Valladolid is a colonial city in eastern Mexico, located on the Yucatan Peninsula.
Mexican Valladolid was named after the Spanish city of Valladolid.
The first Valladolid in Yucatan was founded by the nephew of the Spanish conquistador Francisco de Montejo on May 27, 1543 in order to consolidate the Spanish settlers. At that time, the city was located at some distance from its current location, in a lagoon called Chauac Ha. However, at that time, the first Spanish settlers complained about mosquitoes and humidity at the original site and petitioned to move the city inland. On March 24, 1545, Valladolid was moved to its present location and built on the site of one of the Mayan cities.
Today Valladolid is a very popular tourist destination in Yucatan and attracts tourists who want to get acquainted with the history and culture of the Yucatan Peninsula. The city stands out for its colonial appearance: small colorful houses, some attractions and museums, as well as nearby cenotes and an archaeological zone - the ancient Mayan city of Chichen Itza.
Valladolid has a bus station that allows you to get to the city from many places in Yucatan, as well as shops, supermarkets, cafes, pleasant atmospheric restaurants and hotels
In the very center of Valladolid is the Plaza Principal with the Park Francisco Canton Rosado (Parque Francisco Canton Rosado).
Notable in the park are the fountain "La Mestiza" and the benches "friendship chairs", which are installed in such a way that two people sitting on them face each other.
The square is surrounded by historical buildings characteristic of the city, among which stand out:
- Municipal Palace or Town Hall of Valladolid (Palacio Municipal) with an art exhibition on the second floor. The Town Hall is open to the public;
- The Cathedral of San Servacio (Catedral de San Gervacio), named after Saint Servatius and is a cathedral with two tall bell towers, a shield carved in stone in the middle and a clock on the main facade.
From other attractions in Valladolid
- 16th century Convent of San Bernardino de Siena (Convent de San Bernardino de Siena), built by Franciscan missionaries between 1552 and 1560;
- San Roque Church and Son Roque Museum (Museo de San Roque);
- the Church of Santa Ana (Iglesia de Santa Ana), opposite which there is a small park of the same name;
- Iglesia de la Candelaria Church;
- historical fazenda Casa de los Venados, where the owners conduct excursions;
- Museum of Ethnic Clothing of Mexico (Museo de Ropa Etnica de Mexico / MUREM);
- Cenote Zaci, located near the central square of Valladolid, and which was once the source of water in the city. The cenote is located in a partially destroyed cave, in which there are several stalactites and an inclined passage with a staircase carved into the rock leading to the water. The water depth in the cenote ranges from 25 to 45 meters in shallow water and 100 meters in the deepest part. Bathing is possible in the cenote. There is a restaurant at the top of the cenote. Entrance to the cenote is paid.
You can take a ride around the city on an excursion tourist bus, which makes stops near the sights of Valladolid.
In the vicinity of Valladolid, you can visit
- archaeological excavations of the ruins of the ancient Mayan city of Chichen Itza. Read more about Chichen Itza with photos and descriptions...
- Cenote Ik Kil (Cenote Ik Kil), located on the way to Chichen Itza, so you can combine visiting two attractions;
- ruins of a traditional Mayan village with a temple and a pyramid "Ek-Balam" (Zona Arqueologica de Ek Balam);
- Vallazoo Zoo;
- Cenotes: Palomitas, Xcanahaltun, Native Park Yucatan, X'ux Ha, Kax Ek, Suytun, Saamal, Dzitnup, Xkeken and others.
How to get to Valladolid
You can get to Valladolid by bus from the cities of Mexico and Yucatan, including Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum.
You can also get there by taxi or car
You can also visit Valladolid with tours of Yucatan from Cancun and Playa del Carmen
Where to stay in Valladolid
From good accommodation facilities in the center of Valladolid:
The 5-star Meson del Marques Hotel is located in a 17th-century colonial building.
At the hotel: a view terrace, an outdoor pool, a garden, a restaurant, free parking and Wi-Fi.
The rooms at the hotel are decorated in a traditional style with wooden furniture and are equipped with air conditioning and a TV with satellite channels.
Breakfast is included in the room rate. Link to the hotel
Le Muuch Hotel is a 4-star hotel with a garden, an outdoor pool, a relaxation terrace, an indoor pool, a restaurant, a bar, a 24-hour front desk, free Wi-Fi, free parking and family rooms.
The rooms are equipped with air conditioning, a desk, a safe, a flat-screen TV, a seating area and a private bathroom with a shower.
Breakfast is included in the room rate. Link to the hotel
The 4-star Posada San Juan Hotel features an outdoor pool, a garden for relaxation, a restaurant, a bar and free Wi-Fi.
The rooms are decorated with wooden furniture and are equipped with ceiling fans, a safe, a hammock and free toiletries.
Breakfast is included in the room rate. Link to the hotel
Casa Hipil features a year-round outdoor pool, a sun terrace, common areas with a dining room and kitchen, a lobby, a reading room with computers, a 24-hour front desk, free parking and Wi-Fi. Link to the hotel
All accommodation facilities in Valladolid can be viewed and booked here
Photos of the streets of Valladolid
