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Over There - Valladolid
If looking for an interesting day trip, consider taking a drive or bus to Valladolid for the day. Located just 2 a hour drive from Merida, Cancun or the Riviera Maya area, Valladolid is one of the most beautiful cities in the Yucatan. Founded in 1543 by Francisco Montejo, Valladolid also makes a perfect "hub" point for those travelers who have a few days and are interested in visiting several different Mayan ruins. Because it turns out that Valladolid is central to Chichen Itza, Ek Balam and Coba. Plus it's just a bonus that the Rio Lagartos and San Felipe ecological reserves are nearby as well.

Filled with majestic churches, old mansions and buildings that speak of times of conquest, a Spanish heritage and the indigenous Mayan past, Valladolid's rich historical legacy is carried on proudly by its friendly people who open their doors daily for visitors to get a glimpse of one of the Yucatan's most beautiful Colonial cities.

History & Spanish Influence
Valladolid played an important role in the conquest and holds a special place in the heart of all Mayan people because the area's natives refused to accept Spanish dominion. When conquistadors arrived, the area was known to Mayan's as "Saci" (white hawk in Maya) and was a major political and religious center of the lords of the noble Mayan house of Cupul. Because of its importance, Saci was home to other Mayan nobles as well such as the Cupules of Conil and Cocones of Satuta who were not at all interested in being dominated by Spaniards and refused to subjugate themselves to their rule.

However, with time the entire Yucatan Peninsula was finally conquered by Montejo and after the difficult war on the Cupules of Conil he built Valladolid right on top of the Mayan temples of Saci. Montejo called his new headquarters Valladolid, after the city of the same name in Spain is where King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella were married. Interestingly enough the Spanish Government has recently deemed Valladolid as one of the most authentic Spanish cities in the Americas and has granted large sums of money to aid in its preservation.

Valladolid is the second oldest city in the Yucatan and its narrow streets and aged buildings give testiment to a glorious past that even bore witness to the War of the Castes. Today Valladolid is known as a city that carries its rich legacy quietly in the tourism sector so not much is ever publicized about it. But upon arrival visitors will find a thriving commercial center that has been critical to the Yucatan's development throughout the years.

Accomodations in Valladolid
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NOTE: Sometimes the hotels are very small and are not registered in our master database. In case nothing comes up in the search box, listed below are a few of the small but wonderful hotels in Valladolid!
Please tell them Sherri at Cozumelinsider sent you! ;-)

Some wonderful little places in Valladolid ~ Hacienda Sanchez
Calle 23 x 40 y 42
985-856-5212
51 rooms/suites

Hotel Zaci
Calle 44 #193 x 39
985-856-2167
60 rooms

Hotel Maria de La Luz
Maria de la Luz
Calle 42 #191 x 37 y 39
985-856-2018
40 rooms

Casa Quetzal
Calle 51 #218-C x 50 y 52
985-856-4796




El Meson del Marques
Calle 39 # 203 x 40 y 42
985-856-3042
90 rooms




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Getting to Valladolid
BY AIR
The Kahua Airstrip is 20 minutes away from Valladolid.
Check local air charter companies for potential prop plane service.

BY BUS
Several buslines leave hourly from Merida, Cancun, Tulum and Playa del Carmen going to Valladolid.
Check with local bus lines for current departure times and pricing.

BY CAR
When driving, the Merida-Valladolid-Cancun highway is the main highway connecting the city to the rest of the country by Federal Highway 180. Several highways now connect with 180 from the major cities of the southeast like Campeche, Merida, Cancun and Playa del Carmen.
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