Valladolid
A colonial base in Yucatán for cenotes and Maya ruins within about an hour's drive, quieter than the coast.
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Valladolid is a colonial town in eastern Yucatán, Mexico, roughly halfway between Mérida and the Caribbean coast. Spanish settlers founded it in 1543. Its low pastel houses and shaded central plaza are the center of daily life. Travelers mostly base here for what lies around it: cenotes, the sinkholes you can swim in, and Chichén Itzá, about an hour's drive away.
The town suits travelers who want a quiet base for day trips. A short trip built around cenotes and an early start at Chichén Itzá works here, and a longer stay with a car makes it easier to visit more of the ruins. The cooler, drier months from November to April are the most comfortable time to visit. June to October brings heat and the rainy season. Plan at least two nights, and three if you want to see more than one site without rushing.
Valladolid in five
- Sleep here to reach Chichén Itzá at openingThe ruins are about 40 km away, roughly 45 minutes by car or taxi. Staying in town beats the Cancún tour buses, which arrive mid-morning.Chichén Itzá from Valladolid
- Swim at Cenote Zací firstZací sits a short walk from the central square and is the easy first swim. Cenotes outside town need a taxi, bike or car, so pair two of them in a half day.Things to do in Valladolid
- Add Ek Balam on the same loopEk Balam is about 30 km north and quieter than Chichén Itzá. Colectivos and taxis run there, or combine it with a cenote and lunch in one loop.
- Rent a car for the cenote loopTaxis and colectivos cover single stops, but a car links cenotes, Ek Balam and Chichén Itzá on your own clock. Fill the tank in town before heading out to the villages.Mexico transport
- Avoid the afternoon in April to JuneHighs sit in the mid-30s °C and humidity is high. Do sights early, use the afternoon for a cenote or the pool, and walk the town in the evening.
Need to know
- Airport
- Cancún (CUN) about 2–2.5 hours by road; Mérida (MID) similar
- Getting there
- ADO or colectivo bus from Cancún or Mérida, about 2–3 hours
- Getting around
- Walkable center; taxis, colectivos and bikes for the cenotes
- Best base
- Within a few blocks of the central square
- Time needed
- 2 nights; 3 with Ek Balam and a second cenote
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh28°Low19°Dry, pleasantJanuaryPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 58 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, pleasant
- FebruaryPartly cloudy4 rainy daysHigh30°Low19°DryFebruaryPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 18 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry
- MarchClear4 rainy daysHigh33°Low20°Dry, hotMarchClear
Best
- High
- 33°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 25 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, hot
- AprilClear5 rainy daysHigh35°Low22°Hot, dryAprilClear
Mixed
- High
- 35°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 35 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, dry
- MayPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh35°Low23°HottestMayPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 35°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 66 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hottest
- JuneRain17 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh33°Low24°Rains startJuneRain
Poor
- High
- 33°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 213 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Rains start
- JulyRain16 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh34°Low23°Hot, showersJulyRain
Mixed
- High
- 34°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 130 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hot, showers
- AugustRain19 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh34°Low23°Hot, showersAugustRain
Poor
- High
- 34°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 151 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hot, showers
- SeptemberRain20 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh33°Low23°Hurricane seasonSeptemberRain
Poor
- High
- 33°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 249 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hurricane season
- OctoberRain17 rainy daysHigh31°Low22°Storm riskOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 164 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Storm risk
- NovemberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh30°Low20°Dry, pleasantNovemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 59 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, pleasant
- DecemberPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh29°Low19°Dry, holidaysDecemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 42 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, holidays
Average daily high and low in Valladolid, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Valladolid
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
32
- Feels like
- 35°
- Humidity
- 49%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 83%
Valladolid
02:37 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today31°22°83%Monday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 83%.
- Tue33°22°71%Tuesday: Rain. High 33°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 71%.
- Wed33°22°47%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 33°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 47%.
- Thu33°22°17%Thursday: Drizzle. High 33°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 17%.
- Fri33°22°25%Friday: Clear. High 33°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 25%.
- Sat32°22°40%Saturday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 40%.
- Sun33°21°69%Sunday: Drizzle. High 33°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 69%.
Updated 11:12 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 18.81 MXN
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Chichén Itzáabout 45 min by carGo at opening, before the Cancún buses arrive.Read the guide
- Ek Balamabout 30–40 min by carA quieter Maya site with carved stucco and fewer visitors.
- Cobáabout 1 hour 15 min by carRuins in the jungle, best by bike once you are inside.Read the guide
Before you go to Valladolid
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Valladolid, checked
- INAH lists Ek Balam open daily 8:00 to 16:30 (last entry 16:00); foreign visitors pay a 210-peso federal fee plus a 461-peso Yucatán state fee.Checked Oct 1, 2026 · Source
Valladolid FAQ
Is Valladolid worth visiting?
Yes if you want a small colonial town with a cenote in the center and the ruins close by. It has little nightlife and no beach, so skip it if the sea is the point of your trip.
How many days do you need in Valladolid?
Two nights fit a cenote, the convent, a town walk and Chichén Itzá at opening. Add a third for Ek Balam and a second cenote, or if you want to move slowly in the heat.
How far is Valladolid from Chichén Itzá?
About 40 km, 45 minutes by car or taxi. Buses and colectivos also run, which costs less but is harder to time for an opening-hour start.
Can you visit Valladolid as a day trip from Cancún?
It is possible, about two hours each way, but the road eats most of the day. A night in town leaves time for a cenote and the convent, so day-trip only if you must.
Is Valladolid safe for travelers?
The town is widely seen as calm, but use the usual care with valuables and take licensed taxis at night. Read your government's travel advice for Mexico before you go.