It's a square in the main town of Valladolid. Close to many hotels and pretty much next to the…read moreshopping blocks, it's a good place to relax. We went here as a part of the tour. Many tour buses are parked here. In 15 minutes we didn't get much time but the park is good. There are many benches to sit. The two-person seats are very interesting - very much photo-worthy. We got some locally made chips from a vendor which was good - quality and quantity - for 15 pesos. The shops around are good to purchase gifts and souvenirs. I suppose they'd bargain too if you can. Other than that, there are many restaurants, eateries, and hotels around to roam. The park is heavily patrolled for some reason as we saw heavy police deployment with automatic weapons even on a seemingly regular day. Overall, very much recommended.

This is the main public square of the city of Valladolid. All tour buses that go to Chichen Itza…read morewill drop you off here to have a look around. The square itself is just a park with some benches and water fountains and statues. There are also some street performers and women selling souvenirs spread throughout the square. This is overall a good location to have a quick glimpse of the city with the famous San Servacio church located adjacent to the square. There are lots of restaurants and stores that line all sides of the square as well.

Beautiful Building! Check Out the Murals and Views from the Second Floor!…read more The Palacio Municipal is a beautiful colonial building situated on the east side of Valladolid's central square. It houses the city's government offices. I recommend climbing the stairs to the second floor (it is free), where you will find some lovely murals painted by a local artist along with a row of windows overlooking the central square, providing great panoramic views! I really enjoyed my time here.

This is like your local food court inside a shopping mall. There are various kinds of authentic…read morestreet foods in this Bazar, so you can't get more local than this. Just browse around and see what types of foods you're interested in. The downsides are that tables are first-come, first-serve. Meaning if you can't find a table after ordering your food, you're eating standing up. Lastly, you have to pay to use the bathroom. There is a gate that blocks the entrance to the bathrooms and you have to pay to enter.

Near the historic Parque Central Francisco Cantón de Rosado (the main plaza in Valladolid,…read moreYucatán), tourists and locals alike mingle in the open-air indoor El Bazar Municipal. It's like a food court with markets or it's like a market with a food court. Either way, El Bazar Municipal features covered communal seating with cheap food and cheaper restrooms. I got a soft drink (because of the intense heat) from a small store while she hit the loo. Then we did a little window shopping. Vendors offer a variety of local products like embroidered clothes, dresses, and blouses, plus ornaments, jewelry, and accessories. Ice cream, candy and sodas are available quick refreshers, but, more importantly, El Bazar Municipal is the kind of place you'll find flavorful local dishes such as Lomitos de Valladolid (Pork Loin in Tomato Sauce), Longaniza (Smoked Pork Sausage), and Polle en Escabeche (Chicken Escabeche like ceviche). Breakfast is cheap while lunch and dinner have a broader mix of cuisine including some offering comida corrida. If you are staying in Valladolid, Yucatán, Mexico, consider stopping in the centrally-located El Bazar Municipal to grab a quick snack, down a refreshing cold drink, experience local cuisine, view a wide-range of products from vendors, escape the sun, or simply use the restroom for a small fee.

Safe, entertaining and fun!…read more We stopped here for a half an hour as one of the tour stops from an excursion. I was sad we only had 30 minutes! This little park is in the center of the village and is a beautiful landmark. It's jam packed with history and has a lot to offer. A quick walk around inside the fence will take you less than ten minutes but you can enjoy local vendors, snacks, stray pups, music and seating in a safe area. Each corner outside of the square has something to look into. A beautiful and historic church, shopping, a food market, hotels, bars and novelty shops. Safe for tourists, families and all those traveling. Drivers in the area are careful except tourist buses...they are on a mission and won't break for much.

This park/plaza is so beautiful. The center of the plaza is a beautiful church: La Iglesia de las…read moreCandelarias, and surrounding the church are food vendors, restaurants, heladerias, and cafes, as well as hostels. The park is clean, and obviously well-loved by locals and tourists alike. If you want to participate in a piece of Valladolid daily life then just come to the park around dusk and hang out with locals, or stop by the cafe for some chilaquiles and American-style coffee in the morning and chat with all the travelers and expats.

Climb the pyramid! This ancient Mayan archaeological site…read moreis a wonder! They don't let tourists climb the pyramid in Chtizinitza anymore (Thanks, Justin Bieber!) But you can climb this one! Plus, this one is taller! Arriving here, the parking is quite a ways from the ruins. But for a small charge, you can either rent a bike (it's flat) or pay some guy in a Mayan Limousine (rickshaw) to peddle you out there. We opted for the latter. The guy stopped along the way and pointed out fun facts and things that we'd have otherwise completely missed. Climbing the pyramid was wonderful! The stairs were all kinda helped along by the local authorities with handrails and wooden beams to help make things level and stable. There's some really cool rock carvings of their gods, and be sure to check out the ball court! Still, in the floor are the carvings of the skull and the jaguar! Whoa. These are some of the best preserved ruins I'd seen! Loved it! Watch out for snakes. There was a little tourist shop where you can get magnets, postcards and fun stuff to take home. It was low pressure shopping.

Cobá... this is the Mayan ruins that stands above and beyond all others I have visited including…read moreChichén Itzá and Tulum; simple put, it's special. Within the ground/park, we had a guide for the beginning where we viewed various parts of the ruins including multiple pyramids and some ecological interests and some very interesting games that were played by the Mayans called Pok-ta-Pok; if what was described is true, then the games are interesting but also very disturbing as they sometimes sacrifice the captain of the loosing team (sacrifices are typically by beheading). To get to the highlight of the ruins, it is quite a hike but you can use the numerous tricycle taxis. Our first time back in 2016 we took advantage of the taxi and had a 15 year old kid named Wilbur bring us to Nohoch Mul Pyramid. The more recent visit, we took the longer walk/hike. This pyramid is the largest of the mayan ruins and up until 2021 you could climb to the top; or I should say, you can "TRY" to climb to the top. The pyramid appears to look like a stairway but let me tell you, it is NOT and it is challenging. Instead of a handrail, you have a thick, heavy rope clipped to the stairs, so you are hunched over like an ape to use it. Typical stairway in a home are 7 / 11 (each step is 7 inches high and 11 inches deep); the pyramid is not like this... all are much higher and some are considerably higher than others and they are not uniform so it's hard to get any kind of rhythm. About half way up, you must look into the distance and you'll be pleasantly surprised with a view of the top of the forest canopy. I never continued higher but at the top there is a level, open area to walk (or in some cases, a place to gain your composure and catch your breath as going down is definitely not easier). Coba is an amazing experience by stepping into the same footsteps as this ancient civilization.

just sunny warm on a wednesday afternoon and it was everything straight out of a spanish textbook…read morefrom high school lol cute vendors around, the snacks ughhh the sounds of the birds chirping and walking around with my sunglasses on perfectooo

A small town you stop by during your visit from Chichen Itza. There are a ton of tour buses, but…read moreit's a great pit stop for the restroom, afternoon snack, maybe get a few more souvenirs and maybe tequila shots. There's a park you can walk around, take a few photos and grab a snack at.

Tulum was a pre-Columbian, walled Mayan city that is located on a cliff on the Yucatán Peninsula…read moreoverlooking the Caribbean Sea. It was inhabited from the 13th to 15th centuries and played an important role in defense and trade. My husband and I toured the Tulum ruins with a tour guide. The site was walkable, although the weather was very sunny and hot. We saw the structures El Castillo, a castle overlooking the beautiful shore; the Temple of the Frescoes, which has wall murals; the Temple of the Descending God; Casa del Chultun; and many others. The ruins were roped off, so we could see them only from a distance and not touch them, but they still looked impressive and interesting. We also enjoyed seeing wildlife such as iguanas. We have visited other Mayan ruins in Mexico and in Belize, and in comparison, I do recommend visiting Tulum.

Our 2nd time to Tulum Ruins was great! We joined a tour this time and enjoyed it. Our guide was…read moreknowledgeable and very accommodating when questioned. We went on a March weekend and was surprised it was not crowded which was great. I would love to come back during sunset next time - the dramatic scenery, combining ancient ruins with a beautiful beach and the ocean view, will definitely be worth it!

I didn't realize Chichen Itza was one of the new seven wonders of the world! I don't remember it…read morebeing on the list, but I also didn't know the list can change based on popularity poll...SMH. I believe Chichen Itza is a one of the new seven wonders of the world because it's among the best-preserved and largest archaeological sites in the world. It's also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. I'm still glad I got the opportunity to visit Chichen Itza. So much history! The culture of the Mayans; their way of life, the ingenuity and the science are fascinating and amazing. Be prepared to experience some tropical heat. I recommend going as early as you can to avoid crowds and the heat. It gets hot under the glaring Sun. There is no shade around the main Pyramid. A good guide or a tour company also is very helpful. I found the history provided by our tour company to be very inspiring, insightful and interesting, yet sad at the same time. "As one of the most important city-states in pre-Hispanic America, Chichen Itza is one of the most visited archaeological sites in Mexico today. Chichen Itza, one of the New 7 Wonders of The World according to UNESCO, since July 7th, 2007" - https://www.chichenitza.com/ Pre-Hispanic City of Chichen-Itza "This sacred site was one of the greatest Mayan centres of the Yucatán peninsula. Throughout its nearly 1,000-year history, different peoples have left their mark on the city. The Maya and Toltec vision of the world and the universe is revealed in their stone monuments and artistic works. The fusion of Mayan construction techniques with new elements from central Mexico make Chichen-Itza one of the most important examples of the Mayan-Toltec civilization in Yucatán. Several buildings have survived, such as the Warriors' Temple, El Castillo and the circular observatory known as El Caracol." - https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/483/ I had no expectations when I came here, since I hardly knew anything about Chichen Itza. I didn't expect to thoroughly enjoy and love this trip as much as I did. I highly recommend visiting Chichen-Itza if you get the opportunity.

I finally got to visit Chichén Itzá (one of the New Seven Wonders of the World) and it was…read moredefinitely an experience worth having! As you get closer, there are parking areas that charge around 70-80 pesos. We accidentally drove into the lot and ended up paying 126 pesos. I didn't see any clear signage at first, but the guard mentioned there's a paper posted at the booth when you enter; so just be aware. Once inside, there are actually two separate entrance fees (state and federal), which together came out to about $45 USD. There is a money exchange on-site, and I was able to convert my US dollars to pesos with no fee, which was very convenient. Before entering, there are food spots and vendors. Be mindful that they are pretty strict about what you can bring inside. If you bring restricted items, you'll either have to take them back to your car or pay a small fee to leave them there. Inside, there are vendors everywhere selling beautiful handmade items. It's nice to see, but it can get overwhelming since you'll be approached frequently. Some will say items are "$1," but once you get closer, prices can be higher; so just keep that in mind. There's a LOT of walking. The day I went was hot and sunny, so definitely dress in breathable clothes and wear comfortable shoes. Even with the heat, I had a great time exploring, taking pictures, and just taking in the history. I heard there are two cenotes on-site, but I only found one. You can't swim in them, but they're still beautiful to see. There are some shaded areas and places to sit, which helped with breaks. I also overheard a guide mention that medical assistance is available near the entrance, which is good to know, especially in the heat. We had about a 2-hour drive to get there, and the road is long with very limited stops. Gas stations and bathrooms are scarce, so plan ahead; bring snacks, drinks, and make sure you're prepared before heading out. Overall, it's absolutely a must-see if you're traveling to Mexico. Just come prepared, stay hydrated, and be ready for a full day of exploring!

Beautiful building from 1800's still in use. Open to public. Free admission. Outstanding murals…read more In the Grand Plaza. A must see

The Palacio de Gobierno is located on Merida's Plaza Grande, and I had heard it was worth a visit…read more It's true! The Palacio is a government building that houses some executive government offices and a tourist office. It was built in 1892, so the architecture is impressive. But that's not why you're there. You're there for the murals! So say buenos dias to the guards stationed out front and wander in. The large (and incredible!) murals on the main staircase and under the arcades of the inner courtyard were created between 1971 and 1974 by Fernando Castro Pacheco, a local artist and a student of Diego Rivera. Beginning in the staircase, the paintings tell the story of the ancient Maya, the Spanish conquest, the Mayan rebellion and Mexican independence, one after the other. In the "Salón de la Historia de Yucatán" upstairs, there are more large oil paintings by the artist dating from 1978, which offer a fascinating journey through the history of the Yucatán Peninsula. Free to visit, the Palacio is a must see when you're in Merida. Those murals are spectacular and are a great way to orient yourself in Yucatecan history at the beginning of a trip; I'm so glad we visited on our first day when we arrived last week!