Vibrant Valladolid

While visiting the Yucatan in Mexico, we spent the majority of our time along the coast soaking in those crystal blue waters. But we also took the time to go more inland in order to visit some of the larger Maya Ruins. And while we were there, we made the cute city of Valladolid our home base.

This city surprised us and turned out to be a total show stopper. We had initially planned it just to be a place to rest our heads at night, but each day we found ourselves making excuses to spend as much time as possible exploring this city.

Thought it was cute that this guy insisted on popping into a bookstore here because he knows like 3 words in Spanish. 

With being full-time grad students, we are 100% budget travelers and normally stay in whatever inexpensive hotel we can find. But the US dollar goes far in Mexico and we found ourselves at this boutique hotel for only $50/night. The best part is that once you enter the walls, the hotel is centered around the cutest courtyard. 

The best and cheapest meals of my life were had the hotel restaurant that had trees covered in twinkly lights and fountains full of flowers. The best atmosphere and the best food. 

 More exploring in Vibrant Valladolid 

In case your spanish is a little rusty the sign above reads "chocolate factory" "artisan village" "botanical garden". Yes to all of the above for me please! 

Valladolid tastes like every flavor of tequila you can imagine

Smells like a fresh choclateria on every corner.

Sounds like the constant chatter and music coming from the plaza

Looks like the most colorful town I've ever seen with tiled mosaic sidewalks and papel picado hanging from every building

Feels like the best of two cultures (Maya + Spanish) molded into one

Thank you Valladolid for being the best surprise of this trip. We will be back
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