Valladolid, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, Feb 2021
In Feb 2021, we decided to take a trip to the Cancun with our son, Imran, and his family, and then visit Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico and explore a few places there. So, one fine day, we flew into Cancun, and stayed at a beach resort for 4 days to catch some sun, sand, and sea, before renting a car and driving into the Yucatan peninsula. Cancun is always wonderful, see images below
![Beautiful beach always in Cancun Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico Feb 2021, Beautiful beach always in Cancun](https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/vo4xr2jgoso0zw9/dsc03362__lum.jpeg)
![Beach time with grandson Idris Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico Feb 2021, Beach time with grandson Idris](https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/slaoi9qs4hw4y0o/dsc03362__lum.jpeg)
Plan was to drive to Merida, a large city inland in Yucatan. However, Dilshad’s research enroute showed an interesting place called Valladolid along the way. Plan B was hatched in the car to stay over in Valladolid, and we searched online and found a very nice local boutique hotel (Zenti’k Project) that had availability. This hotel had an underground cenote style hot water spa that we were eager to try. After checking in, for dinner, we found an authentic Mayan restaurant called IX CAT IK, where handmade Maya recipes are the focus at this homey, rustic, artful eatery with a lush garden. The Mayan’s used to eat a lot of Chaya, which is an indigenous species of tree spinach only grown in this area. We had the Caldo de Chaya (soup of chaya); lots of corn tortillas and a couple of other dishes. Some images below
![IX CAT IK traditional Mayan cuisine Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico Feb 2021, IX CAT IK traditional Mayan cuisine](https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/exz3jfnuc1hvk17/dsc03362__lum.jpeg)
![Fresh hand made corn tortillas over a wood fire; does not get much more traditional than that Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico Feb 2021, Fresh hand made corn tortillas over a wood fire; does not get much more traditional than that](https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/989lqham2jdrbdo/dsc03362__lum.jpeg)
![Mayan dishes Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico Feb 2021, Mayan dishes](https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/lhd7fy7jtpws321/dsc03362__lum.jpeg)
How was the food (remembering to talk about the 5 senses)? It was slightly spiced, and there were a lot of greens, including Chaya (tastes like spinach). The prawns were nicely cooked and lightly spiced. I cannot remember what the desert was 🙁 . But the food was good, tasty without overpowering spices, and nutritious.
Valladolid was established by a famous conquistador, Francisco de Montejo, like Merida, in 1543, the year after he established the city of Merida. Long ago Valladolid was given the nickname of the Sultaness of the East, indicating its function as the business center of the Eastern Peninsula. But it seems to have always been number three, behind Merida (number one) and Campeche (number two) in the hit parade of colonial cities there.
Next day, we walked around the town of Valladolid, exploring different parts. Very few people spoke english. Some images below
![Mayan & other interesting history here Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico Feb 2021, Mayan & other interesting history here](https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/lhgg2a4pzlmgxqi/dsc03362__lum.jpeg)
![This young man was following in his father’s footsteps Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico Feb 2021, This young man was following in his father’s footsteps](https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/ygys4zv55hma7ey/dsc03362__lum.jpeg)
![Classic image in front of the fort Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico Feb 2021, Classic image in front of the fort](https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/n20q3g864h73mxa/dsc03362__lum.jpeg)
Food was very good everywhere here in Valladolid; presented nicely with nice décor restaurants
![Great restaurants with outdoor and indoor seating Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico Feb 2021, Great restaurants with outdoor and indoor seating](https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/clcwtezhu98bazi/dsc03362__lum.jpeg)
![Calle de Los Frailes (Street of the Friars); a historical street in Valladolid Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico Feb 2021, Calle de Los Frailes (Street of the Friars); a historical street in Valladolid](https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/xvbr6e3dd61kqf6/dsc03362__lum.jpeg)
![The zocalo and cathedral Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico Feb 2021, The zocalo and cathedral](https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/7d009wx198y55o9/dsc03362__lum.jpeg)
![Old, preserved Mayan home Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico Feb 2021, Old, preserved Mayan home](https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/wffdw75h9hpe6t1/dsc03362__lum.jpeg)
![Loving that ice cream Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico Feb 2021, Loving that ice cream](https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/7r92mb2th0lbx9i/dsc03362__lum.jpeg)
![Fun rides Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico Feb 2021, Fun rides](https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/y5881378atvbh7v/dsc03362__lum.jpeg)
![Busier parts of the city Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico Feb 2021, Busier parts of the city](https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/8nhtvtum40msrc6/dsc03362__lum.jpeg)
![Had to check out the fruit and vegetable market, not very big Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico Feb 2021, Had to check out the fruit and vegetable market, not very big](https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/xgmuhqcgv5tx09n/dsc03362__lum.jpeg)
![Prawns were widely available in dishes everywhere; since Valladolid is not far from the oceans; the foods were all tasty without too much spice Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico Feb 2021, Prawns were widely available in dishes everywhere; since Valladolid is not far from the oceans; the foods were all tasty without too much spice](https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/b5pb3gs0j9fddve/dsc03362__lum.jpeg)
![Nicely lit of cathedral in the zocalo Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico Feb 2021, Nicely lit of cathedral in the zocalo](https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/arrqd6nq0i7gxrh/dsc03362__lum.jpeg)
![Desert was the street stand Marquesita, which is a crepe with your choice of stuffing inside; I had the Mango, Queso, Lechera special. Yummy Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico Feb 2021, Desert was the street stand Marquesita, which is a crepe with your choice of stuffing inside; I had the Mango, Queso, Lechera special. Yummy](https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/rsxg911v1e79vwv/dsc03362__lum.jpeg)
This area has a lot of cenotes (natural water underground caves) and several very nice old pyramids, which we had to check out. First stop was Las Coloradas, which is a small fishing town on the Gulf of Mexico (west of Cancun) that also has produces salt
![Las Coloradas, fishing village Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico Feb 2021, Las Coloradas, fishing village](https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/u5wexee94sm7pd9/dsc03362__lum.jpeg)
![Distinctive pink tones of the salt lakes Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico Feb 2021, Distinctive pink tones of the salt lakes](https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/jnq7hjybzf9acvk/dsc03362__lum.jpeg)
![Salt, anyone? Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico Feb 2021, Salt, anyone?](https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/e8qbd4uq3nombs8/dsc03362__lum.jpeg)
After Las Coloradas, we went to Ek Balam; an archeological site of ancient Mayan pyramids and ruins; that are still in very good shape. We hired a local Mayan to guide us around and explained the history. Some images below
![Huge well-preserved pyramid at Ek Balam Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico Feb 2021, Huge well-preserved pyramid at Ek Balam](https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/6u24r1fmz5yha4o/dsc03362__lum.jpeg)
![Amazing intricate carvings by the Mayans so many years ago in process of being restored & preserved Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico Feb 2021, Amazing intricate carvings by the Mayans so many years ago in process of being restored & preserved](https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/d690yrk1j4fcqba/dsc03362__lum.jpeg)
![Multiple Mayan pyramids in this area Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico Feb 2021, Multiple Mayan pyramids in this area](https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/hh3gw6li7svm3t1/dsc03362__lum.jpeg)
From here, we went to Cenote Xcanche nearby, a nice cenote which you had to climb down to reach. It was relatively empty, so it was nice and quiet. Images below
![Cenote Xcanche Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico Feb 2021, Cenote Xcanche](https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/nmnz4gmjzmfzbq8/dsc03362__lum.jpeg)
![Into the Cenote we go Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico Feb 2021, Into the Cenote we go](https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/kgc86lay592s06x/dsc03362__lum.jpeg)
The evening, we spent in the hot spa cenote waters in the hotel
![Hot spa cenote Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico Feb 2021, Hot spa cenote](https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/iojqw7md1vye3gy/dsc03362__lum.jpeg)
![Hotel room had very interesting artwork everywhere. Unique Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico Feb 2021, Hotel room had very interesting artwork everywhere. Unique](https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/e8gkyp2pi1q6iu2/dsc03362__lum.jpeg)
Next, off to Merida and Campeche
Our trip so far
![Our trip so far Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico Feb 2021, Our trip so far](https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/rz6xu76zww0ubxw/dsc03362__lum.jpeg)
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Smashing Images…Loved each & every one, especially the one with Idris.. The first one of Playa Chakmol is breathtaking..Beautifully captured with all the shades of the Sea.
Love to Dilshad.
Thanks Muslim, for the feedback. So glad you enjoyed the images.
Ali,
As always – great photography. You are able to capture local senses so well, that I felt I was there.
Congratulations once again.
Thanks so much Iqbal, for the feedback.
So glad you enjoyed traveling with us 🙂
Quick feedback: great detail, great photos and why not figure out a version and create a reel for TikTok, wider viewership?
Thanks for the constructive feedback. This is what I always look for & appreciate.
I will definitely look into the suggestion of the TikTok reel. Sounds like a great idea.
Thanks again
Thank you for sharing your travel experience.
Most welcome
Hey Ali & Dilshad. It’s a pleasure to go through your blogs. It’s as if am travelling with you. Very interesting .
Don’t know how you do it.
Where do you get energy from ?
Mashallah thanks for sharing. Keep well and stay safe.
Bud.
Thanks Bud for the feedback; so glad you enjoyed traveling with us 🙂
Energy is becoming a challenge as we age; I hope we can continue to do this till we cannot anymore 🙂
Take care
I am living my travels thru you. Thanks for sharing
Thanks Aziz, for the feedback; Glad you are enjoying traveling with us
You guys surely know how to have fun getting the best out of your life and bucks
Good for you
Keep it up
Life is to short to sit and not do anything
Sadru
Thank you so much Dr Bardai for the feedback.
Glad you enjoyed
Nice Place to visit, nice beach, food and lots of Amazing place to visit
Thank you for sharing Ali
Thanks Ahmed for the feedback; glad you enjoyed the blog
Enjoyed reading it. Enjoyed the food pictures.
Thanks Durrain, for the feedback.
So glad you enjoyed it.
Thank you Ali. its always a pleasure to “travel” with Dilshad and you,, through your evocative photos and extensive notes. How wonderful that Imran & family could join you in Cancun. Mexico is full of many beautiful and unspoiled nooks and niches. And lovely people! Thank you for sharing. Looking forward to the next installment :-)!
vineeta
Thanks Vineeta, for “traveling with us” to Valladolid. You are indeed correct; there is so much beauty in this world; we all need to experience it.
Thanks again for the feedback.
Wonderful travel logs! I love all the pictures of Dilshad 😍
Thanks for the feedback Janine; glad you enjoyed the blog and pics
Wonderful place. Amazing pyramids salt lake, hot spa & restaurant, food dishes. I liked it.
THanks Raj; glad you enjoyed traveling with us
As usual , enjoyed the Virtual Picnic
Thanks Abdul