Ek Balam, Mayan Cenote and Valladolid
Description
Unearth the Secrets of Ek Balam and ascend the Majestic Main Temple at this Extraordinary Archaeological Site. Tucked away in the lush jungles of the Yucatan peninsula, Ek Balam awaits, boasting its status as one of the most stunning and remarkably preserved Mayan cities. Our expert guide will lead the way, unveiling the mysteries of Mayan culture, showcasing the majestic structures, and deciphering the intricate glyphs adorning the ancient walls of this once thriving metropolis. A highlight of the tour is ascending the Acropolis, the tallest temple of the site. Find refreshment in the crystal-clear waters of a charming open-air cenote before indulging in a delectable regional meal. Finally, explore the colonial city of Valladolid, a captivating place where art and architecture harmoniously blend, showcasing pastel-colored buildings and historic churches.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Travel with us to one of the best-kept secrets of the Mayan world. Hidden in the jungle of the Yucatan peninsula, Ek Balam is considered one of the most beautiful, discovered Mayan cities and definitely one of the best preserved. On this adventure, our expert guide will explain all about the Mayan culture, the various majestic structures, and the impressive glyph that decorate the ancient walls of this once-influential metropolis. A highlight of the visit is climbing the Acropolis from where on a clear day you can see as far as the pyramids of Cobá and Chichén Itzá.
Welcome Shaman ceremony, obsidian workshop, mezcal and tequila tasting. Find refreshment in the crystal-clear waters of a charming open-air cenote before indulging in a delectable regional meal.
You will visit the colonial city of Valladolid, a charming place where art and architecture are recognized for its beautiful buildings in pastel colors and old historical churches.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Round-trip transportation is included from most hotels in Cancun (Friday only) and Riviera Maya (Thursday and Sunday only). IMPORTANT: the Start Time is NOT your Pickup time. It depends on your hotel's location. For your specific pickup details, please feel free to contact us directly. Please consider additional traveling time from your hotel to this Ek Balam, Mayan Cenote and Valladolid Tour, it may take up to 2 1/2 hours each way.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- The pickup time depends on your hotel's location.
- Guests who wish to participate must be relatively fit and able to swim.
- Guests must meet a minimum height requirement of 3.9 feet (1.20 meters).
- GoPro devices, tablets, and selfie sticks are subject to fees payable directly at the box office in the Ek Balam Ruins. Professional photography equipment and drones are strictly prohibited.
- Please note that a $35 USD fee will be charged directly at the entrance to Ek Balam.
- Not recommended for guests with limited mobility.
- Minimum age is 6
Reviews(100)
Cancun Adventures did an amazing job of keeping our small group entertained, educated and corralled. Ek-Balum was the compromise sinc Chichen Itza was closed, and it was such a treat. Our guide was knowledgeable, funny and patient taking us to the top of the temple and through so many buildings— keeping us ahead of a rain storm that would have cut our visit short. The cenote at Ki’ichpam Xunaan was pure heaven. We paid our respects to the well stocked gift shop, which thankfully took cards. Our last stop at Villadolid offered more shopping and photo ops. We only saw around the main square but found more souvenirs there, too!
Thank you so much for your fantastic review! We’re thrilled to hear that what started as an unexpected change turned into such an awesome experience for your group. Ek Balam truly is a hidden gem, and we’re so glad you enjoyed exploring the site, climbing the temple, and discovering its fascinating history alongside our guide. It’s wonderful to hear that their knowledge, humor, and attentiveness helped keep the experience both engaging and seamless — even while staying ahead of the rainstorm! We’re also delighted that you loved the cenote at Ki’ichpam Xunaan. There’s something incredibly special about those peaceful crystal-clear waters, and we’re happy it became such a highlight of your day. Ending the adventure with time in Valladolid for shopping and photos sounds like the perfect finish. Thank you again for choosing Cancun Adventures and for sharing such thoughtful feedback. We hope to welcome you back soon for another unforgettable adventure in the Riviera Maya! Cancun Adventures
Had a great time, Gato was incredibly knowledgeable!
Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us! We’re delighted to hear you had such a great time exploring Ek Balam, the cenote, and Valladolid. Gato will be incredibly happy to know his knowledge and passion helped make your adventure even more memorable. Learning about the rich history and culture of the Mayan world becomes even more special with guides who truly love what they do, and we’re so glad you enjoyed the experience. Thank you again for choosing Cancun Adventures. We truly appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you back soon for another unforgettable journey through the Riviera Maya! Cancun Adventures
Great trip to amazing locations. Be aware of the two-hour travel back and forth, but it is definitely worth it. The Ek Balam ruins are in beautiful condition, nothing is crowded, and it is a totally relaxed tour. There are a lot of shady spots all around, so you don't get burnt by the sun all the time. At the cenote, the mandatory life vest is a little annoying for a passionate diver, but understandable for safety reasons, of course. The guide was really gifted and obviously enjoyed his job. I highly recommend this trip!
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear you had such an unforgettable day exploring Ek Balam, the cenote, and Valladolid. It’s great to know you enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere, beautiful ruins, and the overall experience. We also appreciate your understanding regarding the safety measures at the cenote. Our guide will be very happy to hear your kind words—we’ll be sure to share them with the team. Thank you for your recommendation, and we hope to welcome you back soon for another unforgettable adventure! Warm regards, Cancun Adventures
Awesome experience! Gato was our guide and he was fantastic. I highly recommend this tour if you want a little taste of everything: culture, nature, etc.
Hi there! 😄🌿 Thank you for your awesome review! We’re so happy to hear you had such a great experience and enjoyed the perfect mix of culture and nature Gato will be thrilled to know he made the day so special for you We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back again soon for another adventure!
Thank you Gato & Pancheco for the great day!
Hi there! 😄 Thank you for your great review! We’re so happy to hear you had an amazing experience Gato and Pancheco will be thrilled to know they made your day so special We hope to welcome you back again soon for another adventure!
My guide, Paula, was knowledgeable about the ruins and a delight to interact with. Our driver was also amazing, drove with care, and helped everyone. Tjis was a top-notch experience. As for the tour itself, the attractions were breathtakingly beautiful and interesting. I would have been happy to spend another half hour or so in Valladolid, but it was still long enough to see the city center and buy a delicious ice cream cone and a latte, so I have no gripes. Thanks for an amazing day! 100% worth it!
The experience went well, although I would replace Valladolid with another more interesting activity since there is little to do there
Did the Tulum, archaeological site, cenote, swimming with the turtles and beach club bundle. A full day of unforgettable experiences. Miriam was an excellent tour guide. I would highly recommend this excursion.
Thank you so much for sharing this! 😄 We’re thrilled to hear you had such a fun and unforgettable day and that everything came together so well. It’s great to know Miriam helped make the experience even more enjoyable. We truly appreciate the recommendation and would love to welcome you back for another Caribbean adventure with Cancun Adventures! 🌊✨
A little long-10 hours from pickup to drop off-but very enjoyable. Great guide and everyone from Cancun Adventures. Really liked the ruins and cenote and lunch. And ample water and snacks. Could have skipped brief tour of Valladolid, come back after cenote/lunch.
We had an amazing time on the tour to Ek Balam, the Mayan cenote, and Valladolid! The entire day was well organized, and each stop offered something unique and memorable. Ricardo, our tour guide, was absolutely wonderful. He was very knowledgeable about Mayan history, culture, and archaeology. He explained everything with such passion and clarity, and he made the entire group feel engaged and taken care of. You can truly tell he loves what he does. A huge thank you as well to Luis, our driver, who kept us safe and comfortable throughout the trip. The ride was smooth, and he was always friendly and attentive. One thing we really appreciated was the drinks and snacks provided throughout the day. It was such a thoughtful touch, especially on a long day of exploring. We have been on other tours where you are left starving or waiting hours to eat, so having refreshments available made a huge difference and showed how much they truly care about guest comfort. If we had one wish, it would be to have a bit more time at the cenote, since it was absolutely beautiful and such a refreshing break in the day. Overall, it was a fantastic tour, and we highly recommend it, especially with Ricardo and Luis, who made the experience exceptional from start to finish!
