In this blog post you will read about the best things to do in Valladolid, where to eat and where to stay. In general, I would recommend you to stay for 2-3 days, depending on how much you want to see in the area.
How to get to Valladolid
Valladolid is basically right in the middle between Cancun and Mérida. Both cities have airports, so it really depends on your itinerary where to start. From both airports you can travel by bus with ADO, a well-known bus company in Mexico that provides long-distance bus services. ADO operates a vast network of routes connecting various cities and towns across Mexico. Their buses are really modern & comfortable and quite different to the “colectivos” in Mexico.
A colectivo is the local bus in Mexico and the cheapest way to travel. If you’re traveling from Mérida or Cancun to Valladolid you will most likely have to change several times and there is no fixed schedule. Collectivos usually drive when they are full, which means you never know how long you will have to wait.
The fastest way to travel is by taxi or rental car, which should take you about 2 hours. A rental car usually costs between 15-20$ per day and a 2 hour taxi ride should cost about 250$.
Getting around in Valladolid
If you’re staying in the city center of Valladolid, everything is in walking distance. There is even a cenote in the city, which is only a 10 minute walk from the main plaza. If you want to visit cenotes outside the city and famous Maya ruins, like the Chichén Itzá, you will need to take a collectivo, drive with your rental car or take a taxi. Taking the colectivo is not only safe, it is also the cheapest option to travel. I usually booked the ADO bus to travel long distances, like from Cancun to Valladolid and the colectivo for short distances like getting from Valladolid to Chichén Itzá.
Best time to travel
The best time to travel to Valladolid, Mexico, is during dry season from December to April. You will have little to no rainfall and sunshine every day, but it’s also the busiest time of the year. Wet season might be a good option for you if you’re traveling on a budget, because the prices for accommodation and tours will be lower. The landscape is lush green during this time, but of course you will also have a lot more rain showers. We visited Valladolid at the end of March and didn’t have a single rain shower.
7 Best Things to Do in Valladolid
1. Explore Chichén Itzá
Visit the ancient Mayan ruins of Chichén Itzá, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. You have probably seen photos of the Chichén Itzá numerous times in travel magazines, in tv and on Instagram and it’s really special to see it in real life. Unfortunately you can’t climb up the ruins, but you can still explore the ancient city that is more than 1,500 years old.
El Castillo, also known as the Pyramid of Kukulkan, is the famous pyramid that dominates the center of the archaeological site. This Pyramid was built to reflect the Mayan astronomical year. Each side has 91 steps with a final step at the top, which means there are 365 steps in total.
2. Discover Cenotes
Cenotes are one thing you can’t miss when traveling in the Yucatán Peninsula. Cenotes are natural sinkholes filled with crystal-clear freshwater. They are ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and even diving in some cases. Three cenotes you should definitely see around Valladolid are Cenote Ik Kil, Cenote Zaci and Cenote Suytun.
Cenote Ik Kil
Cenote Ik Kil is one of my personal favorites, because you can actually jump in it! It’s very close to the Chichén Itzá, so you can easily stop here on the way. I would recommend you to get here as early as possible to avoid the tourist crowds. Me and my friend were here at 10am and there were only a few people. I think most people visit the Chichén Itzá first and then stop at this cenote. Around 11am it was already really busy. You won’t see much underwater life, but the scenery is just breathtaking.
Cenote Zaci
Cenote Zaci is located in the city center of Valladolid, only a 10 minute walk from the Parque Principal Francisco Cantón Rosado (the main square). This cenote is better for swimming than for snorkeling and another cenote where you can jump in! After a stroll around the city this is the perfect place to cool off. It does get quite busy here, but because of the size you will have plenty of space to swim.
Cenote Suytun
This cenote is one of my personal favorites, because it has an iconic walkway in the middle and it’s in a gigantic cave. When you’re entering this cenote you feel like walking into a cathedral. And with the huge stalactite at the entrance, this cenote is the perfect photography spot. I would highly recommend you to get here early in the morning, because at 9:30am the first tourist buses arrive and the cenote will be extremely busy. I got here at 8:45am before it opened and there were only a few people.
Right next to the Suytun cenote is another breathtaking cenote. If you walk pass the cafe on the same property you will find some stairs going down to the other cenote. Most people don’t even know about this cenote, which is the reason why it’s not busy at all.
3. Stroll Through Valladolid's Historic Center
Besides visiting the famous Chichén Itzá and the cenotes, I would recommend you to take the time to wander along the charming streets of Valladolid’s historic center. You will see colorful colonial buildings, churches, and plazas. The main square, Parque Francisco Canton Rosado, is a great place to start your exploration.
Every day from 5:30 – 6:30pm you will find traditional Mayan dancers performing on the main square. Take a look inside the Templo de San Servacio, a catholic church located right by the square.
4. Eat out at the Calzada de Los Frailes
Continue walking on the Calzada de Los Frailes, the most colorful street in Valladolid all the way to Parque Sisal. On this street you will find plenty of good restaurants and cafes.
A restaurant I can highly recommend to you is the Idilio Folklore Cervecero. The tables are on a beautiful patio outside and the food is simply amazing. I ordered the Alfredo pasta (without chicken) which was really delicious. Another great place to eat on this street is the Le Kaat vegetarian restaurant. We tried the coffee & smoothies, which are really tasty!
5. Shop at Mercado Municipal
Experience the local way of life by visiting the bustling Mercado Municipal. Here, you can find fresh food, handicrafts, clothing, and souvenirs. It’s a great place to interact with locals and get a taste of daily life.
6. Experience the Light and Sound Show
Enjoy the night-time light and sound show at the historic Convent of San Bernardino. This captivating multimedia presentation highlights the history and legends of Valladolid and its surrounding region. The show starts at 9pm in Spanish and at 9:30pm in English.
7. Eat the best gelato in town
If you have read other blog posts or you’ve watched my YouTube videos you know how much I love gelato! We found this amazing little gelateria close to the main square called wabi gelato. All the flavors are handmade and it takes them 3 days to create them. The flavors also change every day, so be ready for a surprise!
Where to stay in Valladolid
We decided to stay at the Onyx Hostel, which is only a few minutes walking from the main square. What we really liked about this hostel is that they have a beautiful patio with a pool and there is a breakfast buffet every morning with a lot of vegetarian options.
Before I came to Valladolid I had no idea how colorful and beautiful this city was. I literally fell in love with the architecture and the cenotes. It’s a city you should definitely see when you’re traveling in Yucatan, Mexico. Many people just take a day trip from Cancun to see the Chichén Itzá and some cenotes, but it’s really worth it to spend 2-3 nights in Valladolid.
