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Guided tour of Ek' Balam and Valladolid with cenote and lunch

4.5/5
119 reviews

Get a close-up look at Maya history and traditions on this off-the-beaten-track tour. You'll visit the ancient Maya city of Ek' Balam – the most recent to be opened to the public – as well as Yalcoba to swim in the cenote and a stop in Valladolid.

We'll start the adventure with a guided visit of Ek' Balam, which translates as ‘Black Jaguar.' The site has more than 40 structures and its walls formed a maze, while the main pyramid, known as the Acropolis, has a well-preserved entrance surrounded by the open jaws and fangs of a jaguar. It's bigger than even El Castillo at Chichen Itzá. Best of all, you can climb to the top – which few Maya sites allow.

Afterwards, we'll head to Yalcoba where you can try your hand at chocolate-making and learn how to craft obsidian at a workshop. After a tequila and mezcal tasting you'll have time to enjoy the crystalline cenote, then tuck into a tasty buffet lunch of typical regional dishes. Lastly, we'll have a quick stop in central Valladolid, a city known for its art and architecture and a picture-perfect medley of colourful colonial buildings and historic churches.

Main features

Free cancellation
Place: Riviera Maya / Playa del Carmen
Duration: from 4 hours to 8 hours
Language:Spanish, English
Printed ticket only

Additional features

Entrance fees included
Guided tour
Instant confirmation
Meal included
Hotel pick up

Why you’ll love this…

  • You'll head into the jungle to visit what's left of the ancient Mayan city of Ek' Balam
  • This trip includes a swim stop at a cenote, a kind of natural freshwater pool unique to Mexico
  • Chocolate-making, obsidian-crafting and mezcal-tasting are all part of the agenda
  • The tour wraps up in Valladolid, a small, colourful town that's one of the Yucatan's prettiest parts
  • You'll follow an expert local guide around this patch of Mexico, so they'll give you the lowdown

Important to know

  • There's a MXN 45.00 fee for using video cameras at the archaeological site
  • Order of route subject to change
  • Tour is guided in German
  • Pickups are available from Riviera Maya and Playa del Carmen hotels. If you don't see the option to add a hotel for pickup, please provide the details at the checkout.
  • Bring biodegradable insect repellent
  • Bring bathing gear and sunblock
  • Bring suitable footwear
  • Not suitable for guests with reduced mobility
  • Drinks not included

Cancellation policy

Receive a 100% refund if you cancel up to 2 days before the experience begins.


What’s included

  • Transport
  • Guide
  • Admission fees
  • Buffet
  • Local delicacy tasting

This experience meets the Global Sustainable Tourism Council criteria. By choosing this experience you can protect the places you love, care for the environment and support local communities.

Booking fee

Good news! No extra fees are applied to this booking.


Pickup points

To see which pickup points are available, check under availability & prices.

Provider

TUI MEXICANA SA DE CV


What people say about this experience

4.5/5

All reviews are verified

Based on 119 reviews


Review categories

Safety

1/5

Service

1/5

Staff

1/5

Value for money

1/5


72%
20%
5%
0%
3%

Sort by:

  • L

    LutzHP

    Solo traveller


    19 May 2026
    1

    Germany

    Gecancelt!

  • T

    Thielinski

    Travelled with family


    30 April 2026
    5

    Germany

    Unser Guide Jano hat uns hervorragend begleitet und hat viel Fachkenntnis über das Mexiko der Mayas. Wir hatten ausreichend Zeit, die Verpflegung war sehr gut, vor allem mit Getränken im und am Bus.

  • H

    Helmut

    Travelled as a couple


    29 April 2026
    4.2

    Germany

    Der Bus war für die Anzahl der Teilnehmer zu klein in der hinteren Reihe gab es keine Fenster bei einer erhöhten Sitz Reihe konnte man nur teilweise aus dem Fenster schauen Für einen Ausflug igelt das gar nicht man will ja auch während der Fahrt was sehen

  • M

    Markus

    Travelled with family


    5 April 2026
    1

    Germany

    Uns wird kurzfristig ein Tag zuvor wegen zu wenig Teilnehmern abgesagt was gar nicht geht. Auch mit einer Person hätte die Trip stattfinden müssen. Man plant in seinem Urlaub die Ausflüge und dann muss das auch funktionieren. Zwei Tage zuvor hat man uns bei der Kaffeefahrt nach playa del Carmen vergessen. Wir haben 45 min gewartet. Es gibt keine Telefonnummer mehr im Aushang nur die app wo man nicht weiterkommt und somit ist keiner erreichbar. Lokale Anbieter funktionieren besser

  • J

    Jane Olsson

    Solo traveller


    16 March 2026
    5

    Sweden

    Det enda jag kan klaga på är att taxin hämtade mig 6.10 på morgonen. Bussen gick inte förrän 7.30. 1 timmes väntan på en mack utan toalett. Annars var utfärden mycket bra underbar guide

  • B

    Ben

    Travelled as a couple


    7 February 2026
    4.6

    Netherlands

    The workshops were not really workshops but rather shops. The driver in the morning showed up late and stayed 20 more minutes in the hotel for seemingly no reason. The ruins were really beautiful and climbing the temple was amazing! The cenote beautiful and the food was of very good quality. Valladolid has a nice square and church which is worth stopping by for