Templo de San Servacio in Valladolid. — Are you heading to Valladolid, Mexico, and looking for the perfect itinerary? Look no further! With its central location and proximity to incredible historical sites, including one of the New 7 Wonders of the World, Valladolid is the ideal base for your Mexican adventures. Keep reading for the best 1 to 2-day itinerary in Valladolid that covers all the highlights in this quaint and charming city.

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Valladolid Itinerary

First Things First: Wake up, grab A coffee, & head to Chichen Itza!

The first stop on your Valladolid itinerary is the Unesco World Heritage Site: Chichen Itza. You cannot possibly stay in this city and not take advantage of its proximity to the Unesco World Heritage Site: Chichen Itza. It is the tallest standing Mayan ruins in the Yucatan and is truly just as impressive in person. The archeological site has much more to uncover than just the famous El Castillo, including a Great Ball Court, Temple of Warriors, and my personal favorite, El Caracol (head here for some more information on these incredible structures).

There is a Colectivo station that will take you to Chichen Itza for 40 pesos each way (80 total). The entrance fee to Chichen Itza is 643 pesos (around 34 USD). Mexican residents do get discounted tickets (285 pesos) if they bring their I.D. I recommend heading there at 8:00 AM to allow yourself plenty of time to visit and still make it back to the city in time to explore the city.

You can find more information on visiting Chichen Itza here! - LINK

POst Ruins: Explore Pitureseque Valladolid

Stop 1: Visit the San Bernardino Convent

This beautifully crafted, fortress-like building was founded in the mid-1500s as a key Franciscan missionary center– a place where Christian followers dedicate their lives to spreading the word and donating their time to charity. You can enter the convent from 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM for 20 pesos and explore its interior and exterior grounds.

The famous Valladolid letters stand in front of the convent as well!

Stop 2: Wander The Colorful Streets

The streets throughout central Valladolid are extremely colorful and picturesque making them one of the best things to explore in the city. They are the perfect opportunity to take some fun photos! Here is a list of my favorite spots!

Walk Calzada de Los Frailes - a colorfully painted street, perhaps the most colorful in Valladolid! You can find some restaurants and shops to stop in as well.
Find the pretty pink church, Iglesia De La Candelaria! The road leading up to the church is also very colorful.
Find the bright yellow church, Iglesia Santa Ana! Google Maps claims this one is closed, but you can still wander around and take in its bright hue!
There are also so many beautifully colored doors— so keep an eye out as you wander!

Stop 3: Explore the Main Square

The main square of Valladolid surrounds Parque Principal Francisco Cantón Rosado, with shops, restaurants, and the architecturally beautiful Templo de San Servacio lining the square. I recommend taking time to walk around this small, picturesque area and visiting the main park in the center.

Templo de San Servacio was built in the 1500s by Spanish conquerors and then rebuilt again in the 1700s, after the Murder in the Church incident. This historically and culturally significant church is still used as a place of worship today. It is a beautifully built church that is well worth the visit.
Parque Principal Francisco Cantón Rosado was named after an important politician/military leader. In the park, you can grab a Marquesita from a nearby stand to enjoy while you watch some local performances! A Marquesita is a dessert native to the Yucatan Peninsula. It is essentially a crepe filled with cajeta (caramel), condensed milk, Edam cheese, and your choice of other fillings, rolled into a taco shape.
For the dance shows, you have 2 options. Between 4:00-5:00 PM on a Wednesday I watched traditional Jarana performers turn the park into their dance stage. From 5:00-6:00 PM on Sunday, I watched as Mayan Street Performers took part in a traditional fire ceremony, a Pok ta’ Pok game, and traditional dances. Although these performances are tourist-driven and can become quite crowded, it is an excellent opportunity to indulge in authentic pieces of Mexican and Mayan culture.

Pro Tip: Want to learn more about the history of Valladolid? Try joining a Free Walking tour of Valladolid here!

Stop 4: Watch A Video Mapping Show!

A video mapping show is a visual light display projected onto large surfaces. In Valladolid, you can catch a show from Tuesday to Sunday. The Templo de San Servacio hosts a show around 10:00 PM. The show tells a visually appealing story about Mexican and Mayan history.

Pro Tip: The San Bernardino convent also offers an English show at 9:25 PM.

have a second day or even just a half day? - explore Ek Balam!

Ek Balam, or “Black Jaguar” in the common Mayan tongue is an ancient Mayan city/ruins that has been impeccably preserved. It is well known for its Acropolis which holds an incredible monster-like mouth with teeth lining the bottom. You can climb to the top of the Acropolis to get an insane view over not only Ek Balam but the jungles surrounding you. I highly recommend adding this to your Valladolid itinerary.

The site is located 34 minutes from Valladolid, and there is a 70 pesos Colectivo station in the city. The entrance fee is around 556 pesos for foreigners (30 USD). Mexican residents do get discounted tickets if they bring their I.D.

For more information on Ek Balam, head here! - LINK

Looking for some other things to do? Head here for a list of the top things to do in Valladolid!

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General Information on Valladolid

Best Time to Visit:

Hurricane Season: June - October | Dry Season: November-April

Valladolid, centrally located in the Yucatan Peninsula, is best visited during the cooler months from November to February, with February being the coolest month. This period is ideal for exploring nearby sites such as Chichen Itza and Ek Balam, as you can avoid the extremely high temperatures at the unshaded ruins. March and April are also good months to visit Valladolid, as they precede the rainy season and are still relatively cool.
If you prefer higher temperatures and do not mind the chance of rain, you can visit during the rainy season from May or June to October. The city is prone to flooding during the rainy season, often leaving streets impossible to walk on.

How to Get to Valladolid:

Flying: To arrive in Valladolid, you must fly into one of the nearby airports, the nearest being Merida International Airport (MID). The most popular airport to fly to nearby is Cancun International Airport (CUN). Both will require an additional taxi, bus, or shared van to arrive in Valladolid.
ADO Bus: ADO is the main Mexican bus company throughout the country, and most routes are safe for tourists. You can take an ADO bus from almost anywhere else in the Yucatan Peninsula to Valladolid. The best routes are from Cancun and Merida. Prices vary depending on the time of year and time of departure. I arrived in Valladolid from Bacalar on ADO.
Colectivo: A Colectivo is a shared van with other people heading to the same destination you are. They are the favored form of transport by backpackers and travelers with less luggage. ADO also has an “ADO Conecta” option that will be faster and similar to a Colectivo but more comfortable to ride in. I recommend this over a Colectivo.
Private Taxi: A private taxi is always an option but can be quite pricey. I recommend contacting multiple companies for quotes before deciding which to take.

Bonus Tip: Transportation throughout the Yucatán Peninsula is on its way to becoming more accessible with the new Tren Maya Railway. Head here for more information and to stay updated on what routes are open now!

Mode of Transport in Valladolid:

Valladolid is small and easily walkable. Transport within the city itself is not necessary. However, when venturing to nearby destinations such as Chichen Itza, Ek Balam, or Cenotes, you will need a form of transport. There are organized and inexpensive Colectivos laid out throughout Valladolid for access to popular tourist spots.

Where to Stay:

The best area to stay in Valladolid is any location within walking distance of the main square. I have listed some of the best options below!

Best Accommodation Options For Every Traveler
- Best Backpacker/Hostel Option: Hostel Candelaria
- Best Low-Budget: Hotel Kookay or Hostel Casa Xtakay
- Best Mid-Budget: Colonte Hotel Origen or Casa San Roque Valladolid
- Best High-End Budget: Casa Tia Micha or Real Hispano

Are There Vegan Options?

Yes, there are! Here are a few of my favorites:

Elela Organic Vegan Cafe and Restaurant (the desserts here are SO good)
Le Kaat
Nena Nena

Is It Safe?

This is a big debate with Mexico in general, and it all depends on what you will be doing and where you will be going. I felt completely safe in Valladolid. I would say Valladolid felt like one of the safest places in Mexico for me, alongside Bacalar.
I recommend staying up to date with your country’s travel advisories. Follow basic rules of safety while traveling, in addition to:
Never travel without the right insurance in case of any sickness, injuries, or theft. Safety Wing is by far the best travel medical insurance. It has saved me numerous times by covering hospital visits when I was sick during my travels in Asia.
Emergency Contact Number: 9-1-1