Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico Feb 2021

By Ali Karim
This post is part of a series called Valladolid, Merida, Campeche Feb 2021

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

Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico Feb 2021, Beautiful beach always in Cancun
Beautiful beach always in Cancun
Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico Feb 2021, Beach time with grandson Idris
Beach time with grandson Idris

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 

Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico Feb 2021, IX CAT IK traditional Mayan cuisine
IX CAT IK traditional Mayan cuisine
Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico Feb 2021, Fresh hand made corn tortillas over a wood fire; does not get much more traditional than that
Fresh hand made corn tortillas over a wood fire; does not get much more traditional than that
Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico Feb 2021, Mayan dishes
Mayan dishes

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

Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico Feb 2021, Mayan & other interesting history here
Mayan & other interesting history here
Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico Feb 2021, This young man was following in his father’s footsteps
This young man was following in his father’s footsteps
Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico Feb 2021, Classic image in front of the fort
Classic image in front of the fort

Food was very good everywhere here in Valladolid; presented nicely with nice décor restaurants

Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico Feb 2021, Great restaurants with outdoor and indoor seating
Great restaurants with outdoor and indoor seating
Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico Feb 2021, Calle de Los Frailes (Street of the Friars); a historical street in Valladolid
Calle de Los Frailes (Street of the Friars); a historical street in Valladolid
Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico Feb 2021, The zocalo and cathedral
The zocalo and cathedral
Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico Feb 2021, Old, preserved Mayan home
Old, preserved Mayan home
Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico Feb 2021, Loving that ice cream
Loving that ice cream
Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico Feb 2021, Fun rides
Fun rides
Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico Feb 2021, Busier parts of the city
Busier parts of the city
Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico Feb 2021, Had to check out the fruit and vegetable market, not very big
Had to check out the fruit and vegetable market, not very big
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
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, Nicely lit of cathedral in the zocalo
Nicely lit up cathedral in the zocalo
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
Dessert was the street stand Marquesita, which is a crepe with your choice of stuffing inside; I had the Mango, Queso, Lechera special. Yummy

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

Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico Feb 2021, Las Coloradas, fishing village
Las Coloradas, fishing village
Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico Feb 2021, Distinctive pink tones of the salt lakes
Distinctive pink tones of the salt lakes
Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico Feb 2021, Salt, anyone?
Salt, anyone?

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

Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico Feb 2021, Huge well-preserved pyramid at Ek Balam
Huge well-preserved pyramid at Ek Balam. And yes, I did climb all the steps to the top
Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico Feb 2021, Amazing intricate carvings by the Mayans so many years ago in process of being restored & preserved
Amazing intricate carvings by the Mayans so many years ago in process of being restored & preserved
Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico Feb 2021, Multiple Mayan pyramids in this area
Multiple Mayan pyramids in this area, indicating a large settlement here, with mud houses that have not survived

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

Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico Feb 2021, Cenote Xcanche
Cenote Xcanche
Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico Feb 2021, Into the Cenote we go
Into the Cenote we go

The evening, we spent in the hot spa cenote waters in the hotel

Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico Feb 2021, Hot spa cenote
Hot spa cenote
Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico Feb 2021, Hotel room had very interesting artwork everywhere. Unique
Hotel room had very interesting artwork everywhere. Unique

Next, off to Merida and Campeche

Our trip so far

Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico Feb 2021, Our trip so far
Our trip so far
This entry was posted in Mexico, North America, Yucatan

28 thoughts on “Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico Feb 2021

  • Pingback: Mérida  & Campeche, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, Feb 2021 - Ali Karim Travelog North America

  • Fatima Mawji April 4, 2023 at 11:48 pm Reply

    👍

  • Muslim Harji April 4, 2023 at 3:50 pm Reply

    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.

    • Ali Karim April 4, 2023 at 6:21 pm Reply

      Thanks Muslim, for the feedback. So glad you enjoyed the images.

  • Iqbal Talib March 27, 2023 at 1:19 pm Reply

    Ali,

    As always – great photography. You are able to capture local senses so well, that I felt I was there.
    Congratulations once again.

    • Ali Karim March 27, 2023 at 2:01 pm Reply

      Thanks so much Iqbal, for the feedback.
      So glad you enjoyed traveling with us 🙂

  • Tony Ramji March 20, 2023 at 11:59 am Reply

    Quick feedback: great detail, great photos and why not figure out a version and create a reel for TikTok, wider viewership?

    • Ali Karim March 20, 2023 at 12:03 pm Reply

      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

  • Nick Kanji March 17, 2023 at 8:08 pm Reply

    Thank you for sharing your travel experience.

    • Ali Karim March 20, 2023 at 11:47 am Reply

      Most welcome

  • Bud Adatia March 9, 2023 at 10:37 am Reply

    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.

    • Ali Karim March 9, 2023 at 10:42 am Reply

      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

  • Aziz Bhimani March 6, 2023 at 1:19 pm Reply

    I am living my travels thru you. Thanks for sharing

    • Ali Karim March 6, 2023 at 1:23 pm Reply

      Thanks Aziz, for the feedback; Glad you are enjoying traveling with us

  • Sadru Bardai February 21, 2023 at 4:24 pm Reply

    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

    • Ali Karim February 21, 2023 at 5:11 pm Reply

      Thank you so much Dr Bardai for the feedback.
      Glad you enjoyed

  • Ahmed Budhwani February 20, 2023 at 1:22 pm Reply

    Nice Place to visit, nice beach, food and lots of Amazing place to visit

    Thank you for sharing Ali

    • Ali Karim February 20, 2023 at 1:32 pm Reply

      Thanks Ahmed for the feedback; glad you enjoyed the blog

  • Durrain Porbandarwala February 10, 2023 at 1:09 pm Reply

    Enjoyed reading it. Enjoyed the food pictures.

    • Ali Karim February 10, 2023 at 1:15 pm Reply

      Thanks Durrain, for the feedback.
      So glad you enjoyed it.

  • Vineeta Salvi February 10, 2023 at 9:00 am Reply

    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

    • Ali Karim February 10, 2023 at 12:45 pm Reply

      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.

  • Janine Coha February 9, 2023 at 9:37 pm Reply

    Wonderful travel logs! I love all the pictures of Dilshad 😍

    • Ali Karim February 9, 2023 at 9:38 pm Reply

      Thanks for the feedback Janine; glad you enjoyed the blog and pics

  • Raj February 5, 2023 at 12:00 am Reply

    Wonderful place. Amazing pyramids salt lake, hot spa & restaurant, food dishes. I liked it.

    • Ali Karim February 5, 2023 at 11:01 pm Reply

      THanks Raj; glad you enjoyed traveling with us

  • Abdulmajid Morani February 4, 2023 at 9:23 am Reply

    As usual , enjoyed the Virtual Picnic

    • Ali Karim February 5, 2023 at 11:02 pm Reply

      Thanks Abdul

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