Mayan Trail: Ek Balam, Sacred Cenote and Local Food
Discover the majesty of Ek Balam, in the municipality of Temozón, a jewel in the heart of Yucatán. Discover the living Mayan region, surrounded by jungle and tradition. Walk among the ruins of an ancient sacred city, cool off in the crystal-clear waters of a cenote, and savor a traditional meal made with local ingredients. This private experience combines adventure, culture, and nature in a single day. Ideal for those who want to explore Yucatán not only with all five senses… but with all twenty.
Options
Mayan Trail: Ek Balam, Sacred Cenote and Local Food
Pickup included
What's included in Mayan Trail: Ek Balam, Sacred Cenote and Local Food
(Subject to Option Inclusions)Itinerary
Ek Balam
The jungle opens a clearing to reveal Ek Balam, the “Black Jaguar” of the ancient Mayans. As you cross the threshold of green ceibas and toucan songs, you are greeted by a museum with pieces that whisper stories of kings, artisans, and astronomers who dominated the sky and corn. Further ahead, the pyramids rise like sleeping giants. The Acropolis, with its stucco mask and bat wings, invites you to ascend step by step, almost as if each step were the syllable of an ancient chant. From above, an endless sea of green treetops stretches out to the horizon, while the breeze carries with it the echo of the sacred jaguar that still guards these lands. At Ek Balam, time stands still: a journey of a few kilometers, but immense in revelations, where each visitor becomes an explorer of legends and, for a moment, a guardian of the memory of the Mayan people.
X'Canche Cenote
X'Canché Cenote – Sacred portal of water and silence After exploring the ceremonial heights of Ek Balam, we took a dirt path between ceibas and murmurings towards the X'Canché cenote, underground custodian of the Mayan territory itself. There, after a gentle ride on a bike, on foot, or by car, you descend a wooden walkway to a turquoise pool surrounded by hanging roots and living walls. You can swim in its crystal-clear waters, zip line, or rappel, while birds circle overhead and the light falls like a prayer. It is an experience of purification and connection, operated by a Mayan cooperative that preserves the spirit of the place.
Ek Balam Village
In addition to the ruins and the cenote, the experience includes a brief stop in the village of Ek Balam, a vibrant community where history continues to live through the Mayan language, artisan hands, and wood-burning stoves. Here you'll discover an authentic setting, with traditional houses, family gardens, and faces that speak volumes. It's a space to observe with respect and, if the opportunity arises, share a greeting or a smile with those who inhabit these ancestral lands. A reminder that Mayan culture isn't just studied: it's alive and well.
Inclusions
- Private transportation
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Refreshing water on board.
- Entrance fee to the Ek Balam archaeological site and its cenote.
- Gratuities
- The cost DE food is NO included, cost approx. $300 c/u.
- ENTRANCE FEES are NO longer included EN the tour price. Access is paid directly EN you at the box office and may vary depending on whether you are Mexican or foreign. Carry cash EN Mexican pesos.
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- The tour is conducted at a leisurely pace, ideal for people who prefer to walk without rushing.
- Additional stops may be made if a traveler needs a rest break.
- We can adapt the experience for older adults, provided they are able to walk without assistance.
- The vehicle has air conditioning and comfortable space.
- If you have limited mobility, you can skip the nature trail or the climb to the acropolis and still enjoy the site from below.
- The cenote does not have an elevator; access is via stairs (with handrails).
- We offer assistance with boarding or disembarking if requested in advance.
- If you have any medical questions, please consult us before booking. We are here to help.
Meet
Pickup and Dropoff
Choose to be picked up from a list of locations
Additional Information
Pickup is included from hotels in Valladolid, Yucatán, or from prearranged meeting points. Please be ready 10 minutes before the indicated check-in time at the main entrance of your accommodation. If any issues arise, don't worry: just let us know ahead of time and we'll be happy to coordinate with you. Our tour vehicle is marked and will arrive with plenty of energy to begin this experience without rushing, at your own pace.
Redeem
Ticket Redemption
Please present your Viator confirmation (printed or digital) to the driver upon boarding. Your name will be checked on the passenger list. No additional entry required.
