Valladolid

If you travel to the Mayan Riviera, most likely you are going to feel the need to escape the touristy traps. After awhile you will feel like you are still in the United States ~ everything is pretty expensive, dollars are accepted everywhere and with the exception to Tulum, there isn't much culture this side of the jungle.  If you are going to Chichen Itza and want to experience an authentic Mexican colonial city with cobblestone streets and spend 1/4 of the price for touristy items, Valladolid has everything to offer you.  It's probably one of the most frugal cities you could travel to, offering many things to do that are free or almost free.  One of the things that makes this city truly unique is that instead of park benches, they have installed white chairs that face each other in the downtown square, so you can sit with your loved one facing each other to talk.

How to Get Here

2.5 hour bus ride from Playa del Carmen with ADO bus will cost you 176 pesos one way.

Where to Stay

La Candelaria Hostel ~ I absolutely adore this little gem of a place, located in a quiet courtyard with a beautiful sitting room for reading or taking a nap, within a few blocks to downtown.  A private room with a shared bathroom will cost you 180 pesos per person per night, 100 pesos for a shared dorm room, includes breakfast (fresh fruit with yogurt and granola, cereal, toast, coffee, tea).  As this is a very popular little place, I recommend you make a reservation online or by calling

Tel. 985-856-2267

La Candelaria Hostel

What to do

Pack a lunch and do the 4-hour bicycle tour of the Mayan villages and cenotes - the hostel rents the bikes for 15 pesos an hour and gives you a map to follow, highlighting all the best things to see.  You will feel free like Liz Gilbert in Bali riding your bike on the scenic country paths with butterflies and wild flowers surrounding you.  As you bike through the Mayan villages, little children will run out to greet you as you pass their stores.  You can stop for a cold beer and pickled chicharron snacks in the village of Chichimila.  I would avoid the touristy cenotes like Dzitnip, you will see many smaller ones on the map along the way.  My favorite cenote is called Xla-Kaj close to Chichimila, it's less touristy and you may have the whole place to yourself like I did. $25 pesos entrance fee.

Typical Mayan house in the village

Mayan store in the village

Cenote XLA'KAJ

There are great things to see and do downtown as well, that have no entry fee, such as:

Chocolate Museum ~ see Mayan ladies working in action to transform cocoa beans into chocolate for baking and sample chocolate fused with tequila, chile, cinnamon, vanilla, etc.  There is no cost to do the tour but you won't be able to leave without buying some of the delicious balls of chocolate!

Convento de San Bernardino

Tequila Tasting Museum ~ see how they make tequila and sample different kinds of tequila.  I found this tequila ridiculously expensive and would not recommend purchasing this brand, you can find many tequila brands that are cheaper and just as good in the supermarket.  But it's fun to see how they process tequila and get your afternoon happy hour buzz on for free!

Where to eat

I really can't recommend a place yet, still looking...ask the hostel for recommendations, but this looks pretty good: