Valladolid is a small and charming town located in the Yucatan Peninsula (about two hours from Cancún and Merida). The Spanish colonial town is mostly known for its popular cenotes, colorful streets, and beautiful main square. Even though Valladolid has become increasingly popular in recent years, the town does not compare to the main tourist places such as Cancun and Playa del Carmen. In Valladolid, you can still feel the Mexican charm at every corner and dive into the culture. In this blog post, I am writing about the best things to do in Valladolid. As for me, I have visited this place as part of my 3 weeks Mexico and Belize vacation, and it was one of my favorite places during the trip. Besides the 10 things mentioned in this post, I can recommend exploring the little town by yourself and simply soaking in all the Mexican vibes.
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1. Calzada de los Frailes (Colorful street)
The colorful colonial facades in Valladolid’s street Calzada de Los Frailes emit a certain charm and put you in a happy and positive mood right away. Built in the 16th century, the Sisal neighborhood of Valladolid has a lot of history to tell as well. Without a doubt, this was my favorite place in Valladolid to walk around, take photos, and simply enjoy the authentic atmosphere.
2. Main Square and Iglesia de San Servacio
The main square is one of the most beautiful places in Valladolid. Here you can not only find the center of the city but also the famous church Iglesia de San Servicio. Restored in 1706, the building consists of a temple, court, and annex, with an area of over 6,000 square meters. I can recommend coming here not only during the daytime but also when the church is illuminated in a magical light.
3. The Market (Mercado Municipal)
Mercado Municipal is an authentic Mexican market near Valladolid’s city center. It is only open until 1 or 2 pm, so it is better to go there in the morning. On the market, you can not only buy fresh fruit and vegetables but also find some pretty clothes. On top of that, you can simply enjoy the colorful hustle and bustle, listen to the language, dive into the Mexican lifestyle, and observe locals running their errands. Could there be a better way to start your Mexico Backpacking trip?
4. Cenote Zaci
Wait, what are cenotes? Cenotes are water-filled sinkholes in the limestone rock, that naturally occur when an underground cave collapses and exposes the groundwater underneath it. Back then, some of them were used for sacrificial purposes. Around the Yucatan Peninsula, there are numerous cenotes, which are a mix of open-air, semi-open, and underground cenotes.
Cenote Zaci is a beautiful open-air cenote, that is located directly in the middle of Valladolid. This cenote is especially popular among locals who enjoy swimming in the water with their families and friends on the weekend. Since the entrance fee is only 30 Mexican Pesos for visitors, Cenote Zaci is the ideal spot for taking a refreshing swim and escaping the Mexican heat for a while. If you want to explore other open-air cenotes near Valladolid, Cenote Samaal within the Hacienda Selva Maya Park is another beautiful spot!
5. Cenote Suytun
Cenote Suytun is probably one of the most beautiful and picturesque ones in Mexico. It is a semi-open cenote, that is famous for light beams shining through a little opening directly on its stone platform in the middle of the cenote’s water. Besides walking on the stone walkaway and taking stunning photos from above, you can also go swimming in the cenote, or simply enjoy the quiet and magical atmosphere in the underground. Having said that, arriving early at this increasingly popular tourist spot, will be worth it for sure.
6. Convent of San Bernardino of Siena
You can find the Convent of San Bernardino of Siena in the cultural and historic center of Xochimilco. It is an old parish church built in the 16th century, that is well-known for its flower petals carved in stone, its beige stone wall facades, and long corridors. Also, the last Indian governor of Xochimilco is buried here. Inside the convent, next to numerous old paintings, stands the main altar with golden decorations and religious icons. From the organ loft or bell tower, you can enjoy stunning views over the whole plaza.
7. Choco-Story (Chocolate Museum)
If you are tired of walking in the burning Mexican sun or exploring cenotes, the chocolate museum “Choco-Story” in the middle of the village is the ideal place to go. While taking a little audio tour (which is available in 6 different languages) on your own in air-conditioned rooms, you can learn about the history of chocolate and the Mayan culture. The whole museum is created with a lot of attention to detail. It presents life back then in a very realistic way. At the end of the tour, you will find yourself in a small souvenir shop, where you can buy your favorite chocolate products. The perfect refreshment!
8. Have a typical Mexican Dinner
Well, you should not miss a proper Mexican dinner while in Mexico. Valladolid is the best place to do so! Whether it is Fajitas, Tacos, Burritos, Enchiladas, or something else – I am sure you find whatever you are looking for in this little town. In comparison to other, more touristic cities in Yucatan, Valladolid has many authentic and cute little restaurants where you can eat with local Mexicans side by side. Some of the best places are Yakunaj Cocina Mexicana, El Sazón de Valladolid, or El Jarden de los Frailes.
9. Cenote Xkeken and Cenote Samula
As this cenote is located in the town of Dzntiup, Cenote Xkeken is often referred to as Cenote Dznitup. The cenote is part of a complex of two different cenotes. Cenote Xkeken is an underground cenote set in a closed limestone cave that appears very magical with huge stalactites hanging down into the cenote. Next to Xkeken, you can find Cenote Samula. This one is well-known for the light shining in through a small opening on its roof. Both cenotes share the same entrance. After paying (80 pesos for one, 125 pesos for visiting both cenotes), visitors are first led through a small shopping area and are only allowed to go swimming if they take a shower beforehand. Cenote Xkeken will welcome you with turquoise, refreshing water, and stunning rock formations.
10. Chichén Itzá
From Valladolid, it takes you about 30-40 minutes to drive to Chichén Itzá. Get ready to meet one of the new 7 wonders of the world! The place with the famous pyramid-shaped temple, El Castillo, was formerly one of the largest Maya cities. Nowadays it’s one of the most visited archaeological sites around the world. If you want to avoid the tourist crowds as well as the burning sun, I recommend coming right at the opening time. Tourists must pay 250 Mexican Pesos for the entry. This is relatively expensive, but I guess that’s the price you pay for such a famous spot. You can also choose to book your Chichén Itzá ticket in advance to skip the entrance line.
I hope you enjoyed reading about the best things to do in Valladolid. Have you been to the Yucatan Peninsula already or are you planning to go there any time soon? Let me know in the comments down below!
And don’t forget to save this post for your trip! 🙂
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