Guided tour of Ek' Balam and Valladolid with cenote and lunch
Excursions & day trips

Guided tour of Ek' Balam and Valladolid with cenote and lunch

4.7/5
Excellent
Based on 12 reviews
from
173.00
Free cancellation
Language: Spanish, English
Printed ticket only
Duration: from 4 hours to 8 hours

This experience meets the Global Sustainable Tourism Council criteria. By choosing this experience you can protect the places you love, care for the environment and support local communities.

Why you’ll love this…
  • You'll head into the jungle to visit what's left of the ancient Mayan city of Ek' Balam
  • This trip includes a swim stop at a cenote, a kind of natural freshwater pool unique to Mexico
  • Chocolate-making, obsidian-crafting and mezcal-tasting are all part of the agenda
  • The tour wraps up in Valladolid, a small, colourful town that's one of the Yucatan's prettiest parts
  • You'll follow an expert local guide around this patch of Mexico, so they'll give you the lowdown
What to expect

Get a close-up look at Maya history and traditions on this off-the-beaten-track tour. You'll visit the ancient Maya city of Ek' Balam – the most recent to be opened to the public – as well as Yalcoba to swim in the cenote and a stop in Valladolid.

We'll start the adventure with a guided visit of Ek' Balam, which translates as ‘Black Jaguar.' The site has more than 40 structures and its walls formed a maze, while the main pyramid, known as the Acropolis, has a well-preserved entrance surrounded by the open jaws and fangs of a jaguar. It's bigger than even El Castillo at Chichen Itzá. Best of all, you can climb to the top – which few Maya sites allow.

Afterwards, we'll head to Yalcoba where you can try your hand at chocolate-making and learn how to craft obsidian at a workshop. After a tequila and mezcal tasting you'll have time to enjoy the crystalline cenote, then tuck into a tasty buffet lunch of typical regional dishes. Lastly, we'll have a quick stop in central Valladolid, a city known for its art and architecture and a picture-perfect medley of colourful colonial buildings and historic churches.

Read more
What's included
  • check Transport
  • check Guide
  • check Admission fees
  • check Buffet
  • check Local delicacy tasting
What to remember
  • There's a MXN 45.00 fee for using video cameras at the archaeological site
  • Order of route subject to change
  • Tour is guided in German
  • Pickups are available from Riviera Maya and Playa del Carmen hotels. If you don't see the option to add a hotel for pickup, please provide the details at the checkout.
  • Bring biodegradable insect repellent
  • Bring bathing gear and sunblock
  • Bring suitable footwear
  • Not suitable for guests with reduced mobility
  • Drinks not included
Read more
Provider
TUI MEXICANA SA DE CV
Booking fee
Good news! No extra fees are applied to this booking.
Cancellation policy
Receive a 100% refund if you cancel up to 2 days before the experience begins.

What people say about this experience

Excellent

4.7/5

Based on 12 reviews from verified customers

75%
25%
0%
0%
0%

Review categories

Staff

4.7/5

Value for money

4.5/5

Safety

4.7/5

Service

4.7/5

  • Cheryl Pennington

    From United States of America - August 2024

    Travelled with family

     

    25 - 34 years old

    Excellent

    Overall rated

    4/5

    Great day , well organised and informative experiences well worth the day out

  • Elisa

    From United Kingdom - June 2024

    Travelled as a couple

     

    18 - 24 years old

    Great

    Overall rated

    4/5

    Ek Balam is an underrated beautiful gem that is absolutely worth seeing. The guide was kind and knowledgeable, kept us fed and refreshed with drinks a ...

  • Nick

    From United Kingdom - April 2024

    Travelled with family

     

    45 - 54 years old

    Excellent

    Overall rated

    5/5

    Fantastic experience. Learnt a lot about the culture and history of the Mayans and Mexicans. The group was a good size, about 10 people plus guide. Go ...

  • Emma and Matt

    From United States of America - March 2024

    Travelled as a couple

     

    25 - 34 years old

    Excellent

    Overall rated

    5/5

    All was good, didn't get to do chocolate making or obsidian workshop as advertised

  • Mike

    From United Kingdom - February 2024

    Travelled as a couple

     

    18 - 24 years old

    Excellent

    Overall rated

    5/5

    Ek Balam is a fantastic experience. The early start to the excursion is worth it to be one of the first groups in to the site to climb the pyramid. Be ...

  • The Jays

    From United Kingdom - January 2024

    Travelled as a couple

     

    25 - 34 years old

    Excellent

    Overall rated

    5/5

    Am excellent day had by all ! Despite an early start really grateful that we did get there early as we virtually had the place to ourselves! Only when ...

You might also like

Playa del Carmen Coco Bongo Tickets
Excursions & day trips

Playa del Carmen Coco Bongo Tickets

Party the night away at Playa del Carmen's legendary Coco Bongo nightclub, where a Vegas-style extravaganza awaits. In a four-hour show featuring dancers, performers, acrobats and singers, you'll be swept away by the club's dazzling nighttime atmosphere. There are five options to choose from – Regular, Gold Member, Silver Member, Front Row and Ladies Night.The fun starts as soon as you're dropped off at Coco Bongo. Well-known for its glittering performances and music that's sure to keep you on the dancefloor. Once the lights are dimmed, the show truly gets started with glittering confetti falling from the sky and tribute acts taking to the stage bringing the best of Madonna, Michael Jackson and Beyoncé to you.Choose from five options:Regular – Standing only entry ticket with snack and open barGold Member – Separate fast-track Gold Member entrance, with reserved seating, snack and open barSilver Member - Silver Entrance, premium bar with one snack to choose, no seat (one mini hamburger, one hotdog, french fries or nachos)Front Row Ticket – Reserved front row seating area with snack and open bar

free cancellation
Available in:

de, es, en, fr, nl 

Coco Bongo Cancun Ticket
Excursions & day trips

Coco Bongo Cancun Ticket

If you're in the mood for a night out with plenty of fun and dancing, look no further than Coco Bongo in Cancun. With acrobat displays, bar-top conga lines, DJ sets, live bands, and music from every decade you're sure to have a great time – and you'll have express entry and an open bar thrown in for good measure.

free cancellation
Available in:

en 

Tulum Morning Tour with Transfer
Activities

Tulum Morning Tour with Transfer

On holiday, it can be tough to tear yourself away from the hotel pool or the all-inclusive bar. But with this trip, you can spend the morning at one of Mexico's must-see sights and still be back for lunch. Tour the ancient Maya ruins of Tulum with an expert guide, followed by free time to explore on your own.

free cancellation
Available in:

es, en, fr 

Nat Geo Day Tour: Unveiling the Importance of Cancun’s Reef Restoration
Excursions & day trips

Nat Geo Day Tour: Unveiling the Importance of Cancun’s Reef Restoration

Explore the wonders of the Mesoamerican Reef System on this exclusive National Geographic Day Tour. Led by marine specialists, you will have the unique opportunity to snorkel and witness the impact of humanity on the reef and see coral bleaching. This is followed by an insightful talk on actionable steps for reef restoration.Setting sail when the waters are at their calmest, you'll venture to two different reefs, each affected by bleaching due to global warming, water pollution, and microplastics. Visit the reef known as “El Meco”, which boasts the youngest corals, making it a particularly special attraction.The boats used for the tour are certified by Blue Flag for sustainable tourism, ensuring your voyage aligns with eco-conscious practices. Along the way, you'll also get to know the local fauna and savour a delicious burrito lunch. During this tour, you will be inspired to protect these marine ecosystems, which is the aim of the National Geographic-sponsored Pristine Seas project. This project has carried out expeditions to Banco Chinchorro, a significant part of the Mesoamerican Reef System. This project's work underscores the importance of safeguarding marine environments from human influence while protecting the last wild places in our oceans.By joining this tour, you will engage with the vital importance of preserving and protecting the precious Mesoamerican Reef System. See for yourself the marvels of the ocean and gain a profound understanding of coral reefs and their critical role in the biosphere.

free cancellation
Available in:

es, en 

Isla Mujeres catamaran from Cancun basic tour
Activities

Isla Mujeres catamaran from Cancun basic tour

Sail away from Cancun to Isla Mujeres on catamaran and enjoy a full-day guided excursion.

free cancellation
Available in:

en, es 

Snorkelling with Turtles and Cenote Swim in Riviera Maya
Activities

Snorkelling with Turtles and Cenote Swim in Riviera Maya

For an amazing underwater adventure, this half-day tour into the heart of the Mexican jungle and the Caribbean reef is a must-do. You'll swim in the mystical surroundings of a cenote and snorkel with turtles in the Caribbean during an action-packed morning in the Riviera Maya.

free cancellation
Available in:

de, es, en, fr, nl 

Guided Tour of Tulum and Visit to a Modern Maya Community
Excursions & day trips

Guided Tour of Tulum and Visit to a Modern Maya Community

Exploring ancient ruins and swimming in underground caves make this an action-packed morning of adventure. A guided tour of one of Mexico's most important historical sites is followed by a visit to a traditional Mayan community. What's more, you'll get the chance to take a refreshing dip in a cenote too.

free cancellation
Available in:

de, es, da, en, fi, +5  fr, nl, no, pl, sv

Akumal Monkey Sanctuary guided tour
Activities

Akumal Monkey Sanctuary guided tour

Take a trip to Akumal Monkey Sanctuary for a guided tour. Meet the animals that call this place home – including over 20 different species – and hear about how they were rescued. You'll see colourful macaws, friendly snakes and playful monkeys, as well as learn about their natural behaviours from a knowledgeable guide. Plus, you'll find out about the sanctuary's conservation efforts and why they're so important. Just a heads-up, transport isn't included in this tour.

free cancellation
Available in:

es, en 

Dolphin swim by Delphinus with Xel-Ha Light Park ticket with transfer
Activities

Dolphin swim by Delphinus with Xel-Ha Light Park ticket with transfer

Dive into a world of adventure with the Xel-Ha Light tour, designed with families in mind. At Xel-Ha natural aquarium park, you can see dolphins up close, snorkel in a cove, and glide down a river on a waterslide. Climb the lighthouse for panoramic views before zooming down the waterslide. Check out caves, cenotes, and grottos, or go for a bike ride around the park. With round-trip transportation and all your gear, including life jackets and towels included, all you need is your sense of adventure.

free cancellation
Available in:

es, en 

Family-friendly Coco Bongo Sunset Show in Cancun
Activities

Family-friendly Coco Bongo Sunset Show in Cancun

Grab your ticket to the Coco Bongo Sunset Show, the family-friendly version of the legendary Coco Bongo. This show features the same high-energy performances and audiovisual productions as the nighttime events, but is designed with families in mind. Plus, there's a premium open bar for adults, and unlimited soft drinks for kids. It's an ideal way to spend an evening out together.

free cancellation
Available in:

en 

Follow us
Contact us
Musement helps you get the best from every destination, by giving you easy access to memorable experiences around the world.
Preferences
English UK
© 2025 Musement S.p.A. VAT IT07978000961 - License Online Travel Agency nº 170695
ETOA IAGTO
Made with
in Milan, Italy