⛪️ Planning a trip to Mexico for the upcoming holidays and need a thorough, easy-guide of things to do in Valladolid? This covers it ALL – perfect if you’re a first-timer to Valladolid!
As I sit down to write this guide, I get tingles of excitement as I think who might stumble across this post. And in turn the adventures they will find through our many guides of Valladolid. I honestly cannot express in words how much I loved Valladolid, so much so, that we returned three times. Each time exploring a little deeper!
Consequently we have a lot of content on how to explore Valladolid and beyond in the Yucatan! This one post highlights everything you need to know and the best things to do in Valladolid. But if you’re planning a visit, I’m just going to point out that you shouldn’t miss our self-guided tour of Chichén Itzá and Ek’ Balam!
So read on for our list of the VERY best things to do in Valladolid. It highlights 15 in total – but doesn’t go into detail of ALL the cenotes. If it’s a comprehensive list of cenotes then read our guide here.
In this post we share an interactive map of Valladolid, we tell you how to get to Valladolid, and how to get around when you’re there. We also highlight some bonus places to eat and some GREAT little places to stay. In addition we share tips on how to stay safe and some awesome little day trips to consider. Basically, we put a lot of love and time into finding the best things to do in Valladolid… then photographing and documenting them… just for you!
Table of Contents
Where is Valladolid, Mexico
Great question! There are actually two Valladolids, the other one is in Spain… so just making sure you’ve got the right one here.
Valladolid, Mexico is in the State of the Yucatan, just under 2 hours from Cancun, Tulum, and Playa Del Carmen. For more on how to get to Valladolid scroll to the end of the post where we explain in more detail.
Correctly pronounced va-ya-dol-eed, the double ‘ll’ makes a ‘y’ sound. It’s a great holiday destination if you want to experience some real Mexican culture, over, or in addition to the touristy resorts of the east and south!
We definitely recommend adding a few days to your beach holiday, taking a trip to Valladolid. It’s the best place to visit if you want to experience some of the most picturesque cenotes and quintessential archaeological ruins of Mexico.
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Things to Do in Valladolid
Valladolid is a super destination for backpackers, solo travellers, families or larger groups. It really covers all bases. As well as epic sights, it’s super safe, the people are friendly, getting around is easy and the food is epic! All at a great price.
As I said above, we love Valladolid, and I get nostalgic just thinking about it now. But lets move on with the very best things to do in Valladolid… here we go👇
Option of 12+ Cenotes in & Around Valladolid
I’m going to start right here. Because if you’re going to Valladolid, chances are you’re going to start the adventure with some cenote discovery. And you can start with Cenote Zaci, which is right in town. A short 10 minute walk from the town centre, Cenote Zaci is an example of a semi-open cenote. You can swim here, but it does get very busy given its central location.
I won’t go into all the details on what a cenote is, as you’ll find all that information in our master guide below – look for the arrow link. Click that and you’ll also find I have created a seperate review for each cenote that we visited. There are 12 individual reviews in total, of the best cenotes in and around Valladolid! Browse through, to find which type of cenote sounds most intriguing to you and visit your top picks accordingly.
I will however share fast facts on cenotes, as well as our family favourites, to get you started in this guide of things to do in Valladolid.
⚡️ FAST FACTS on Valladolid cenotes –
- Cenote types include – open, closed and semi-open.
- Cenotes are connected by series of underground rivers.
- They are sacred in Mayan history and culture.
- There are 6000 cenotes in the Yucatan Peninsula.
- It is permitted to swim in most cenotes, but not all, such as the Sacred Cenote at Chichén Itzá.
- The cenotes in and around Valladolid range in depth from a couple of metres to 80 metres.
- They range in distance from Valladolid, Cenote Zaci you can reach on foot, others require bicycle, scooter or taxi.
- You must not wear any lotions (including suntan lotion) before swimming in a cenote, most require that you shower before getting in.
🤩 Our FAVOURITE cenotes near Valladolid –
Archaeological Ruins in & Around Valladolid
Valladolid is home to the impressive archaeological ruins of Chichén Itzá – Wonder of the World. Naturally visitors stream into Valladolid, the nearest town, in order to tick this off their bucket list. But it’s not the only set of ruins nearby, and also not necessarily the best. You have options!
📍Archaeological ruins, distances and car travel times (traffic depending) from Valladolid –
- Chichén Itzá – 45 mins / 55 km (35 miles) via Highway 180D / 42 km (26 miles) via Highway 180
- Ek Balam – 40 mins / 28 km (18 miles) via Highway 295
- Coba Ruins – 1+ hour / 61 km (38 miles) via Highway 180
Chichén Itzá Ruins
The Chichén Itzá ruins date back to 400-550 CE (depending on the source). It was noted as being a central religious, political and trading hub to the Maya during this time. It’s also estimated that Chichén Itzá was home to some 35,000 to 50,000 people living. Consequently, they are the largest ruins in the area.
This was the first set of ruins we visited and I’m glad we started here. Honestly they are so busy with international visitors. And I get it, they are phenomenal, but I also loved Ek Balam ruins just as much, if not more – without the crowds.
⭐️ That said, Chichén Itzá WAS incredible and I’m glad we planned this at the start of our trip. Trust me, you’ll take one look at the Temple of Kukulcan, AKA El Castillo, and you’ll be in awe!
We chose not to take a guided tour, preferring to do all the reading and research ourself – which we share in our self-guided tour linked below.
There are multiple ways to visit – I wrote this blog on how to get to get to Chichén Itzá. Particularly helpful if you want to take the local collective transport called colectivo. Other options include – train, scooter, rental car, taxi and guided tour.
Timings & Costs for Chichén Itzá
- Timings – 7 days a week, 8:00 am to 5:00pm, last entrance at 4:00pm
- Recommended Duration – 3 hours to see all that Chichén Itzá has to offer
- Entrance Cost –
- Adults 13+ years 648 MXN pesos
- Children 2-12 years 100 MXN pesos
- Mexican citizens 290 MXN pesos
- Yucatan residents (with ID) 100 MXN pesos
- Free admission on Sundays for Mexican citizens (with ID)
- Kukulan Nights – light and sound show 7:00pm Wednesday to Sunday – check updated prices on this website here. (Note don’t purchase Chichén Itzá tickets from this website as it’s very expensive – we recommend getting them onsite.)
We recommend an early start, in part to avoid the crowds, but also to beat the heat. Don’t forget a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, good walking shoes, drinking water, snacks, cash, our map and walking directions (free to download).
Read: Our Self-Guided Tour of Chichèn Itzà + FREE Map
Ek’ Balam Ruins
Oh but here we go… Ek’ Balam is one of my favourites! And we visited MANY ruins in our travels all over Mexico.
Ek’ Balam is believed to have been settled and occupied by the Maya between 300 and 900CE. In terms of size, around 20,000 inhabitants are said to have lived in the city. But for all the details on how many structures and the significance of these ruins, then don’t miss our dedicated post and self-guided tour linked below.
I think what makes it special is that, unlike Chichén Itzá, visitors can walk up the Acropolis at Ek’ Balam. This makes it more interactive. And the less number of visitors make it more intimate. The other thing I find extraordinary about the Ek’ Balam ruins is that they cover 12km2. Yet only 1.2km2 of this has been excavated and open to the public. The rest is still buried under earth and jungle.
Buried in a canopy of trees Ek’ Balam is a lovely visit with ample shade, it’s easy to navigate and it’s located nearby the cenote route. Consequently, a visit to Ek’ Balam is well combined in a day trip with some of the spectacular cenotes such as Sac Aua, Xcanahultan or Secreto Maya Cenote (linked above in the cenote section). In addition, Ek’ Balam is relatively close to Valladolid and the quieter roads to the ruins and nearby cenotes are easily reached by scooter. For more on getting from Valladolid to Ek’ Balam read our seperate guide here.
timings & Costs for Ek’ Balam
- Timings – 7 days a week, 8:00 am to 5:00pm, last entrance at 4:00pm
- Recommended Duration – 2 hours to see all that Ek’ Balam has to offer
- Entrance Cost –
- Adults 13+ years 561 MXN pesos
- Children 4-12 years 100 MXN pesos
- Mexican citizens 290 MXN pesos
- Yucatan residents (with ID) 100 MXN pesos
- Free admission on Sundays for Mexican citizens (with ID)
Read: Our Self-Guided Tour of Ek’ Balam + FREE Map
Coba Ruins
The third archaeological site on our list are the Coba ruins. Many visitors travel from Tulum and Playa del Carmen given its proximity to these main tourist hubs. Therefore it’s likely to be slightly busier than Ek’ Balam, but still less busy than Chichén Itzá.
Coba thrived between the years 200 and 600CE. And is thought to have been home to some 50,000 people. It’s believed that the city once covered an area of up to 80km2, with much of the ruins still uncovered today.
The sights are significantly spaced apart, so allow for walking 2km to the main Nohoch Mul Pyramid and 2km return. Alternatively, bikes are available for rental, or trikes and trike drivers also offer transport around the sites. If opting for the trike, we recommend visitors walk one-way in and take the return journey by trike. This allows time to appreciate the opportunity to see flora and fauna between sites. Particularly if you are visiting with a guide who can explain these in more detail.
In 2020 the decision was taken to stop visitors from walking up the Nohoch Mul Acropolis, and this continues to remain in effect. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit some of the nearby cenotes (approx 6km from Coba Ruins) which include – Tankach-Ha, Choo-Ha and Multun-Ha.
- Timings – 7 days a week, 8:00 am to 5:00pm, last entrance at 4:00pm
- Recommended Duration – 2 hours to see all that Coba has to offer
- Entrance Cost –
- Adults 13+ years 220 MXN pesos
- Children currently enter for free
- Free admission on Sundays for Mexican citizens (with ID)
Convento de San Bernardino de Siena
There are two ways to visit the Convent of San Bernardino. The first is during the day to meander through the convent, church and garden, the second is at night, from the outside, where you can find a seat on the grass to watch the light show (more below).
The covent, as the name suggests, is a convent and church. It was built between 1552 and 1560 by Franciscan monks. It also served as a defence fortification!
Within the Convent walls, admire the colourful arches and courtyard. Presented as a museum of sorts, the rooms are filled with artefacts, some discovered in the bottom of local cenotes. But also historical stories of the monastery, the community, Valladolid and beyond. Take your time to read the wall displays that explain in more detail the significance of the domed cenote located in the garden at the rear of the Convent.
It’s well worth an hour visit, including a browse through the garden. I’ll also add here, that across the Parque Sisal in front of the Convent is the Valladolid sign, which is always great for a photo opportunity.
- Timings – 9:00 am to 5:00pm, closed Monday and Saturday
- Recommended Duration – 1 hour
- Entrance Cost – 40 MXN pesos
Convento de San Bernardino de Siena Light Show
Take a seat on the grass on Parque Sisal in front of the Convent for the evening light show. Key historical events are narrated and projected on the external walls of the convent. This quick light show is free and lasts less than 30 minutes.
⏰ Screening Tuesday to Sunday, 9pm in Spanish, and 9.25pm in English.
Eat Local at the Mercado de Comida
For awesome local food at an even better price, don’t miss the Mercado de Comida, located on the northern side of the town centre. This is basically a food court lined with multiple Mexican eateries. It’s the perfect lunch spot if you’re in a group and everyone feels like something different.
Get adventurous and try something you haven’t already. We fell in love with Salbutes and Panuchos, but I’m sure we only scratched the surface. Note that it can be tricky to get seating at peak times of the day. So we recommend finding a table and chairs before ordering.
Parque Principal and Iglesia de San Servacio
At the heart and centre (AKA the Zócalo) of Valladolid you have the Parque Principal Francisco Cantón Rosado. This is where all the action happens! It’s the perfect location to sit and people watch, particularly towards the end of the day as the crowds gather to sit in front of the fountain.
Vendors selling toys, crafts, food, snacks, icy treats and all sorts fill the park, tempting every visitor. There is a great energy here, and though there is a touristy vibe, it also feels very authentic.
On the southern side of the park is the Iglesia de San Servacio (the Church), which makes for some picturesque photos. Particularly in the evening when the light show is playing, projecting on to the front of the church. The timing for this varies.
Casa de los Venados
Near the town centre is the Casa de los Venados, in English the House of the Deer. The lovely homeowners, who live onsite, have opened up their private residence, sharing a special collection of some 3000 pieces of Mexican folklore and art.
A fun inexpensive cultural experience that should definitely be on your list of things to do in Valladolid. Entrance costs 100 MXN pesos. And the best part is that profits go to charity, so this is a great way to support the local community.
- Timings – 10:00 am to 4:00pm (guided tours start on the hour)
- Recommended Duration – 1 hour guided tour
- Entrance Cost – 100 MXN pesos
Turibus City Tour
Perhaps one of the easiest ways to see Valladolid is by the Turibus. An open air bus that tours around Valladolid. Pickup point is at the Parque Principal, tickets can be purchased online through their website here. We didn’t take this tour, but did see them around town on multiple occasions. A great option if you’re travelling with children, or you’ve had enough of the walking.
- Timings – 7 days a week, 10:00am, 11:00am, 12:00pm, 1:00pm, 5:00pm, 6:00pm, 7:00pm, & last service at 8:00pm
- Duration – 1 hour
- Entrance Cost – Adults 90 MXN pesos; ages 4 to 12 50 MXN pesos; ages 0 to 3 free
Local Markets – Mercado Municipal de Valladolid
One of my personal favourite things to do in Valladolid is to browse the local fruit, vegetable and produce markets. On the eastern side of town, a 10 minute walk from the town centre is one of the BEST markets – the Mercado Municipal de Valladolid.
We found ourselves shopping here regularly, to pick our local fruit and veggies. The prices are super reasonable and everything is very fresh. Compared to shopping at the local supermarkets, I find shopping at the mercados much more exciting. For Example finding local specialties such as longaniza sausage and queso Oaxaca (my favourite type of cheese).
I also enjoyed conversations had with the locals here, learning about different produce varieties and more. It is a cultural experience like no other, especially if you walk through the butchery section of the markets!
If you happen to arrive at lunchtime then don’t miss the opportunity to taste some of the local tortas (sandwiches), or tacos from the taqueria!
Cacao Tasting at Choco-Story
Cacao is an integral part of Mexican history. As such it’s worth a quick visit to Choco-Story opposite the (Mercado do Comida) food market near the town centre.
Essentially this is a self-guided tour through a small museum, with 12 mini-rooms and displays. Each room has a push button audio in the language of your choice, explaining everything there is to know about the importance cacao plays in Maya culture.
Of course towards the end of the museum you’ll discover a tasting room and shop selling a fine selection of Mexican chocolate.
- Timings – 7 days a week, 9:00 am to 7:30 pm
- Recommended Duration – 30 to 45 minutes
- Entrance Cost – Adults 210 MXN pesos; ages 6 to 12 100 MXN pesos; ages 0 to 6 free
Visit the Colourful Streets – Calzada de los Frailes
One of the main reasons we love Valladolid so much is the authentic Mexican atmosphere of this beautiful town. In addition to this, it can be enjoyed and accessed very easily on foot!
For one of the most picturesque streets in Valladolid, head to Calzada de los Frailes. The cobbled streets against the colourfully painted walls are a photographers dream come true.
It’s also a great street for shopping and eating on. We walked Calzada de los Frailes in the morning, during the day and in the evening, each time discovering something new!
If you’re looking for a lovely little lunch spot, don’t miss the vegetarian cafe Le Kaat, we highly recommend the chilaquiles. They also have live music from time to time, and who doesn’t love a good bit of live music.
Mezcal Tasting – Xoul Art & Mezcal
There are literally mezcal tasting outlets all over Valladolid – actually all over Mexico. Mezcal in case you haven’t heard of it, is a liquor made from the agave plant. It’s usually sipped slowly and is loved by ALL Mexicans. Some of the larger and more touristy cenotes will have a mezcal tasting room onsite, such as Saamal Cenote.
But we recommend a visit to Xoul Art & Mezcal for really good vibes and excellent service in mezcal tasting. This boutique place is also an art studio and shop, and is loved by everyone on Tripadvisor. The team share expert knowledge, including the background and stories of the local artisans. But it’s more than just an art shop and mezcal tasting, it’s an experience.
SO when in Mexico, we recommend drinking like a Mexican, taste your way through some of the best local mezcal, OR bar-hop your way around Valladolid on a do-it-yourself mezcal tasting tour!
Red Umbrella Free Walking Tours in Valladolid
The Red Umbrella Walking Tour is a very popular thing to do in Valladolid, and the best part is that it’s free! The tour guides simply ask for a donation or tip towards the end of the tour.
They have three tours a day, 10:00 am, 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm, meeting at Parque Principal, just look for the red umbrella. Each route varies slightly depending on the time of the day. For example the morning tour goes to the Mercado Municipal. You can book your tour via WhatsApp on + 52 985 106 1628 or see their Facebook Page here.
⬇️ This concludes our list of best things to do in Valladolid – but continue on for our recommended day trips, tips and tricks to planning your visit.
Best Day or Multi-Day Trips from Valladolid
There are literally hundreds of suggestions I could make here, but it really depends on what type of traveller you are and what experience you are looking for. Consequently I’ll feature a couple of our favourite day trips from Valladolid further below. But please note that this, by no means covers it all.
north – Ruins, Cenotes, salt lakes & Flamingoes
Take a day trip combining a visit to the Ek’ Balam ruins, with some of the best cenotes in the area, such as Sac Aua Cenote, or Agua Dulce Cenote, and a visit to Rio Lagartos and Las Coloradas Salt Lakes.
Rio Lagartos and the incredible coloured salt-lakes are located in the northern side of the Yucatan Peninsula, a sleepy little town and home to flamingos and mangroves. It can easily be explored in a day trip, either on an organised tour or by rental car. Most tours will include a boat trip through the mangroves. It does make for a busy day out, but showcases a different side of the Yucatan.
south – bohemian Beach vibes, A Cenote & shopping
We loved our day trip to Tulum. We rented a car and visited Dos Ceibas hotel, a lovely little place right on the beach in Tulum that provides free access to the beach through their property. The restaurant serves up some lovely food and the setting is picture perfect.
The nearby Encantado cenote, is walking distance and perfect for a quick dip, or even an affordable place for a night stay at Yaxchen Cabañas. Read our review of Yaxchen right here. From Dos Ceibas, wander up the beach and past Pablo Escobar’s property. Wander the main road, window shop and admire all the incredible entrance ways to the beach clubs and hotel establishments.
other possible Ideas include:
- Spend a night in one of the bungalows at Secreto Maya Cenote in the jungle! – Read my review here.
- Hire a car and drive northeast to El Cuyo for a few nights – one of the most laid back beaches in the Yucatan.
- Take an ADO bus to Bacalar and spend a few nights at the incredibly beautiful lake.
- Piece together a cenote trail of your own with our complete guide to cenotes in Valladolid.
Getting to Valladolid
If you plan on flying to Valladolid, then the closest international airports are in Tulum, Merida and Cancun. Below are the driving distances between these airports to Valladolid –
- Tulum International Airport (TQO) – 142km allow 2½ hours
- Merida International Airport (MID) – 176km allow 2½ hours
- Cancun International Airport – (CUN) – 163km allow 2 hours
taking the ado bus
We flew into Cancun and then took the ADO bus from Cancun to Valladolid. In fact we took ADO buses ALL over Mexico. They are fantastic, very comfortable buses and super reliable.
Here are some of our tips to note when travelling to Valladolid by ADO bus-
- Allow time to get from these airports to the ADO bus terminals.
- Bus tickets can be purchased online or at the bus stop.
- Many buses run throughout the day, for example there are some 15 to 20 buses between these three locations and Valladolid. But everything is transparently laid out on their ADO website. The Google translate function makes it easy to navigate.
- Bus prices for these three locations vary between 200 to 400 MXN pesos, Tulum is slightly cheaper.
- Buses vary in size, for example you’ll notice the ADO option or the ADO Conecta option. The Conecta is simply smaller and doesn’t have a bathroom onboard.
- We actually missed our bus, as the terminal was SO busy, so just note keep a close eye on the time and don’t be afraid to push to the front 5 to 10 minutes before your bus departs.
- The ADO bus terminal in Valladolid is very central and a few blocks from the Parque Principal.
📍Note: Valladolid and Cancun are in different time zones, Valladolid is one hour behind Cancun.
Getting Around in Valladolid
Very quickly, let’s have a look at options for getting around in Valladolid and through our list of things to do!
On Foot
Starting with the most obvious… get those comfortable walking shoes and explore on foot. The town is super easy to navigate, as everything revolves around the town centre at Parque Principal. Valladolid is laid out in a grid layout, except the colourful street of Calzada de los Frailes, which shoots off towards the southwest on an angle. But follow our map at the top of this post to use as your own walking guide.
Scooter
I thoroughly recommend renting scooters and hitting the cenote trail, especially the ones around Ek’ Balam ruins, It’s such a fun way to explore and provides a feeling of freedom and flexibility. There are many scooter rental outlets, such as this one here. Generally they can be rented for 12 or 24 hours depending on your needs.
Bicycle Rental
One of the most popular ways to get around Valladolid is on bicycle. The bike paths between cenotes to the south of town, such as Saamal Cenote, and Xkeken and Samula Cenotes, make cycling a very safe and easy option. We didn’t rent bikes ourselves as we were travelling with kids.
Rental Car
We rented a car for our day trips in and around Valladolid, which was perfect for example to get to our overnight stay at Cenote Secreto Maya. Once again, you’ll find a number of car rental places in Valladolid, such as this one. And if you want to plan a big day trip, then this is a great option.
A note on parking – it does get very busy, particularly around the town centre. I would recommend parking on the streets slightly further away, near cenote Zaci is a good place.
Train – Tren Maya
The Tren Maya Turitren has recently opened connecting five of the southern states of Mexico. Check this map for a full understanding of which towns in the Yucatan connect to the train line.
It’s important to note that the Valladolid Train Station, is located 10 to 12 minutes north of the town centre. There is a transfer bus connection from the train station to Valladolid, for the price of 35 MXN pesos. As such it might be your preferred option for travel if coming from Cancun or Merida, or for getting to Chichén Itzá.
Taxi
Taxis are everywhere in Valladolid, and the prices vary depending on the driver. You really do need to negotiate a price before entering the taxi, and be prepared for a hard bargain. We recommend asking a few, to get a better understanding of the realistic going rate.
If you’re travelling to some of the more distant cenotes such as Cenote Secreto Maya, getting a return taxi can be a challenge. Therefore you’ll probably want to arrange with a taxi on a fixed rate, for your return. That way he waits onsite while you explore the cenote and you won’t end up stranded.
Colectivo – Collective
Quite possibly one of my favourite ways to travel in Mexico is by local transport colectivo. This is a shared minivan, that makes a stop at a regular mini-terminal. They make travelling easy and cheap! There are multiple that run from Valladolid. Including one that goes to Chichén Itzá, and another that runs to Ek’ Balam. Read our dedicated guides linked below on how to take the local colectivo and the prices.
Read: Getting from Valladolid to Chichén Itzá & Ek’ Balam
Where to Stay in Valladolid & Around
secreto maya
I’m throwing in Secreto Maya as a bonus property. It’s not located in Valladolid, instead it’s northeast about 40-50 minutes from Valladolid. However it makes my list as it is just so very special! There are three bungalows on site and it’s located at a cenote, which they open for guests for night swimming… hey it doesn’t get any better than that. Read my dedicated review here.
casa parea
Casa Parea is beautiful little villa, recently renovated and can sleep up to four. Suited to a small family, with one bedroom and a fold-out sofa for the kids. The free bikes are a big plus, as is the equipped kitchen and the courtyard and hammock. Just a 10 minute walk from the town centre you can’t go wrong with this cute spot!
Casa tia micha
Located right in the heart of Valladolid, Casa Tia Micha wins on location AND the delicious food. Guests rave about the delicious breakfast and dinners and overall it scores consistently well on Booking.com. There’s even a lovely little pool to cool off in, after a day of exploring the streets of Valladolid. There are multiple room options so would suit couples or families.
Sisal loft living
I love a good loft and Sisal Loft Living is no exception. The neutral decor and furniture are well thought and designed, and the pool is a BIG plus. The loft is located very close to the Convento de San Bernardino, towards the western side of the town centre. Perfect for a couple, this place is clean, simple and very stylish!
Where to Eat in Valladolid
On the map at the beginning, I marked some delicious places to eat in Valladolid. I’ve also noted a few standout places throughout this post. In all honesty food is done very well in Valladolid, I believe there is something of a foodie scene taking off. Consequently I recommend getting in amongst it… try new things, new places and if something grabs your curiosity give it a go!
Some of our favourite places to eat in Valladolid (marked on our map of Valladolid above) –
- X-Mahana La Cocina de Lupita – for great authentic Mexican food at a great price.
- La Casona de Valladolid – Yucatecan gastronomy! Try the delicious local lime soup, while marvelling at the architecture.
- Sikil – Upscale food with a slightly higher price point, but worth it for the creative take on Mexican food and the charming garden.
- Mercado de Comida – We love the Loncheria El Amigo Casiano.
- Le Kaat – Fab vegetarian and vegan food on Calzada de los Frailes.
Tips for Visiting Valladolid
Turning up to any new place can feel daunting for the first time, and I personally always love to read up on tips and guidelines before my arrival. The same goes with Valladolid… this was our first hub and home base during our time living in Mexico.
Here are my Quick Tips –
ATMS – ATM fees are no joke! I recommend travelling with a Wise Card as this reduces bank and ATM fees significantly. The best ATM we found was bank Santander where the fees seemed to be lower than most.
LifeStraw – we recommend travelling with the Go LifeStraw which purifies out all the nasties from tap water. We put these to the TEST on our travels and never became sick. I just think reducing single use plastics is critical and avoiding plastic bottles is one way to do that.
Safety – At no time did I feel unsafe during my time in Valladolid. We visited with our young children and never felt in any danger. Of course I wouldn’t walk streets late at night, and as with any destination use general common sense.
Cartel – At the current time Cartel doesn’t pose any threat in Valladolid. In comparison to other areas in Mexico, we did not feel their presence in Valladolid, and it’s my understanding that this is not an area under Cartel control.
Is Valladolid Worth Visiting
💯 I believe Valladolid is worth your time and visit. We loved the energy, the people, the sights and sounds, the day trips, and ALL the things to do in Valladolid! Drop us an email, or get in touch through Instagram if you have any questions about an upcoming holiday to Valladolid. We’re here to help!
Also click through to these other awesome posts for your itinerary and visit to Valladolid.
- Where to stay in El Cuyo (post coming soon)
- The best things to do in El Cuyo (post coming soon)
- The very best cenotes to visit in and around Valladolid
- How to get from Valladolid to Chichén Itzá
Don’t forget to save this post for later, pin or share with someone who is travelling to Valladolid soon!
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