Valladolid
Located halfway (two hours from each) between Merida and Cancun, Valladolid is a bustling Mayan city with a special colonial flavor. This is where you will see the majority of the townspeople still using the typical dress of the Maya and the buildings around the Main Plaza painted pastel colors. You will surely get a sense of the laid-back pace of life.
The Plaza is a unique place with many Mayan ladies sitting on the side opposite the Cathedral hawkin crafts that include hand-embroidered dresses and blouses, Barbie dresses and handkerchiefs, hammocks and more. The statue of a Mayan lady in the middle of the park is a typical place to have your picture taken.
Valladolid is home to some very important history. The Caste War began here in 1847, and also the first signs of the Mexican Revolution of 1910.
There are seven churches in the different neighborhoods that should be visited, along with the impressive San Bernadino Convent, the San Roque Museum and the Government Palace, with its huge murals depicting Mexican history. As you stroll to the different neighborhoods to visit the churches, take note of the architecture of the locals' homes that range from huts to mansions. Note the yards, the animals, the gardens, the flowers, the trees, the laundry. You will learn so much about the people on these strolls. Take note of the detailed stonework on the facades of many of the colonial buildings.
While in Valladolid, you are in the heart of good Yucatecan cooking country. Try the flavorful cuisine of Valladolid in such dishes as lomitos de Valladolid, longaniza and chicken escabeche. Longaniza de Valladolid is a sausage that is made locally. Try it with scrambled eggs or grilled and wrapped in a tortilla. Both ways are delicious!
Hotels are quite reasonable in Valladolid making it a good place to use as a base for going to Chichen Itza 28 miles away and the Balancanchen Caves 22 miles away. Consider staying for two nights so you can really get a feel for the place.
Valladolid also has very important cenotes, like Dzitnup, about 5 kilometers west and Ik-kil 30 mintues from Valladolid and 5 minuntes form Chichen Itza. Both are good for swimming with the later being the most impressive. Cenotes are sinkholes.
There are other interesting places near Valladolid that should be visited like Ik-Kil and Dzinup cenotes, also visit the impressive Ek Balam archaeological site 20 minutes north of Valladolid on the road to Tizimin. The pyramids here are bigger than the ones at Chichen Itza. See our Ek Balam section for more info. Further north are Rio Lagartos and San Felipe.
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