Chichen Itza & Ek Balam Early Access Tour with Cenote Swim

Summary

Early morning at chichen itza, cenote hubiku swim, ek balam climb, no shopping stops

You’ll slip into Chichen Itza before the crowds arrive, wander ancient plazas with a local guide, swim beneath stalactites at Cenote Hubiku, and climb Ek Balam’s jungle pyramid—all without shopping detours or wasted time. This small group tour includes lunch and bottled water so you can focus on history, not logistics.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was how quiet Chichen Itza felt when we arrived—like the ruins were holding their breath. Our guide, Alejandro, waved us over to a shady spot and pointed out faded carvings on La Iglesia. He kept switching between English and Spanish without missing a beat (I tried to follow both). The sun was just starting to warm up the stone under our feet. I didn’t expect to get goosebumps from a ball court, but standing there with barely anyone else around—yeah, it got me. We had almost two hours for the main site before the big tour buses rolled in.

I’d been worried about tourist traps or endless souvenir stops, but this day trip from Cancun really didn’t have any of that. After Chichen Itza, we drove through sleepy little towns where dogs napped in doorways and laundry flapped on lines. Then we reached Cenote Hubiku—a cool cave with water so clear you could see your toes even after jumping in. The air smelled like wet stone and earth. Lunch was a buffet right by the cenote (I still think about those pickled onions), and Alejandro explained what each dish meant for Yucatec families.

Ek Balam surprised me most—I’d barely heard of it before this tour. There were hardly any other groups around, just birds calling from somewhere in the trees. Climbing up the Acropolis pyramid left my legs shaky but that view over the jungle? Worth every step. Alejandro told us stories about the carvings—he even joked about one looking like his uncle (he might’ve been serious). By late afternoon we were all tired and a bit sunburned, but nobody seemed ready to leave yet.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Visit Chichen Itza, Cenote, and Ek Balam

• Arrive early at Chichen Itza
• Guided tour of Chichen Itza ruins
• Free time to explore and take photos
• Swim at Cenote Hubiku
• Enjoy regional buffet lunch
• Visit Ek Balam archaeological site
• Climb Acropolis pyramid at Ek Balam

Top questions

How early do you arrive at Chichen Itza on this tour?

The tour arrives just as Chichen Itza opens in the morning for early access before large crowds.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes, pickup from your hotel or meeting point is included in the day trip.

Can you swim at Cenote Hubiku?

Yes, there’s time for a refreshing swim in Cenote Hubiku during the tour.

Are there shopping stops on this tour?

No, this tour does not include any shopping stops—just cultural sites and activities.

How long is the full day trip from Cancun?

The total duration including transportation is about 11 to 12 hours depending on your hotel location.

Is lunch included?

A regional buffet lunch is included at the cenote restaurant after swimming.

Do you get free time at Chichen Itza?

Yes, after a guided visit there is free time to explore or take photos inside Chichen Itza.

Can you climb pyramids at Ek Balam?

You can climb the Acropolis pyramid at Ek Balam for views over the jungle landscape.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off by air-conditioned vehicle, early entry tickets for both Chichen Itza and Ek Balam with an expert bilingual guide throughout, bottled water onboard to keep you going in the heat, plus a regional buffet lunch served right next to Cenote Hubiku after your swim—so you won’t need to worry about food or logistics along the way.