The city of Valladolid in the Yucatan of Mexico is a great place to visit and also take day trips. It is a great hub for exploring within the city and a variety of things outside as well. Valladolid is about 2.5 hours from the Cancun airport, and there are a multitude of day trips, from things nearby, to an hour or two away.
We have rented from Avante Car rental several times now without any issues. Check out my Tips for Driving a Rental Car in Mexico! Once we got our car from the rental place, we drove to Valladolid and settled into our hotel. There are so many things to do in town and beyond, and we really enjoyed the variety of activities.
Cenotes
There are quite a few cenotes nearby, including Cenote X’Keken (a little crowded when we went).
We also visited Cenote Samula. So picturesque!
Our favorite was Hacienda Cenote Oxman! There was a rope swing, and the kids had a blast. There are nice facilities here, and we enjoyed a delicious lunch.
Mayan Ruins
There are several Mayan ruins in this area. The Ek Balam archaeological site is just over a 30 minute drive, and Chichen-Itza is also not too far.
A little further of a drive, there are the Coba ruins. If you go to Coba on a hot day, especially with kids, splurge on a bike taxi!
Izamal
Izamal is such an interesting little town, as it is painted yellow throughout! It is a little ways out, about 1.5-2 hours from Valladolid.
There are also the Kinich Kakmó Mayan Ruins in Izamal. We took a carriage ride to the ruins, which was a fun experience as well.
Xkopek Beekeeping Park
We enjoyed checking out the Xkopek Beekeeping Park right on the edge of town. We enjoyed their tour, from the jungle to learning about bees of the Yucatan, and sampling bee products.
Visit other cities
There are so many cities sprinkled in the Yucatan. If you have a rental car, you may want to just check out some local cities. There are often good photo opps in the town centers, including historic buildings and churches.
You have some fun choices here. I would like to see those Mayan ruins one day.
These all look like beautiful places to visit! The ruins would be my first choice!
I am in need of a vacation to a beautiful place! I would love to go swimming or go to the ruins.
I need to experience the Cenotes. They look so fun and a great way to cool off in the summer.
I’m down to visit Mexico one day. I would head out to the Hacienda Cenote Oxman since you mention there were swings there!
This place is truly amazing. It’s a perfect destination for a family trip. I hope we can visit it too this year!
What a wonderful place this my family would surely love to go here! I’m gonna let my family see this!
I’ve been meaning to book a trip to the area. Mexico has so many beautiful cities.
These photos are so pretty! I’d love to visit Mexico someday!
This looks like such an amazing destination. I would love to visit this place some day
I am so overdue for a good vacation! This place looks perfect and I have always wanted to go to Mexico!
I have been to Mexico once and I thought it was beautiful. I’d love to go again one day.
I think the bike taxi would be fun. I have friends who just got back from Mexico and they loved it there.
So many interesting and beautiful places! I would like to discover them!
This looks like my kind of exploring day! I would love to visit that cave/water, it looks amazing.
Wow! I had no idea that there are Mayan Ruins in the area. Would love to explore the Ek Balam site. Thank you for sharing these day trip ideas.
Wow so much travel inspiration here for sure. I would love to explore the Mayan ruins it just looks so cool and plenty of opportunity to learn about history x
Wow the Cenotes look incredible! Definitely something I would love to do! May have to visit some day.
We missed visiting Valladolid when we were in Mexico. I’d most like to see Ek Balam. I read so many good things about it!
I think you have found the best hub in Yucatan. I like that it is close to cenotes and Mayan ruins. The yellow little town looks pretty, and I want to learn about bees in Yucatan and sample them. Great place to stay!
The cenotes are what make me wanna go to Mexico the most! The Mayan ruins and other natural attractions are nice for sure, too, but swimming in those cenotes must have been an awesome experience!
I’ve been to Valladolid several times; I like this city. And I did most of the tours you presented. Each of these places is worth seeing! My favorites are Ek Balam and Coba pyramids and cenotes near both.
I have fond memories of Valladolid: We had wonderful food, we bought handmade sandals and an authentic local dress, and we went to see one of the cenotes. If you add ‘your’ tours, you have a perfect trip! I love the Yucatan peninsula, particularly the not-so-touristy hinterland 🙂
It has been far too long since our last visit to Mexico. But if we are in the Cancun area it looks like Valladolid is worth a visit. We would plan to visit one or more cenotes. And maybe pick up some fresh honey at the Xkopek Beekeeping park.