We left Cancun’s mosquito population behind us and headed west to Valladolid. A small city in the Yucatan province, housing around 46,000 inhabitants.

We stayed in cosy accommodation, Hostel La Candelaria, which hid a miniature Eden behind an huge iron gate.

Our room overlooked a courtyard covered in dense foliage that kept a kitchen and outdoor communal area concealed from view. Cocksure cats patrolled the area whilst brightly coloured flowers produced intense scents begging to be pollinated. At the rear of the garden were gigantic trees soaking up the sunshine and giving shade to hammocks at their base.

You can check out our full review on Hostelsworld here.

© John Brownlie 2012