Valladolid Mexico Itinerary: The Perfect 3-Day Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors+ Map
TL;DR
From swimming in a cenote beneath the city to exploring Chichén Itzá and spotting flamingos in Río Lagartos, our itinerary covers the very best of Valladolid and beyond.
Often overshadowed by nearby destinations like Tulum and Cancún, Valladolid is one of Mexico's most charming colonial towns – and the perfect base for exploring the Yucatán Peninsula. But with attractions like Chichén Itzá, the pink lakes of Las Coloradas, and countless cenotes all within easy reach, it can be difficult to figure out how many days you need and how to fit everything into one trip.
After using Valladolid as our base to explore the region, we quickly realised that three days is the sweet spot. It gives you enough time to wander the colourful streets of the historic centre, cool off in cenotes, and take day trips to some of the Yucatán's biggest highlights – all without feeling rushed.
In our 3-day Valladolid itinerary, we'll show you exactly how we would spend our time, including the best things to do in the city, the easiest ways to visit nearby attractions, budget-friendly transport options, and a few tips we wish we'd known before arriving.
Valladolid 3 Day Itinerary
Valladolid Itinerary Map
Day 1 – Explore the City of Valladolid & Cenote Zací
Morning – Historic Centre of Valladolid
We think the best way to start your Valladolid itinerary is by simply wandering through the town's colourful streets. Compared to bustling tourist hotspots like Tulum or Playa del Carmen, Valladolid has a much more authentic and relaxed atmosphere. Spend the day exploring colonial churches, charming plazas, museums, and colourful streets before cooling off in one of the city's most famous cenotes.
Begin your day at Parque Principal Francisco Cantón Rosado, the lively main square in the heart of Valladolid. From here, you'll find many of the city's highlights within just a few minutes' walk. Be sure to visit the beautiful Iglesia de San Servacio and stop by the impressive murals on the first floor of the Ayuntamiento.
From there, stroll along Calzada de los Frailes, arguably Valladolid's prettiest street. Lined with colourful colonial buildings, cafés, boutiques, and galleries, it leads to the impressive Ex-Convent of San Bernardino de Siena, one of the oldest Franciscan monasteries in the Yucatán Peninsula. If that’s your vibe, you can also take a picture with the colourful Valladolid Sign right in front of the convent.
There is no shortage of museums in Valladolid, and most of them are free or donation-based. Some highlights include the textile museum Museo de Ropa Étnica de México, Casa de los Venados, a private home housing one of the largest collections of Mexican folk art in the country, and Museo San Roque, a free museum where you can learn about the history of Valladolid.
If you still have time afterwards, it's worth taking a short walk to Iglesia San Juan, one of Valladolid's lesser-visited but nonetheless beautiful churches.
Afternoon – Cenote Zací
For lunch, head to the Mercado Gastronómico right next to the main square or Mercado Municipal Donato Bates Herrera, where locals gather to enjoy authentic Yucatán cuisine at affordable prices. A market is the perfect place to try regional dishes like cochinita pibil before continuing your afternoon.
After lunch, cool off with a swim in Cenote Zací, a cenote located right in the centre of a city. Just a short walk from the main square, this semi-open cenote is surrounded by dramatic limestone walls and filled with crystal-clear water, making it one of the easiest – and most unique – cenotes to visit in the Yucatán.
Valladolid also offers plenty to do after the sun goes down. In the early evening, you may catch a traditional Jarana dance performance, where local dancers in colourful costumes showcase one of the Yucatán's most famous folk dances, at Parque Francisco Cantón.
Later in the evening, head to the Ex-Convent of San Bernardino de Siena for the video mapping show, where lights and projections transform the 16th-century convent while telling the story of the region's history. The show usually runs Tuesday to Sunday at 9:00 pm in Spanish and 9:20 pm in English, making it the perfect way to end your first day in Valladolid.
Day 2 – Day Trip from Valladolid to Chichén Itzá
No Valladolid itinerary would be complete without visiting Chichén Itzá, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. While most people come for the famous El Castillo pyramid, we were surprised by just how enormous the archaeological site actually is. Besides the iconic pyramid, you'll also find impressive highlights like the Great Ball Court, the Temple of the Warriors, the Sacred Cenote, and the ancient observatory. We recommend allowing at least three hours to properly explore the complex before the crowds and heat build up.
How to get to Chichén Itzá on a budget |
How to get to Chichén Itzá with more comfort |
| We took a colectivo from Valladolid and found it to be the easiest and cheapest way to get there. They leave from in front of the ADO bus station, the journey takes around 45 minutes, and we barely had to wait in either direction when travelling early in the morning. Alternatively, you can also take the ADO bus. |
This Chichén Itzá and 3 Cenotes Tour is an excellent option if you don’t want to worry about transport and a certified guide. The time you safe on transfers can be used to cool off with swims in the beautiful cave cenotes Ik Kil, Samulá, and Xkekén. |
Day 3 – Day Trip from Valladolid to Las Coloradas, Río Lagartos & Ek Balam
If you're looking for a day trip that combines wildlife, nature, and ancient history, this was one of our favourites. Las Coloradas' famous pink lakes really are as vibrant as they look in photos (at least some of them), making them one of the most unique places we've visited in Mexico. Since you can no longer swim in the lakes, a visit doesn't take very long.
We recommend combining them with a visit to nearby Río Lagartos, where a boat tour takes you through the mangroves in search of flamingos and crocodiles. Our favourite part was covering ourselves in mineral-rich Mayan mud before washing it off in the Gulf of Mexico.
On the way back to Valladolid, don't miss Ek Balam, one of the Yucatán's most underrated Mayan sites. Unlike Chichén Itzá, you can still climb the main pyramid here, rewarding you with fantastic views over the surrounding jungle.
How to get to Río Lagartos on a budget |
How to get to Río Lagartos with more comfort |
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Reaching Río Lagartos by public transport is possible but takes some planning and time. Plan with around 3 hours because you usually have to change buses in Tizimín. To get to Las Coloradas, continue the final 20 km (12 mi) by taxi. If you also want to visit Ek Balam on the way, the logistics can quickly become too time-consuming. |
We opted for a Las Coloradas, Río Lagartos & Ek Balam tour as it takes care of the complicated logistics for you. You can book them on platforms like Viator or GetYourGuide – we recommend to check out both and compare prices. |
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