VallaMapa

  Cathedral of San Servacio in Valladolid Before I tell you anything about the Cathedral of San Servacio in Valladolid, let me say a thing or two about our town. Located to the east of the state of Yucatan, Valladolid has become a trendy colonial town and an exciting tourist destination. Thousands of tourists come to visit this Magical Town and enjoy the best seasons in Valladolid. Valladolid is 159 km from Mérida and 156 km from Cancun. Its strategic location makes it a mandatory stop for travelers visiting the Yucatan Peninsula. What makes this city unique are its beautiful sunsets, its huge churches, an old former convent, and many cenotes with crystal clear water where you can swim and cool down. Plus, it’s very close to a couple of archaeological sites, including Chichen Itza. You will end up loving this colonial destination in Mexico. There are too many tourist attractions in Valladolid to mention, and you can spend a few days in town visiting museums, cenotes, and restaurant...

  The Mayan House The Mayan house is one of the most important aspects of Mayan culture, and fortunately, it is a tradition that remains alive throughout the Yucatan Peninsula. When you visit Yucatán and see these houses, you may notice that they have a specific orientation; some are square, and others are round. You can also notice that they have two symmetrical doors, one on each side of the house. Discover in this blog the beautiful theories of the construction of the Mayan house. After knowing them, you will want to live in one of them! The Mayan House: Characteristics Mayan houses have interesting characteristics, such as their square or round construction and orientation at specific cardinal points. The houses' doors are oriented from east to north, taking advantage of the sunlight that illuminates the interiors in the morning. Square and round shapes The pre-Hispanic Mayans believed that the world was square and that it was supported by four porters. These chargers were know...

  Colonial houses for sale in Valladolid vs Merida Yucatán Many of our clients are confused when they come to Valladolid Yucatan for a historic property for sale. Valladolid is the second largest city in Yucatan, and its location right between Cancun and Merida makes it an ideal place to live. Merida has a wide variety of available properties, from a project to rebuild from scratch to excellent million-dollar properties that have been totally renovated. When clients look for colonial houses for sale in Valladolid Yucatán, the picture is totally different: fewer options, higher prices, and a project more than a home. Why are colonial houses more expensive in Valladolid than in Merida Yucatan? This has to do with the economic surge generated at the beginning of the 20th century in the city of Mérida Yucatán, especially the exploitation of Sisal fiber. Merida became a prosperous city, which allowed a real estate boom that sadly did not spread to other areas of the State. While Mérida ...

  Affordable Real Estate properties near downtown Valladolid In recent months, we have had countless clients looking for real estate for sale in downtown Valladolid, Yucatan. When they see the available options, many feel disillusioned since the houses do not meet their expectations. Many expect Valladolid to be a small town with super-low real estate prices, and maybe it was a decade ago. Nowadays, Valladolid is getting a lot of attention from people living in the Riviera Maya, expats, and people relocating from north and central Mexico. This attention is due to several reasons, but the most important is the fact that Valladolid has the perfect location. It's close to the beach but without the inconvenience of the humidity. It’s very close to bigger towns with airports, such as Mérida and Cancun, to which it's connected through a very convenient and safe toll road. And, of course, the colonial charm makes Valladolid an attractive place to live.  Valladolid is out of the restr...

  San Bernardino de Siena, an architectural jewel of Valladolid The Sisal neighborhood is one of the most popular destinations among tourists in our city. Its colorful colonial streets, Calzada de los Frailes, and Sisal Park are the places to shop, eat, and people-watch in Valladolid Yucatan. Within this neighborhood is one of the most impressive attractions in Valladolid: The Convent of San Bernardino de Siena. According to the information provided by the National Institute of Archeology and History (INAH), the temple and former convent of San Bernardino de Valladolid is one of the oldest and most important colonial buildings in the Yucatan Peninsula. The Convent of San Bernardino has a simple style based on the precepts of the Franciscan friars who founded it in 1552. It is the second-biggest convent in the Yucatan, just after the convent founded by the Franciscans in the neighboring town of Izamal. The outside of the building is remarkable for its lack of ornaments. The symbol o...

  Traditional Pasta tiles in the Yucatan Traditional tiles are a legacy of the colonial period in Yucatán. They have been essential. Many Colonial Houses in the area have these colorful tiles. Read more about the Yucatecan Pasta Tiles. Colonial houses are characterized by elegant facades, high ceilings, wide walls, and pasta tile floors.  It is expected that these Colonial Houses will be adapted to businesses such as hotels, boutiques, and restaurants. These colorful tiles are everywhere on the Peninsula. The History of Traditional Pasta Tiles   The origin of this beautiful Yucatecan tradition dates back to the 19th century. At this time, the owners of the Casonas sought to follow European influences to decorate their colonial buildings. In places like France, these mosaics were regularly created and designed.   Since these Casonas are at least 150 years old, it is fortunate to find a house with the original floor in excellent condition; however, many of these proper...

  The beautiful church of Uayma    There is a striking church in Uayma, a small town just 10 minutes from Valladolid. It is very little known by tourists in Yucatan: the Ex–Convent of Santo Domingo de Guzmán. This beautiful church arose during a difficult time for the Mayan people, an environment of battle and resistance. The Spanish were willing to colonize and modify everything they saw in their path at will.  From customs to religion, a change that lasted years and destroyed one of the wisest and most influential cultures in the pre-Hispanic world. One of the most striking Catholic temples in Yucatan rises. In 1646, this Convent was built with remains of Mayan city ruins. This temple of the viceroyalty housed the Franciscans. Religious people who were evangelizing an entire population by mandate of the Spanish empire. It was built with patios and large areas to teach about Christianity to many people. This church has a single nave with spectacular walls. You ...

  Confident Chairs in Yucatan Have you ever seen Confident Chairs in Yucatán, a Yucatecan tradition? Chairs "double," "you and me," "confidants," and "lovers" are some names that are given. This characteristic piece of furniture has become a fundamental part of the cultural identity of a state rich in history and tradition: Yucatán. The History of Confident Chairs A piece of furniture similar to this was first seen in France in the 19th century. A few linked armchairs were used by royal families as part of their daily lives, certainly allowing the people who used them to sit up front, chat, and look at each other in a comfortable position. It was the colonial era, and the henequen industry was growing rapidly. Consequently, in the 19th and 20th centuries, the state economy prospered and generated many jobs. In 1915, as a result of this industry, Yucatán began to grow exponentially. It began to invest in remodeling parks and squares in the capital...

  Soil-construction in Valladolid Yucatan: Superadobe The weather is changing in the Yucatan Peninsula; the last summer was particularly hot, dry and long. Valladolid reached really high temperatures, and the thermal sensation reached 46-47 Celsius degrees. In recent years, eco-technologies have become increasingly popular and are adapting to the different regions of the country. In Valladolid, we have direct experience with solar panels and solar water heaters. We have been thinking about building a house with soil for some time due to its great thermal properties and low cost compared to traditional concrete and block. I even went as far as taking a class in Guanajuato with these amazing people, but between the business, the family, and so many other things, I was not sure we could commit to self-building. One of the earth-building techniques I learned was super-adobe, and I loved it: loved the straightforward DYI approach, the fact that is very easy to build, and even the look! ...