Ek Balam Tours
4 Reviews

Once an ancient Maya town, Ek Balam (meaning “black jaguar” in the Mayan language) is now one of the largest archaeological sites in Mexico, famous for its 96-foot-tall (29-meter-tall) Acropolis, a stone temple that offers picturesque jungle views from its peak. Don’t miss the jaguar motifs peppered around the site’s numerous structures.
The Basics
Situated about 100 miles (160 kilometers) from the popular tourist destination of Chichen Itza, Ek Balam isn’t quite as popular as its massive neighbor, making it less crowded. The attraction offers a chance to imagine Maya culture as it was thousands of years ago.
Ek Balam tours typically include hotel pickup and drop-off, and leave from Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and other Riviera Maya destinations. Excursions range from a half day to a full day, and often visit other popular attractions such as Tulum Archaeological Site, the ruins at Chichen Itza, and nearby cenotes (underground lakes). Private tours are available for a personalized experience, and some day trips include a personal photographer.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Ek Balam is a must-see for history buffs and culture lovers.
- The Caribbean sun can get very hot and there isn’t much shade at Ek Balam, so remember to bring sun protection and plenty water.
- It’s a good idea to wear comfortable shoes so you can explore the ruins at length.
How to Get There
Ek Balam is located on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, roughly two hours by road from Cancun and Playa del Carmen. You can get there by taxi, rental car, or guided tour. The closest international airport is in Cancun.
When to Get There
Ek Balam is busiest from December through April, when the weather tends to be sunny and warm. There are fewer crowds during hurricane season (May through October), but be sure to check the weather for storms if you plan to participate in outdoor activities.
What to See Near Ek Balam
The nearby Quintana Roo region is full of attractions, both natural and man-made. Nearby Playa del Carmen is a popular spot for swimming, sunbathing, and shopping. The Maya ruins at Coba are also a must-see, with a 138-foot-high (42-meter-high) stone pyramid. The archaeological sites of Tulum and Chichen Itza are also great spots to explore. For an island getaway, visit the shores of Isla Mujeres or Cozumel.
Address: Ek Balam, The Yucatan, Mexico
Admission: Varies
58 Tours and Activities to Experience Ek Balam
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Chichen Itza, Ek Balam, and Hubiku Cenote Combo Tour All Fees Included
This intriguing full-day tour from Playa del Carmen combines two prominent archaeological sites of the Yucatan Peninsula: Chichen Itza and Ek Balam. A professional guide points out El Castillo (The Castle), aka the Temple of Kukulcan, among other landmarks, then accompanies you to Ek Balam with free time to climb the main pyramid. In between, visit Hubiku Cenote for a swim and dig into a buffet lunch. Numbers are limited to 10 people to provide a small-group experience.
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From
$145.00
From
$145.00
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff

Private Chichen Itza, Ek Balam, and Ik Kil Cenote, Lunch
Enjoy personalized attention and a flexible itinerary on this jam-packed full-day tour that hits all of the famous Mayan sites around the Riviera Maya. With private transportation from Riviera Maya or Cancun, visit Chichen Itza, Ek Balam, and the Ik Kil cenote with a dedicated guide. All entrance fees included.
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From
$390.00
Price varies by group size
From
$390.00
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff

Private Tour Ek' Balam & Cenote Hubiku with Valladolid
Swap the beaches and bars of Cancun for the opportunity to get off the beaten path. Explore the ancient ruins of Ek' Balam, nestled deep in the Yucatan jungle; cool off in the underground swimming hole of Hubiku Cenote, and wander around and soak up local culture in the charming town of Valladolid. This private tour is exclusively for your party.
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From
$317.35
Price varies by group size
From
$317.35
Price varies by group size

Private Tour: Ek Balam, Pink Flamingos Sanctuary and Tequila Tasting Factory from Cancun
See the ancient Maya city of Ek Balam, a migratory bird sanctuary, and a tequila factory on a full-day, private tour from Cancun that goes off the beaten track to explore the Yucatan’s history, wildlife, and culture. This 12-hour tour includes pickup and drop-off at your hotel in Cancun, entrance fees, and a boat trip through the Gulf Coast mangroves.
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From
$160.00
From
$160.00
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff

Ek Balam and Valladolid Private Tour
Discover three captivating Mexican sites during this double-duty guided tour, which makes stops at Ek Balam, Valladolid, and a Mayan cenote. Enjoy personalized attention from your own private guide as you wander pre-Colombian ruins, exploring stepped pyramids and listening to the latest archaeological findings. From there, enjoy free time in the picturesque, 16th-century town of Valladolid, before ending the day over a savory lunch buffet and views of a stunning cenote.
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From
$326.09
Price varies by group size
From
$326.09
Price varies by group size
Face masks provided for travelers
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience

Ek Balam Rio Lagartos and Tequila Private Tour from Cancun
Tour the archaeological ruins of Ek Balam, then see flocks of pink flamingos and soak in a salt lagoon at Rio Lagartos on this private day trip. Learn about the ancient Maya civilization from an informative personal guide and climb up the Acropolis, one of the largest pyramids of the Yucatán Peninsula. In addition, visit a tequila factory and stop for an included lunch. Private transport is available from Cancun hotels.
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From
$402.00
Price varies by group size
From
$402.00
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff

8-Day Yucatan Peninsula: Small-Group for Chichen Itza, Uxmal, Ek Balam and Tulum
Uncover the mystifying mysteries of the ancient Mayans on an enriching and explorative 8-day tour of the Yucatan’s most significant archeological sites from Cancun. On this personalized small-group tour, explore the ancient World Wonder of Chichen Itza with a knowledgeable guide. Delve other atmospheric ruins such as Uxmal, El Baklam, Tulum and more, while gaining fascinating insight into the unique culture and intriguing history of the region. Travel in comfort, feast upon sublime local specialties and luxuriate in lavish hotel accommodations during your spectacular journey through the Yucatan Peninsula.
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From
$1,735.00
From
$1,735.00
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff

Ek Balam Majestic Mayan Ruins and Cenote Tour
Experience a bit of the Yucatan Peninsula's Maya culture and natural wonders on this day trip from Cancun to Ek’ Balam and Cenote Hubiku or Xcajum cenote (sinkhole). At Ek’ Balam, learn about the archaeological ruins and restoration efforts of this ancient Maya city. Then head to the cenote, a naturally formed underground pool, to cool off with a swim.
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From
$149.00
From
$149.00
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff

Ek Balam & Samula Cenote Private Tour
Your experience begins at 8:00 AM, (suggested time), you'll be taken directly to Ek Balam to spend a few hours enjoying and learning about the site with a certified guide. After that, a refreshing swim at the Samula cenote and a buffet lunch will be waiting for you. A stop at the colonial town of Valladolid isalso included, however you can decide to got straight to your hotel depending on your energy level. The tour finishes with the drop-off at your hotel, about 10-12 hours after your pickup.
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From
$110.60
From
$110.60
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff

Private Tour: Pink Flamingos, Maya Temples and Ek Balam
Tour archeological sites, encounter the incredible wildlife of Rio Lagartos and get an up close look at Mayan temples during this day trip from Cancun that's perfect for the entire family. Whether you're traveling with children or adventuring with friends, this private excursion is the ideal way to see it all.
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From
$469.34
per group
From
$469.34
per group

Private Tour: Chichen Itza, Ek Balam Cenote, and Tequila Factory
Tour two important archaeological sites of the Yucatán Peninsula on this private day trip from Cancun. A personal guide accompanies you via air-conditioned transport to Ek Balam and Chichen Itza. Wander on foot past famous pyramids such as Kukulkan while you listen to riveting commentary about the former Maya inhabitants. Then swim in a cenote, a limestone sinkhole filled with crystalline water. Lunch plus a tequila factory visit are included in your full-day itinerary.
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From
$110.00
From
$110.00
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff

Valladolid & Ek Balam From Mérida Yucatán
Plan a stress-free visit to Valladolid with this full-day tour that includes round-trip transport from accommodations in Merida. In addition to navigating, your guide offers little-known facts and anecdotes about the ancient Mayan archaeological site of Ek Balam and the colonial town of Valladolid. The tour also features free time to relax and have lunch at Cenote Saamal, one of many natural sinkholes unique to the Yucatán’s landscape.
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From
$96.10
Price varies by group size
From
$96.10
Price varies by group size

Ek Balam, Valladolid and Cenote Private Tour
This is a tour that combines a visit to the ancient city of Ek Balam and the charm to visit the beautiful colonial city of Valladolid in Yucatan. We will also visit a amazing cenote where you enjoy a delicious lunch with traditional Yucatan dishes.
Enjoy at your own pace and without itineraries of the Mayan culture and Yucatan.
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From
$210.00
Price varies by group size
From
$210.00
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers

PRIVATE TOUR EK BALAM with SWIMMING IN CENOTE & COLONIAL CITY from RIVIERA MAYA
A complete tour full of nature, magic, ancient history, beauty and local real life.
Ek Balam a unique archaeological site.
An incredible cenote surrounded by vegetation, birds and nature.
And Valladolid, a beautiful colonial city of great importance in the era of the Viceroyalty
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From
$420.27
Price varies by group size
From
$420.27
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff

Ek Balam Self-Guided Tour Cancun, Mexico
Ek Balam: Ancient Maya’s Best-Kept Secret and often overshadowed little brother to uber-crowded Chichen Itza, is a very special place. There are Mayan Ruins scattered across the Yucatan Peninsula, but few rivals the intimate experience available here. Between getting there, exploring along the way, and eventually scaling the massive temple, you are guaranteed an amazing day at one of Cancun's favorite ruin sites yet.
Here's how it works: Within 30 min, we'll send you two things: a unique password and an app. Before your visit, download the app onto your phone, enter the password, and download the tour. Stick to our recommended route for the best experience.
The password is valid for a month, so you don’t have to worry if your travel plans change.
This tour is not an entrance ticket to the site. Check pandemic rules and opening hours before your visit.
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From
$5.13
From
$5.13
Face masks required for travelers in public areas

Ek Balam Mayan Ruins Private Tour
Discover Maya culture on this full-day tour from Cancun and Riviera. Learn about the archaeological ruins and restoration efforts of Ek’ Balam with a guide, who shares information about this ancient Maya city. Afterwards, head on over to Valladolid, a colonial town full of Spanish conquest history.
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From
$360.00
Price varies by group size
From
$360.00
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff

Go Flamingo (Rio Lagartos - Las Coloradas - Ek Balam) from Valladolid
This English/Spanish spoken guided daytour to the nature reserve of Ria Lagartos, the pink lakes of Las Coloradas and the amazing Maya site of Ek Balam make this combination of nature and archaeology a must do during your visit in Valladolid. You won´t regret it!
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From
$139.00
Price varies by group size
From
$139.00
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers

Chichen Itza & Ek Balam Maya Ruins Private Tour
Always thought that seeing two Mayan sites in a day was not possible? Think again this is the perfect combination of two of the most beautiful mayan sites ever built, Chichen Itza and Ek Balam in just one day. A not to be missed..!!
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From
$241.40
$42.60 savings
Price varies by group size
From
$241.40
$42.60 savings
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff

Private Day Trip: Ek Balam and Chichen Itza with Cenote and Tequila Factory
Get personalized attention and enjoy a flexible itinerary on this private day trip to Chichen Itza and Ek Balam. After touring the important archaeological sites, take a swim in a nearby cenote. Then quench your thirst with a visit to a local tequila factory. Round-trip private transportation is included.
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From
$400.00
Price varies by group size
From
$400.00
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff

Private Tour: Ek Balam and Pink Flamingoes Sanctuary with Photographer from Cancun, Tulum or Riviera Maya
Visit an ancient Maya city and a coastal bird sanctuary on a full-day, private tour with transport from hotels in Cancun, Tulum, or the Rivera Maya that includes all entrance fees. Travel with a photographer guide for professional images of the trip, as you explore El Balam, spot flocks of flamingos, and tour the Rio Lagartos mangroves by boat.
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From
$362.67
Price varies by group size
From
$362.67
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff

Private Chichén Itzá, Ek' Balam & Valladolid Tour with Cenote Hubiku
Discover Yucatan highlights from the ancient Maya to colonial-era architecture on a full-day, private tour of Chichen Itza, Valladolid, and Ek Balam. With a personal driver/guide to whisk you between sites, you can customize the itinerary and enjoy a day of exploring at your own pace. An included lunch buffet features regional specialties, offering the chance to sample a range of local flavors.
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From
$386.00
Price varies by group size
From
$386.00
Price varies by group size
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
Gear/equipment sanitized between use

Private Tour With Photographer To Ek Balam And Chichen Itza With Cenote
Visit Ek Balam and Chichen Itza on this private day trip from Playa del Carmen. You'll get to see the main buildings of these important archaeological sites and then swim in the refreshing waters of a cenote. You'll end the tour visiting a tequila factory where you'll get to learn about the process and taste this famous, Mexican drink. Enjoy these wonderful places accompanied by a professional photographer who'll capture all your special moments during excursion. Full day excursion.
Your private day trip includes transport and entrance fees.
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