We left Tulum, the coast and the state of Quintana Roo for the state of Yucatán, once a powerful Mayan centre.

Our first stop: Valladolid.

We’ve been there before, two years ago, and I had a very good memory of it. It was different from the “Riviera Maya,” a welcome break from the touristic sites.

It hasn’t changed.

Most travellers just pass through the city on their way to Chichén Itzá. At most, they stop for lunch, but they rarely stay overnight.

Yet Valladolid is worth a stop. This is a “normal” Mexican city that doesn’t cater exclusively to tourists. It welcomes them with open arms but there are no silly gimmicks and tacky souvenirs, just a few sombreros sold here and there.

Valladolid is a beautiful place. It reminds me of Antigua with its colourful buildings, its paved streets, its shops tucked into old houses and its many churches and plazas. It has the same sophisticated and welcoming vibe.

On the downside, since Valladolid doesn’t have that many tourists, there are only a few restaurants and hotels (locals eat at home!) and no supermarkets in the centres (but many small bodegas). You are more likely to find leather shoes (apparently a local obsession) than a convenience store!

On the Road to Valladolid
On the Road to Valladolid
On the Road to Valladolid
On the Road to Valladolid
Buildings in Valladolid
Buildings in Valladolid
Always Coca Cola
Always Coca Cola
Hair Salon
Hair Salon
Buildings in Valladolid
Buildings in Valladolid
Say "No" To Drugs
Say “No” To Drugs
"Cantina" (Bar)
“Cantina” (Bar)
Valladolid
Valladolid
Valladolid
Valladolid
Valladolid
Valladolid
Sex Shop!
Sex Shop!
Traffic Jam
Traffic Jam
Laundry Service
Laundry Service
Valladolid
Valladolid
Souvenirs
Souvenirs
Beetle
Beetle
Behind The Window
Behind The Window
Yucatan
Yucatan
Valladolid
Valladolid
Cathedral of San Gervasio
Cathedral of San Gervasio
Valladolid
Valladolid
Mark Making Friends
Mark Making Friends

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5 Comments

  1. La Madame January 21, 2014 at 2:13 am

    Tu sembles passer de supers moments au Maxique ma Zhu! 🙂 Je viens de zieuter tes autres posts, tes photos sont superbes! 🙂 La baignade dans les caves ça doit être cool à faire, j’aimerais bien un jour! 🙂

    Bisous 🙂

    Reply
    1. La Madame January 21, 2014 at 2:14 am

      Wouahhh!!! 😀 MExique plutôt que Maxique LOL

      Reply
    2. Zhu January 24, 2014 at 12:02 am

      Je me sens bien chanceuse!

      Reply
  2. Holly Nelson January 21, 2014 at 9:41 pm

    Looks so heavenly. A little boy I teach is going to Mexico next week – I will definitely have to think about it once I have my pr. I have always wanted to go!

    Reply
    1. Zhu January 24, 2014 at 12:03 am

      Do it! It’s such a cheap flight from Canada!

      Reply

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