---
title: Ek Balam, Mayan Cenote and Valladolid
lang: en
type: tour
city: Playa del Carmen
country: Mexico
price: 144
currency: EUR
price_unit: per_person
availability: bookable
rating: 4.96
reviews: 103
duration_minutes: 360
languages: [en, es]
free_cancellation: "true"
rank_in_category: 9 of 26 (Cenote Tours)
schedule_checked: 2026-10-09
data_updated: 2026-10-12
canonical: https://guidekin.com/mexico/tulum/tours/ek-balam-mayan-cenote-and-valladolid/
---

# Ek Balam, Mayan Cenote and Valladolid

**Guidekin's take:** Combine Ek Balam and its Main Temple ascent with a cenote and Valladolid. Lunch, drinks and transport from most hotels in the listed pickup areas are included; archaeological site entry costs extra, and participants need to be fit and able to swim. 4.96 from 103 reviews at €144 per person for 6h.

In our comparison: #9 of 26 in Cenote Tours, by rating weighted by review volume (table below).

## Overview

Unearth the Secrets of Ek Balam and ascend the Majestic Main Temple at this Extraordinary Archaeological Site.

Tucked away in the lush jungles of the Yucatan peninsula, Ek Balam awaits, boasting its status as one of the most stunning and remarkably preserved Mayan cities. Our expert guide will lead the way, unveiling the mysteries of Mayan culture, showcasing the majestic structures, and deciphering the intricate glyphs adorning the ancient walls of this once thriving metropolis. A highlight of the tour is ascending the Acropolis, the tallest temple of the site. Find refreshment in the crystal-clear waters of a charming open-air cenote before indulging in a delectable regional meal. Finally, explore the colonial city of Valladolid, a captivating place where art and architecture harmoniously blend, showcasing pastel-colored buildings and historic churches.

## Before you book

- Hotel pickup: no car needed
- Entry ticket not included: buy it separately
- Starts 09:30: one departure a day
- Food included: Bottled water, soft drinks, and beer
- Fitness notes apply: see additional information
- Age rule: Minimum age is 6

**Pickup:** Hotel pickup included

## Key facts

- Price: from €144 per person
- Duration: 6h
- Rating: 4.96/5 from 103 reviews (collected from Guidekin & Viator & Tripadvisor)
- Free cancellation (see policy below)
- Operator: Cancun Adventures
- Group: Shared tour
- Guide languages: English, Spanish
- Tickets: Admission not included, pay on site
- Start times: 09:30
- Booking: Instant confirmation, mobile ticket
- Price checked on Viator: 2026-10-09

## Reviews

4.96 from 103 ratings on Guidekin, Viator & Tripadvisor.
100% of ratings with a star breakdown are 4 or 5 stars: 103 of 103.

- 5 stars: 99 (96%)
- 4 stars: 4 (4%)
- 3 stars: 0 (0%)
- 2 stars: 0 (0%)
- 1 star: 0 (0%)

## What's included

- Professional, bilingual, attentive guide.
- Round-trip transportation from most hotels in Riviera Maya (available on Thursday and Sunday).
- Delectable lunch featuring iconic delicacies from the region.
- Round-trip transportation from most hotels in Cancun (available on Frida yonly).
- Bottled water, soft drinks, and beer
- Umbrellas.

## Not included

- Gratuities
- Entrance fee to the archaeological site

## Itinerary

1. **Travel with us to one of the best-kept secrets of the Mayan world** (2h; admission included) - Hidden in the jungle of the Yucatan peninsula, Ek Balam is considered one of the most beautiful, discovered Mayan cities and definitely one of the best preserved. On this adventure, our expert guide will explain all about the Mayan culture, the various majestic structures,...
2. **Welcome Shaman ceremony, obsidian workshop, mezcal and tequila tasting** (2h 30m) - Find refreshment in the crystal-clear waters of a charming open-air cenote before indulging in a delectable regional meal.
3. **Valladolid** (30m) - You will visit the colonial city of Valladolid, a charming place where art and architecture are recognized for its beautiful buildings in pastel colors and old historical churches.

## Schedule

- Runs: Thu, Fri, Sun
- Departures: 09:30
- Schedule last checked: 2026-10-09
- These are published departures, not a live seat count; availability is confirmed at checkout.

## Cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

## Good to know

- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- The pickup time depends on your hotel's location.
- Guests who wish to participate must be relatively fit and able to swim.
- Guests must meet a minimum height requirement of 3.9 feet (1.20 meters).
- GoPro devices, tablets, and selfie sticks are subject to fees payable directly at the box office in the Ek Balam Ruins. Professional photography equipment and drones are strictly prohibited.
- Please note that a $35 USD fee will be charged directly at the entrance to Ek Balam.
- Not recommended for guests with limited mobility.
- Minimum age is 6

## Compared with other Cenote Tours

| Tour | Price | Duration | Rating | Group |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| **This tour · #9 of 26** | €144 | 6h | 4.96 (103) | shared |
| [Small-Group 3 Cenotes Adventure Tour](/mexico/tulum/tours/small-group-3-cenotes-adventure-tour/?format=md) | €154 | 7h | 4.98 (529) | shared |
| [Private Tour to Tulum, Cenote and Swimming with Turtles](/mexico/tulum/tours/private-tour-to-tulum-cenote-and-swimming-with-turtles/?format=md) | €270 | 5h | 5.0 (239) | private |
| [Private Tour - The best Cenotes in Yucatan - Suytun & Oxman](/mexico/tulum/tours/private-tour-the-best-cenotes-in-yucatan-suytun-oxman/?format=md) | €177 | 8h | 4.98 (299) | private |

Ranked #9 of 26 in Cenote Tours by Guidekin score (rating weighted by review volume). Prices here run from €26 to €270, median €108; typical length 6h. 4 of 26 are private. Figures are live from the tour cards; the rubric is our handpicked set, not the whole market.

Full list: https://guidekin.com/mexico/tulum/cenote-tours-tulum/?format=md

## More in Playa del Carmen

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Filters, the full catalogue and the URL contract for this city: https://guidekin.com/mexico/tulum/?format=md