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Ek Balam

Ek Balam: Our most recommended tours and activities

From Cancun: Ek Balam and Cenote Tour with Lunch & Transfer

1. From Cancun: Ek Balam and Cenote Tour with Lunch & Transfer

Explore the archeological site with one of the largest buildings in Mesoamerica: Ek Balam. Explore, climb and take pictures at the top of the acropolis to admire its unique architecture and view to the mayan jungle. A guide will escort you to unveil the enigma of the Mayas that one inhabited the place. Feel free to ask as many questions since our guides are fully certified. Afterwards, swim in the refreshing waters of Chichikan cenote, a natural water formation. As pure as it can get; relax yourself surrounded by nature. After swimming, let us pamper you with the best of the local cuisine: Typical dishes with more than 20 options to choose from. To finish your trip, you will have free time to explore the magical town of Valladolid. We will stop at the main plaza where you will be able to take pictures and enjoy this pintoresque colonial town.

Cancún: Chichén Itzá, Ek Balam, Cenote & Lunch

2. Cancún: Chichén Itzá, Ek Balam, Cenote & Lunch

See some of the most important sights while visiting the Cancun area with this day trip to Chichen Itza and Ek Balam. See an ancient wonder and take a refreshing swim in a cenote. Be among the first visitors to explore Ek Balam archaeological site and its Mayan ruins early in the morning. Climb the pyramids for a panoramic view of the Mayan jungle at your feet. Have some free time to explore on your own afterward. After admiring the views, head to Chichen Itza. Let your guide broaden your knowledge of archeology and Mayan culture. Imagine how the Mayans once lived in this city. Stroll through the well-preserved ruins as your guide tells you about Mayan mythology, philosophy, and cosmology. Gain a deeper understanding of the meanings behind the stone sculptures and platforms. To finish off your tour, savor a Mexican buffet lunch. Take a break in the Cenote Saamal. Get a break from the heat with a refreshing swim right next to its waterfall.

Cancun/Playa del Carmen: Chichen Itza, Cenote, Ek'Balam Tour

3. Cancun/Playa del Carmen: Chichen Itza, Cenote, Ek'Balam Tour

Discover the magic of the Yucatan on this day trip from Cancun or Playa del Carmen to the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza and Ek Balam and a visit to cenote Saamal. Benefit from a hotel pickup by air-conditioned van, lunchbox, and a guide. Journey to the ancient city of Chichen Itza, one of the most iconic archaeological sites in the world. Be accompanied by an expert guide throughout the day and learn fascinating facts and folklore of the Mayan civilization.  Next, visit Ek Balam, an off-the-beaten-track Yucatec-Maya archaeological site with incredible carvings hidden in a jungle landscape. Climb the soaring Acropolis pyramid, the highest point of the ruins. To recover from the Yucatan heat, dive in the crystalline waters of the underground, semi-open Cenote Saamal. Soak up the natural light illuminating the waters and the sight of tree roots cascading towards the sinkhole water.

From Riviera Maya: Ek Balam and Cenote Maya Full-Day Tour

4. From Riviera Maya: Ek Balam and Cenote Maya Full-Day Tour

Explore the archaeological site of Ek Balam, a top regional attraction that has been recently restored. You’ll also visit the mysterious Cenote Maya, a natural pool that features beautiful rock formations. Your full-day tour begins at the Cenote Maya Park, where you’ll descend into the region’s most impressive cenote by a large wooden staircase built using ancient Maya techniques. Experience a range of optional adventures at the park, such as swimming in the cenote, diving, rappelling, swinging on a Tarzan vine, and more. Visit a small, colorful handicraft market, where your purchases of locally made items benefit Maya artisans. See a Mayan ritual, and be part of an authentic blessing ceremony performed by a shaman. Enjoy a Mayan buffet of traditional dishes such as lime soup, chaya tamales, beans, vegetables, rice, chicken, handmade tortillas, fruits, and flavored water. Next on the itinerary is visit to the Ek Balam site. Dating from the 11th century, this is one of the most impressive ceremonial centers of the Yucatan peninsula. Admire the temples and plazas and unique high-relief sculptures.

From Riviera Maya: Ek Balam & Cenote Tour w/ Lunch & Pickup

5. From Riviera Maya: Ek Balam & Cenote Tour w/ Lunch & Pickup

Explore the archeological site with one of the largest buildings in Mesoamerica: Ek Balam. Explore, climb and take pictures at the top of the acropolis to admire its unique architecture and view to the mayan jungle. A guide will escort you to unveil the enigma of the Mayas that one inhabited the place. Feel free to ask as many questions since our guides are fully certified. Afterwards, swim in the refreshing waters of Chichikan cenote, a natural water formation. As pure as it can get; relax yourself surrounded by nature. After swimming, let us pamper you with the best of the local cuisine: Typical dishes with more than 20 options to choose from. To finish your trip, you will have free time to explore the magical town of Valladolid. We will stop at the main plaza where you will be able to take pictures and enjoy this pintoresque colonial town.

From Quintana Roo: Ek Balam Mayan Ruins and Cenote Day Trip

6. From Quintana Roo: Ek Balam Mayan Ruins and Cenote Day Trip

Take a day trip to the Ek Balam Mayan ruins and explore its impressive structures. Experience a spiritual Mayan ceremony and enter a cenote, sacred to Mayan culture. Rappel and slackline through geological formations and swim in picturesque waters. Depart from your hotel in Cancún or Riviera Maya and head to Ek Balam, an ancient Mayan complex thought to be a sacred city. Visit the "White House of Reading," constructed by the Maya ruler Ukit Kan Le'k Tok'. View its symbolism with themes relating to the underworld. Experience a shaman-led Mayan ceremony to ask for permission to go inside the cenote. Enter the cenote and enjoy activities such as rappelling, slacklining, or swimming. Have fun with Tarzan-like vines and cool off in crystalline waters.

From Cancun: Ek Balam and Cenote Maya Full-Day Tour

7. From Cancun: Ek Balam and Cenote Maya Full-Day Tour

Visit the ruins of Ek Balam and explore the incomparably beautiful Cenote Maya. Join us on this unforgettable journey that explores the natural beauty and intriguing history of the Yucatan. Start your day with a visit to Cenote Maya, the largest naturally-covered cenote on the Yucatan Peninsula and enjoy swimming in, zip lining over and rappelling into its crystal clear waters surrounded by hundreds of ancient rock formations. Learn about the Maya traditions of this region as you participate in a traditional Maya ceremony, stroll through their fruit & vegetable orchards and visit a typical Maya house. Savor some delicious regional food, including our famous “chayitas” and freshly flavored water drinks. After your visit to this unique place, enjoy a guided tour to Ek Balam, considered the intellectual center of the ancient Maya. Enjoy a guided tour that visits the chapel, Oval Palace and ballcourt. Wrap up this fun-filled day with a climb to the top of the amazing Acropolis temple from which you will be able to view an endless sea of subtropical rainforest. ITINERARY - FULL DAY TOUR Arrival at NativePark Yucatan (approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes in this site). - Maya orchard visit - Rappel (optional) - Rope activities (optional) - Zip line (optional) - Cenote swim - Maya ceremony Transfer to and arrival at the archaeological site of Ek Balam (approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes in this site). - Guided tour - Free time Please note that the order of these activities may vary due to daily logistical planning.

Yucatán: Ek' Balam and Cenote Hubiku Tour

8. Yucatán: Ek' Balam and Cenote Hubiku Tour

Walk through the jungle that saw the Mayan people blooming. Ek' Balam has the perfect experience of avoiding the crowded sites and the Acropolis, the main building, is still open for you to climb. Ek' Balam is one of the latest findings of the Mayan world, the main pyramid and the stelae located on the bottom of the monument count the story of this important city and its emperors. The different buildings surrounding the area include the Oval Palace, the twin pyramids and a beautiful arch marking the entrance to this ancient city. Head to cenote Hubiku, a sacred entrance to the underworld on the Mayan beliefs, this natural pool has a semi-open cave letting the sunbeams to light your swimming. The Don Tadeo Tequila Museum will guide you through an interactive experience to know the process to make one of the most popular beverages in the world made in Mexico.  You will experience an example of the Mayan type of house where you will see the traditions of this culture, have a taste of Cochinita Pibil, the emblematic dish of Mayan people. Then head to the completely natural shade provided by the same trees of the jungle and the hammocks hanging, the most relaxing part of the entire trip, feeling the wind pampering you. A buffet lunch is served, local cuisine of a variety of dishes cooked with pork, chicken, and beef. One soft drink is included with your meal

Cancun: 3-Day Ek Balam, Chichen Itza, Uxmal & Pueblos Tour

9. Cancun: 3-Day Ek Balam, Chichen Itza, Uxmal & Pueblos Tour

Welcome to a 3-day adventure in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico! Day 1 Begins with a 30-minute pickup service to the ancient Ek Balam ruins, where a 2.5 hour tour explores the rich history of the Mayan civilization. Then, visit the Chichikan Cenote for a 2-hour immersion in local traditions, food, and crystal-clear waters. After a 45-minute stop in the "Yellow City" of Izamal, end the day with a city tour in Merida. Day 2 Starts with a 30-minute pickup to the Uxmal ruins for a 1 hour and 45 minute tour, followed by a visit to the Sotuta de Peon Hacienda for a 2 hour tour and typical meal. After a 45-minute cenote swim, end the day with free leisure time in Merida. Day 3 Begins with a 30-minute pickup to Chichen Itza, a 2 hour and 45-minute tour of the famous ruins, followed by a 45-minute stop in Valladolid and a visit to a breathtaking cenote for a meal and leisure time. After a 2-hour journey back, the 3-day adventure ends with memories to last a lifetime.

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What people are saying about Ek Balam

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 59 reviews

A great experience. The drive to Ek Balam is about 2 hrs but our guide Jesus told us about the mayan histories how to pronounce the words and was very knowledgeable so the drive didn't feel like 2hrs. Ek Balam is unbelievable. With the restoration that's been happening you can really see the architecture in its full beauty it is a huge area with little shade and being in the jungle it's very humid even early in the day. The cenote is about half hour away buffet lunch and drinks was very good and then Jesus took us through the mayan village and you can try mayan chocolate and chewing gum. The drive to Valladolid is again about half hour, you spend about 45mins there which is enough time to see everything locally. I really would recommend this experience it is a long day alot of walking but being able to get up close and personal, climb the temple and with Jesus' knowledge it really is a must do

The guide was sharp early in the morning, we had to pickup 2 more families and then depart on a comfortable trip to our first stop: Ek Balam , which is a Hidden gem: one of the last archaeological sites were you can still climb and interact with history. Our guide superb, he took us on quite an adventure on the Mayan culture. Cenote was awesome. Bring water shoes since it's kind of slippery. Food was great.

Great tour . Perfect timing on each place of interest. We had a wonderful time with our guide Alvaro, we were deeply submerged on Mayan culture: all places were a complete Marvel. I really enjoyed to truly interact and touch these ancient buildings. Food was better than expected. So that was a PLUS.

All information was correct. The vehicle was clean, the guide very well informed and polyglot. The cenote was very nice, clean changing rooms, good food. On this tour we got to know the few uncrowded places

Mina our guide was so kind and helpful. Very well organised trip. We had the chance to enjoy both Ek-Balam and Chichen Itza. Our guide to Chichen Itza was also fantastic.