Valladolid is located in the Yucatan Peninsula, about 2 hours from Cancun. It is a small colonial city/town where time seems to have stopped.
Valladolid was founded in the year 1543 by the Spanish during the colonization. And they called it that to pay homage to one of the cities of the Iberian Peninsula. Valladolid soon became an essential enclave in the Yucatan and came to be nicknamed the "capital of the Mayan East."
It is known for being one of the magical towns of Mexico and although small it has many things to do.
In this article I tell you what to see and do in Valladolid, Mexico. Where to stay and how to visit it.
20 BEST THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN VALLADOLID, MEXICO
1. Central square of Valladolid
Start by getting to know the city through its central square. There is always a very pleasant atmosphere there. Especially at dusk where you can enjoy eating something in one of its street stalls. Here is the central fountain called "La mestiza".
In addition, there are some very curious banks. It is about two "armchairs" facing each other and together, designed for gossip. Yes, you heard right. One of the curiosities that most surprised us in the city were these banks. Some say that they were made that way so that they could conspire, but boy... that's how they sit to gossip.
2. Visit the Church of San Servacio
In the same square you will find the Church of San Servacio. And although it is not the only one in the city, it is the most impressive and important.
On the façade, its two large towers stand out and in the middle the shield of King Felipe V (The first Bourbon king) carved in stone.
This church was built in 1543 and is one of the most emblematic places in the interior. Admission is free.
3. The Municipal Palace
In the same square we also find the Municipal Palace. You can visit and go up to the balconies. From them you can have beautiful views. Admission is free.
4. The House of Deer
The House of the Deer is a private house-museum that contains one of the most interesting collections of popular art in all of Mexico.
In it you will find some 3,000 objects exposed, all made in the country. To visit it you have to go to local 240 on 40th Street and sign up for a guided tour. There are three visits in the morning. Although the tour is free, at the end of the visit they will ask you for a donation of 100 pesos which, according to what we understand, is donated to local associations and reinvested in social causes.
5. Franciscan Convent of San Bernardino de Siena
The former Franciscan Convent of San Bernardino de Siena is located in the Sisal neighborhood and consists of a church, a chapel and several buildings with a museum on the Caste War inside.
You can enter the church for free and if you want to visit the rest of the rooms, the entrance costs 30 pesos.
6. The famous Mexican letters
As in every town or city, in Valladolid you will also find the letters with the name of the place. It is already something very popular to be photographed with them. In our case, in valladolid we were left without the photograph, because just when we arrived there was a tour bus that had just arrived and they were all queuing up. Under the sun... I wasn't going to wait. But if it is one of the most popular things to do and if you feel like having this memory, be patient. Sometimes there are long lines.
7. The Church of Candelaria
Personally, the Church of La Candelaria is one of the churches that I liked the most in Valladolid. It is colonial-style in a red color that catches you right away. In addition, it has white touches and some beautiful arches that reminded me a bit of Arab architecture.
It has a single nave, with Moorish arches, inside it has vaulted ceilings, a carved wooden pulpit, altarpieces with plant motifs and niches with images.
8. Other churches in Valladolid
In Valladolid you can also visit other of its beautiful churches. Like the Church of Santa Lucía with a more austere and somewhat neglected appearance or the Church of Santa Ana, the latter in yellow.
9. The Donato Bates Municipal Market
I am very geek about markets, I have already explained it to you on other occasions and whenever I visit a city I cannot miss its local market. In Valladolid it is located in a yellow low-rise colonial building, where its interior is filled with colors and fresh aromas. In addition, here you can also take the opportunity to buy a souvenir at a better price. Or some handmade product, such as embroidered textiles, hand-painted ceramics...
10. Buy some local crafts
Speaking of shopping... both in the market and in many small shops and street stalls you will find a lot of handicrafts. A large part of the population of Valladolid is dedicated to the sale of products such as embroidered textiles, carved wooden utensils, hand-painted ceramics, pictures and paintings... Take the opportunity to buy a souvenir here and thus contribute to the local economy.
11. The road of the Friars
The Calzada de los Frailes is a picturesque street with facades of different colors and colonial houses. And although many streets in Valladolid retain this aspect of the colonial era, the Calzada de los Frailes is one of the most beautiful.
12. The Museum of San Roque
The building where the museum is located has been the protagonist of many important episodes in its history. In its beginnings it was built as a small chapel in the year 1575. Later it was transformed into a hospital and later into the convent of San Roque. Here they buried the deceased in the episode known as "the crime of the mayors", or the rebels of the uprising of 1910 were shot.
It is currently a museum.
13. Zaci Cenote
In the Yucatan Peninsula we find many cenotes. Ideal to cool off and enjoy this wonder of nature.
In the heart of Valladolid, in the middle of the city is the Zací cenote. The entrance costs 30 pesos and if you have a drink in the restaurant the entrance is free.
It is a beautiful oasis, do not miss it!
14. Food Market
Another of the Yucatan "food markets" is located at one end of the central plaza. It is a traditional food market, where you can eat. There are stalls with traditional food and delicious recipes. As well as you can have a fresh fruit juice or a beer. Eating here is quite cheap.
15. Enjoy the typical gastronomy of the Yucatan
Speaking of eating, I couldn't leave eating traditional dishes out of the list of what to do in Valladolid. Although it may seem to us from home that Mexican food is reduced to tacos, burritos and enchiladas... there are many more delicious traditional dishes. Some of the traditional specialties of the Yucatan are: Cochinita Pibil, loins, suckling pig cakes, pibihuas, salbutes, papadzules, poc-chuc, lime soup, lobster...
In addition, we must highlight the famous Mayan chocolate. If you are a chocolate lover, I guarantee that when you try it you will want to take home as many bars as possible that fit in your suitcase. It's delicious!
16. Zaci Craft Center
The Zaci Craft Center is an old colonial house that currently houses the work of artisans, who perform some techniques that have existed since pre-Hispanic times such as hammock weaving, wood and stone carving, counted thread embroidery, elaboration of figures in clay... It is beautiful to visit and although not so essential, if you have time do not miss it.
THINGS TO SEE AND DO NEAR VALLADOLID, MEXICO
17. Visit the archaeological zone of Ek Balam
The archaeological zone of Ek Balám, has 12 square kilometers and 45 buildings. It is one of the archaeological sites of the Riviera Maya most forgotten by travelers and it is a shame, because it is a place full of history, very interesting.
Once he leaves the city, over the years the jungle has taken over this place, making it remain intact, hidden among the vegetation.
The city was discovered in the 1990s and it was then that excavation work began.
The first constructive evidence dates from the Middle Preclassic Period, between the years 600 and 450. However, the main buildings have been dated to the Mesoamerican Classic Period, during the long period that goes from the year 250 to 1200.
The most important building in Ek Balám is the Acropolis building. An imposing construction that is in perfect condition.
18. Izamal
One of the most beautiful cities in the Yucatan Peninsula is Izamal. Named the yellow city (because it's literally all yellow) it has a ton of things to do. If you are thinking of doing a road trip through this area, I recommend including a couple of days in Izamal. If you don't have time to stay there, you can always take a day trip to Izamal from Valladolid.
Izamal is approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes from Valladolid.
19. Merida
Merida is the most important city in the Yucatan Peninsula and you cannot leave it out of your route. It is located about 2 hours from Valladolid. And you need to spend at least 2 days getting to know the city.
You can read all the information about what to see in Mérida, in the following link. I tell you about why they call it the white city of Yucatan despite being very colorful, where to sleep, what to do...
WHERE TO STAY IN VALLADOLID, MEXICO
20. Stay in a boutique hotel or colonial house
One of the things to do in Valladolid is to stay in the city. If you want to enjoy the town and see all the essentials, you will need two days/one night. There are several accommodation options, don't expect large all-inclusive hotels, but you do have houses that welcome people to a 5-star hotel.
We stayed at the Hotel Colonial Zaci by GuruHotel 4*. It is a completely renovated colonial building, where we had a great time and without a doubt if I return to Valladolid, I would stay there again. In addition to that it was very cheap.
PLAN YOUR TRIP STEP BY STEP
I hope you enjoy your trip to Mexico a lot and that this article has been useful to you. You can continue reading many more related articles on the blog.
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A hug and see you soon!
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