VALLADOLID, MEXICO

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Valladolid is a bit off the typical backpacking route and often finds itself skipped over in favor of Tulum or Mérida. In fact, I would have overlooked Valladolid myself had I not known a friend living there. Okay, maybe the word “friend” is a stretch; it was actually the brother-in-law of my friend’s Dad’s old co-worker. Looking back, the circumstances of our visit are very comical, but if we had to go back and do it again, we wouldn’t change a thing! In addition to being just a stone’s throw from Chichen Itza, this town is surrounded by some of the most enchanting cenotes in Mexico! You won’t regret making a stop here!

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Attractions:

  • Chichén Itzá: These Mayan ruins are considered to be one of the New Seven Wonders of the World for good reason! They are vast, commanding, historic, and crawling with iguanas! The site is open every day from 8:00am-5:00pm and the entrance fee costs 486 MXN ($25 USD). The easiest way to get here is via bus. Buses leave from the ADO bus terminal at 9:55am and 10:00am daily. The bus ride is 50 minutes and costs 106 MXN ($5 USD).

  • Cenote (San Lorenzo) Oxman: My favorite Mexican cenote is just a short 15-minute bike ride from town! You’ll find it fit with a rope swing on the inside and a bar, restaurant, and pool on the outside. The best part though is the aesthetic of tree roots dangling over the edge and growing into the crystal clear, catfish-filled water! The cenote is open daily from 10:00am-5:00pm and costs 80 MXN ($4 USD) to enter. If you’re feeling daring, you can even jump off the 23-meter-tall ledge into the water but be careful!

  • Light Show at Convento San Bernardino: Tuesday through Sunday, Valladolid’s history is uniquely displayed by way of lights and narration on the side of this convent. The presentation costs 20 MXN ($1 USD) and begins at 9:00pm in Spanish. The English version begins at 9:20pm. Enjoy!

  • Cenote Suytun: Rays of sunlight penetrate the earth to shine on a pier made of rock creating a picture-perfect vision. Instagram has made this cenote famous over the past few years so try to visit as early as possible! It’s open daily from 8:00am-6:00pm and is 30 minutes by bike from town. The entrance cost is 120 MXN.

  • Cenote Xkeken: There are open-air cenotes and those located underground. This one in particular is the latter and filled with majestic stalactites! It is open from 9:00am-6:00pm daily and costs 80 MXN to enter. The bike ride from town is 25 minutes.

  • Francisco Canton Rosado Park: Valladolid’s main park is a perfect spot to relax after a long day. There are plenty of benches, food vendors, and places to lay out!

  • Cenote X'Canché: This cenote is the furthest from Valladolid but has a waterfall cascading into it as well as ziplining! It is open from 9:00am-5:00pm and costs 70 MXN to enter (if you plan to zipline, the cost is 400 MXN). Colectivos from town are 30 minutes, cost 60 MXN per person, and pick up at the intersection of Calle 44 and Calle 35. You can make a full day of this by also visiting the nearby Ek Balam Ruins!

  • Other spots to check out include: Cenote Ik Kil, Cenote Zaci, Casa de los Venados, and Iglesia de San Servacio.

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Accommodation:

  • Hotel - El Mesón del Marqués: For being a 5-star hotel, this place has incredible prices! It houses one of the most popular restaurants in town and is less than five minutes on foot from Valladolid’s central park as well. You can’t beat it!

  • Hostel - Hostel La Candelaria: This hostel is homey, welcoming, and laid-back. It overlooks the quiet Parque La Candelaria and has a calming patio brimming with plants and hammocks out back. Still not convinced? It is only 3 blocks from the ADO bus terminal and has bikes available for hire. I’ll definitely stay here when I visit again!

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Transportation:

Valladolid’s main bus station is the ADO Bus Terminal; all buses below leave from here.

  • Tulum is 1.5 hours by bus from Valladolid and costs 110 MXN ($6 USD); buses leave 10+ times daily.

  • Cancún is 2.5 hours by bus from Valladolid and costs 264 MXN ($13 USD); buses leave 10+ times daily.

  • Mérida is 2.5 hours by bus from Valladolid and costs 252 MXN ($12 USD); buses leave 10+ times daily.

Valladolid does not have an airport, but there are three less than 200km (124 miles) away - Cozumel (CZM), Cancún (CUN), and Mérida (MID). I recommend flying into Mérida; the bus connecting MID to Valladolid is 2 hours and costs 190 MXN ($10 USD).

Thank you, Filip Gielda (for the photo of Iglesia de San Servacio) and Jared Rice (for the photo of Cenote Suytun)! Also, a big shout-out to Luis Jorge and his family for showing me and Freddy such amazing hospitality during our stay!