Updated November 2026
Most day tours from Cancun stop in Valladolid for an hour on the way back from Chichen Itza. It deserves more: this colourful colonial town, about 45 minutes from the ruins, is the best place to stay if you want to visit Chichen Itza at opening time.
What to see
- The main square and San Servacio church — the heart of town, with a fountain, shady benches and street food in the evening.
- Calzada de los Frailes — a picturesque street of pastel houses, boutiques and cafés leading to the convent.
- Convent of San Bernardino de Siena — one of the oldest Franciscan buildings in the Yucatán, from the 16th century.
- Casa de los Venados — a private home with a large collection of Mexican folk art, open for guided visits.
- Cenote Zací — a cenote right in the middle of town.
What to eat
Try lomitos de Valladolid (pork in a tomato sauce), the local smoked sausage longaniza, cochinita pibil tacos and, in the evening, marquesitas — rolled crispy crêpes with cheese — from the carts on the square.
Why sleep in Valladolid?
From Valladolid you can be at Chichen Itza when the gates open at 8 am, hours before the tour buses from the coast. The town also makes a good base for Ek Balam, the cenotes of Dzitnup and Suytun, and Río Lagartos.
Getting there
Valladolid is about 2 hours from Cancun on the 180D toll road and around 1.5 to 2 hours from Tulum. ADO buses run regularly from Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum. If you are not staying overnight, most Chichen Itza tours from Cancun include a stop here.
Recommended tour
Chichen Itza Tour from Playa del Carmen with Valladolid, Cenote & Buffet
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