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Private Ek Balam Tour
A private full-day trip to the Ek Balam Acropolis with a cenote swim and a Yucatecan lunch, for your group only, with your own bilingual guide
- Duration: 9 to 10 hours, door to door
- Tour type: Private, just your group
- Guide: Bilingual, English and Spanish
- Physical level: Moderate
An all-included private Ek Balam tour with Xaman-Ha Connections®
At Xaman-Ha Connections®, we bring you to the Ek Balam Acropolis, one of the tallest Mayan ruins in the Yucatan Peninsula, on a private tour for you and your family only. Climb the Acropolis, swim in a beautiful cenote, and let your expert guide reveal the stucco artistry hidden high on the pyramid. Ek Balam is a less crowded archaeological site, so you can enjoy Mayan history and culture at your own pace.
We travel by the toll highway, about 2 to 2.5 hours each way, and lunch is a traditional Yucatecan meal. We pick up from your hotel or condo in the Riviera Maya.
9 to 10 hours, door to door
Private, just your group
Bilingual, English and Spanish
Moderate
No hidden fees. Here’s exactly what’s included:
- Pickup from your hotel or condo
- Private round-trip in an air-conditioned vehicle
- Bilingual guide and driver
- Entrance fee to Ek Balam and guided tour
- Entrance fee and swimming at one cenote
- Cooler stocked with bottled water, soda, and snacks
- Free time at the ruins to explore at your own pace
- Safety equipment and life jackets
- Toll highway
- Traditional lunch
What’s not included:
- One more extra cenote, an optional add-on at $39 USD per person.
- Personal expenses, so bring some extra cash if you wish.
Daily Itinerary
These times are an estimate. Because your tour is private, the real schedule is flexible: it depends on how long you want to spend at each stop and on road conditions. Pickup times are just suggestions.
Hotel pickup
Toll highway to Ek Balam
Ek Balam Acropolis with your guide
Cenote swim and Yucatecan lunch
Back at your hotel
Real Stories from Travelers Who Chose Us
Frequently Asked Questions
Ek Balam, the City of the Black Jaguar, was a powerful Mayan capital from 700 to 1000 AD. Its Acropolis stands 32 meters tall and is the only site in the Yucatan Peninsula that still allows visitors to climb the pyramid. The stucco frieze near the summit, depicting winged figures and a monster-mouth entrance, is among the finest in all of Mesoamerica.
With a private tour, your group travels alone: no strangers, no fixed pace, no shared bus. Your guide adapts the visit to you, with more time at the Acropolis, a longer swim, or extra stops. Commercial group tours carry 20 to 40 people on a fixed schedule. We have over 10 years running private tours in the Riviera Maya.
We pick up directly from any hotel, resort, or condo along the Riviera Maya coastline, including:
- Playa del Carmen: Fifth Avenue, the downtown area, and all hotel zones.
- Riviera Maya resorts: all properties between Playa del Carmen and Akumal, including Playacar, Puerto Aventuras, and Puerto Morelos.
For pickups outside these areas, message us with the WhatsApp button on this page or through our Contact Us page before booking and we will confirm availability.
This tour involves moderate hiking and short climbs on uneven terrain.
- Not suitable for guests with limited mobility.
- Must be comfortable in water (life jackets provided and required).
- Contact us before booking if you have heart, respiratory, or vertigo conditions.
- Wear closed grippy shoes, no flip-flops.
- Avoid alcohol before the tour.
Yes, Ek Balam is the only active archaeological site in the Yucatan Peninsula where visitors can still climb the pyramid. The Acropolis stands 32 meters tall and rewards climbers with panoramic views over the Yucatan jungle.
Yes. Xaman-Ha Connections® is SECTUR certified, and all our guides hold official credentials from Mexico’s tourism authority. Each guide specializes in Mayan history and archaeology. See more about our team and credentials on our About page.
Pack light and be ready for sun, hiking, and a cenote swim.
- Comfortable closed shoes with grip (no flip-flops).
- Light clothing, plus a long-sleeve shirt for the cenote (no sunscreen in the water).
- Sunglasses, a hat, and reef-safe sunscreen for the ruins.
- Towel and swimsuit.
- A good breakfast before departure.
- Extra cash for personal expenses.
Basic swimming is helpful but not required. Life jackets are provided and mandatory for all water activities at the cenote. Swimming is optional, so you can enjoy the cenote from the platform if you prefer.
Yes, we customize your lunch to your dietary needs. Please let us know your requirements at booking and our team will arrange the appropriate options.
Yes. This tour can be cancelled up to 24 hours before your scheduled pickup for a full refund. All cancellation requests must be submitted by email, and requests through other channels are not accepted. See our Cancellation Policy for full details.
Last-minute reservations are possible but availability is not guaranteed. For a quick response, message us with the WhatsApp button on this page or through our Contact Us page and we will do our best to accommodate your group.
100% free cancellation up to 24 hours prior to pickup
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