Your expert guide to spending 2 days in Valladolid
You might be wondering if 2 days in Valladolid is enough, or if it’s too much, or maybe even, like Goldilocks, if it’s juuuuuuust right. My opinion is that 2 days in Valladolid is the minimum you’d want to spend, especially once you see how many great day trip options there are from here. On my last trip to Valladolid I spent 4 days in the city, checking out all the best places to visit and the best things to do.
I’ve long been a fan of Valladolid and hope that the fact that you’re reading this article means you are interested in getting to know Yucatán’s second city too.
So, once we’ve dealt with some housekeeping, we’ll get started with the MexicoCassie Valladolid itinerary (the 2 day version).
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Where to stay in Valladolid
Valladolid has many different hotel options, in various price ranges, so you’re sure to find something that fits your needs. Here are a few of my favourite Valladolid hotels.
🏨 Value for money MexicoCassie recommended hotel: Casa Valladolid Boutique Hotel – good value and close to the centre of town. I stayed here the first time I ever stayed in Valladolid. There is a small pool in the central courtyard.
🏨 Super cool MexicoCassie recommended hotel: Hotel Zentik Project – this adults only hotel is really a very special option in Valladolid. The hotel has an underground cave pool, a beautiful outdoor pool and the whole place is spectacularly decorated. I was fortunate enough to spend a night here with my travel gang, a trip I’ll never forget.
→ Book Hotel Zentik Project now
🏨 Most welcoming MexicoCassie recommended hotel: Real Haciendas – I haven’t stayed here but I met the wife & husband team behind the hotel while in Valladolid. They showed me around their hotel and we chatted for ages. The hotel is gorgeous and the owners are truly a delight.
🗺 Or, if none of these work for you, you can use my helpful interactive accommodation finder to choose your perfect option & the MexicoCassie main guide to Valladolid also offers some other really fun alternative hotels.
Getting to Valladolid
Valladolid is easily accessed from other destinations in the Yucatan, such as Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and Merida.
Public transport
🚌 The ADO bus line offers great connections between Valladolid and other cities. And unlike many other public buses, ADO buses are clean and usually air-conditioned. The ADO bus station is located just a few blocks from the main plaza in Valladolid.
→ Check schedules on the ADO website in Spanish or on BusBud in English.
(Following my own recent disastrous booking situation I now fully recommend booking via BusBud rather than direct with ADO)
🚂 The Maya Train is a decent option if you’re travelling around the region (trains started running in early 2024). The train station is a drive from town and there are always taxis and mini buses waiting to pick up people arriving there. At the end of 2024 a taxi into centro (downtown Valladolid) costs $150 pesos.
Rental car
🚗 Renting a car will give you freedom to arrive, depart and explore on your own schedule. If you plan to visit Chichén Itzá, you’ll be able to beat the tour bus crowds and also visit the more off-the-beaten-path cenotes.
→ Check rates on car rental options
By private transportation
You can also find private shuttles to get you from Cancun International airpor or other major cities to Valladolid. It’s pricier but ideal if you’re travelling with a group and don’t want to rent a car.
→ Book your transport from the Cancun airport to Valladolid here
Guided tours
👣 I always use Get Your Guide & Viator to find my tours, however, as of yet, there aren’t too many tours from Valladolid available on these sites.
Another option is to find a taxi-tour when you arrive. If you’re going to do this then I recommend you use Fraile Tours, a company I met by chance when I was in Valladolid in late 2024. I was picked up by one of their drivers from the Maya train station and on my trip into town we got to chatting. I then used them for a day trip to Coba and found them to be honest, punctual and extremely friendly. They get my vote as a good option for all day trip options from Valladolid. I know Gerado speaks great English so if you don’t speak Spanish, ask for him, he’s an absolute delight to spend the day with.
Contact via Whatsapp: 0052 985 107 3096 (Mauricio) – be sure to tell them Cassie sent you, not because I get a kickback, I don’t, but because they are lovely people and I want them to know I’m recommending them.
2 days in Valladolid: the MexicoCassie itinerary
This 2 day itinerary for Valladolid covers all the highlights of this gorgeous, vibrant city on day 1, allowing you the choice to take a day trip on day 2 or spread out the activities of day 1 if you are on a road trip around the peninsula or feel like taking it slow.
Day 1 – exploring Valladolid
Morning
🤿 Visit Cenote Zací for a swim
After breakfast, your first stop is Cenote Zaci for a refreshing dip in this magical cenote (and yes, even in winter it’s generally warm enough – I was in here in late November and it was perfection).
This is a deep, open cenote with safe steps down to the water. Everyone is provided with, and is required to wear, life jackets.
🧭 Calle 34 – an easy walk or short cab from pretty much everywhere in Valladolid
🎒 swim suit, towel, waterproof case for phone / camera, clear goggles if you plan on checking out under the water (and ear protector if you’re prone to ear infections)
🚾 There are basic changing rooms and bathrooms on site that cost a few pesos to access. You leave your bags on the side of the cenote (safely) while you swim. There are jumping platforms for the braver amongst your group and there is restaurant on site.
⏰ I spent around 1 hour swimming and relaxing here last time I visited.
➕ Visit nearby
Mercado Municipal – take a look, explore the fresh fruit & veg market
Artisan shop attached to Hotel Real Haciendas. I bought some very cute gifts here and had a lovely chat with the owners of the hotel/shop.
Visit a museum
Given your limited time, I recommend you choose between visiting Casa de los Venados and the Museo de Ropa Etnica. Both are extremely interesting and give a good introduction to the different cultures across Mexico, the former through art and artisaneas, the latter through clothing.
🧭 Both are a short walk from the main plaza in Valladolid’s centro.
🦌 Casa de los Venados
It’s only possible to visit on a timed organised tour (English or Spanish). If the times aren’t obvious, knock on the door and someone will tell you when the next tour will be (all proceeds from tours go to charity).
🥼 Museo de Ropa Etnica (MUREM)
This small museum begins with a wonderful, quick explanation of the history of Mexico through clothing (it’s actually really interesting) and then you’re left to wander through the displays on your own.
🍽 Lunch at Yakunaj Cocina Mexicana
🧭 Calle 41#224A x 46 y 48
Just a 15 minute walk from from MUREM and a 10 minute walk from Casa de los Venados is one of my favourite restaurants in Valladolid, Yakunaj.
This is a great spot for lunch as it’s not far from the heart of the city, offers delicious, traditional food in a gorgeous low-key setting that isn’t pretentious or too expensive. I recommend the cochinita pibil tacos (pictured above).
As you walk to the restaurant, enjoy the views, the art galleries, the souvenir shops and colourful houses along the way. This is a great time to amble and soak up the city’s atmosphere.
Afternoon
Calzada de los Frailes
Once you’ve finished lunch, take a stroll down the beautiful Calzada de los Frailes, popping in and out of the souvenir/artisanea stores.
Calzada de los Frailes is a colourful street lined with colonial buildings that has become something of an Instagram hit. The small shops and restaurants along this road are a delightful mix of longstanding members of Valladolid’s community (such as Le Kaat, a great vegetarian restaurant) and newer shops selling souvenirs and art from around Mexico.
➕ If you have the time and inclination to find local Yucatecan souvenirs and clothing, I recommend spending your time around the plaza (we’ll get there in this itinerary) and Calles 39 & 41 for example. The Calzada de los Frailes is absolutely beautiful and I certainly recommend checking it out but I also hope you have the time to pick up some more local souvenirs while you’re in Valladolid.
Ex-Convent of San Bernardino de Siena
At the other end other Calzada de los Frailes, you’ll come across the ex-convento de San Bernardino de Siena as well as the Valladolid letters, and some lovely options for pausing for a drink around the plaza.
If you’re lucky (and interested in museums), the convent will be open while you’re here. If it is, I highly recommend a visit and I hope you don’t skip right through the tiny but fascinating museum room at the end where you’ll learn about Valladolid’s history including the weapons from the Caste Wars that were thrown in the well.
Early evening
Video Mapping
If you still have energy then I recommend walking to the main plaza because this place, at dusk, is one of my favourite places to be in Valladolid.
🦜 At around 5.30 pm every night a group of dancers show up to demonstrate traditional dances for the visitors (don’t forget to tip them) and at the same time, the grackles (noisy black birds) come in to roost in the trees above. Their noise, coupled with the drums of the dancers and the happy chatter of people, is one of my favourite audio experiences in a Mexican city. Combine that then with the colours of dusk and the smells of Mexico and you have a dazzling experience that you’ll never forget.
📽 There are two video mapping shows in Valladolid, both free to watch: one on the convent and one on the face of the Iglesia de San Servacio on the Plaza Mayor, also known by its more formal name of Parque Principal Francisco Cantón Rosado.
⏰ Note that I highly recommend you confirm the times when you’re in town because they are liable to change without warning.
⭐️ “Noches de la Heroica Valladolid” – Convent of San Bernardino de Sienna: Tuesday – Sunday. Spanish at 9 pm and English at 9.25 pm.
⭐️ “Valladolid en la Historia” – San Servacio Cathedral – A spectacular video mapping show on the Templo de San Servacio every Tuesday – Friday at 9 pm. Sat – Sun 9.20 pm.
🍻/🛌 After the video mapping, either head to Cantina la Joyita for a drink and botana or two or head back to your hotel to collapse into bed.
Day 2 – day trip time
You’ve pretty much seen the highlights of Valladolid during day 1 so if you don’t feel the need to see the rest of the museums or amble slowly around, today is a great time for a day trip.
If you haven’t rented a car, your best option is to either arrange a tour guide through Viator or Get Your Guide or find a taxi guide such as my recommendations of Gerado/Mauricio from Fraile Tours (details above). It is possible to manage day trips on public buses but it makes everything much longer and slower.
→ Read the full MexicoCassie guide to day trips from Valladolid
Day trip options
Visit an archaeological site
Chichén Itzá
Chichen Itza, is of course, the most famous of all the Maya ruins on the Yucatan Peninsula. It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the new seven wonders of the world. People often like to visit cenotes such as Ik Kil or Yokdzonot after Chichén Itzá.
MexicoCassie recommended Chichén Itzá + cenote tours from Valladolid
⭐️ This full day tour actually visits Chichén Itzá, Yokdzonot, and the famous yellow town of Izamal for a pretty epic adventure
⭐️ If your focus is on cenotes, this tour is your best option as it visits 3 cenotes as well as Chichén Itzá
⭐️ For a budget option, consider this tour which offers colectivo transport versus a private tour
Ek Balam
This more peaceful ruin is just a short drive north from Valladolid. It’s smaller and quieter than many other ruins. It’s well worth spending an hour or two here exploring, listening to the jungle and relaxing at the top of the largest structure whilst gazing out over the jungles of east Yucatán.
Since you won’t need a ton of time to explore the ruins, I recommend also visiting a nearby cenote or two, such as Xcanche or Hubiku.
MexicoCassie recommended Ek Balam tours from Valladolid
⭐️ You can combine Ek Balam with Rio Lagarto and Las Coloradas for an epic full-day adventure.
⭐️ Visit Ek Balam and Chichén Itzá in one day with this tour, which also visits a cenote.
Coba
This is an incredible sprawling jungle ruin site just a 45 minute drive from Valladolid.
Both times I’ve visited I’ve opted to take a bicycle-taxi around the site because it’s so large. You can also walk or rent a bike to ride yourself around. If you speak Spanish, the bike-taxi driver will potentially be able to tell you all sorts of interesting things about the area.
I recommend getting to the site as early as you can because there’s really nothing like having this place to yourself before the magic and atmosphere are broken for the day by noisy visitors.
→ Learn more in the MexicoCassie guides to ruins in Yucatán and in Quintana Roo
MexicoCassie recommended tours to Coba
⭐️ I’ve not found a pre-bookable tour to Coba from Valladolid online that I’d recommend. I do, however, recommend using Frailes Tours (Tel/Whatsapp 0052 985 107 3096) to get you there and back.
Visit a cenote
There are dozens of cenotes that are easy to visit as a day trip from Valladolid. The most famous are
Cenote Suytun – you’ll have seen photos of people posing on a walkway in the water with a sunbeam illuminating them. They’re taken here. This cenote is less about the swimming than the posing for undeniably gorgeous photos. Note that you can only get that specific photo at certain times of the day. You can prebook online and take advantage of their buffet lunch too.
Cenote Ik Kil – one of the two cenotes people tend to visit after exploring Chichén Itzá because it’s close by and absolutely gorgeous. If you visit first or last thing it’ll be quieter than if you visit in the middle of the day.
→ To find your perfect cenote, read the MexicoCassie guides to cenotes near Valladolid and cenotes near Chichén Itzá.
Take: Swim suit, towel, waterproof case for phone / camera, clear goggles if you plan on checking out under the water (and ear protector if you’re prone to ear infections).
MexicoCassie recommended cenote tours from Valladolid
⭐️ If you don’t have your own transport and want to see as many cenotes in one day as possible then I recommend this tour, which visits 4 cenotes and a Mayan village for lunch (poc chuc or vegetarian alternative)
Brightly coloured day trips
Las Coloradas
Las Coloradas is the destination of choice for those interested in seeing Yucatán’s famous pink lakes. Located on the north coast near Río Lagartos, a trip to Las Coloradas is a lot of fun. Most tours from Valladolid only include transport so you’ll have to pay your own entrance ticket to explore the pink salt lakes, learn why they’re pink and potentially see flamingos feasting in the pink waters.
→ Learn more in the MexicoCassie guide to Las Coloradas
MexicoCassie recommended tour
⭐️ This tour combines Las Coloradas with Ek Balam or you can combine Rio Lagartos and Las Coloradas.
Izamal
The pueblo magico of Izamal is often referred to as the “Yellow City” because most of the buildings in the centre are, in fact, yellow. Izamal is a delight to explore not only for its sunny nature but because there’s an enormous Maya pyramid right in the middle of town as well as numerous other archaeological sites scattered around.
→ Read the MexicoCassie guide to Izamal to help plan your day
MexicoCassie recommended tour
⭐️ A full day trip to Chichén Itzá, cenote Yokdzonot (one of my favourites) and the pueblo magico of Izamal. The tour cost includes a traditional lunch at Yokdzonot but doesn’t include the Chichén Itzá entrance fee.
→ For a more thorough look at day trip options, check out the MexicoCassie guide to days trips from Valladolid.
⭐️ Check our ready made Yucatan Itineraries ⭐️
🚗 Off-the-beaten-track in Yucatan
⭐️ Is Mérida worth visiting? – check the answer to this question now!
⭐️ Read up on the Maya Train Route to see if it’s something you could enjoy
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