Valladolid Itinerary: How to Spend 3 Days
Are you looking for the perfect Valladolid, Mexico Itinerary? Valladolid is one of Mexico’s Magical Towns, easy to reach and explore on the Yucatan Peninsula. Its colorful streets, delicious Yucatán cuisine, and magnificent sights make it a beautiful place to visit. Valladolid has become very popular over the years. But it is not yet overcrowded, and you can enjoy the authentic Mexican atmosphere.
Our 3-day Valladolid Itinerary makes it easy to plan your visit to get the most out of your experience. During your stay in Valladolid, you can explore the charming streets, swim in the beautiful cenotes, visit Chichen Itza, and take day trips to nearby attractions.
Use our travel guide to visit Valladolid and enjoy this hidden gem in the Yucatan Peninsula.
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Where is Valladolid, Mexico?
Valladolid is a beautiful colonial city located on the Yucatan Peninsula between Cancun and Merida, not far from Chichen Itza.
Best Time to Visit Valladolid, Mexico
Valladolid’s tropical climate makes it a popular destination all year round. The best time to visit Valladolid is usually from mid-November to the end of April. The weather is pleasantly warm during this period, and rainfall is rare.
However, this is the peak season in Valladolid, when prices are higher, and there will be crowds at the main attractions.
Many people visit Valladolid in May when there are fewer tourists and lower prices. But the weather will be warmer, and heavy rains should be expected. We did this Valladolid Itinerary in April.
How to Get to Valladolid, Mexico
Valladolid is easily accessible by car, bus, or train from Cancun, Tulum, Playa del Carmen, or Merida. The best way to get to Valladolid and explore the area is by car.
It’s easy to rent a car in Mexico. You can rent a car at airports and in major cities or online. Car rental will cost around 30-40 USD daily for a standard car with full coverage. Book your car in advance to get the best price!
Are you thinking of renting a car? Be sure to read our guide to renting a car in Mexico and driving in the Yucatan Peninsula.
We picked up our car at Cancun International Airport and drove to Valladolid. The 180D highway connecting Cancun and Valladolid is a toll road costing 408 MXN (20 USD).
We have a detailed post on how to get from Cancun to Valladolid with all the information you need.
Distance from cities by drive
– Cancun or Merida to Valladolid is about 2 hours.
– From Tulum to Valladolid, the journey time is approximately 1.5 hours.
– Playa del Carmen to Valladolid, the journey time is 1 hour 45 minutes.
Alternatively, you can travel by the popular ADO buses, which connect most cities and are cheap and comfortable.
TIP
If you want to book bus tickets or transfers, use Bookaway.
How to Get Around Valladolid
Valladolid is a small city, so it is easy to get around and discover the best sights by walking. For the best experience, add an extra 1-2 days to your Valladolid Itinerary and use this city as your base for visiting nearby attractions and towns.
Since we arrived in Valladolid by car from Cancun, it was easy to explore further attractions.
The best way to explore the Valladolid area if you don’t have a car is to rent a scooter and drive yourself. You can rent a scooter in many places in the city. Motorbike rental costs around 500 MXN (24 USD) for a full day. Hotels also offer bike rental, which costs around 150-300 MXN (7-15 USD) for 24 hours.
Alternatively, you can travel by taxi, bus, and colectivo (shared minivan) or join a group tour to visit Mayan Ruins and nearby towns.
More about Mexico → Places to Visit in the Yucatan Peninsula
Valladolid Itinerary
Day 1: Visiting Chichen Itza
A visit to Chichen Itza is the highlight of the Valladolid Itinerary. Valladolid is closer to Chichen Itza than Cancun or Tulum. Chichen Itza is only a 50-minute drive from Valladolid.
Book your Chichen Itza tour through GetYourGuide or Viator.
We suggest visiting Chichen Itza in the morning when the temperature is comfortable for walking around the Mayan Ruins. If you arrive in the afternoon, you may have to wait in line at the ticket office.
Chichen Itza is open daily from 8 AM to 5 PM. The last entry is at 4 PM.
The Chichen Itza federal fee is 100 MXN (5 USD), and the state fee is 548 MXN (27 USD). So, the Chichen Itza entrance fee is 648 MXN (32 USD) for foreign adults. You should bring Mexican cash! Only the state fee can be paid by card, and the federal fee must be paid in cash.
Read the full post → Ultimate Guide to Visiting Chichen Itza
When we visited the Mayan Ruins, the temperature was incredibly hot. So bring plenty of water, wear a hat, and use sunscreen. Take a few hours to explore the famous Chichen Itza and visit Cenote Ik Kil.
Book a private transfer from Valladolid, which includes a visit to Chichen Itza and 3 cenotes.
Don’t forget to buy Mexican souvenirs! We visited many places on the Yucatan Peninsula, but Chichen Itza had the best souvenirs.
After that, spend the afternoon in Valladolid’s Main Square. Enjoy a performance by traditional Mexican dancers, shop from street vendors, and see the beautiful church.
Day 2: See the Cenotes and Discover Valladolid
Good morning! It’s time to continue your Valladolid Itinerary!
The cenotes around Valladolid are impressive, most of which are just a 15-20 minute drive away. Visit one of the beautiful cenotes, cool off on a hot day, and enjoy the refreshing water.
The crystal clear waters of the cenotes are the perfect place for swimming, snorkeling, or scuba diving. Each cenote is different, so they’re all worth a visit.
Recommended post → Best Cenotes near Valladolid, Mexico
Our favorite cenote on the Yucatan Peninsula was Cenote Suytun, one of the most Instagrammable places in Mexico.
Once you’ve visited the best cenotes near Valladolid, it’s time to explore the magical city. Stroll along the Calzada de Los Frailes, eat some Mexican food, visit the Convent of San Bernardino de Siena, and enjoy Valladolid’s charming atmosphere.
Valladolid is a colorful city with fantastic photo opportunities, so wear comfortable shoes and take your camera with you.
Keep reading → 2 Weeks in the Yucatan Peninsula
Day 3: Day Trips from Valladolid
The best day trip from Valladolid to Chichen Itza. However, you can combine your Valladolid Itinerary with other nearby towns, Mayan Ruins, and cenotes.
You can easily visit these attractions as most places are only a short drive from Valladolid.
- Uayma and its beautiful church are just a 20-minute drive from Valladolid.
- The Yellow City of Izamal is about 1.5 hours from Valladolid, and you can stroll around it in a few hours.
- Mexico has many beautiful Mayan Ruins, some of which you can visit during your stay in Valladolid. Ek Balam is just 30 minutes away, and the Coba Ruins are 50 minutes away.
- Visit the capital of Yucatán, charming Mérida, which is very different from Valladolid. Merida is just 2 hours from Valladolid.
- Take a day trip to Rio Lagartos and Las Coloradas, which is 1.5 hours away. You can see the beautiful pink lake and some flamingos.
How many Days do you Need in Valladolid, Mexico?
Most people take a day trip from Cancun, Playa del Carmen, or Tulum to Valladolid. But we highly recommend discovering the best of this magical city on a 3-day Valladolid Itinerary.
There is plenty to see and do in and around Valladolid, so spend at least two days there. As it is the perfect base for exploring the attractions of Yucatan, we suggest staying three to four days.
If you have limited time in Mexico, you can join a day tour from Cancun. On the tour, you can visit the world-famous Chichen Itza, swim in Cenote Chichikan, and explore the charming town of Valladolid.
Book this top-rated tour via Viator or GetYourGuide.
Where to Stay in Valladolid
There are many places to stay in Valladolid, from budget-friendly hostels to boutique or luxury hotels. These are our recommendations.
Best hotels in Valladolid, Mexico
- Luxury: Oriundo Luxury Nature Villas
- Mid-Range: Hotel Waye or Meson del Marques
- Budget: Hotel Casa Bamboo
Where to Eat in Valladolid, Mexico
When in Valladolid, you must try some delicious, traditional Mexican food. Most restaurants are located in the main square or around the Calzada de Los Frailes. But you will find street foods on every corner, which are tasty and cheap.
Best restaurants in Valladolid
- Le Kaat is one of the best vegan and vegetarian restaurants in Valladolid.
- You can try some Mexican food and drinks at Las Campanas or Loncheria El Amigo Casiano for a budget price.
- Wabi Gelato has the best ice cream.
- La Casona de Valladolid is a popular restaurant with a buffet service, where you can eat typical Yucatán dishes. This restaurant has a beautiful photo spot with a high altar decorated with colorful ceramics.
We hope our 3-day Valladolid Itinerary will help you plan your next trip to Mexico. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comment below.
Travel Resources
Hotels – Booking.com
Car Rentals – Discover Cars
Flights – Skyscanner
eSIM – Airalo
Travel Insurance – SafetyWing
Tours & Attractions – GetYourGuide
Bus/Transfer – Bookaway
RECOMMENDED POSTS
How to Visit the Yellow City of Izamal, Mexico
The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Chichen Itza, Mexico (2025)
