From here we drove about an hour to Valladolid. It is a small town with a much more local flavor and much less of a tourist location. Renowned as “The Capital of the Mayan Orient,” Valladolid offers a harmonious blend of Mayan heritage and Spanish colonial architecture. Its well-preserved historic center is a captivating tapestry of pastel-hued buildings, charming plazas, and ancient churches, inviting visitors to step back in time and immerse themselves in the city’s rich cultural heritage. It was certainly more important to be able to speak Spanish here as the locals were able to speak English much less frequently.
In the heart of town lies Zaci, an open cenote that invites visitors to take a refreshing dip for a modest fee of 20 pesos. While it may feel more like a public swimming pool, the legend associated with the cenote, posted near the entrance, adds a touch of mystique and is well worth a read.
Take time and just walk around and explore the area. It gives a much better idea of daily life for people in the area.
The main square is home to El Catedral de San Gervasio, a majestic cathedral dating back to 1545. The original cathedral was destroyed in a political uprising, but was reconstructed in 1706.
Opposite this on the central square is El Mesón del Marqués, a vibrant food court with a variety of dining options. Additionally, a bustling array of street vendors lined the square, offering a tempting selection of local delicacies. There were more dining options than we were able to take advantage of. In retrospect, I would plan on staying a couple of nights in this town and use it as a base for day trips and just allow more time to enjoy Valladolid.
The municipal market between calle 32 y 37 was also a fun experience. It has many options for fresh fruit and meat with some crafts, but is best to visit 8-11am. Beware visiting (or skip that building) if you don’t want to see your meat in a much more natural state. It was more educational about where our food comes from than some of our party wanted to experience.
Other attractions we read about but weren’t able to visit include:
San Roque museum, which is free and provides a discussion of local history and development.
Casa de los venados showcases folk and contemporary art, and provides a tour at 10am.
The day was a little derailed by upset stomachs and the power being out in our neighborhood, so everyone was okay with just relaxing for most of the day.