Valladolid

Located halfway (two hours from each) between Mérida and Cancún, Valladolid is a bustling Mayan city with a special colonial flavor. This is where you will see the majority of the townspeople still using the typical dress of the Mayas, and the buildings around the Main Plaza painted pastel colors. You will surely get a sense of the laid-back pace of life.

The Plaza is a unique place with many Mayan women sitting on the side opposite the Cathedral hawking crafts that include hand-embroidered dresses and blouses, Barbie dresses, handkerchiefs, hammocks and more. The statue of a Mayan woman in the middle of the park is a typical place to have your picture taken.
Valladolid is home to some very important history. The Caste War began here in 1847, and also the first signs of the Mexican Revolution of 1910.

There are seven churches in the different neighborhoods that should be visited, along with the impressive San Bernadino Convent, the San Roque Museum and the Government Palace, with its huge murals depicting Mexican history. As you stroll to the different neighborhoods to visit the churches, take note of the architecture of the locals' homes that range from huts to mansions. Note the yards, the animals, the gardens, the flowers, the trees, and the laundry. You will learn so much about the people on these strolls. Take note of the detailed stonework on the facades of many of the colonial buildings.

While in Valladolid, you are in the heart of good Yucatecan cooking country. Try the flavorful cuisine of Valladolid in such dishes as lomitos de Valladolid, longaniza, and chicken escabeche. Longaniza de Valladolid is a sausage that is made locally. Try it with scrambled eggs or grilled and wrapped in a tortilla. Both ways are delicious!

Hotels are quite reasonable in Valladolid making it a good place to use as a base for going to Chichen Itza 28 miles away and the Balancanchen Caves 22 miles away. Consider staying for two nights so you can really get a feel for the place.

Valladolid also has very important cenotes, like Dzitnup, about 5 kilometers west and Ik-kil, 30 mintues from Valladolid and 5 minuntes from Chichén Itzá. Both are good for swimming with the latter being the most impressive. (Cenotes are sinkholes.)

There are other interesting places near Valladolid that should be visited like Ik-Kil and Dzinup cenotes; also visit the impressive Ek Balam archaeological site 20 minutes north of Valladolid on the road to Tizimin. The pyramids here are bigger than the ones at Chichen Itza. See our Ek Balam section for more info. Further north are Rio Lagartos and San Felipe.

How to get there:

To get to Valladolid from Merida, take the cuota road toward Cancún. Check our Yucatan map for more information on how to get there, and our Valladolid map for getting around the town. 
If you want to take public transportation:
 Autobuses de Oriente 
Tel. 928 6230 
Calle 50 x 67
 Fequency every hour
 Price $76.00.

Hotels:
 

Hacienda Sanchez
Calle 23 x 40 y 42
Tel. 
(985) 856 5212

Sitio web: www.haciendasanchez.com.mx 

Maria de la Luz
Calle 42 #191 x 37 y 39 
Tel. (985) 856 2018
Sitio web: www.mariadelaluzhotel.com  

Zaci
 
Calle 44 #193 x 39

Tel. (985) 856 2167

Casa Quetzal
Calle 51 #218-c x 50 y 52 

Tel. (985) 856 4796