3 Days in Valladolid Itinerary: Full Day Breakdown
Nestled in Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, the colonial town of Valladolid is a perfect blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. Whether you’re drawn to its colourful streets, impressive cenotes, or Mayan ruins, Valladolid offers a fantastic base for exploring this region.
People are slowly cottoning on to Valladolid (and how cool it is). Its laidback vibe and unassuming nature, make it a great alternative to some of the busier hotspots in Yucatan. I spent 3 days in Valladolid during my last visit and really enjoyed the mix of slow city life and day trips. Plus it’s a great base for exploring Chichen Itza!
This flexible 3-day Valladolid itinerary covers the best things to do, from iconic landmarks to less-visited spots, ensuring you make the most of your visit to this magical town. So let’s dive in!
Valladolid Itinerary in Short
- Day 1: Explore Valladolid, Cenote Zaci, Convento de San Bernardino
- Day 2: Chichén Itzá and Cenote Ik Kil
- Day 3: Ek Balam ruins and Cenote X’Canche
How to use this Valladolid Itinerary: This itinerary compiles what I think is the best 3 days in Valladolid for first-timers on a budget. The days and activities can be shuffled around to suit your needs and/or follow the weather.
Valladolid Itinerary in Full
How many days do you need in Valladolid?
Three days in Valladolid is the perfect amount of time to experience the town’s highlights and nearby attractions without feeling rushed.
You can still cover the essentials in two days by focusing on Chichén Itzá and the town center. But if you’re a slow traveller (like me), Valladolid’s laid-back charm and cheaper accommodation might tempt you to stay longer.
When to visit Valladolid?
The best time to visit Valladolid is November to April. Temperatures during this time are cooler and there are fewer crowds.
How to get to Valladolid?
Valladolid is located in the heart of Yucatan, making it easily accessible from most other destinations (Cancun, Merida, Bacalar, Holbox/Chiquila, Tulum).
- ADO bus is a popular option, with simple connections between most cities. These buses are both reliable and comfortable (one of the few I can sleep on)! Check out schedules on the ADO website or book with Busbud or Bookaway. I found Busbud to be slightly cheaper, but it’s worth checking both to get the best price.
- Rental cars give you the freedom to travel the region to your heart’s content! Parking is relatively easy in Valladolid. Having your own vehicle means you can travel on your own timeline, avoiding crowds and visiting off-the-beaten-track cenotes.
- Private transport such as taxis or shuttles is a quick and pain-free way of travelling, though you’ll pay more for it. If budget isn’t an issue, or you’re travelling late from Cancun airport, I would consider this option.
Day 1: Colonial Charm and Cenote Adventure
Your first day in Valladolid will stay local so you can get a feel for the city and take it easy after any long journeys prior.
Morning: Wander Through Valladolid’s Historic Center
Start your day in Valladolid’s heart: the Plaza Principal, the main square lined with pastel-coloured buildings, street vendors and performers. Grab a Yucatán-style breakfast at La Casona de Valladolid, known for its delicious huevos motuleños.
While exploring Valladolid’s picturesque streets, don’t miss:
- Parque Principal Francisco Cantón Rosado: The town’s central square, surrounded by colourful buildings and the stunning San Servacio Cathedral.
- San Servacio Cathedral: A striking colonial church in the town’s center.
- Calzada de los Frailes: A picturesque street filled with colourful colonial buildings, boutique shops, and cafés. Perhaps grab lunch here if you see somewhere you like!
- Convento de San Bernardino de Siena: A former Franciscan monastery with stunning architecture and an evening light show. Sometimes it opens up to visitors so you can see the beauty inside! This is conveniently located next to the Valladolid sign (Letras Valladolid).
- Casa de los Venados: A privately-owned Mexican folk art museum offering guided tours.
You can cover all of these on foot independently, or you can find a walking tour.
Head to the historic Convento de San Bernardino, dating back to the 16th century, where you’ll learn about the town’s colonial past and enjoy the peaceful gardens.
Afternoon: Local Cenotes (Cenote Zaci OR Suytun)
Cenote Zaci is conveniently located in the town of Valladolid and is perfect for an afternoon swim to cool off after a day of sightseeing. It’s ‘refreshing’ but not too cold, even in Mexico’s winter.
It’s surreal seeing something so majestic hidden down some backstreet!
Walk to the cenote before sunset to avoid crowds and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere. You’ll need a swimming costume, towel and money to enter. Lifejackets are provided.
Times: Every day, 09:00-17:00
Duration: 1-2 hours
Cost: 60MXN (~$3 USD)
Alternatively, if you’re feeling more adventurous, you could rent a bicycle and cycle to some other local cenotes. Bikes are usually 20-40 MXN/hour or around 150MXN/day.
These alternative options are more impressive than Zaci:
- Cenote Suytun (east of Valladolid) is the furthest I would go and is around 35 minute cycle from the town centre. You could also get a taxi here if you’d prefer.
- Cenote Oxman, Cenote Samaal, and Dzitnup (Cenote Xkeken and Cenote Samula)are four conveniently located cenotes around 15 minutes from the centre of Valladolid. You can group these together if you want to visit multiple cenotes.
Evening: Enjoy Valladolid’s Food Scene + Light Show
Return to the town center and indulge in authentic Yucatán cuisine at El Mesón del Marqués. Try the cochinita pibil or panuchos for a true taste of local flavours. Perhaps grab a marquesita (a cheesy, chocolaty local snack) from one of the street stands afterwards for desert.
Once you’re full of local food, head back to the Convento de San Bernardino de Siena for their light show.
Every evening at 9pm, there’s a light show here that explores the history of the Yucatan. First, it runs in Spanish, but there is an English version shortly afterward. I thought it would be pretty bland, but the animations were very well done and it was actually very interesting!
Day 2: Chichén Itzá and Cenote Ik Kil
Morning: Explore Chichén Itzá
No Valladolid itinerary would be complete without a visit to Chichen Itza. An absolute must-see, Chichén Itzá is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
Whether you’re going simply for the iconic photo, to learn about the Mayans, or for the full experience, the best time to go is as soon as it opens, since it gets busy! I highly recommend getting a guide here so you can understand the relevance of the buildings as you walk around.
- Opening hours: 08:00-17:00
- Cost: 648MXN [100MXN Visitor Fee + 548 MXN Foreign Visitor Fee] (~$32 USD)
Personally I didn’t enjoy Chichen Itza as much as Tikal Mayan Ruins in Guatemala as the tourist infrastructure was more noticeable. However, the main pyramid, El Castillo, is more aesthetic.
Afternoon: Swim at Cenote Ik Kil
Located a short drive from Chichén Itzá, Cenote Ik Kil is a stunning cenote surrounded by lush greenery and vines. With deep blue waters and lush surroundings, it’s one of the most beautiful (and also most popular) cenotes in the area.
There are several jumping platforms as well as a rope swing for you to enjoy as well as swimming.
Some tours might take you to other cenotes, but you can also reach Ik-Kil by public transport. Yokdzonot is another popular cenote nearby.
- Opening hours: 09:00-17:00
- Cost: 200MXN (~$10 USD)
Return to Valladolid in the evening and enjoy a traditional Yucatecan dinner at Yakunaj Cocina Mexicana. I had some amazing tacos here! It’s located right between the main square and Calzada de los Frailes which is handy too!
For dessert, why not grab some churros from the main square? Or if you’d rather get something from a restaurant, Wabi Gelato sells some unique ice cream flavours. Make sure to taste test first! I opted for rosemary (which I loved).
Day 3: Ek Balam Ruins and Cenote X’Canche
Now you’ve seen the ‘highlights’ of Valladolid, your third day can be used to explore some of the less-visited things in the area.
Morning: Discover Ek Balam Archaeological Site
Less crowded than Chichén Itzá, Ek Balam features impressive Mayan architecture and offers the chance to climb the Acropolis for panoramic jungle views.
It’s around 30 minutes north of Valladolid
- Opening hours: 08:00-17:00
- Cost: 531 MXN (~$25 USD) [211 MXN & Free on Sundays for Mexican Nationals]
Afternoon: Relax at Cenote X’Canche
Located right next to Ek Balam, Cenote X’Canche is a beautiful, lesser-known swimming spot. With high walls surrounding a wide cavern, this secluded spot is a great place to chill after exploring the ruins in the morning.
At the entrance, they provide bikes for a fun ride through the jungle to the cenote.
When you arrive, there is a rope swing (free), multiple zip lines (100-170 MXN) and a rappel (150 MXN) to keep you occupied. And life jackets are optional, which makes a change.
- Opening hours: 08:00-17:00
- Cost: 170 MXN (~$8 USD)
Return to Valladolid for your final evening and enjoy a drink at Mezcaleria Don Trejo.
Valladolid Itinerary Map
Where to stay in Valladolid
There are a mixture of accommodation options in Valladolid, and there’s something for all budgets. On the whole, it’s much cheaper than beachside towns in Yucatan, like Tulum or Playa del Carmen.
In terms of area, my only recommendation for Valladolid is to stay within a 10-minute walk of the main square (Parque Principal). There’s not one ‘standout’ place to stay, so here are my top picks:
- Budget: Hostel La Candelaria
- Mid-range: Hotel Meson del Marques
- Luxury: Le Muuch Boutique Hotel
I stayed in Valladolid 48 Hostel which was well-located near Calzada de los Frailes. New Friends Hostel is another popular option which offers good value for money (with lots of alcohol apparently).
Tips for exploring Valladolid
Valladolid is quite a small city, so is a nice easy place to ease into the Mexican culture. But here are a few tips to help you get by:
- Getting Around: Valladolid is very walkable, but renting a bike or scooter can make exploring nearby cenotes easier.
- Currency: Mexican Pesos (MXN) – most places accept cards, but carrying some cash is handy for small purchases.
- Language: A few Spanish phrases will go a long way, use them wherever possible!
- Street stalls: For food stands, the price is the price. Don’t try to haggle unnecessarily.
- Safety: I felt safe throughout my time in Valladolid. I spent most of my time in the centre, walking around both alone and also at night. The only time I had any issues, was going for a morning run near the outskirts, where a couple of dogs briefly took interest in me!
What to do if you have more time in Valladolid?
Was this Valladolid itinerary not enough!? If you plan to extend your stay, why not consider:
- Uayma Church: Located just outside of town, this beautiful church is a great spot for photographers.
- Visit Cenote Suytun: Famous for its Instagram-worthy light beams shining into the cave.
- Take a Day Trip to Rio Lagartos: Spot flamingos and explore the nearby pink lakes of Las Coloradas.
- Explore Local Markets: Sample Yucatecan street food and shop for handcrafted souvenirs.
- Take a day trip to Izamal: The town where everything is yellow! This is slightly closer to Merida, so could be done from there as well.
- Coba Mayan Ruins: 45 minutes from Valladolid, this sprawling set of ruins are also quieter than Chichen Itza.
Where to go after Valladolid
Once you’ve seen the sights of Valladolid, there are plenty more places in the Yucatan to explore!
Bacalar makes a relaxing stop before heading into Belize if you’re heading south.
If you’re heading west, take a visit to the capital of the Yucatan – Merida.
If you’re looking for some time on the beach, you could head north to the idyllic Isla Holbox (via Chiquila) or head to the east coast to check out the party spots of Playa del Carmen or Tulum.
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