Town 12 km west of Valladolid
A quiet village with a 17th-century church whose façade is painted red and white with stars and rosettes.
Uayma is a small Maya village about 15 kilometers west of Valladolid, and most people come for one building: its church of Santo Domingo de Guzmán, which looks like no other in Yucatán. The façade is painted a strong red with white trim, and it is covered in stars, rosettes and other ornaments, a rare touch of baroque-style decoration in a region of plain Franciscan churches.
The church and its former convent date from the 17th century, and like many buildings in the region they were raised partly with stones taken from earlier Maya structures. During the Caste War of the 19th century the church was burned and left in ruins, and it was rebuilt and restored around the early 2000s. INAH has since worked on the façade and its decoration again.
Inside, the decoration continues with white stars and rosettes. The village itself is quiet, with a main square in front of the church, and the visit takes less than an hour, so it fits well on the way to or from the Dzitnup cenotes or Chichén Itzá.
What to see and do
Photograph the red-and-white façade of the church from the main square.
Step inside to see the stars and rosettes painted on the walls.
Look at the remains of the former convent beside the church.
Stop on the way to or from the Dzitnup cenotes or Chichén Itzá.
Getting there
Uayma is about 20 minutes from Valladolid by car: take the free Highway 180 west toward Mérida and turn north at the signed road to Uayma. Taxis from Valladolid can do a short round trip. The church is usually open during the day, but hours depend on the parish.
12 km west of Valladolid
Directions from Valladolid on Google Maps
Distances are in a straight line; the road is usually longer.
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Places to stay in Uayma
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Photos
Weather warm
Uayma shares the climate of Valladolid, 12 km away. The best months to visit are Jan, Feb, Nov, Dec.
Make Valladolid your base
Uayma is an easy trip from Valladolid, a Pueblo Mágico with places to stay, food, and more to see.
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Location from OpenStreetMap. Written by Puebloteca.