Mayan Trail: Ek Balam, Sacred Cenote and Local Food

Mayan Trail: Ek Balam, Sacred Cenote and Local Food

By Alux Adventures

Free cancellation available

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Features

Free cancellation available
10h
Mobile voucher
Instant confirmation
Selective hotel pickup
Multiple languages

Overview

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.

Activity location

Ek Balam
- 20-minute drive from Valladolid on highway 295, direction Tizimin
- Ek Balam Village, Yucatan, Mexico

Meeting/Redemption Point

Ek Balam
- 20-minute drive from Valladolid on highway 295, direction Tizimin
- Ek Balam Village, Yucatan, Mexico

Check availability

Mayan Trail: Ek Balam, Sacred Cenote and Local Food in Multilingual

10h
Opening hours: Fri 12:00am-11:30pm
English

Pickup included

Travelers

Languages available

Price details

$115.96 x 1 Adult$115.96

Paid at activity$38.86

Total

What's included, what's not

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.

Know before you book

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.

Activity itinerary

Ek Balam

3h
Admission ticket not included

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

2h
Admission ticket not included

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.

Temozon

1h 30m

Temozón – Deep flavor of Yucatán In the heart of the municipality that shelters Ek Balam lies Temozón, a town renowned for something that transcends borders: its smoked meat, considered by many to be the best in all of Mexico. As you walk through its quiet streets, the scent of local wood smoke perfumes the air. Here, families have perfected the art of smoking pork and beef for generations, using ancient techniques in stone ovens. During the experience, you can stop to try this delicacy at one of the traditional butcher shops or family-run restaurants, where flavor is not just food: it is identity, memory, and celebration. An ideal stop to close the day with a deep and authentic delight.

Location

Activity location

Ek Balam
- 20-minute drive from Valladolid on highway 295, direction Tizimin
- Ek Balam Village, Yucatan, Mexico

Meeting/Redemption Point

Ek Balam
- 20-minute drive from Valladolid on highway 295, direction Tizimin
- Ek Balam Village, Yucatan, Mexico

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Experience the wonders of the world up close with great deals on things to do near and far. We offer one-of-a-kind activities that allow you to explore Ek Balam Village your way. Whether you love nature, culture, food, or a bit of adventure, we have the perfect activity for you.