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Excursions & day trips
Culture & history
Monument visits
Guided Tour of Ek' Balam and Valladolid with Cenote and Lunch
Free cancellation
Place: Cancun
Duration: from 4 hours to 8 hours
Language: German, English
Printed ticket only
Entrance fees included
Guided tour
Instant confirmation
Meal included
Hotel pick up
Do this because
- Explore the Maya city of Ek' Balam, which is still being reclaimed from the jungle
- Enjoy a swim in a cool freshwater cenote, which was sacred to the ancient Maya
- Savour a traditional Mexican buffet lunch with a selection of regional dishes
- Try your hand at chocolate making and also take part in an obsidian workshop
- Discover the colonial centre of Valladolid to see the colourful and historic streets
Why choose TUI Collection
We've carefully designed our experiences to help you get the most out of every trip.
Created with care
- Meets our high sustainability standards
- Supports local communities
- Suppliers approved by us
Best value guaranteed
- Unbeatable value with no hidden costs
- Covered by our Value Guarantee
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance
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.
What to expect
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. Francesca, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘Archaeologists only began uncovering Ek' Balam in 1985, and they're still digging away today. It's a more complete site than many others, and you can still imagine daily life in the Maya town going on around you as you explore. But the main reason I enjoy Ek' Balam is that there are so few visitors.'
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.
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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
- Bring biodegradable insect repellent
- Bring bathing gear and sunblock
- Bring suitable footwear
- Not suitable for guests with reduced mobility
- Drinks not included
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What’s included
Transport
Guide
Admission fees
Buffet
Local delicacy tasting
Cancellation policy
Receive a 100% refund if you cancel up to 2 days before the experience begins.
Booking fee
Good news! No extra fees are applied to this booking.
Location
Select your pick-up point on the map
Provider
TUI MEXICANA SA DE CV
Need a hand?
Would you like some help making a booking? Or perhaps you just want to ask a few questions. Whatever the reason, don't hesitate to get in touch.
Opening hours: Our team is available from 10.00 to 18.00 CET
Phone number: +44 121 468 3145
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