Things to do in Valladolid, Mexico 2025!

Valladolid quickly became one of Bree and I’d absolute favorite spots in Mexico! We loved the tranquil atmosphere, the charming cobbled streets, the stunning Spanish-influenced architecture, and all the amazing activities the town has to offer. In this blog post, we’re going to share some of our top picks to help you make the most of your visit to this delightful town. So, without further ado, let’s begin!

Zaci Cenote

If you've ventured into other regions of Mexico, chances are you've stumbled upon or at least heard about Cenotes. For those who might not know, these fascinating natural wonders are basically sinkholes that form when limestone bedrock collapses, revealing groundwater below. In Valladolid, the landscape is dotted with so many incredible Cenotes that renting a motorbike to explore them is a favorite activity for many travelers. But if you’re looking for a simpler and more convenient experience, we highly recommend starting your journey at Zaci Cenote. The best part? It’s right in the heart of town, making it super accessible!

When you get there, the first thing you’ll want to do is join the line to pick up a life vest. Just a heads-up—there aren’t a ton of them, so you might have to wait a bit for someone to finish and return theirs. Once you’ve snagged a vest, you’ll head over to another booth to pay the entry fee of 150 pesos (about $11.60 AUD). Honestly, we thought this cenote was totally worth it! The water was crystal clear and so refreshing, plus the scenery was absolutely stunning. One of the best things about it is its location, so if you’re in Valladolid and eager to check out a cenote, we can’t recommend it enough!

Chichen Itza

If you’re exploring the eastern side of Mexico, your adventure wouldn’t be complete without a visit to one of the New 7 Wonders of the World! The breathtaking Mayan ruins are just a quick 45-minute drive from Valladolid, and there are a few ways to get there.

One great option is to rent a motorbike. You'll find rental shops around town offering bikes for the day at prices ranging from 400 to 600 pesos (about $30-$46 AUD). The added bonus of this option is that it gives you the freedom to check out nearby gems like Cenote Ik Kil, which is just a 5-minute ride from the ruins!

Secondly, is taking a colectivo (shared shuttle) which is the option we chose at is was the most affordable one. It cost us only 100 pesos (about $7.70 AUD) for a round trip! You can catch one right next to the ADO bus station, and I have linked the location here for you. They run from around 6:30 AM until 9 PM and leave as soon as the van fills up. A great tip is to gather a group by asking around your accomodation which should be easy if you are staying at a hostel. That way, you won't have to wait long to get going. In regards to the return trip, you’ll need to wait at the point where you got dropped off but if you find yourself somewhere else, just keep an eye out for colectivo drivers—they’ll often stop and ask where you need to go!

Now, let’s talk about Chichen Itza. Visiting it was an amazing experience, especially since it was our first encounter with Mayan ruins. There are plenty of different structures to explore, and each one comes with information cards in both English and Spanish. One thing we noticed though is that the English translations were much smaller than the Spanish ones and sometimes provided pretty basic details, like “this temple is called the red temple because the walls inside were painted red” 🙄. If you don’t understand Spanish, then we would suggest either hiring a guide for around 600-1000 pesos ($46-$77 AUD) or watching a documentary before your visit to really appreciate what you’re seeing.

Try some local cuisine

The dessert known as Marquisitas is a dish that was created in the state of Yucatan in which Valladolid resides. The dish is basically a thin crepe filled with a variety of different ingredients such as fruit, Nutella and cream cheese. We opted for the Kiwi, mango and cream cheese which was definitely not our cup a tea as the cheese made it to overpowered but we heard great things with the Nutella option which is no surprise, Nutella is amazing! You will find some of the best vendors at the Central Park area and the one we tried was called “El Tio Batman”. So if you are a big fan of trying some local food then we’d definitely recommend grabbing a Marquisita.

Projector/video mapping show

Valladolid offers two fantastic projector shows every night, and the best part? They're totally free! The first show kicks off at 8 PM on the facade of the Templo de San Servacio, turning the church into an incredible movie experience. Then, you can catch another show at the Convento de San Bernardino de Siena at 9 PM in Spanish and 9:30 PM in English. This one dives deep into the rich history of Valladolid. Both events make for perfect evening plans, and we definitely recommend checking them out!

Walk along Calz. de Los Frailes

As you make your way to the Convento de San Bernardino de Siena, you'll likely find yourself strolling down the charming  Calz. de Los Frailes. This lovely cobblestone street is adorned with vibrant flags and delightful little cafes. If you're looking for that perfect snapshot of a picturesque, Spanish-influenced Mexican town, this is definitely the spot to capture it!

Carolin Cacao

If you're a fan of smoothie bowls or just love fresh flavors, you’ve got to swing by this charming café called Carolin Cacao. The prices are pretty reasonable, and the staff is incredibly friendly. They even have a lovely little garden for you to wander around in. One of our favorite finds was their brochure titled “Bucket List of Valladolid.” It’s packed with great recommendations for must-see spots and activities in the area and helped shape our experience here. So, if you’re looking for more ideas on what to do, definitely grab that list—but make sure to treat yourself to some of their tasty food first!

Summary

So there you have it, those are in our opinion the best things to do in Valladolid, Mexico. If our blog has inspired you and got you excited about visiting this beautiful town then we would really appreciate it if you left a like, comment and share our blog using the buttons below.

Until next time, happy travels!

Bree & Aiden