| Distance | 154 km (96.3 miles) |
| Price range | $13-$219 |
| Ride Duration Range | 1h 15m-3h 15m |
| Earliest Departure | 08:00 |
| Latest Departure | 23:00 |
| Most Popular Operator | ADO |
Find up-to-date information on departure times, schedules, and prices so you can easily compare and book your tickets.
Fastest bus: 1h 15m
Cheapest bus: $13
A visit to Mexico is incomplete without exploring the country’s rich Maya history, and Valladolid is the perfect city to fulfill this goal.
The vibrant city is a “magical town,” literally, as it’s part of the Pueblo Magico promotional initiative launched by the Mexican Tourism Board to highlight the country’s most beautiful towns.
When traveling from Merida to Valladolid, you can take a bus, minivan, or car to cover the 158.7-kilometer (98.6-mile) distance with a two to three-hour drive.
Valladolid is a city in the eastern region of Yucatan state. It’s known as one of the most laidback cities in Mexico. Thanks to friendly and welcoming locals, the vibrant destination retains a small-town feel and charm because it does not revolve around tourism.
Many of the colonial buildings in the city, built atop a Maya town called Zaci, were created using stones that the Spanish stole from local temples. Spend a few days wandering the city center to marvel at the clash of modern and colonial architecture.
Once you’ve filled your pockets with souvenirs handmade by the city’s expert artisans, use the city as a launching pad to visit the gorgeous cenotes and historical treasures surrounding it.
Home to one of the world’s new seven wonders, Valladolid is filled with thrilling attractions to make your visit an unforgettable experience. Wander the city solo to find hidden gems, but keep these top ideas in mind when formulating your plan to explore the city:
Swim in a Cenote. Mexico is famous for its network of cenotes, or sinkholes, that the ancient Maya used for water supplies, ceremonies and sacrifices. Cenote Zaci, a sinkhole pool with stalactites in the middle of the town, is popular because visitors can swim in fresh water and eat at the on-site restaurant. The underground cenotes of Samule and X’keken in the southwest are also popular.
Explore a seventh wonder. Chichen Itza is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. It earned the title with its fascinating fusion of Maya construction techniques and newer elements from central Mexico, making it a significant example of Maya-Toltec civilization and culture.
Wander the ruins of Ek Balam. A smaller archaeological site near Chichen Itza, Ek Balam is a Yucatec-Maya site. It’s smaller and less visited than the seventh wonder, so you can snap some memorable pictures without fellow tourists getting in the frame. Unlike Chichen Itza, visitors can also climb up to the top of the pyramid.
Sample the delicious cuisine. Valladolid is a great place to try indigenous Maya food. Wander the local food market or try various dishes from street vendors to find the best spots.
Take a free walking tour. Several vendors offer free walking tours around the city. They are a fantastic way to explore the city’s gorgeous architecture, accompanied by someone who can give expert insight into Valladolid’s fascinating history. Don’t forget to tip your guide, though.
To get from Merida to Valladolid, choose between a bus, a minivan, or a car.
The most affordable way for solo travelers to get from Merida to Valladolid is to take a bus.
The journey will take two to three hours, depending on how many rest stops the driver takes and how bad the traffic is.
Services start in the early morning and continue into the late evening, so you’ll easily find a bus that fits your schedule. Tickets for a single seat start at $14.
Possible bus amenities include:
Air conditioning
WC on board
Rest stops
Reclining seats
A luggage allowance of one large bag, with a maximum weight of 21 kg (46 lbs), and one carry-on.
Most buses depart from Merida Bus Station and arrive at Valladolid Central Bus Station. However, this may vary according to the operator, so check your booking confirmation carefully before departure.
Arrive at the station at least 30 minutes early to find the correct bus and to load your luggage.
If you’re traveling in a group, rent a private minivan to make the journey from Merida to Valladolid as smooth as possible.
A standard minivan can accommodate seven passengers and costs $255 for the van.
Passengers can get picked up at Merida Airport and dropped off at any hotel in Valladolid.
The journey takes three hours.
Possible minivan amenities include:
Air conditioning
A luggage allowance of 25 kg (55 lbs) per passenger
Meet and greet at the airport
Small families or couples could opt for a private car transfer, which also takes three hours to reach Valladolid.
The driver will pick passengers up from the airport and drop them off at their chosen hotel in Valladolid. The starting costs for the car are around $200.
Possible car amenities include:
Air conditioning
A luggage allowance of 25 kg (55 lbs) per passenger
Meet and greet at the airport
The two to three-hour drive between Merida and Valladolid ferries passengers along one main road connecting the two cities.
After departing Merida and heading eastward across the northeastern stretch of Mexico, you’ll drive past a trifecta of nature reserves, including the Cuxtal Ecological Reserve, Cenote Ring Geohydrological State Reserve, and Yalahau Lagoons State Park. Grab a seat on the right side to take in the spectacular views of these natural treasures.
The rest of the journey isn’t the most exciting, as you’ll mostly be on the main roads. So sit back and relax until you arrive in the colorful city of Valladolid.
The best time to visit Valladolid is in the dry season, which starts in November or December and stretches until March or April. These months bring warm, sunny days with little chance of rainfall, making it ideal for exploring the city without interruptions.
Temperatures around this time of year average around 30°C (86°F). However, prices pick up during this time to accommodate the increased number of visitors.
Visit during the cold shoulder season between April and August to enjoy the city with fewer crowds. There is a chance of rainfall five to twelve days a month, but the lower prices will sweeten the deal.
Spend at least two to three days in Valladolid to see everything this cultural gem offers. Two days and one night is enough time to wander the city, visit its top sites, and take a day trip to the nearby Maya ruins.
However, three days is the sweet spot because you won’t need to rush through any attractions. If you prefer the slow traveler style of exploring, book four to five days in Valladolid to check off more sights and enjoy a few adventures outside the city.
Continue your journey eastward and head to Cancun, Mexico’s most iconic beachside destination, to spend a week relaxing on its golden-sand shores.
You can also hop over to the nearby tranquil Isla Blanca or Isla Mujeres just offshore.
Or, if you want to expand your exploration of Mexico’s Maya culture, visit Chetumal, which is famous for its museum highlighting the region’s indigenous history.
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