Best of Valladolid

Once hailed as the “Sultaness of the East,” the small city of Valladolid is best known for its colorful colonial buildings, its exquisite handicrafts and ideal location near major archaeological sites of the Mayan culture. It’s an easy hop to Chichén Itzá, Ek Balam and Cobá, while gorgeous cenotes (natural pools) within walking distance of town make for some rewarding days of travel. You’ll also find some worthwhile attractions inside the historic center, including a superb collection of Mexican folk art in the Casa de los Venados and plenty of show-stopping architecture, like the 16th-century Convent of San Bernadino.

Previous kimkim travelers have spent the day wildlife watching at Ria Lagartos, a UNESCO-listed Biosphere Reserve home to diverse wetlands ecosystems. The coastal lagoons, estuaries and savanna harbor many plant and animal species, including hawksbill turtles, peregrine falcons and American flamingos. After a visit to the reserve, lunch is served at the home of a local fishing family. For insight into ancestral traditions, kimkim travelers have visited a Mayan community where they learned about hammock weaving and agro-ecology. From here you can also discover a cenote accessible by bicycle along a jungle trail.