The Mindful Traveler’s Guide To Valladolid, Mexico: Things To Do, Vegan Food, And More
If you’re wondering what a mindful, alternative traveler like yourself might get into in Valladolid, Mexico, you’ve come to the right place. After spending some time in Mérida with my partner we moseyed over to this colorful city and found our way around. After a rocky beginning due to a horrible night in a bad hostel, things started to quickly look up. In the text to follow I’ll take you on an experience with us through Valladolid and offer some suggestions on ways to spend your precious time!
1. Visit Chicen Itza
People flock from all corners of the glove to gaze upon Chichen Itza, the Mayan Ruins in Mexico. This archaeological site pulls in about 2,500,000 visitors a year, to be more exact. As of 2007 it is one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. After visiting and roaming the grounds I understand why. There are 6 Mayan ruins in the Old Chicen section, 20 in the New Chichen or ‘Chichen Itza’, coming to a total of 26 structures to take in. If you decided to visit, a word of advice: get there as early as possible, and don’t visit on a Sunday! On Sunday locals get in for free so a crowd is guaranteed.
TickeT Prices And Hours Of Operation
It opens at 8 AM and closes at 6 PM, Monday through Sunday, and becomes packed quickly. Tour groups from Playa Del Carmen and other places tend to get there around 9:00 and continue to pour in throughout the day. Tickets cost $480 MP, or $25 USD.
How To Get There (Budget Friendly)
For those on a budget like myself, consider taking a colectivo to get there from Valladolid. It is the cheapest option! Colectivos are mini-buses that locals use and backpackers often take too. A word of warning: don’t expect air-conditioning or personal space. This didn’t really bother me and I enjoy exploring more local ways of moving about, but it is something to be aware of in Covid times. Colectivos depart about every 30 minutes just a couple blocks down the street from the back of the Ado bus station in the center of Valladolid and start running their routes around 7 AM. A one way ticket is $40 Mexican pesos, or around $2 USD. The same colectivos will pick you up from Chicen Itza and bring you back to town! You can also take a bike (it would be a long ride!), taxi, or Ado bus for just a bit more money.
2. Take A Dip In The Cenotes
You may have seen pictures of travelers floating in deep, gorgeous circular clear greenish blue pools in Mexico. Chances are that they are in a cenote! Cenote Finder says: “The Yucatan peninsula is basically a flat piece of limestone, which used to be a gigantic reef millions of years ago until the sea level dropped and revealed what we now know as the Yucatan Peninsula. The land mass is scattered with caves and sinkholes (cenotes), this vast network of fractures drains the rainwater from the surface into many vast underground river systems. It’s very difficult to know the exact number of how many cenotes are out there in the Mexican jungle but there are over 7,000 cenotes, over 2,200 have been registered. And at least 900 of these are considered to be a part of the ‘Ring of Cenotes’ located near the city of Merida.
A Little Bit Of History
The Yucatan is home to some of the world’s longest underground cave systems. The Sistema Sac Actun, located in the Riviera Maya, is the world’s longest underground cave measuring 350 km with it’s deepest measuring 119 m and home to over roughly 226 cenotes. Archaeologists have discovered 9000-year-old human bones as well as the bones of animals that walked the planet around the time of the ice age.”
The Importance Of The Cenotes
Besides being really captivating and unique natural wonders, they were and are still important to the people of what is today called Mexico. “A cenote is said to be quite significant to the Mayan people. Whilst cenotes were their main water source, they were also considered it to be the entrance to the Xibalba, translated to the underworld, and a place where the Mayan gods would visit, especially Chaac, the Mayan god of rain, lightning, and thunder. Cenotes were so important that most temples and villages were built close by or as recent discoveries prove that the Mayans built on top of cenotes, such as Chichen Itza.”
Cenotes To Visit In Valladolid
Valladolid is home to many of them and you can find a list of them here. We visited Cenote Oxman and left refreshed and simply happy. Cenote Oxman is located on a property called Hacienda San Lorenzo Oxman and also features and outdoor pool, bar, and restaurant for visitors. When getting your ticket you can opt to pay the minimal price or a little more for food credits. Try to get to the cenote early as well because these are popular spots and fill up quickly. The cool thing about this particular cenote is that it is accessible by bike from Valladolid, has a rope swing that you can use as may times as you would like, and black fish glide around you through the pool.
3. Learn About The Native Bees (A Hidden Gem!)
There is an incredible nature reserve called Xkopek Parque Apicola. I was hesitant to go to this place at first because I live vegan and avoid animal tourism besides sanctuaries, and the place calls itself a “bee farm”. Although they do have bees on another piece of land that they tend to and take secretions from to sell (to keep the main place running), the main hub only protects the bees that live here and teaches the public and locals how to do the same. We found this place through HostelWorld, where I find all my cheap hostels, and decided to check it out after a disastrous and loud night in another hostel in Valladolid. We needed some peace, quiet, and nature. We were pleasantly surprised to learn about the operation when we arrived.
The Magic And Comfort Of Xkopek Parque Apicola
After paying around $10 per person per night to stay in a double-wide tent with the most comfortable sleeping pad in the world, we learned that the cost of the bee tour was included. We didn’t know if it was something we wanted to learn about but I am oh so glad that we went. Before we go into the magic of the tour, I must tell you about staying at Xkopek.
First of all, I imagine it is one of the most quiet places to stay in the city, and it certainly is one of the cheapest and greenest. Besides provided tents they have cute treehouses and tiny homes that can be booked through AirBnb. They have the most magnificent layered pool that I have ever seen, and outdoor kitchen, small restaurant, and an incredibly friendly and helpful staff. They get 10’s across the board from me!
What The Bee Tour Is Like
Whether you decide to stay here or not, the bee tour is worth the visit. A staff member takes you through a dry cenote (yes, there is still water underground!) and introduces you to four different species of bees. There are five total on the property, and the details of their lives will expand and blow your mind. If we had walked that same path through the cenote seco without a guide we never would have noticed the bee hives.
We also would have never guessed the different practices the bees have to protect themselves, their hives, their queens, and their homes. The tour explains that because so many of these native bees are so small they are mistaken for other insects people see as “pests” and killed. Many of them are now endangered. The end of the tour ends with a honey tasting, which you can opt out of easily if you decide not to consume the secretions of other animals. Please remember to tip your lovely guide at the end of your tour!
You can beck out Xkopek here on HostelWorld to book your stay, and learn more about the tours here.
P.s. There are not many vegan options at the restaurant on site besides the chips and guac, tea, coffee, and beer so consider packing a lunch or dinner if you come for the tour.
4. Stroll Down Calzada De Los Frailes
If you’ve already searched “things to do in Valladolid”, you’ve most likely already heard about Calzada De Los Frailes. It holds extremely colorful streets that are easy on the eyes and a fun place for a photoshoot. That also brings us to activity #5, because one of our favorite plant-based restaurants calls this colorful path home.
5. Eat Plants, Be Happy
I often say that it seems to me that vegans get way more excited about food than non-vegans. To be honest, when I’m traveling with my partner or friends, we usually center our whole day around food and take delight in doing so. This blog wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t mention some of our favorite grub hubs in Valladolid.
Le’ Kaat Is A Vegan Dream
Le’ Kaat turned into our go-to spot because it had a full menu, cheap but freshly delicious juices and smoothies, and always seemed to be on our route. The breakfast and lunch/dinner menu is expansive. They also have unique desserts and you won’t come across any animal flesh on the menu.
Other Places To Eat
We also fell in love with El Falafel de la Colmena, a small joint that makes flavorful falafel wraps, falafel burgers, and other creative dishes. There is limited seating outside right next to a pleasant park and you can also get food to-go. The staff was incredibly kind and genuine. The food was reasonably priced and a bit cheaper than Le’ Kaat. Let them know that you are vegan and they will be sure to not include any breast milk from a cow in your dish’s sauce!
My quest for vegan ice-cream led me to Elela. I did not end up getting it because it contained honey, but that was the only animal secretion used at this cozy cafe and restaurant. Elela grows much of their own produce and seemed to be very mindful of the ecosystem around them and what impacts their practices make. They also had a full menu with so many delicious and unique dishes full of fresh plants and yummy nutrition.
There are quite a few other vegan restaurants/cafes in Valladolid and a ton of vegan options. You can explore them all here with Happy Cow.
Have you been to Valladolid? If so, what were your favorite actives and food spots? Leave us a comment below, we’d love to know!
