Valladolid
Valladolid was originally just a stopover on the way to Chichén Itzá.
In the end, we were really impressed by it, and looking back, I do regret that we didn’t stay an extra night.
It wasn’t just the colourful houses that caught our eye, but the whole way the city functioned. Clean streets, historic buildings housing lovely shops selling fashion and local produce, and restaurants in peaceful courtyards.
In the evening, the area around the main square filled up nicely with locals and food stalls.
- Is Valladolid worth a visit? Definitelyyes
- How much time do you need? Ideally1 day and 1 night
- Is it worth staying longer? Yes, but mainly for the day trips
- Do you need a car?Notinthe city itself, but it’s handy for visiting the nearby cenotes
- Why stay here?Theeveningatmosphere and an early departure for Chichén Itzá
What to see in Valladolid
1. The main square
The heart of the city is the Parque Principal Francisco Cantón Rosado.
During the day, it serves as the main landmark, but it’s in the early evening that it has its most charming atmosphere.
Stalls selling local delicacies appear, the benches fill up, and the restaurants and shops in the surrounding historic buildings come to life.
2. Iglesia de San Servacio
Directly above the square stands the Iglesia de San Servacio, often referred to as the cathedral.
From the outside, the church looks imposing; inside, however, it is very uncluttered, simple and unadorned. A visit takes just a few minutes.
Entry to the cathedral is free.
3. Calzada de los Frailes
We consider the Calzada de los Frailes to be the most beautiful part of Valladolid.
This colourful street is lined with restored historic houses, small boutiques, shops selling local produce, cafés and restaurants. It is here that you’ll best understand why Valladolid surprised us so much.
The Calzada de los Frailes leads all the way to the Monastery of San Bernardino and is at its most beautiful in the morning or late afternoon.
4. San Bernardino Monastery
At the end of the street stands the former Convent of San Bernardino de Siena.
On selected evenings, a video mapping show dedicated to the history of Valladolid is projected onto the monastery’s façade. The programme usually starts around 9.00 pm, but please check the official Yucatán website for the latest dates and times.
5. Cenote Zací
If you have at least half a day to spare, be sure to include Cenote Zací in your itinerary.
It’s located right in the town, about a 10-minute walk from the main square. This makes it the easiest cenote to visit for travellers without a car. Allow about 1 to 2 hours for your visit, including a swim.
Personally, though, I’d prefer to head to the much more famous cenotes in the area – Hacienda Oxmán, Ik-kil and, above all, Suytun.
If you have the whole day, you can also visit the private collection of Mexican art at Casa de los Venados.
6. Random alleyways in the city centre
For us, however, Valladolid really stood out for its typical square, brightly coloured houses.
You’ll find them in every street within the wider city centre. All you need to do is wander about.
How much time to set aside
We arrived in Valladolid in the afternoon and left the following morning. We managed to see the city centre, soak up the evening atmosphere and go for a morning stroll, but we could easily have stayed here all day.
| Length of stay | What you can see |
|---|---|
| 3 to 4 hours | The square, the church, Calzada de los Frailes and the monastery |
| Afternoon, evening and morning | The option we chose |
| 1 full day and night | Ideal duration, including Cenote Zací and restaurants |
| 2 or more nights | Well worth it as a base for day trips |
We wouldn’t therefore classify Valladolid merely as a short stop-off on the way to Chichén Itzá. It is in the evening, once the day-trippers have left, that the town has its best atmosphere.
What to try
In Valladolid, it’s well worth trying cochinita pibil, sopa de lima or the local longaniza de Valladolid sausage.
A typical sweet treat is the crispy marquesitas, made right on the street.
We weren’t particularly impressed by the marquesitas. Marquesitas with Nutella? Oh, that’s a completely different story.
What we liked best, though, was the atmosphere of the restaurants tucked away in the courtyards of historic buildings. So when choosing where to have dinner, don’t just go by the menu, but also by the venue itself.
Where to stay
The best option is the historic centre, within a 10-minute walk of the main square. If you’re leaving by bus in the morning, choose the western part of the centre between the square and the ADO terminal.
| Who is it for | Hotel | Why this one |
|---|---|---|
| Budget accommodation | Los Candiles | Excellent location and high ratings |
| Budget alternative | Casa Yaxche | A quieter setting and good value for money |
| Our hotel | Colonté Hotel Origen | A boutique hotel with a swimming pool, garden and restaurant |
| A more luxurious stay | Le Muuch Hotel Boutique | Stylish interiors, gardens and swimming pools right in the centre |
| Close to ADO | Hotel Casa Rosario | A 3-minute walk from the bus terminal |
Search for hotels in Valladolid
How to get to Valladolid
Valladolid lies on the main route between Mérida, Cancún and Tulum. The easiest way to get there by public transport is via ADO long-distance coaches.
| From | Transport | Journey time |
|---|---|---|
| Cancún | ADO or Tren Maya | approximately 2.5 hours |
| Playa del Carmen | ADO | approximately 3 hours |
| Tulum | ADO or ADO Conecta | approximately 2 hours |
| Mérida | ADO, Oriente or Tren Maya | approximately 2.5 hours |
| Chichén Itzá | Oriente or colectivo | about 1 hour |
ADO, Oriente and Mayab buses
ADO operates more comfortable long-distance buses with reserved seats, air conditioning and fewer stops.
The cheaper Oriente and Mayab buses stop more frequently and are best used on shorter regional routes. You can also check timetables and fares via AhorroBus.
The main bus station in Valladolid is situated at the junction of Calle 39 and Calle 46, about a 5- to 10-minute walk from the square.
Tren Maya
The Tren Maya station is situated about 5 km north of the city. You will therefore need to continue from the station by taxi or the connecting shuttle service at 45 mxn.
The ADO bus is more convenient for travelling directly to the city centre. The train may be a good option when travelling from Cancún, Mérida or Chichén Itzá airports.
Getting around the city
Most tourists won’t need any transport.
- You can easily explore the historic centre on foot
- It takes about 10 minutes to walk from the square to the ADO terminal
- It takes about 15 minutes to walk to the San Bernardino Monastery
- Take a taxi to the railway station or to the more distant cenotes
Va-y-Ven buses also operate in the city. A ticket costs 12 mxn and can be paid for electronically using a Va-y-Ven card, a contactless bank card or a QR ticket via the app.
You can find the routes on the Yucatán transport system website.
Local taxis operate well in Valladolid (though they do not have meters); Uber is not yet available here.
Day trips from Valladolid
Valladolid’s greatest advantage is its location close to the main sights and cenotes.
- Chichén Itzá is about 45 km from the city. Staying overnight means you can arrive first thing in the morning before the big day trips from Cancún.
- The Suytun cenote is about a 15-minute drive from Valladolid.
- Ek Balam combines Mayan ruins with significantly fewer visitors than Chichén Itzá.
- You can visit Río Lagartos and Las Coloradas as a day trip by car or with organised transport.
Be aware of the time difference: Valladolid is in the state of Yucatán and is one hour behind Cancún, Tulum, Playa del Carmen and Holbox. Local times are always quoted when booking buses and excursions.
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