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A Visit to Ek Balam

Ek Balam Yucatan

There were supposedly some 113,000 tourists in the Cancun area the weekend before Easter, with a 95 percent hotel occupancy level. I’m sure a fair chunk of those pinkish folks stepped away from the buffet table long enough to visit Chichen Itza. Meanwhile, the four of us said “screw that” and went to Ek Balam while making our way over to the Gulf Coast near Merida.

Ek BalaamNever heard of Ek Balaam (sometimes written as Ek’ Balam or Ek Balaam)? You’re not alone. After you get past the big draws, most Maya sites are blissfully unknown and empty, even fantastic Uxmal. The funny thing is, Ek Balaam is actually a tad closer to Cancun than jam-packed Chichen Itza. We struck out from Valladolid about 9:30 and by 9:55 we had paid our $2.75 each (1/2 that for kids) and were inside.

It wasn’t completely empty—we are talking the big Semana Santa week before Easter after all. But if it weren’t for the busload of teenagers on some kind of club trip, the crowd would have been about 20 total. And unlike at Chichen Itza, no vendors on the pathways spoiling the ambiance.

But was it worth checking out? Absolutely! See the pics here for a taste, but this is a grand site that was active for a good 400 years, so there is a lot to see. While there is no grand pyramid in the middle, you can certainly climb enough steps to qualify for the day’s cardio exercise. Once you get to the top, you get the shrub and jungle panorama to remind you why there are still places like this that haven’t even been found yet.

Next time you end up in the Yucatan, try something different. Spend the night in Valladolid (where we paid $60 for a room at the best hotel in town) and feel like an explorer in Ek Balam. Here’s some more info on the site from Yucatan Today.

Ek Balam ruins

Omayra

Wednesday 3rd of April 2013

Hi! Thank you for this post. Your pictures are very lovely. I'm going to be visiting Valladolid next week. I planned on visiting Chichen Itza, Ek Balam, Tulum, and Coba. Do you think that visiting Uxmal is essential? I honestly have not heard much about that destination. Is there anything that I am missing? We will only be in the area for 5 days.

Beach

Friday 7th of January 2011

Have been to the light shows at both Chichen and Uxmal, all they do is throw colored spots on different structures, not at all what I was expecting. Of course, the colored lights are very pretty, but really do not enhance the experience, at leat not in my opinion. I have also been to Ek Balaam, was very impressed and loved the fact that it is still "undiscovered" and not completely filled with bus loads of people.

Tulum

Saturday 21st of August 2010

I haven't been there yet, but I heard the have a light show or something in the evenings as well? Some people say it is a bit lame and not worth staying for. Did you see it when you wre there?

Vlad

Tuesday 27th of April 2010

Ek Balam left a lasting impression to me as well. Unlike Chichen Itza, you can climb on, in and around most structures (just not the two magnificent gates, but I'm sure that could be arranged with the guides for a few extra pesos). The architecture is somewhat different and very diverse. Depending on the time you arrive you can have the whole place to yourself.

Cancun Vacations

Thursday 16th of July 2009

Now I have a weekend off this week, and I'm trying to decide between Ek Balam and Kohonlich. After seeing these photos though my mind is now made up :) Thanks!