Valladolid is a charming town located in the middle of the Yucatan Penninsula. It was founded in 1543 by the Spanish conquistadors, but, as expected, they had some tiffs with the locals. As a result, Valladolid has classical colonial architecture on the ouside with a Mayan heartbeat pulsing underneath.
Valladolid has picturesque streets lined with glitzy galleries and souvenir shops. Vegan/vegetarian restaurants for tourists and hole in the wall spots with Mexican and Mayan cuisine. But the real draw of Valladolid is the surrounding sites. There are dozens of cenotes (natural sinkholes you can swim in) along with Mayan ruins galore.
We spent 2 days in Valladolid… let’s dive in!
Initial impression
Valladolid lies between the coast and Chichen Itza, making it a popular stop for excursions. Visitor tend to pass through rather than stay the night. As a result, there’s no shortage of souvenir shops and venues with moody, healthy vibes that are clearly geared towards tourists. But there are just a many stores and shops for the locals, and there are pops of Mayan culture and tradition everywhere. From traditional clothing, to random ruins.
It feels like Valladolid is in the midst of a full-fledged identity crisis. (Which I can relate to.) Outside tourism vs local tradition: which will reign supreme? I suppose time will tell.
Where We Stayed
We stayed at the Gayser Apartments for our 2 days in Valladolid. For $30usd/night, we had a spacious room with two double beds, a private bathroom, and even a mini fridge! The locale was a 10ish minute walk away from the main square, and it’s the perfect no-frills accommodation for travelers on a budget.
What We Did During Our 2 Days in Valladolid
We wandered the streets, popped into stores, and enjoyed the food. But the main event was a tour to Chichen Itza, one of the 7 Wonder of the World. (Also known as Chicken Pizza, if you have a hard time remembering the name like me…)
There were countless tours to Chichen Itza, but funnily enough, most leave from Cancun, Playa del Carmen, or Tulum. After scouring through the internet, we found one through Mexigo that included a guide tour through Chichen Itza, a stope in a cenote with lunch, and a tour through the town of Izamel. At around $100pp, (not including Chichen Itza entry fees) we pulled the trigger.
It turned out to be the right decision.
Tip: Chichen Itza gets mega crowded. Do a tour that will get there right at opening. The crowd nearly doubled by the time we were leaving at 11:45am compared to our 8 am arrival.
There were 6 people total on the tour, and our tour guide, Gilbreto, was a rockstar Funny, engaging, informative, and open to all types of conversations. He gave an ideal blend of historical facts and lively stores, making it a travel day to remember.
What We Didn’t Do…
Our priority was Chichen Itza, but Valladolid is the perfect launch point for so many travel experiences. There are stunning cenotes that are perfect for a swim, a pink lake, and loads of Mayan ruins. Namely Ek Balam, which we wish we would have seen.
What We Ate…
Yerbabuena del Sisal: This spot serves up healthy Mexican dishes with plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. My stuffed poblano pepper was the best thing I ate over the 2 days in Valladolid. The filling was packed with vegetables and warm spices. The poblano pepper had a little kick, but the raisens in the filling balanced it out.
Marquesitas: Marquesistas are a crunchy crepe with all types of fillings. It is a traditional street treat in the Yucatan, and well worth the try. Nutella and banana anything is delicious… just saying.
Le Kaat: For juices, smoothies, salads, and bowls, this vegetarian spot is for you. My falafel bowl was loaded with veggies, and the falafels themselves were moist. Jeremy’s veggie burger was loaded with beets, carrots, and all sorts of vegetables. It was a veggie burger that was actually trying to be a veggie burger rather than a meat substitute, which I appreciated.
Mr Taco: For a cheap taco feast, this is the spot for you. The 17 mxn al pastor tacos are juicy and satifying, and perfect for when you need a quick bite.
Transvanbien: The spot serves up fresh baked empanadas that are worth the wait. The dough is perfectly thick without being too flakey or too chewy. There is the perfect amount of filling, but be sure to get there early… the different filling run out!
Final Thoughts on Our Two Days in Valladolid…
Valladolid is a popular spot for travelers passing through, but I’d highly recommend staying for a night, or more! Chichen Itza is a much see, but Valladolid is the perfect launch point for so many point of interest in the region, and a great travel destination to visit in the Yucatan.
Curious about our previous stop? Check out our 2 days in Cancun HERE.
