Ek Balam & Cenote: Mayan Ruins, Valladolid & Lunch from Playa del Carmen

Climb the Tallest Temple at Ek Balam, Then Swim in a Jungle Cenote

You climb the tallest temple at Ek Balam, swim in a jungle cenote, eat regional lunch, and explore the pastel-colored colonial streets of Valladolid: all in one day with hotel pickup, a bilingual guide, and drinks included. The fixed schedule means you don't arrange transport, tickets, or timing yourself. You just show up at your hotel at pickup time.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Ek Balam and Valladolid

• Travel to Ek Balam jungle site
• Learn about Mayan culture and structures
• Climb the Acropolis temple
• Attend Shaman ceremony and obsidian workshop
• Taste mezcal and tequila
• Swim in open-air cenote
• Enjoy regional meal
• Visit colonial city of Valladolid

The experience

"Can you see Chichén Itzá from up there?" someone always asks the guide halfway up the Acropolis at Ek Balam, and the answer is yes: on a clear day you can see all the way to the pyramids of Cobá and Chichén Itzá from the top. The climb takes maybe twenty minutes, and the temple is steep enough that you feel it in your legs, but the view from 147 feet up is the kind of thing you remember. Ek Balam itself sits hidden in the Yucatan jungle, one of the most preserved Mayan cities you can actually walk through, and your bilingual guide spends the morning explaining the glyphs carved into the ancient walls, the layout of the structures, and what this place meant when it was still a thriving metropolis.

After the archaeology comes the cenote, a natural sinkhole with crystal-clear water, open-air, the kind of place where you can actually cool off instead of just looking at it. There's a shaman ceremony when you arrive (part of the experience, not optional), and then time to swim before lunch. The regional meal happens after, featuring local dishes you won't find in the hotel zone, plus bottled water, soft drinks, and beer included throughout the day. The whole Ek Balam & cenote portion takes up most of the morning and early afternoon.

The last stop is Valladolid, a colonial city about thirty minutes away, where the buildings are painted in pastels (pale blue, soft pink, cream), and the churches are genuinely old. You get time to walk around, grab a coffee, take photos. The tour runs on Thursdays and Sundays only, with round-trip hotel pickup from most places in Playa del Carmen and Cancun (Cancun pickups are Friday only). A $35 USD entrance fee to Ek Balam is paid directly at the gate, and if you want to bring a GoPro or phone for photos, that's fine, but professional cameras and drones aren't allowed.

What’s included

Your day includes round-trip hotel pickup from most Playa del Carmen or Cancun hotels, a professional bilingual guide, entry to Ek Balam (with the $35 gate fee paid separately), a shaman ceremony at the cenote, cenote swimming time, a regional lunch with local delicacies, bottled water, soft drinks, beer, umbrellas, and time to explore the colonial city of Valladolid. The tour runs Thursdays and Sundays from Playa del Carmen, and Fridays only from Cancun.

Before you book

Days and timesThursdayDeparts at 09:30

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (12 to 69 years) · Child (6 to 11 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupUp to 20

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 35

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Cancun Adventures

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see Ek Balam's main temple and swim in a jungle cenote without arranging your own transport, entrance fees, or timing: the fixed Thursday and Sunday schedule is what fits all three stops into one day from your hotel.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 11 years). Children under 6 can't be included in the booking.

What time does the tour start?

Pickup time depends on your hotel's location in Playa del Carmen or Cancun. The tour operates Thursdays and Sundays from Playa del Carmen, and Fridays only from Cancun.

Is swimming required?

No, but the cenote is part of the itinerary. Guests who wish to swim must be able to swim and meet a minimum height of 3.9 feet (1.20 meters).

How difficult is climbing the Acropolis?

The climb takes about twenty minutes and is steep. You should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness. The tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or limited mobility.

What's included in the price?

Round-trip hotel pickup, professional bilingual guide, regional lunch, bottled water, soft drinks, beer, and umbrellas. The $35 entrance fee to Ek Balam is paid separately at the gate.

Can I bring my phone or camera?

Yes, phones and GoPro devices are allowed. Professional photography equipment and drones are prohibited. GoPro and tablet fees are paid directly at the Ek Balam box office.

How long is the full day?

The tour covers Ek Balam, the cenote, regional lunch, and Valladolid. Total duration depends on your hotel pickup location, but plan for a full day from pickup to return.

Is there a minimum age?

Yes, the minimum age is 6 years old.

What if I don't want to climb the temple?

The Acropolis climb is a main highlight of the tour. You can explore other areas of Ek Balam at ground level, but the site is designed around the temple visit.