Valladolid (population: 60,000), the second largest city in Yucatán, is situated 42km/26mi east of Chichén Itzá. Its church of San Bernardino, founded by the Franciscans in 1552, is one of the few colonial buildings to survive the civil war which caused such havoc in the first half of the last century. The Cis-ha and Zac-hi cenotes are well
worth visiting, a gangway leading down to the water's edge some 45 m (147 ft) below (bathing possible). On the right some 5km/3mi before Valladolid is the 20 m (66 ft) deep Cenote Dzitnup, a really delightful spot with warm, cobalt blue water.