After recently travelling in this authentic Mexican town, I have created the perfect 3 day Valladolid itinerary featuring my top highlights. If you want the best possible adventure in Valladolid, you’re in the right spot!
Valladolid, Mexico is a stunning hidden gem to visit in the Yucatan Peninsula. Located only a couple hours drive from popular Cancun and Tulum, most people visit this marvelous city on a day trip and HUGELY miss out on what Valladolid has to offer.
For such a small town, there is a plethora of adventurous things to do and some of the most incredible natural beauty you’ll ever witness. From Mayan ruins and wonders of the world to crystal blue cenotes in hidden caves, Valladolid is one of my favourite towns in all of Mexico.
In this full 3 day Valladolid itinerary, you will find an adventure-packed trip with a mix of the best sights and unspoiled treasures. Plus a full guide on how to make this dream trip a reality.
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How Many Days Do You Need in Valladolid?
3 days is the perfect amount of time in Valladolid to get a mix of stunning hidden cenotes, Mayan ruins, and exploration around this authentic Mexican town. I visited Valladolid with 3 full days myself and felt really satisfied with the amount of time.
If you want to dive further into the many other unique cenotes around this town, then it is worth visiting for more like 4 or 5 days.
How to Get to Valladolid
Valladolid can be easily accessed by car or bus. ADO buses run daily to Valladolid from multiple key spots in the Yucatan, leaving numerous times throughout the day. The buses are comfortable and will drop you right in the centre of town.
ADO Bus Timing From Popular Departure Destinations:
- Cancun: 2.5 hours
- Playa del Carmen: 2 hours, 45 mins
- Merida: 2.5 hours
- Chiquila: 2.5 hours
- Tulum: 1.5 hours
You can purchase your bus tickets online in advance if you have a strict timeline to follow or simply grab them at the bus terminal when you arrive.
When to Visit Valladolid
The best time to visit Valladolid is between November – March. This is when the temperatures are most manageable. Despite this being high season, the best part of Valladolid is that it remains somewhat under the radar and evades the crowds.
It is still possible to visit Valladolid outside of peak season, between April – October. However, this is when the temperatures and humidity are a lot higher and the rainy season picks up in June.
The Perfect 3 Days in Valladolid Itinerary and Full Guide
Day One: First Glimpse of Mayan Ruins and Wonderful Cenotes
Go Back in Time at Ek Balam
Start the first of your 3 day Valladolid itinerary with a visit to the Mayan Ruins at Ek Balam, an incredible archaeological site in the Yucatan.
Ek Balam is one of the less visited Mayan ruins in the Yucatan, although from the majesty of the ruins and its lush jungle setting it’s hard to guess why. However, it is for our benefit because you’ll get to enjoy these fascinating ruins in a much more peaceful atmosphere.
Ek Balam was built over 2000 years ago and today stands tall with well-preserved pyramids to climb on and explore. It consists of an entire complex of old pyramids and ruins to wander in, around, on top, and through. Have fun picturing the city that used to thrive there and see how many iguanas you can spot as you explore.
You can easily spend 2 full hours exploring the ruins. Make sure to climb to the top of the main pyramid to check out the massive carvings (my personal favourite) and for views over the rest of the complex and lush jungle below. There are tour guides available for hire so you can choose to pay extra for a guide to get extra information or choose to wander on your own.
Important Info For Ek Balam:
- Hours: Everyday from 8 – 5 pm
- Entrance Fee: 494 pesos per person
Bonus Tip: They do accept credit card for most of the payment, with a small amount to be paid in cash. I strongly recommend bringing the full amount per person in cash though, in case the debit machines are down.
How to Get to Ek Balam:
Ek Balam is located about 30 mins outside of Valladolid. If you do not have a rental car, there are a few options to get from Valladolid to Ek Balam. You can take a private taxi setting you back about 400 pesos each way. You can rent a scooter for the day and drive there yourself for about 500 pesos. Finally, the cheapest option is to take a colectivo taxi for about 70-80 pesos per person each way.
Colectivo taxis are super easy and convenient to take. The only downside is that the taxi will wait until there are enough people to fill the vehicle before departing so you might have to wait a little bit. To return, the taxi driver will show you the spot you can wait to catch another colectivo back to town.
You can find the location of the colectivos here.
Cool Off In a Stunning Natural Phenomena at Cenote Suytun or Oxman
The next adventure for the day is to visit your first Cenote. There are about a dozen amazing cenotes to visit around Valladolid, so I’ve chosen the best ones as options for you in this itinerary.
After returning from Ek Balam, choose to visit Cenote Suytun or Cenote Oxman. Both are stunning underground cenotes located about a 15 minute drive from Valladolid.
Cenote Suytun is one of the most picturesque cenotes with a walkway and circular platform leading out into the centre of the cave for amazing photo opportunities. The water is also clear and refreshing to swim in. Due to this being an Instagram famous spot, the downside to visiting Suytun is that it can get really busy. In fact, there is often a long cue waiting to get their picture taken at the best spot. If you don’t mind the crowds, it is definitely still worth checking out.
Your other cenote option for the day is Cenote Oxman. This cenote is also very beautiful with vines hanging down into the bright blue depths and an opening at the top of the cave. The swimming here is fantastic and they even have a rope swing!
Important Information for Suytun:
- Hours: Every day from 9 – 4:30 pm
- Entrance Fee: 150 pesos per person, cash only
- How to Get There: Rent a scooter or take a taxi from downtown Valladolid for about 150 pesos each way (always agree on the price beforehand and make sure you barter)
- Facilities: Showers, bathrooms, changerooms, and lockers for rent. Life jackets are mandatory
Important Information for Oxman:
- Hours: Every day from 8 – 5 pm
- Entrance Fee: 150 pesos per person, with an option to pay 300 pesos to gain access to the Hacienda San Lorenzo hotel pool and lounge and a 150 food voucher
- How to Get There: Scooter rental or take a taxi from downtown Valladolid for about 100 – 150 pesos one way. You’ll have to ask the hotel lobby to call a taxi for you to return and this will likely cost you 200 for the convenience.
- Facilities: Showers, bathrooms, changerooms, lockers, and a restaurant on-site.
Wander Around the Valladolid’s Colourful Streets
After returning from your cenote visit, spend the rest of the late afternoon/early evening enjoying the beautiful town of Valladolid. Wander the colourful streets to take in the charming architecture and stop at some of these notable spots as you go:
- Convent of San Bernardino de Siena – a former convent with beautiful architecture to admire from the outside. It stands tall behind the bright and colourful Valladolid sign, making for a good photo op.
- Calzada de los Frailes – this is one of the most picturesque streets in Valladolid and makes for the perfect spot to stroll and admire the colours. As you go, you’ll pass cute boutique shops, amazing restaurants, and so many unique doors! Yes, I said doors. So many of the doorways in Valladolid and specifically on this street are decorated with flowers, symbols, and art.
- Mercado Municipal – if you are looking for a more authentic experience, head to the local market. Admire the stalls, shop for souvenirs, and sample local food at one of the many food stalls.
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Day 2: Wonders of the World and One of Mexico’s Greatest Beauties
Check Off a “New Wonder of the World” at Chichén Itzá
For the second of your 3 day Valladolid itinerary, visit Chichen Itza! A UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, Chichen Itza’s pyramid and Mayan ruins are an absolute must when visiting Valladolid, and even the whole Yucatan.
Chichen Itza is definitely one of the most touristy things you can do near Valladolid, so I really recommend starting the day off early and getting there right for when it opens at 8 am. You’ll experience way fewer crowds and beat some of the scorching heat of the day. From there, you can easily spend a full 2-3 hours wandering all the impressive ruins and taking in the fascinating Mayan history. The complex is vast, so make sure you check out every pathway to see it all.
There are tour guides available for hire so you can choose to pay extra for a guide to get extra information or choose to wander on your own.
Information for Visiting Chichen Itza
- Hours: Everyday from 8 – 5 pm
- Entrance Fee: 614 pesos per person
How to Get to Chichen Itza
Chichen Itza is located about 45 minutes outside of Valladolid. There are several ways you can get there including with a guided tour, scooter rental, private taxi, or colectivo taxi.
There are numerous guided tours running to Chichen Itza every day. These are fantastic options if you want the ease of transportation back and forth combined with the valuable knowledge a guide brings to the picture. You can book these tours through your hotel the day before.
Private taxis cost about 500 – 600 pesos each way. There are tons of taxis waiting around the parking lot at Chichen Itza, so you will not have a problem finding one to take back.
The colectivo taxis are the most cost-effective and convenient option. The colectivo costs 40 pesos per person and takes you there in a large van. When the driver drops you off they will show you where to go to catch another colectivo on your way back. You might have to wait a bit, however, with this being such a popular destination it’s uncommon to wait long before the van is full.
Visit the Bucket-List Worthy Cenote Ik Kil
Once you’ve had your fill at Chichen Itza, head to one of the most beautiful natural wonders in Mexico. This was a spot I had on my bucket list for years before and it was a dream come true to visit.
Only a short drive from the Mayan ruins, Ik Kil Cenote is an open-air cenote where you can swim beneath vibrant green vines hanging all around you. The water is a clear turquoise-blue colour and is the perfect spot to cool down and marvel at Mother Nature’s creation. There is even a rock platform to jump into the 40 metre depths below if you want to add to the fun.
Rush hour starts around noon so try to get there before that for a little more peace.
Important Information for Ik-Kil Cenote
- Hours: Everyday from 9 – 5
- Entrance Fee: 150 pesos per person
- Facilities: Bathrooms, changerooms, showers, lockers, mandatory life jackets, and restaurant on-site
How to Get to Ik Kil Cenote
If you are visiting Chichen Itza on a guided tour, you can absolutely opt for a tour that includes a visit to Ik Kil. In fact, this will be most common.
Alternatively, you can take a colectivo from Chichen Itza to Ik Kil by heading to the colectivo site and stating where you’d like to go. Many other visitors will also be heading to Ik Kil around the same time as you are after visiting Chichen Itza, so it won’t take long before you are able to leave. This costs 40 pesos per person and takes about 15 minutes.
Parque Principal Francisco Cantón Rosado
After a busy day, spend the evening taking in the splendor of Valladolid’s main square. This is where the life of the party is in this small town, with an adorable park lined with benches to enjoy the street performances. Grab a street food snack or simply hang out after dinner and enjoy the ambiance and views of San Servacio church (Iglesia de San Servacio). There are also numerous restaurants along the perimeter of the square if you’re interested in grabbing lunch in the hottest spots in town.
Day 3: Explore Mexico’s Best-Kept Secrets
The final day of your 3 day Valladolid itinerary is all about witnessing Valladolid’s stunning natural splendors in their cenotes. Explore about 45 minutes outside of town to view these hidden gems with hardly any other visitors around. I honestly don’t know how these spots aren’t crazy busy, but I’m glad they’re not!
Cenote Secreto Maya
The first Cenote stop of the day is the tranquil Secreto Maya. Walk down a spiral staircase through the rock to emerge in the stunning open-air cenote below. Upon first glimpse, you’ll be delighted by the bright blue waters, vines hanging down from the trees above, and overall, the perfect quiet.
There is a picturesque wooden platform that leaves enough space to place your belongings. You’ll also find a staircase to walk into the water and two-tiered platforms to jump from if you’re feeling brave.
While the cenote itself is absolutely stunning, my favourite part of Sectreo Maya is that we had it completely to ourselves. We arrived right for opening and stayed for an hour and a half, all without encountering a single other tourist. This made the experience so much more magical. According to other sources I’ve read, this is not uncommon. If there are other tourists there when you go, rest assured it will be very minimal.
- Hours: Everyday 10 – 5 pm
- Entrance Fee: 250 pesos per person
- Facilities: Bathrooms, changerooms, life jacket, a small restaurant and a pool
Cenote Xcanahaltun
Words can not describe the absolute awe you will experience upon seeing this natural wonder. Cenote Xcanahaltun is by far my favourite cenote I’ve visited in Mexico. An enclosed cave cenote filled with looming stalactites, there is a small opening that shines sun rays down into the shimmering blue waters below.
The water is not super deep, allowing you to stand and admire the view right underneath this sunny spot. The waters are the brightest blue you’ll see and there are tiny fish that nibble on your toes when you stay still in the water. We spent about 1.5 – 2 hours here swimming and marveling at the incredible beauty we had stumbled across here.
There were very few other tourists when we visited during the middle of the day, so the place feels quiet and hidden from the crowds.
Important Information for Visiting Cenote Xcanahaltun:
- Hours: Everyday 9 – 5:30 pm
- Entrance Fee: 200 pesos per person
- Facilities: Changerooms, showers, bathrooms, and life jackets and kayaks available for rent
Cenote Sac Aua
For your third and final Cenote of the day, check out the intriguing and unique Sac Aua. This open-air cenote has a centre island in the middle with the water surrounding it in a ring. You’ll descend from a staircase that brings you right onto the island where you’ll have the best views of the pretty blue waters below. I don’t know if it’s the rock formations or the way the light shines through the trees, but the water here has a certain stunning quality to it like no other.
Once you are inside, the island has several trees stretching upwards. Combined with the trees looming from above and the greenery that hangs down into the cave, this adds a very full foliage effect that adds to the unique scenery of the cenote.
You can swim in the beautiful waters or rent a kayak. Sit beneath the trees, jump from the jumping platform, or simply float and admire the views.
Another unique part of visiting Sac Aua is that your entrance includes a tour of a nearby cave. This tour was a nice little surprise and even featured some Mayan artifacts!
Important information about Sac Aua
- Hours: Everyday, 9 – 5 pm
- Entrance Fee: 150 pesos per person
- Facilities: Changerooms, bathrooms, and optional life jackets.
How to Get to All of These Cenotes
Aside from driving your own rental car, there are a couple of other options for exploring all of these cenotes in a day. The first and cheapest option is to hire a scooter for 500 – 550 pesos and tour around yourself. If you go with this option, I recommend having driven a scooter at least once in the past so you feel a bit of comfort because there are some gravelly roads along the way. Or perhaps it could work if you’re an adventurous spirit and up for something new and slightly challenging. In this case, make sure to download maps or have an idea of where you are going before leaving because out near the cenotes there is minimal phone service.
The easiest option to get around to the different cenotes is to hire a private taxi for the day. We paid 1200 pesos for the taxi driver to take us to 3 cenotes of our choice and wait for us for about 1.5 hours at each one. Our driver was incredibly kind, making recommendations as we went and even helping us translate and buy our tickets at each stop. You can fit up to 4 people in a taxi. The best way to book a private taxi is to get a contact from your hotel.
Optional Add-On Or Replacement Activities
Cenote Zaci
If you want a less busy day for day one of your 3 day Valladolid itinerary, replace Cenote Oxman with Cenote Zaci. Cenote Zaci is by far the most accessible cenote in Valladolid because it is literally located within the city. Only a short walk from the town centre, this beautiful cenote offers swimming in a open air setting. There are stone pathways carved into the cenote, giving it a unique and photo-worthy look.
If you choose to replace Oxman with Zaci, you’ll need to re-arrange the day and visit Ek Balam after going for a swim. This is due to the popularity of Cenote Zaci and how busy it gets due to it’s easy-to-access location. In fact, I tried to visit this cenote at about 3 pm in the afternoon and wasn’t able to because the wait list was 2 hours long and they close at 5:30 pm. Therefore it is best to arrive first thing when it opens in the morning at 8:30 to ensure you actually get to visit.
The reason I do not include Cenote Zaci in the original itinerary is because the other cenotes are visually much more impressive in my opinion and are wayyyy less busy. However, if you want the ease of simply walking over in town and a much cheaper entrance fee (only 30 pesos) then this could be a good option for you.
Casa de los Venados
If you are a big fan of culture and museums, this might be a great short add-on to your adventures in Valladolid. Casa de los Venados is a small museum located in a private home that displays a large selection of Mexican folk art. If you find joy out of these historical representations of Mexican culture, then definitely check this place out!
Frequently Asked Questions about Valladolid
Is Valladolid, Mexico Safe?
Yes, generally Valladolid is considered a safe destination, even to walk around at night. Of course, use common sense, don’t walk around alone late at night, and be aware of pickpockets in the busy areas of town.
Is Valladolid Walkable?
The town of Valladolid itself is very walkable to get to restaurants and some popular sights. However, most of the attractions people visit Valladolid for are outside of town and require a car or scooter rental, taxi, colectivo, or tour to get to.
Plan Your Trip to Valladolid – Logistical Tips:
📱 Stay Connected Without Expensive Roaming Fees
I never travel without an E-Sim now. Stay connected at a fraction of the price of roaming fees, and my favourite part, you can simply down the E-Sim to your phone and don’t have to switch SIM cards around. The service I always use is Airola.
🚍 Book Your Buses in Mexico
The local bus websites are often only in Spanish and are very glitchy. I used Busbud to book all my bus tickets in Mexico because they actually offered the exact same rates as buying them in person with the added bonus of your tickets being secured in advance.
🏠 Book Your Accommodation
Hostelworld is the best place to book hostels, whether you are staying in a dorm or a private room. They offer great environments to meet people and many will also offer activities. If you prefer hotels, Booking.com is great for finding the cheapest rates.
🏄♀️ Book Your Tours and Excursions
The best search tool I use to book tours in Mexico is Viator. It has the largest selection of tours with local operators and offers flexible cancellation.
Final Thoughts on the Perfect 3 Day Valladolid Itinerary and Guide
Valladolid offers visitors a unique experience to explore stunning natural beauty and historical Mayan ruins in an unspoiled, authentically Mexican town. In just 3 days, you can witness magnificent cenotes, climb ancient pyramids, and view stunning caves. 3 days in Valladolid is the perfect amount of time to take in all the top things to do and experience a variety of adventures. Following this detailed 3 day Valladolid itinerary ensures you make the most of your time experiencing the natural and historical wonders this small Mexican hidden gem has to offer.
* Disclosure: Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links, which means I receive a commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through a link. I only recommend products and companies that I use. Thanks for the support!
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