Valladolid Things to Do Tips by Maria_75 Top 5 Page for this destination

Cenote Samula

This cenote lies close to Cenote Dzitnup, but is not as famous. There is a small hole in the roof, and the roots of a huge alamo tree stretches all the way to the bottom of the cenote. It's an incredible sight! It's possible to go swimming here, but it can be a bit cold.

Explore the area

There are plenty of places worth seeing around Valladolid. Some archeological sites nearby are Chichén Itzá, Ek Balam, Cobá and Tulum. A few hours drive west lies Mérida, Campeche, Uxmal and the ruins at Ruta Puuc. A few hours east is the Maya riviera with cities like Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel and Tulum.

San Bernardino de Siena

This is the most famous of the churches in the city. It is located 1 km southwest of the zocalo. The building of this church was started in 1552 by the Orden Franciscana, and is the oldest church in the Yucatán. it was also used to convert the mayans into proper christians.

Most of the place was built in the early 1600's. There is a large underground river which is believed to pass under the convent and the surrounding neighborhood. This river is called Barrio Sisal. The word sisal is based on the Mayan word "sis-ha" which means cold water.

Cenote Dzitnup

This cenote is also known as "Xkekén" and is situated right outside of the city. It is possible to go swimming in many of the cenotes, but in this one you can also dive.

Cenote Zací

When the city was just a Maya settlement it was called Zací, which means "white hawk". But after the spanish conquered the city they called it Valladolid. One of the cenotes in the city is called Cenote Zací. It is located at the intersection of calles 39 and 36, in a small park in the middle of town. You enter through a path that has been made in the roof and wall.

The people of Valladolid say that if you have been to the city without seeing this cenote, it is like going to Paris without seeing the Eifel Tower. It's a symbol of the city, a natural formation and a mysterious place.

Zocalo

Like most of the mexican cities, Valladolid has a zocalo too. It's the centre of the city, and on the southside is the San Servacio church. The plaza is very nice and peaceful. They have some excellent benches where two people can sit down face-to-face. In the middle of the park is a statue of a woman. Outside are mexicans, and especially maya-descendants, selling different kinds of souvenirs and food.

La Parroquia de San Servacio

This church is located at the south side of the Zocalo, facing the north. The city had three ships and a rustic construction but it got heavily destroyed during the "Crimen de los Alcaldes". In 1706 the current church was built. The patron of the church is San Servacio which the church is named after.

Chichén Itzá

The famous site of Chichén Itzá is about 40 km east of the city. But if you have taken the time to see Valladolid, you really have to take the time to see this site too! It's an amazing place and the most visited archeological site of the Yucatán peninsula. That's why you should stay in Valladolid, or even closer, so you can get up early and see the site before to many tourists arrive there. Take the bus and go by yourself, or join in on an organised tour.