What can I tell you about Valladolid to get you to go visit this Pueblo Magico? For starters, I will have to say the friendly people and the food are our top 2 reasons! Of course there are also the beautiful architecture of the buildings which make your picture taking so much more fun.

Founded in 1543 Valladolid was named after Valladolid, at the time the capital of Spain. Built atop a Maya town called Zaci-Val, whose buildings were dismantled to reuse the stones to build the Spanish colonial town. In January 1847, the native Mayans rioted, killing some eighty whites and sacking their houses. After a Mayan noble was shot by firing squad, the riot became a general uprising known as la Guerra de Castas (Cast Wars). It was led by Jacinto Pat, batab of Tihosuco and by Cecilio Chi of nearby Ichmul.

You can visit and see a lot in one day but it would probably be best if you made it a weekend getaway, this way you get to experience more of what goes on over the weekend and in the evening as it tends to also be more crowded and more restaurants open up later in the evening. Calzada de los Frailes is a unique colonial street that has kept it’s originality and the street is lined with restaurants as they close the street so people can walk freely.

There is also an old ex-convent at the end of the Calzada de los Frailes called San Bernardino de Siena. If you have reached this site you are now in the heart of the historical center of Valladolid.  The ex-convent has a museum with artifacts dating back to the Cast War a Mayan uprising lasting nearly 60 years from 1847-1901.  While taking a walk in the garden you will also see a cenote (sink hole) which was used as a source of fresh water back when the convent was active.

At the opposite end of the Calzada de los Frailes, you will find el parque principal called Parque Francisco Canton Rosado.  A beautiful location for pictures of the central fountain and exquisite gardens.  You will notice there are “S” shaped benches throughout the park.  The story behind these benches is that back in the day when young un-married couples went on an outing to the park, they could sit together but due to the shape of the chair it prevented them from sitting side-by-side. Also present at the park, you will find food, snacks , and trinket vendors.

Located across the street from the park you will find the Palacio Municipal, the Iglesia de San Servacio, an artisan market, restaurants, and my personal favorite a hidden garden behind a store next door to the church.  The garden is absolute beauty and serenity; with banana trees, a water well, benches, a turtle or two, and hand made crafts to view and purchase.

All-in-all, it is not a tourist location the likes of Cancun or Playa del Carmen. It’s most busiest during when class are in for its surrounding colleges and school. That said, definitely as most see and a place you should visit for longer then just day.