How to get from Holbox to Valladolid
Overview
Have you had your fair share of sun, sand, and water on Holbox Island? Looking for something a little different? Then say hello to Valladolid, where amazing architecture and cenotes await you.
Additionally, you’re only about a 30-minute drive from the famous Unesco site Chichen Itza, one of Mexico’s most spectacular treasures.
Traveling from Holbox to Valladolid is extremely convenient and easy via a ferry and van combo ticket.
You will first need to take a ferry to get off Holbox, followed by a van to take you the rest of the way. It’s an affordable trip that only takes around three hours, with morning and afternoon departures. The best part is the scenic landscape you will experience along the way.
What Is Vallodolid like?
The contrasting styles between the two destinations make the experience from Holbox to Valladolid so unique.
While Holbox is more of your traditional seaside paradise, Valladolid shows off more of the Yucatan culture and architecture. Instead of walking on sand and glancing out at the water, you’re strolling on cobblestone streets while admiring the pastel-colored houses and old colonial buildings. It's like you’re going back in time.
Valladolid also offers the opportunity to swim in cenotes, which are deep sinkholes with freshwater pools. They are some of the best in the world, with translucent turquoise-blue water that sparkles like the sun. It’s a setting that makes you feel like you’re in a postcard.
Things to do in Valladolid
After laying on a hammock and swimming with the whale sharks in Holbox, you can take out your camera and fill up your Instagram page with breathtaking marvels in Valladolid.
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Start with the Cenote Zoci. Not only is it a breathtaking sight to behold, but it's also worth the admission fee to dip in its waters. For a few dollars, you can spend an afternoon in this underground treasure complete with a beautiful waterfall, emerald green water, and stalactites. You can even jump into the pool from different launching pads.
Once you’ve dried yourself off, walk over to the main square (about 10 minutes away) and explore San Servacio Church. After being demolished in 1705, this towering cathedral was rebuilt immediately and has stood the test of time.
How’s that appetite doing?
Valladolid serves up some mouthwatering dishes at famous places like Mercado Municipal, Mesondel Marques, and Ix Cat Ik Mayan Cuisine. Order some traditional Mayan dishes, like huevos motuleños, sopa de lima, queso relleno, and cochinita pibil.
A trip to Valladolid wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Chichen Itza. Situated just 44 km (27 miles) from Valladolid’s city center, Chichen Itza is an archaeological site nearly 2,000 years old with temples, museums, and Mayan ruins. For awe-inspiring photos, visit the Temple of Warriors and the Temple of Kukulcan.
Other things to do in Valladolid include:
People watch at the zocalo
Walk along Calzada de los Frailes Street
Visit Casa de los Venados
Discover the Convent of San Bernardino de Siena
Watch traditional Jarana dances
Pro Tip: While Cenote Zoci is Valladolid's most popular cenote, locals say others are prettier and go under the radar. Cenote Suytun, X'Canche, and Ik Kil are immaculate and worth visiting.
How to get from Holbox to Valladolid
Since Holbox is an island, the first part of your trip must involve a boat ride to the mainland. The boat departs from Holbox Ferry and arrives at Chiquila Port.
From there, a van awaits and transports you from the port to your final destination, dropping you off at Banco BBVA. Holbox and Valladolid are separated by 133 km (83 miles), and the total travel time is approximately three hours.
Going by van + ferry
There are two daily departures via Chiquila Holbox Extreme. Following the ferry ride, vans will transport you to Valladolid.
What is the trip from Holbox to Valladolid like?
Keep your camera ready on the ferry because the Yucatan coast is stunning.
Then, for the second part of your journey, you’ll navigate on the road from Chiquila to Valladolid.
Leaving the seaside environment and moving through the more rural areas of the northern Yucatan. Passing through small towns like Solferino, San Angel, and Ignacio, you’ll see plenty of green trees, forests, small businesses, and tiny homes along the way.
As you approach Valladolid, you’ll get that “Old Town” feel as you see the traditional colonial houses and cobblestoned streets.
When is the best time to travel to Valladolid?
Valladolid’s dry season runs from November to April, so if you want to enjoy the most pleasant weather, this is the best time to book your trip.
Despite the winter season, you can get by with shirts, shorts, and a light jacket most of the time.
Average highs are in the low-90s°F (low to mid-30s°C), and average lows are a little below 70°F (around 20°C).
While the crowds thin out during the summer, it gets very tropical and humid.
You also need to be wary of hurricane season, which runs from June through November; the Yucatan tends to be a hotspot with storms forming in the Caribbean.
November and April are the two best months to travel if you want to avoid crowds and rain.