Best Things to Do in Valladolid

A colonial treasure in the heart of the Yucatán peninsula: This Magical Town (Pueblo Mágico) offers great architecture along with modern boutiques and restaurants. Unfortunately, Valladolid is known by many tourists as the main transit point for tours on the way to Chichen Itza. This was also our first experience with this town: We were ushered out of the tourist bus and got 15 minutes to run around the busy main square, to get something to eat or drink, and then headed back by bus to our hotel in Cancún. If the town hadn’t been a convenient stop on our recent trip through the Yucatán peninsula, I wouldn’t have thought of coming back. However, I’m glad we did. If you get to know the city outside the main tourist hours at the main square, or via its many beautiful side streets, museums, and restaurants, I’m sure it’d also win you over. So here’s our second chance for this colonial treasure in Yucatán:-)

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At a Glance: Valladolid’s TOP 12 Highlights

1. Stroll down the Calzada de los Frailes street
2. Visit former Convent San Bernardino de Siena
3. Try out the local cuisine
4. Swim in the local cenote Zací
5. Visit the MUREM museum of ethnic clothing
6. Admire Salazar’s paintings in the Town Hall
7. Visit the video mapping at the Zocalo
8. Join the free walking tour
9. Visit the Choco Story Museum
10. Visit the Museum/Restaurant Casa de Ramon Mendoza
11. Take a picture of the cenote mural
12. Explore the surroundings

1. Stroll Down the Calzada de los Frailes Street

“The Friar´s Causeway” is a cobble-stoned street with many renovated, colorful colonial houses that nowadays house fancy restaurants, hip cafes, boutique shops, and art galleries. The name reminds the past when the Franciscan friars walked this path from the San Bernardino church to the convent San Bernardino de Siena, which is located at the very end of this road in Sisal Park (“Parque Sisal”). The street was built directly on top of an ancient sacbeob, which means “White Street” in the Mayan language. Sacbeobs connected spiritual important landmarks, in this case, the cenote Zaci in the city center with the cenote. It follows the footsteps of the Franciscan monks who came to the Yucatan after the Conquest as missionaries. It’s 2 blocks west of the main square, „Parque Principal Francisco Cantón Rosado”.

2. Visit Former Convent San Bernardino de Siena

Once you’re headed down the Calzada de los Frailes street anyway, visit the second largest convent in Yucatan, San Bernardino de Siena. This former convent was founded in 1552 by Franciscan frails from Italy. It’s one of the oldest colonial buildings in the state, and the second convent built in Latin America.

For 80 pesos, you can enter the pink-walled convent and its gardens where you can find the Cenote Sis-há. In this sinkhole, pre-Columbian and colonial artifacts have been found which are displayed in the convent.

3. Try Out the Local Cuisine

Valladolid is famous for the following specialties:

• Lomitos de Valladolid: Pork in a spiced tomato sauce. Delicious!
• Longaniza de Valladolid: A special kind of sausage. It’s become so popular that you can find it in almost any restaurant in Yucatan that offers local specialties.
• Escabeche Oriental: A stewed chicken soup with the flavor of citrus fruits.

4. Swim in the Local Cenote Zací

Though not the most impressive cenote the Yucatan peninsula has to offer, this cenote provides a good opportunity for a swim for those who have never been to one before. Plus, it’s kind of weird to see a cenote directly in the city center, next to a restaurant with a staircase that leads directly to the cenote. If you don’t want to spend 60 pesos to enter the cenote, you can take pictures from its southern side. However, if you stay longer in the area and have the chance to drive to other cenotes outside of the city, then there’s no need to enter.

5. Visit the MUREM Museum of Ethnical Clothing

IMHO, his small museum doesn’t get the recognition it deserves, maybe because it’s a 5-blocks walk away from the city center. The Museum of Ethnical Clothing (“Museo de Ropa Etnica de México (MUREM)”) has a collection of traditional clothing from all over Mexico. But the best thing is the introduction that you get from the very friendly and helpful staff when you enter. They give you a broad explanation of the exhibits you’re going to see on your way through the museum. Learn some fun facts about the Chinese Poblana, the jaguar clothing from Guerrero, or the palm-leave coat from Hidalgo. You’d probably spend no more than an hour here, and any questions are readily answered by the very competent staff. I very much enjoyed it😊

6. Admire Salazar’s Paintings in the Town Hall

Four impressive paintings by Manuel Lizama Salazar depict important events in Valladolid’s history: The prehispanic times of the Mayan culture, the conquest through the Spanish, the caste war, and the first spark of the Mexican revolution in 1910. There’s a bilingual explanation for each picture. From the hallway, you also have a nice view of the main square. In the adjacent room, you can find photographs of the historical governors, among them the first female governor in 2003, Gretty Coral Alocer Navarrete.

7. Visit the Video Mapping at the Zócalo

Don’t miss the video mapping that is projected onto the northern facade of the San Servacio church at the main square (zócalo). This one is even more colorful and impressive than the one at the convent. It gives an overview of the Mayan culture and religion. It starts every night at 8:30 pm in Spanish and at 9 pm in English and lasts around 20 minutes. This gives you still about 30 minutes to walk to the convent and watch the other video mapping 😊

8. Join the Free Walking Tour

There’s a free walking tour starting at the main square every day at 10 am and 7 pm which lasts 1.5-2 hours. Look for the young guys with a red umbrella standing near the fountain. These walking tours are not funded by the Mexican government, so although it says it‘s free, tips are appreciated. The morning tour leads you from the main square to the market stalls at the main square, to liquor tasting in a restaurant, over to the cenote Zací, and to the local market where you can taste some typical sweets. The evening tour brings you from the church San Servacio to the Calzada de los Frailes street and then to the convent where you can stay directly for the video mapping. I did both tours and I enjoyed it very much, and our guide definitely deserved his tip.

9. Visit the Choco Story Museum

This interactive museum close to the main square tells the history of chocolate with light and sound in 6 languages. From the Mayan era to modern times, you pass 12 rooms dedicated to a specific era. Don’t miss the mustache cups:-) Afterward, you can buy a bar of chocolate in the shop. The entrance fee is around 180 pesos, and you’re allowed to take pictures or record videos.

10. Visit the Museum/Restaurant Casa de Ramon Mendoza

This restaurant is run by the family of the late painter Ramon Mendoza. In the front part of the restaurant, there are two rooms with drawings and paintings by the local artist. He started drawing portraits at a young age; when his talent became apparent, he was sent as an apprentice to Diego Riviera to learn how to use colors. Ramon Mendoza focused on portraits and folklore scenes. He mixed the colors himself, and one weird recipe is displayed (it includes honey and rabbit feet…). The artist also collected baseball memorabilia, some of which are also on display. Ramon Mendoza died in 2008.

11. Take a Picture of the Cenote Mural

Once you’re in the Calzada de los Frailes street, make sure to have a look at this amazing mural. It depicts the ancient Mayan ritual of sacrificing human beings in the cenotes to appease the gods. At night, the lighting on the painting makes the colors even more interesting. You can find it in the entrance hall of the boutique La Purificadora (Calz. de Los Frailes 208C).

12. Explore the Surroundings

Valladolid is THE perfect base point for taking trips to various attractions:

• Chichen Itza: Probably the most famous archaeological site of the Yucatán. It stretches over 1547 hectares and is known for the step pyramid called the Temple of Kukulcán (or “El Castillo”). In the late afternoon around the spring and autumn equinoxes, the position of the sun casts an interesting light-and-shadow effect against the main balustrade: It looks as if a serpent descends the staircase on the north side.
• Ek Balam: This pyramid is a 25-minute ride by taxi or car north of Valladolid. It has some of the best preserved and most amazing examples of Maya stucco and sculpture work. Enjoy its figures of winged warriors and the entrance to the underworld in the shape of a monster’s open jaws.
• Cenotes: These are natural sinkholes created by the meteor impact that killed the dinosaurs around 65 million years ago. There are plenty of them on the Yucatan peninsula. Many have been turned into big tourist attractions with shops and restaurants, and as of 10 pm, the tourist busses bring the masses to the cenote. So if you want to enjoy a cenote with more peace, come before the masses arrive; however, the lighting might not be perfect then for an Instagrammable picture.
• Río Lagartos and Los Colorados: Make a day trip to the wonderfully colored waters of Los Colorados.
• Izamal: Visit the “Yellow City“ which is only about a 1.5-hour drive from Valladolid. Stroll through its cobbled streets, climb the third-largest pyramid in Mexico, or visit the famous convent San Antonio de Padua.

…What Else Can You Do in Valladolid?

Experience Mexican Folk Art in Casa de los Venados

If you want to see the largest Mexican folk art collection in private hands, visit the “House of the Deers” run by John and Dorianne Venator. It’s only some steps from the main square, and tours are given in English and Spanish most days at 10 am but reservations are advised. Ask at the local tourist office at the main square, or contact them at +52 985 856-2289 or javenator1@gmail.com.

Take a Bee Tour in Xkopek Park

Learn more about the different types of bees you can find in and around Valladolid. Did you know that there’s an endemic bee that has no sting and uses the help of a different bee species with stings to defend itself against enemies? Well, I guess it’s time to visit the Xkopek Park in the south of the city.

Where to Eat in Valladolid

Augustín Gusto

As mentioned before, this restaurant at the main square has various typical dishes, from Valladolid and also from other places in Mexico in general. „Los Caciques Victoriosos” gives you an overview of the Valladolid specialties, but they also have Oaxacan pizza (Tlayuda) with crickets and other amazing stuff. If you want to dig into local food, check out this place.

La Casona

This historic mansion and restaurant offers a buffet for 600 pesos with local specialties, but also hot dogs and hamburgers. Some drinks such as artisanal beer are included. Unfortunately, we arrived too late and couldn’t try it out, but it’s definitely on my list of things to do if I happen to pass by again. Also, this restaurant is quite famous for its Instagrammable altar at the back of the restaurant. It’s open from 1-6 pm; I’d suggest to come early (as for any buffet). It’s only one block from the main square.

Le Kaat

A vegetarian/vegan restaurant with a nice garden in the Calzada de los Frailes street. We had breakfast here and also lunch. If you need a change from the meaty Mexican food, you’ll find it here. And it’s nice to sit in the garden. A nice stop on your way to the convent (or back).

Los Frappes

Located at Sisal Park with a nice view of the convent from its roof terrace, this restaurant is a great stop while you’re waiting for the evening lightshow to begin. They have breakfast, hamburgers, tacos, grilled meat, and cocktails.

Sagrados – Mar & Fuego

Try out this fancy restaurant opposite the convent. A nice place to sit in the garden and sip a cocktail.

Where to Stay in Valladolid

Hotel Los Fundadores

This beautiful colonial hotel is only 2 blocks from the main square. The rooms are spacious, the beds comfortable, and after exploring the city you can cool down in its small pool on the patio. So far, the best-maintained hotel we’ve stayed in. We spent 5 nights here and it was quiet; only the last night it was pretty loud as there was a festivity in a square behind the hotel. However, noise is something that can happen anywhere in the most unexpected places in Mexico; I suggest always having a pair of earplugs in your luggage:-)

Hotel Casa Bamboo

Only 2 blocks from the Calzada de los Frailes street and the main square, this hotel offers a shared kitchen, a garden, a terrace, and a small swimming pool. The spacious rooms are air-conditioned and the bus station is only 100 m away.

Hotel Boutique Refugio 41

This beautiful boutique hotel has allergy-free rooms, an outdoor swimming pool, a garden, and a terrace. Some rooms have a balcony with a pool view. The hotel is 3 blocks from the convent and the beginning of the Calzada de los Frailes Street, and about 6 blocks from the main square.

How to Get to Valladolid

Valladolid is a 2-hour drive from Cancún and Mérida, which have each an international airport. You can also fly in via Mexico City and then book an onward flight to either Mérida or Cancún.

You can also book a tour from Cancún or Mérida if you just want to stay for the day.

So…Is it For Me?

If you’re on holiday in the Riviera Maya and would like to have some culture besides all the beach and party life, then Valladolid is definitely worth going to. Be it for one day or a couple of days, you can enjoy the colonial architecture, visit museums, and do some sightseeing. Also, Valladolid is a great starting point for trips to El Cuyo, and Los Colorados, or to visit cenotes and pyramids.

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