charm and modern luxury. The spacious and elegantly designed rooms feature high-end amenities, and guests can enjoy a pool, lush gardens, a spa, and a gourmet restaurant serving regional cuisine. The hotel’s serene atmosphere provides a perfect retreat in Valladolid.
El Mesón del Marqués: Housed in a historic 17th-century mansion, El Mesón del Marqués is a luxurious hotel that captures the essence of Valladolid’s colonial charm. The rooms are tastefully decorated, blending modern comforts with traditional elements. The hotel boasts a beautiful courtyard, a swimming pool, an on-site restaurant serving regional dishes, and a rooftop terrace with panoramic views of the city.
Casa Quetzal Boutique Hotel: Nestled in a quiet corner of Valladolid’s historic center, Casa Quetzal offers an intimate and refined experience. The hotel features elegantly decorated rooms with attention to detail and personalized service. Guests can relax in the courtyard garden, take a dip in the outdoor pool, and enjoy a complimentary breakfast. The hotel’s location provides easy access to the city’s main attractions.
Best Mid-Range Hotelsi Valladolid
Hotel Zaci: Conveniently located near the city center, Hotel Zaci offers comfortable accommodations at a mid-range price. The rooms are well-appointed and feature modern amenities. Guests can enjoy a swimming pool, a restaurant serving traditional Yucatecan cuisine, and a garden area for relaxation. The hotel’s friendly staff provides attentive service to ensure a pleasant stay.
Hotel Posada San Juan: Set in a charming colonial-style building, Hotel Posada San Juan offers cozy and affordable accommodations. The rooms are simple yet comfortable, featuring traditional Mexican decor. The hotel features a courtyard with a swimming pool, a restaurant serving regional cuisine, and a terrace where guests can unwind. Its central location allows for easy exploration of Valladolid’s attractions.
Ecotel Quinta Regia: Situated in a tranquil neighborhood, Ecotel Quinta Regia provides comfortable and affordable accommodations. The rooms are spacious and equipped with modern amenities. Guests can enjoy a swimming pool, a garden area, and a restaurant offering a variety of dishes. The hotel’s friendly staff is available to assist with any needs or inquiries.
Best Hostels
Hostal Tunich Naj: Located in the heart of Valladolid’s historic center, Hostal Tunich Naj offers budget-friendly accommodation with a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. The hostel provides dormitory-style rooms and private rooms, all equipped with basic amenities. Guests can enjoy a communal kitchen, a common lounge area, and a rooftop terrace with views of the city. The hostel is a great option for backpackers and budget-conscious travelers.
Hostal Gayser: Situated in a peaceful neighborhood, Hostal Gayser provides a comfortable and affordable stay. The hostel offers dormitory rooms and private rooms, all featuring simple furnishings and necessary amenities. Guests can relax in the outdoor garden area, socialize in the common lounge, and make use of the shared kitchen facilities. The hostel’s relaxed atmosphere and helpful staff ensure a pleasant stay.
Hostel Candelaria: Located near the city center, Hostel Candelaria provides affordable accommodation with a laid-back atmosphere. The hostel offers dormitory rooms and private rooms, all featuring comfortable beds and basic amenities. Guests can socialize in the communal areas, prepare meals in the shared kitchen, and relax in the outdoor patio. The hostel’s friendly staff is available to assist with any inquiries or travel arrangements.
Begin your search for the perfect accommodation now while the excitement is still fresh in your mind. Discover stylish and affordable options, and find the best accommodations at the lowest prices:
Explore a wide range of hotels in Mexico here (Booking.com)
Explore a wide range of hotels in Mexico here (Tripadvisor)
Explore a wide range of hotels in Mexico here (Agoda)
Discover affordable hostels in Mexico here (Hostelworld)
Easily compare prices and book hotels in Mexico here (Hotellook)
What to Know Before Visiting Valladolid Mexico
Many tourists visit Valladolid on a day trip from Cancun and Playa, or they just skip it! Travellers and backpackers just stay for one night while passing through to Chichen Itza and other destinations. Not us though, we stayed here for three nights as the city is a great base for excursions to Ek Balam, Coba, Chichen Itza and countless cenotes in the area. But we didn’t use the town as a home base for discovering the region’s attractions only – Valladolid is worth exploring too!
Valladolid has been a designated Pueblo Magico, which means the Magical City, since 2012 due to its charming buildings, interesting local arts, craftsmanship, and surrounding natural beauty.
From strolling through its colourful streets and tiny cafes to exploring the cenotes and enjoying the Mayan food, or just diving into the Mayan culture, history and way of life – Valladolid is the place to be!
Walk Around Historical Valladolid
We just loved to walk around the historical city centre and watch people coming and going! The tiny and colourful colonial buildings are absolutely charming and perfect for taking some photographs. If you don’t want to explore the city alone, Valladolid offers a Free Walking Tour every day. In Valladolid, you can dive deeper into traditional Yucatan culture and enjoy the positive vibes of this peaceful city!
The historical centre has a great vibe and it is more than lovely to wander around the cobblestone streets. My very favourite activity in Valladolid is just walking around and enjoying Valladolid’s architecture and hidden gems. The town has been a designated Pueblo Magico, which means the Magical City, since 2012 due to its charming buildings, interesting local arts, craftsmanship, and surrounding natural beauty.
Must-Dos in Valladolid, Mexico
Cool Off in Valladolid’s Cenotes
One of the coolest things to do in the Yucatan Peninsula is visiting a cenote and this was also my favourite activity during our road trip in Mexico! Probably the most beautiful cenotes of Yucatan are located near Valladolid. The small colonial city is the perfect place to stay, not only because of Chichen Itza or Ek’ Balam but also to enjoy some of the greatest cenotes in Mexico!
The best way for visiting the cenotes is by renting a car, otherwise, you’ll need much more time and effort if you want to visit all the interesting sites of Valladolid. But – Valladolid is the ideal base to visit cenotes, even if you don’t have your own car! Many cenotes can be reached by Colectivo or even bicycle.
Cenotes are a system of more than 6000 of natural sinkholes, found all over the Yucatan in Mexico. Cenotes are prevalent in the Yucatan Peninsula where the ground is primarily made up of limestone. In fact, a cenote is a deep sinkhole filled with rainwater and water flowing from underground rivers coming up to the earth’s surface. Cenotes are actually all connected with one another, forming the longest underground river in the world.
Visit Valladolid’s Cenote in The Center Of the Town
There are numerous beautiful cenotes near Valladolid, but you can visit one even in the centre of the town in its historic centre! Cenote Zaci is the most visited cenote of Valladolid. It was named after the pre-Spanish conquest Zaci! Back in the days, Cenote Zaci was a huge cave that collapsed only partially. Nowadays Zaci has a huge gap of 40 by 50 meters that lets a lot of natural light inside the cenote. Cenote Zaci is covered in beautiful green trees and other vegetation and there are also multiple stalactites hanging from the roof.
Visit Chichen Itza and Swim at Cenote Ik Kil
Holding the title as one of the new seven wonders of the world, Chichen Itza is the most well-known and frequently visited Mayan ruins site in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula and the second most visited archaeological site in Mexico. The pre-Hispanic city in Yucatan and UNESCO World Heritage Site has a challenging 1000-year-old history. The most famous attraction of Chichen Itza is the Temple and Pyramid of Kukulcan, known also as El Castillo.
For me, the best place to stay when you want to visit Chichen Itza, to explore the best cenotes in Yucatan and visit other interesting ruins is Valladolid! The journey by car is only 40 minutes, so you don’t have to wake up at 4 a.m. in order to get as early as possible at Chichen Itza.
Getting to Chichen Itza: Chichen Itza is located in the centre of the Yucatan Peninsula and is situated 45 km west of Valladolid (45 minute drive), 119 km east of Merida (1.5 hour drive), 197 km west of Cancun ( 2.5 hour drive), 181 km west of Playa del Carmen (2 hours drive).
Opening Hours: Chichen Itza is open from 8 a.m to 5 p.m. On Sunday all Mexicans can visit the historical place for free so it can get more crowded.
Entrance Fee: The government of Mexico has doubled the ticket prices for visiting Chichen Itza for foreigners. The price is now at 480 MXN which is about 22.50 € (instead of $242 MXN).
Light & sound show: The show starts at 7 p.m. in the autumn and winter, and at 8 p.m. in the spring and summer. It’s included in the price of admission.
Swimming in cenotes Nearby: You cannot swim in the Cenote de los Sacrificios at Chichen Itza, where numerous human skeletons were found but there are numerous cenotes nearby where you can. The closest and most famous one is the Ik Kil cenote, which is a pretty but very busy one. I recommend Cenote Zaci, Cenote Dzitnup, Cenote Suytun, and Cenote Xkeken – here you will find more authentic experience!
Visit Ek’ Balam and Swim at Cenote Xcanche
The ruins of Ek’ Balam are located just north of the colonial city of Valladolid in the centre of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. The archaeological park is surrounded by the dense jungle of Yucatan. I absolutely loved the natural feel of these ruins with plants growing everywhere between the structures. The atmosphere was so peaceful, relaxing and quiet.
The best thing about the ruins of Ek’ Balam is that it is visited by only a fraction of the tourists that visit the more popular sites of Chichen Itza and Tulum! It is lesser-known, uncrowded and slightly off the main tourist path. I thoroughly enjoyed the peaceful and quiet atmosphere at the ruins being able to explore the surroundings and enjoy the incredible panoramic views of the jungle from the top of the Acropolis.
Getting to Ekʼ Balam: Ekʼ Balam is located to the north of Valladolid: 30 km north of Valladolid (30-minute drive), 175 km east of Merida (2-hour drive), 173 km west of Cancun (2-hour drive), 156 km west of Playa del Carmen (1.5 hours drive).
Opening Hours: The archaeological park is open between 8 am and 5 pm from Monday to Sunday. The ticket office closes at 4 pm.
Good to know: Mexicans can visit Ekʼ Balam on Sunday for free. So, you can expect a bigger crowd on Sundays.
Entrance Fee: Tickets are priced at 211 MXN for foreigners and a little lower for nationals.
Swimming in Cenote X’Canche: After exploring the archaeological site of Ek’ Balam you can and should definitely visit (probably my favourite) Cenote in Yucatan – Cenote X’Canche! Cenote X’Canche is absolutely gorgeous, off the beaten path and a lesser-visited underground cenote in this area. There are many other cenotes around Valladolid but Cenote X’Canche is a mesmerizing underground cenote that is well-maintained and is not only refreshing but a lot of fun.
Everything you need to know before visiting Ek’ Balam:
Trip to Rio Lagartos and Las Coloradas
To the north of Valladolid, you can visit the small little coastal town called Rio Lagartos famous for its pinkish waters and flamingos! You can reach Rio Lartos by car in 1h 30 min (106 km). Make sure to bring your camera with you because this place is highly photogenic! Rio Lagartos is a combination of long and wide stretches of white-sand beaches, crystal clear waters, and unique flora and fauna. Las Coloradas, a small fishing village near Rio Lagartos, is famous for its pink lakes, salt production and flamingos! Rio Lagartos is the perfect one-day trip from Valladolid where you can hire a boat and watch some thousands of flamingos!
Parque Fransisco Canton Rosado
The central square and where everything is happening in Valladolid is the Parque Fransisco Canton Rosado! Here you can enjoy the most beautiful colonial buildings in Valladolid and of course – the symbol of the city the Cathedral de San Gervasio!
In the park, you can enjoy the real Mexican vibe where all people of Valladolid meet, talk and dance with each other! Every evening you can watch the traditional dance performance at Valladolid’s main square. The colourful Mayan dancers perform Jarana – a traditional dance in Yucatan. The show typically starts at 5:30 pm.
Catch Sunset at The Main Square
My favourite time of the day in Valladolid is during the sunset. And an even better sunset at Valladolid’s main square! The sunset in Valladolid colours the square and its beautiful architecture in magnificent colours. The majestic cathedral San Servacio looks absolutely stunning during sunset – a lovely place to chill out and recharge!
Iglesia de San Servicio
The most recognizable point and symbol of Valladolid is Iglesia de San Servicio, also known as the Cathedral of San Gervasio. The Cathedral is located just south of the main square in Valladolid. The Spaniards built this cathedral over a demolished Mayan pyramid, using some of the pyramid’s stones to build the cathedral itself. The building consists of a temple, court and facilities, with an area of 6.658 m².
Enjoy a Mindful Cup of Coffee!
Mexico is famous for being the 8th largest coffee producer in the world! … And there is no doubt – the city of Valladolid is a great place for enjoying a mindful cup of coffee! There are numerous fancy coffee shops scattered all over the town. The coffee and Mexican pastries are more than delicious!
San Bernardino Convent
A great place to enjoy the sunset and the night show in Valladolid is the beautiful stone building of San Bernadino at Parque Sisal! San Bernadino Convent is about a 15-minute walk from the city centre and is located to the end of Calzada de los Frailes. The light show is projected onto the convent every evening at 8 pm showing the history of Valladolid.
People Watch at the Zócalo
Like most towns in the Yucatan, Valladolid has its own Zócalo! Zócalo is a meeting point and place to rest. Normally, all Zócalos have the traditional Yucatan chairs called “sillas tu y yo”. The chairs look really funny, but they are actually very practical as you can sit face-to-face with a friend and talk to each other!
Try Some Local Dishes
My favourite activity after strolling through the streets of Valladolid is eating! I LOVE the food of Valladolid! My top choice for food in Valladolid are the restaurants located on the main square. Valladolid may be small, but there are some of the best places to enjoy the food of Yucatan. Some of the best restaurants in Valladolid are Conato Cultural 1910 (the best restaurant in Valladolid!), Condesa Cocina-Bar, Yerbabuena del Sisal, Taberna de los Frailes and El Meson de Marques.
Where to Stay in Valladolid, Mexico
As you would expect from a major travel destination, Mexico has no shortage of options when it comes to accommodation. As always, I’d suggest you stay somewhere central, to make accessing all the attractions as easy as possible.
Best Luxury Hotels
Hacienda Kaan Ac: This luxury hotel is set in a beautifully restored 18th-century hacienda, offering a blend of historic charm and modern luxury. The spacious and elegantly designed rooms feature high-end amenities, and guests can enjoy a pool, lush gardens, a spa, and a gourmet restaurant serving regional cuisine. The hotel’s serene atmosphere provides a perfect retreat in Valladolid.
El Mesón del Marqués: Housed in a historic 17th-century mansion, El Mesón del Marqués is a luxurious hotel that captures the essence of Valladolid’s colonial charm. The rooms are tastefully decorated, blending modern comforts with traditional elements. The hotel boasts a beautiful courtyard, a swimming pool, an on-site restaurant serving regional dishes, and a rooftop terrace with panoramic views of the city.
Casa Quetzal Boutique Hotel: Nestled in a quiet corner of Valladolid’s historic center, Casa Quetzal offers an intimate and refined experience. The hotel features elegantly decorated rooms with attention to detail and personalized service. Guests can relax in the courtyard garden, take a dip in the outdoor pool, and enjoy a complimentary breakfast. The hotel’s location provides easy access to the city’s main attractions.
Best Mid-Range Hotelsi Valladolid
Hotel Zaci: Conveniently located near the city center, Hotel Zaci offers comfortable accommodations at a mid-range price. The rooms are well-appointed and feature modern amenities. Guests can enjoy a swimming pool, a restaurant serving traditional Yucatecan cuisine, and a garden area for relaxation. The hotel’s friendly staff provides attentive service to ensure a pleasant stay.
Hotel Posada San Juan: Set in a charming colonial-style building, Hotel Posada San Juan offers cozy and affordable accommodations. The rooms are simple yet comfortable, featuring traditional Mexican decor. The hotel features a courtyard with a swimming pool, a restaurant serving regional cuisine, and a terrace where guests can unwind. Its central location allows for easy exploration of Valladolid’s attractions.
Ecotel Quinta Regia: Situated in a tranquil neighborhood, Ecotel Quinta Regia provides comfortable and affordable accommodations. The rooms are spacious and equipped with modern amenities. Guests can enjoy a swimming pool, a garden area, and a restaurant offering a variety of dishes. The hotel’s friendly staff is available to assist with any needs or inquiries.
Best Hostels
Hostal Tunich Naj: Located in the heart of Valladolid’s historic center, Hostal Tunich Naj offers budget-friendly accommodation with a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. The hostel provides dormitory-style rooms and private rooms, all equipped with basic amenities. Guests can enjoy a communal kitchen, a common lounge area, and a rooftop terrace with views of the city. The hostel is a great option for backpackers and budget-conscious travelers.
Hostal Gayser: Situated in a peaceful neighbourhood, Hostal Gayser provides a comfortable and affordable stay. The hostel offers dormitory rooms and private rooms, all featuring simple furnishings and necessary amenities. Guests can relax in the outdoor garden area, socialize in the common lounge, and make use of the shared kitchen facilities. The hostel’s relaxed atmosphere and helpful staff ensure a pleasant stay.
Hostel Candelaria: Located near the city center, Hostel Candelaria provides affordable accommodation with a laid-back atmosphere. The hostel offers dormitory rooms and private rooms, all featuring comfortable beds and basic amenities. Guests can socialize in the communal areas, prepare meals in the shared kitchen, and relax in the outdoor patio. The hostel’s friendly staff is available to assist with any inquiries or travel arrangements.
You Might Be Interested In
Planning a trip to Mexico?
Mexico Accommodation
Begin your search for the perfect accommodation now while the excitement is still fresh in your mind. Discover stylish and affordable options, and find the best accommodations at the lowest prices:
- Explore a wide range of hotels in Mexico here (Booking.com)
- Explore a wide range of hotels in Mexico (Tripadvisor)
- Explore a wide range of hotels in Mexico (Agoda)
- Discover affordable hostels in Mexico (Hostelworld)
- Easily compare prices and book hotels in Mexico (Hotellook)
Mexico Flights
Make the most of your trip by finding the most affordable flights. We highly recommend using Kiwi.com, a reliable flight comparison site. Click here to compare and book cheap flights to Mexico.
Private Airport Transfers
Kiwitaxi is a popular online platform that specializes in providing private airport transfers and transportation services worldwide. It offers convenient and reliable door-to-door transfers between airports, hotels, and other destinations. With Kiwitaxi, you can pre-book private taxis or minivans with professional drivers, ensuring a comfortable and hassle-free journey.
Rental Car in Mexico
Looking to rent a car in Mexico? Rentalcars.com has you covered! We search through all the major car rental companies in Mexico to find you the best price possible.
Mexico Tours
If you enjoy guided tours, here you can find a wide variety of options to suit every preference. Discover and join fascinating guided tours across Mexico.
Travel Insurance
When it comes to travel insurance, we understand the importance of finding reliable coverage that suits your needs. That’s why we highly recommend Safety Wing – a trusted provider offering comprehensive travel insurance plans even for digital nomads. Safeguard your travels and gain peace of mind by exploring the excellent coverage options provided by Safety Wing.
Enjoy the day!
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