Looking for a perfect base to explore the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico? Look no further than Valladolid, a charming colonial town located in the heart of Yucatan. With its colorful buildings, cobbled streets, and rich history, Valladolid serves as an ideal starting point for discovering the natural wonders, ancient Mayan ruins, and vibrant culture of the region. In this blog post, I will take you on a journey through Valladolid and show you why it’s the perfect base to explore the Yucatan Peninsula.
More Than Just a Jumping-Off Point in Yucatan
The center of Valladolid is charming and delightful to explore. So before we dive into the places you can visit from Valladolid, it’s worth taking a moment to appreciate what the town itself has to offer.
1. Convent of San Bernardino de Siena
First, make sure to check out Convent of San Bernardino de Siena. This 16th-century Franciscan convent has some incredible architecture and a fascinating history. It’s been built on top of a Maya temple, and you can still see some of the original stone carvings on the walls.
The convent also includes a small museum where visitors can learn more about the history of the site and the Franciscan order that founded it. In addition, there are several outdoor spaces, including a courtyard and gardens.
The convent is open to visitors daily from 8am to 6pm, and admission is typically around $40 MXN. Keep in mind that the site can get quite crowded during peak tourist season, so it’s a good idea to arrive early to beat the crowds. Additionally, be sure to wear comfortable shoes as the site is quite large and involves a fair bit of walking.
2. Parque Francisco Canton Rosado
Next up, head over to the lively and vibrant main square, Parque Francisco Canton Rosado. Here you’ll find local vendors selling everything from street food to handmade crafts. Take a seat on a bench and enjoy people-watching, or stroll through the park to take in the lovely atmosphere. Also the San Servacio Church is in front of the main square and worth a visit.
3. Calzada de los Frailes and Casa de los Venados
Calzada de los Frailes is a picturesque street in Valladolid. It features a series of colonial-style buildings that are brightly colored that catch the eye. Visitors can walk along the street and check out boutique shops, art galleries, and restaurants that offer local cuisine. A notable landmark nearby this street is the Casa de los Venados, a private home with an impressive collection of Mexican folk art that can be viewed through guided or private tours.
4. Cenote Zaci
Another must-see in Valladolid is the Cenote Zací, a beautiful natural sinkhole located right in the town center. Take a dip or just enjoy the view from above.
The cenote is open daily from 9am to 5:30pm and admission is around $30 MXN. It’s important to note that the water can be quite chilly, so it’s a good idea to bring a change of clothes for after your swim.
Where to stay in Valladolid?
I highly recommend Hotel Meson del Marques. We stayed here during our visit to Yucatan and it was fantastic!
Hotel Meson del Marques boasts an excellent location directly opposite the main square in Valladolid, making it a convenient base for exploring the town’s many attractions, such as the San Gervasio Church. The hotel is housed in a beautiful colonial building and features rooms decorated in a traditional Mexican style. Additionally, the hotel offers an outstanding breakfast experience, serving up delicious dishes inspired by Yucatecan cuisine.
It’s important to keep in mind that Hotel Meson del Marques has two entrances/exits. The check-in desk entrance is a bit more secluded and requires walking around the side of the building. However, there is also an entrance through the restaurant that allows you to easily reach the hotel directly from the main square.
Extra tips
- Next to Hotel Meson del Marques, there’s a food court on the left side with great food stalls. I missed Asian food and found a stall that served delicious nasi. There are also Mexican food stalls with tasty options.
- For those without a credit card, but with a Maestro card, there’s an ATM on the right side of the food court. You can’t always use Maestro cards in Valladolid’s banks, but this ATM worked well for us. It was hard to find at first because Google Maps didn’t show the right location. But eventually we found it.
Why Valladolid is the perfect base to discover Yucatan, Mexico
Now let’s talk about why Yucatan is not only a great destination in itself, but also the perfect base for exploring the rest of the region.
Valladolid is centrally located in the province of Yucatan, making it easy to access all the important hotspots of the region. Whether you’re planning to explore the famous Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza, the stunning Cenotes, or the pink lakes of Los Colorados, Valladolid is just a short journey away. Additionally, Valladolid is easily accessible from both the Cancun and Merida airports, so you can quickly start your Yucatan adventure upon arrival.
Here are some of the top hotspots that you can easily reach from this charming town. Keep in mind that some prices may differ due to inflation, season, day of the week, or other factors.
1. Chichén Itzá
At number one is the world-famous Chichén Itzá. This iconic site is just an hour’s drive from Valladolid, making it the perfect day trip destination. As one of the new Seven Wonders of the World, Chichén Itzá is a must-see attraction in the Yucatan Peninsula. You’ll be amazed by the stunning architecture, intricate carvings, and fascinating history of this ancient Mayan city. To avoid the crowds, it’s best to go early in the morning. (Tip: combine this trip with a visit to the Ik Kil cenote, see below).
- Distance from Valladolid: about 45 km (28 miles) 45 min – 1 hour.
- Entry price: Adults (13+): $613 MXN, Children: $90 MXN.
2. Cenotes
The Yucatan Peninsula is known for its unique natural pools called cenotes. Luckily, Valladolid is surrounded by numerous cenotes, so you won’t have to travel far to experience their beauty. Some of the most popular cenotes near Valladolid include Ik Kil, Suytun, and Xkeken. These stunning swimming holes are perfect for cooling off on a hot day or for taking a refreshing dip after exploring the nearby Mayan ruins.
Cenote Ik Kil
As mentioned before, you can easily combine your day trip to Chichén Itzá with a swim in the Ik Kil cenote. This is one of the most famous cenotes in the area. The cenote is truly beautiful, but be aware that it can get very crowded in the afternoon. Those Instagram-worthy photos you’ve seen might be hard to get with so many people around. From Chichén Itzá, the cenote is about 5 kilometers away. We took a taxi to get there, but you can also take a colectivo. Just keep in mind that the last colectivo leaves the Ik Kil cenote around 5-6 PM back to Valladolid.
- Distance from Valladolid: about 40 km (25 miles), 45 min – 1 hour.
- The entry price for adults (12+) is $180 MXN, but if you opt for the package that includes food (highly recommended!), the cost is $400 MXN. Please note that prices may vary depending on the season and day of the week.
Cenote Suytun
If you’re looking for an Instagram-worthy cenote, Cenote Suytun is a great choice. This beautiful gem is just a 15-minute drive from Valladolid and offers visitors a truly magical experience. Filled with crystal-clear, fresh water and stunning stalactites, Cenote Suytun is the perfect spot to take a dip and unwind.
- Distance from Valladolid: about 8 km (5 miles), 15 min.
- The entry price for adults is around $120 MXN. Please note that prices may vary depending on the season and day of the week.
There are many other cenotes in the area surrounding Valladolid, each offering its own unique charm and appeal. It’s hard to say how many, but there are certainly dozens of cenotes that are accessible to the public and worth visiting.
3. Ek Balam
Located just 30 minutes north of Valladolid, the ancient Mayan city of Ek Balam is another must-visit attraction. This ancient city is every bit as impressive as its more famous counterpart Chichén Itzá, but without the crowds. In fact, some areas of Ek Balam are so quiet you’ll feel like you have the place all to yourself!
Climb (it’s allowed!) to the top of the Acropolis for an unbeatable view of the surrounding jungle, explore the ruins of the Ball Court, and admire the intricate stucco carvings that adorn the temples. And when you’re ready to cool off, head to nearby X’Chanche cenote for a refreshing swim in its cool, clear waters.
With its stunning beauty and rich history, Ek Balam is an absolute must-visit for anyone exploring the area around Valladolid.
- Distance from Valladolid: 28 km (17 miles), 30 min.
- The entry price is around $456 MXN for international tourists.
4. Rio Lagartos and Los Colorados
If you want to experience the natural beauty of the Yucatan Peninsula, Rio Lagartos and Los Colorados are two places you don’t want to miss. Rio Lagartos is a charming fishing village located on the northern coast of the peninsula. It’s surrounded by the Rio Lagartos Biosphere Reserve, a protected area home to over 380 species of birds, crocodiles, and flamingos. One of the best ways to see this incredible wildlife and natural beauty is by taking a boat tour of the area.
Los Colorados are pink lakes located near Rio Lagartos. The stunning pink color of the lakes is due to the high concentration of salt and minerals in the water.
Important note
Please note that visiting the pink lakes is not as simple as other Yucatan attractions. To see the pink lakes, you’ll need to take a tour as they are not open to the public for free access. While you can reach Rio Lagartos by colectivo or bus, you won’t be able to see the pink lakes without taking a tour since they are located outside of town.
However, taking a tour is well worth the effort. Not only will you get to see the vibrant pink lakes up close, but you’ll also have the chance to explore the surrounding area and spot wildlife like flamingos and crocodiles. But, if you’re not specifically interested in seeing the pink lakes, then a visit to Rio Lagartos alone can also be sufficient. Taking a boat tour in Rio Lagartos provides the opportunity to see crocodiles and flamingos, among other wildlife. Just make sure to tell the colectivo driver that you want to have a boat tour in Rio Lagartos. He will then drop you off just in front of the boat tour operators.
- The prices of the boat tour depend on the duration of the tour and the number of people in your group. Bargaining is also possible and highly recommended, so be sure to give it a try. Unfortunately, I don’t remember how much we paid for our tour.
- There is no direct colectivo or bus connection from Valladolid to Rio Lagartos. You should go to Tizmin first and from there you can take another collectivo or bus.
5. Izamal (the yellow town)
Another great place to visit from Valladolid is Izamal, a charming colonial town known as the “Yellow City” due to its brightly painted buildings. The town is about 110 kilometers away from Valladolid and is home to some impressive Mayan ruins, including the Kinich Kak Moo pyramid, which you can climb to enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside.
In addition to the ruins, Izamal also boasts a beautiful Franciscan monastery, which is said to be one of the oldest and largest in the Americas. Visitors can explore the monastery’s impressive architecture and learn about its rich history, including its use as a sacred site for the ancient Maya.
Overall, Izamal is a must-visit destination for anyone exploring the Yucatan Peninsula. It offers a unique blend of colonial history, ancient ruins, and vibrant culture.
- Note that Izamal is quite far (110 km, 68 miles) from Valladolid and closer to Merida (68 km, 42 miles). In fact, we visited it from Merida. Therefore, if you’re planning to visit Izamal, you might want to consider combining it with a visit to Merida to make the most of your trip.
6. Coba
- Entry price is about $100 MXN.
- Distance is 60 km (37 miles).
Coba is another ancient Mayan ruin that is worth visiting if you are in the Valladolid area. Unlike Chichén Itzá and Ek Balam, Coba is surrounded by dense jungle, and many of the structures are still covered in vegetation. One of the highlights of a visit to Coba is the opportunity to climb the tallest Mayan pyramid in the Yucatan Peninsula, called Nohoch Mul. This climb is not for the faint of heart, as it is quite steep, but the view from the top is breathtaking. Additionally, Coba is less crowded than Chichen Itza (but more than Ek Balam), so you can explore the site at your own pace without feeling rushed or overcrowded.
Transportation options
There are several transportation options to travel from Valladolid to all of the mentioned destinations:
- Bus: There are local and regional buses available departing from the central bus station in Valladolid. This is a comfortable and affordable option.
- Colectivo: Colectivos are shared minivans that is often the most affordable option, but they can be less comfortable, especially if the van is full. We actually did almost all of our trips with the colectivo (except traveling from Cancun to Valladolid and from Valladolid to Merida). They depart from different places in Valladolid, usually from calle 39 (Chichen Itza) and calle 46 (Ek Balam).
- Taxi: Taxis are widely available in Valladolid and can be a convenient option for traveling to nearby attractions. However, they can be more expensive than the bus or colectivo.
- Car rental: Renting a car can give you more flexibility and freedom to explore the area at your own pace. There are several car rental agencies in Valladolid, and rates can vary depending on the type of car and the length of the rental.
- Private tours: Private tours can be arranged with local tour companies or guides, and can provide a more personalized and comfortable experience. Prices can vary depending on the size of the group and the type of tour.
Conclusion
All in all, Valladolid is an ideal starting point for exploring the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. With its central location and easy access to stunning natural wonders, fascinating Mayan ruins, and vibrant culture, you’re in for an unforgettable journey. And don’t forget to explore the charming streets and must -see attractions of the town itself. Whether you are interested in learning about the Mayan civilization or simply want to relax and enjoy the stunning natural scenery, Valladolid and its surroundings offer something for everyone. So pack your bags and get ready to discover the wonders of this captivating region!
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