Valladolid was founded in 1543 by Francisco de Montejo "El Sobrino" (The Nephew). In mid-nineteenth century, the blows of the "Guerra de castas" (Caste War) had a drastic affect on the community. Much of the population was involved in the fighting, while many of the beautiful colonial buildings were scarred by the war. It is currently the yucatecan city that preserves the most of the colonial flavour. With a population of 35,000 inhabitants, it has all of the the modern advancements generated by the commercial and touristic activities while maintaining its colonial atmosphere..

The central park is a beautiful complex fenced with artistic ironworks and benches. The mainicured gardens, the lovers-chairs, the and band-stand make the park a great gathering place. It is surounded by the municipal palace, the hostelry of the marquis (XVIII century) and the parish of San Gervesio (XV - XVIII centuries).

The barrio of "La Candelaria" is located nearby. Its small church has a monumental stairway that has moorish arches; in the front of it are the tidy walls of the loom "La Aurora", once home to the first mechanized factory of textiles and weaving (1833) and now home to a functional cultural center.  At the popular barrio of Sisal there stands another famous church; the convent of San Bernardino de Siena, founded by the franciscan friars in 1552. The chapel of indians or of the candles is important because, every friday, the faithful still come to light their candles and offer their prayers to the crucified Christ. The entire complex shows a somber architecture that has minimal decoration, with only a gravestone with the franciscan shield on this fecade.

In its interior, the retable of the grand altar stands out. It is made of cedar wood with red bottom, black and gold moldings, and  considered one of the best examples of the churrigueresce style of the middle of the XVII century. Other retables of interest are the chapel of San Luis and of the Virgin of Guadalupe

Also a short distance from the town's center there is the enormous Zaci cenote, a pretty water and stone landmark that is great for  daring diving. It is protected from the street noises by a thick vegetation but has a nearby restaurant that has lookout spot under a palapa (palm shelter).

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