Ek Balam and Cenote Off the Beaten Path Experience from Mérida
- 9 hours
- Free cancellation up to 24h before
- 2 languages
- Instant confirmation
Highlights
This experience is designed for travelers looking to go beyond Yucatán’s most famous archaeological sites and discover a more authentic, off-the-beaten-path side of the region. Explore a lesser-known Maya city and its impressive acropolis, visit a special cenote, and enjoy traditional Yucatecan cuisine along the way. We operate this experience with the same high standards of quality, service, safety, and attention to detail that characterize Aventura en el Mayab. We believe that the best experiences are not only about the places you visit, but also about how you experience them. This tour is currently offered primarily in small groups, allowing for a more personal, relaxed, and genuine experience. We also invite you to explore other experiences in Yucatán, consistently among the top-rated experiences on the platforms where we operate.
Inclusions
What's included
- Round-trip transportation from Mérida
- Traditional Yucatecan lunch with lomitos, pibil chicken, chaya & cheese empanadas, rice, beans, salad, spaghetti and dessert. Beverages not included.
- Guided tour inside the archaeological site with an official guide
- Swimming masks (covering the eyes and nose) and life jackets are provided. Snorkel tubes are not provided.
- Admission to the Cenote
What's not
- Admission to the Ek Balam archaeological site.
Itinerary
Step off the beaten path and discover Ek Balam, one of Yucatán’s fascinating lesser-visited Mayan archaeological sites. Explore this ancient city with a knowledgeable local guide and learn about its history, architecture, beliefs, and stories. Climb and explore the impressive Acropolis, the heart of the ancient city, and admire its remarkable monumental structures and intricate stucco details. With fewer crowds than Yucatán’s better-known archaeological sites, Ek Balam offers a more relaxed and authentic experience, allowing you to truly appreciate the site and its unique character. This guided visit is perfect for travelers looking to go beyond the usual tourist routes and discover a different side of the ancient Maya and Yucatán. *ENTRANCE TICKET NOT INCLUDED
Explore a Majestic Underground Cenote After exploring Ek Balam, venture into a spectacular underground cenote hidden beneath the Yucatecan jungle. Step inside a vast natural cavern surrounded by impressive mineral formations, towering rock formations, and crystal-clear waters. This cenote is considered by many to be one of the most majestic cenotes in Yucatán, yet it remains relatively little visited compared with the better-known cenotes in th area. Its impressive scale and natural beauty create a truly memorable experience and offer a chance to discover one of the region’s more remarkable underground landscapes away from the usual tourist crowds.
Enjoy a Traditional Yucatecan Lunch Enjoy a delicious lunch at the restaurant located at the same cenote. The meal features traditional Yucatecan flavors and locally inspired dishes prepared with fresh, regional ingredients. A variety of options can be adapted to accommodate different dietary preferences and restrictions, including vegetarian and other special dietary needs.
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.
Know before you go
- Meeting point
- We usually park on Calle 47, at the corner of Calle 60, by Parque Santa Ana. You’ll be able to see the vans there, and our guides will be waiting and keeping an eye out for you.
- Pickup
- Everyone meets at the starting point; there is no pickup.
- Ticket type
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Group size
- Up to 10 travellers
- Operated by
- Aventura en el Mayab
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
How it compares in Mérida
- Its from-price is close to the median of the 192 day trips we list in Mérida.
- Its length is typical for the group.
- The operator lists free cancellation on it.
About Mérida
Mérida, capital of Yucatán, is a Spanish colonial city of grand boulevards and mansions, a base for Maya ruins, cenotes and flamingo lagoons.
Francisco de Montejo the Younger founded Mérida in 1542 on the site of a Maya town, and stone from its temples went into the cathedral and houses. The Plaza Grande is the heart of the city, with the cathedral of San Ildefonso, the Governor's Palace, whose walls are covered by murals of Maya history, and the Casa de Montejo, with an ornate carved façade. The low colonial houses of the centre gave the city its nickname, the White City.
Top-ranked sights in Mérida: Chacchoben, Merida Cathedral (Catedral de San Ildefonso), Main Square (Plaza Grande).
Special offers in Mérida
Was/now prices come from the operator, never from us.
