Mexico, Yucatan trip - part 1 - Flight and calm Valladolid

It all starts on 13th of October 2016. I was surfing the Internet when on one my favourite websites I spotted plane tickets deal, roundtrip from Amsterdam to Cancun just for 220€.

Quick decision and 5 minutes later I have eticket for May in my inbox. I decided I'll forget about them now as I have 2 other trips planned before Mexico. When the right time came I started planning the whole trip and that's when problems are starting. I was reading about places in Yucatan and I knew 2 weeks is not even half of the time I need to see everything I want! I've decided I will spend few days in Valladolid, Merida, Akumal and Cancun.

Tip for people planning a trip to Mexico. If you plan to travel by bus and want to save more money you should book your tickets earlier. The problem is ADO or other websites sellig tickets are not accpeting cards issued in countries other than Mexico. Luckily I found website called clickbus.com.mx where you can find cheaper advance tickets and other cards are working (revolut is great choice!) They have small provision but it's still cheaper than buying tickets on bus station in the day of departure.

Finally the day of departure came! 12,5 hours in the plane from Amsterdam to Mexico City and 2 hours to Cancun! Flight was calm, without any unexpected surprises, I was sleeping during most of the flight. Quick passport control, tourisitic visa on arrival for 180 days, Bienvenidos a Mexico! I went to the gate for my flight to Cancun. Everything went smooth. I had bus ticket from Cancun to Valladolid bought earlier so I just had to get from the airport to bus station in the centre. I bought ticket for 72 MXN (around 4 USD) and in 30 minutes was already there. Before coming to Mexico I was scared about the weather, simply thought it will be very hot and it indeed was. Luckily there was always quite strong wind to cool you down.

Road from Cancun to Valladolid was boring! If you look at the map, road is really straight with nothing around but bushes.

After 2 hours I arrived to Valladolid! It's a city with around 46000 inhabitants, turistically popular because of close distance to one of the largest Mayan ruins, Chichen Itza. The thing surprised me the most was height of people. I have seen women 1,45m tall, sometimes made me feel like a giant! Anyway, because of jetlag I couldn't see much. I had simple hotel booked 2 blocks from main square. Close to cenote, market, good food! I took a nap, went to eat something, get some money from ATM and just walk around. I wasn't even bothered to take my camera with me. The next day is when adventure starts!

Cathedral of San Gervasio

First food in Mexico

As I said, second day was busy. Lot of random walking, discovering place on my own, that's what I like the most. I woke up really early next day and I decided I'm going to the local market first! It was only 6 am but already warm, around 30 degrees!

On the way to the market

Mercado Municipal

I had chance to try more food. Torta for 20 MXN here

When I was quite full I decided to walk more and find other interesting place. I checked the map and saw cenote really close to the market. Cenote is a natural pit, or sinkhole, resulting from the collapse of limestone bedrock that exposes groundwater underneath. They were used sometimes by the ancient Maya for sacrificial offerings.
"Cenote in the centre of the city? Great!" I thought and went there! Entrance fee is 30 MXN and you're ready to go! Besides me there were only 3 more people there, unbelievable. I was quite angry I didn't take the towel nor swimming trunks with me.
Cenote was impressive, water clean and quite deep. I couldn't wait to visit another one when in Merida and swim there!

Cenote Zaci

After seeing cenote I decided to have some food and see other part of the city. I was simply walking around streets not always taking the route GPS said to. Mainly to take pictures like this one.

Poc Chuc

!

I have finally arrived to the San Bernardino de Siena Church. It's 16th century church, the second largest Franciscan construction in the Yucatan.
It was almos middle of the day so I decided to hide from the sun. I've found a bar with Champions League match, perfect choice to Mexican beer. I had some more food and went to the park, find some shadow and enjoy vibe of Mexico.

Mexican life

I came back to the church at night to take more pictures.

Just a liquor store

It was my second and last night in Valladolid. I was trying to take more pictures but my mini tripod got broken. I was just sitting near fountain again, enjoying the wind and lower temeperature on the evening. I think two days are enough to see all important things in the city. I decided not to go to Cichen Itza but if you want think about other additional day.
Next day I woke up around 9, packed my things, went for a breakfast and then straight to ADO terminal where I took the bus to Merida. But let's leave Merida for the next part.

Longaniza de Valladolid