Ek Balam Why You Need to Visit This Mayan Ruin

Ek’ Balam why you need to visit this Mayan Ruin. Ek Balam ruins were first mapped in the 1980s, and restoration activities have been ongoing since 1997. This means that Ek Balam has only been open to the public for around 15 years; not many tourists know that this place exists. This translates into a better experience since there are no crowds, giving you more time to appreciate these wonderful Mayan ruins. Additionally, there are significant areas of Ek Balam that are still being excavated, so this site is going to get even better. So far, only the center of Ekʼ Balam has been excavated.

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Ek Balam is one of only a few Mayan sites with which you can still climb the main tall structure. By contrast, in most other ruin sites, the main temple or pyramids are roped off, so you can look but not touch. It’s extraordinary to wander around Ek Balam, climb the buildings, and imagine what life was like as an ancient Mayan.

History Of Ek Balam

Ek Balam is a Yucatec Maya name that translates to “the black jaguar” or “bright star jaguar.” Ek Balam’s history begins approximately 300 BC until the arrival of the Spanish, an estimated 1,500 years. Over time, this settlement gained importance until it became the Tah empire’s capital and the commercial center of eastern Yucatán. From here, they started several sacbé (sacred roads) that connected with other towns and allowed for the exchange of merchandise.

Ek Balam’s influence over this area took place between the years 700 and 1,000. It’s understood that Ek Balam was the administrative center, exerting influence on the towns in the area. These towns paid their respects by way of offerings of all kinds. Ek Balam had a population of almost 20,000, an area of ​​12 km². Although what can be visited today is only the sacred space of the city, approximately 1km².

The ruins have several impressive buildings, giving you a little glimpse of ​​what this city may have looked like in the past. The most impressive is El Torre, the Tower that stands out above the rest. The Oval Palace is, in its own right, an imposing structure as well.

Why You Need To Visit These Ruins of Ek Balam

You need to visit Ek Balam for several reasons; firstly, this Mayan Ruin is reasonably new to tourists. It does not have the draw as other Mayan ruins have, such as Chichen Itza. Ek Balam is far less crowded; here, you have the time to explore and appreciate what you are looking at and comprehend the significance of these structures. Fewer crowds provide a better opportunity to photograph these stunning ruins. In addition, you are permitted to climb all the structures at Ek Balam, allowing you to investigate the mysteries that might be hidden within.

There are only a few hawkers; they are located near the gates after you have purchased your entrance tickets. Also located on the grounds is a cenote that you can enjoy, relax and cool down after a hot day touring the ruins. The cost of the cenote is not part of your entrance ticket to Ek Balam; you need to purchase a separate ticket at the cost of 170 pesos.

Getting To Ek Balam

Getting to Ek Balam is not as easy as visiting other Mayan ruins such as Chichen Itza, Tulum, or Uxmal. Consequently, not many tours are offered from Cancun, Tulum, or Playa Del Carmen. There are tours available you need to look a little harder. The best way to get to these ruins is either by car (hire or rental) or catching a Colectivo from Valladolid. You can also catch a tour from Valladolid to Ek Balam as well. We ourselves had a rental car through Discover Cars; the freedom this offers us is unmatched by any other transportation mode.

Staying in Valladolid is a nice change of pace compared to the hustle and bustle of the coast. Valladolid offers Colonial beauty in a vast array of colors. Not to mention there are many beautiful cenotes in the area that can also be enjoyed. Valladolid is a great jumping-off point to visit many other attractions; Chichen Itza is only 1 hr away.

Travel Distance To Ek Balam From

Ek Balam Entrance Fee

Visiting Hours: Ek Balam is open from Monday to Sunday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Office from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm

The last access to the site is at 4:00 p.m.

General Admission: Adults $456 MXN, Child  (3-12) $80 MXN, Mexican Citizens $78 MXN

They do not take Visa so have cash

Free admission on Sundays for Mexican citizens and foreigners with residence in Mexico, ID is required.

Ek Balam Facts

• Ek Balam is located 51 kilometers (32 mi) northeast of Chichen Itza.
• Just the center of Ek’ Balam has been excavated to date.
• The entire settlement covered about 12 square kilometers but only 1 square mile can be viewed.
• Ek Balam was at its peak from 770 to 840 CE.
• 45 structures on the site have been mapped.
• The site is surrounded by two defense walls, and the interior city has a multitude of smaller walls.
• Buildings were designed in the northern Petén architectural style.
• Ek Balam is composed of several temples, two palaces, and a large pyramid (El Torre) which is located in the center of the city.
• Ek Balam’s building facades were not carved stone, like those found elsewhere, artists used stucco and limestone mortar, a pliable material that could be modeled into distinct forms and painted over. 

Structures

There are over 40 structures within the walled enclosures at Ek Balam. Structures are laid out on a north/south axis, forming two plazas, the North and the South Plazas. On the north end of the North Plaza is located the Acropolis. Most noteworthy structure at the site The Tower, El Torre.

All the south plaza structures are from the most important cultural period, 700-900 AD. The city itself existed much earlier. Arriving at Ek’ Balam is special. Just like other ruins, you have an opportunity to glimpse back into the past. An existence that is very different from today. After paying, there’s a short walk through the jungle. As soon as you arrive at the opening, you are surrounded by these incredible ruins.

Acropolis The Tower – El Torre

This imposing structure is 160 meters long, 75 meters wide, and over 31 meters in height. It contains several structures built over each other in successive construction phases, as was common at the time. The Acropolis contains many rooms, passageways, courtyards, temples, and stairways across six levels.

A massive, central stairway leads up from the south side of the Acropolis directly to its summit. Situated on this stairway are two monuments that feature serpent heads with extended tongues, the whole covered with glyphic inscriptions.

On the fourth level is a self-contained structure; the temple has an intricately worked stucco façade that is near-perfectly preserved. This state of preservation is due to the fact that it has only been recently excavated. The main element is the huge open, fanged mouth of an earth deity through which a passageway leads deeper into the structure. Where can be found molded masks, decorative geometric motifs? Most striking, winged statues are termed “angels.” The complexity and beauty of this façade are breathtaking. Inside this structure is a chamber, Sak Xoc Nah, which translates to “White House of Reading.” It was the tomb of the ruler Ukit Kan Le’k Tok.

Over 40 texts, both painted and carved, have been discovered at the site, revealing important information regarding the site’s rulers and their interactions with other sites. The most noteworthy is a text named the Mural of the 96 Glyphs. This text is found within room 29-sub, one of the many rooms of the Acropolis. It is considered a masterpiece of calligraphy containing expertly crafted glyphs highlighted by blue, cream, and red paint. It is arranged in three rows of 32 glyphs each. The text records a historical narrative and the accession of ruler Ukit Kan Le’k Tok on April 7, 770 A.D.

Ek Balam Walls & Ball Court

Hence, the outer walls located at Ek Balam are thought to have been used as a line of defense to the city, but there is a debate if this was truly its use as the walls are not that tall. There are inner walls within the site, and these are perceived to be used as ceremonial but exactly how no one is sure.

Another ceremonial feature, which is common in most Mayan settlements, is the ball court, where the important Mayan ball game was played.

Cenote Xcanché

What you have to do is make your way back to the entrance of the ruin site and you’ll find a path to the cenote! First, you have to buy the ticket from the ticket shop ($170 MXN they take Visa). Then you can walk 2km down the pathway (20-25 min walk), or you can rent a bike or take a tuk-tuk for a fee. If you have a car you can drive to the cenote.

X’Canche is a large and perfectly round natural pool with gorgeous turquoise water, surrounded by natural and unspoiled jungle vegetation. The pool is not inside a cave, like some other cenotes in the Yucatan. The pool is huge and open to the sky! The cenote has a suspension bridge and a rope swing too. This cenote itself is deep with no shallow areas for non-swimmers. Two sets of stairs descend into the cenote, one being much steeper than the other. There is a wooden walkway around the cenote with a few places to set things down. To get into the water, there are stairs to the water.

Ek Balam Guided Tours

Depending on your choice, you can either do a self-guided or guided tour of Ek Balam. Personally, I always prefer to take guided tours of archaeological sites. Guides, inevitably, add personal theories and local myths to their narratives which makes the experience even more enchanting.

Our Visit To Ek Balam

We left Valladolid at 7:30 in the morning as this would be a short drive 30 minutes to these Mayan ruins. Arriving at Ek Balam shortly after 8:00 am after a short detour to see the down of Ek Balam (signage could be better). I believe that we were the first car in the parking lot. Taking a short walk down a path, you find yourself at the entrance to the ruins; here, you will find bathrooms, local guides, and the ticket booth. After paying our entrance fee of 456 pesos each, we entered the park; we decided to skip hiring one of the local guides.

Just inside the park, you will find hawkers selling their wares; we pass, as we do not purchase souvenirs as our lifestyle does not afford such. Here you can purchase a paper guide for the ruins, which we did at the cost of 100 pesos for an English guide. Having a guide makes touring the grounds so much easier, with a map and writeups on some of the structures you will be seeing.

Experiencing Ek Balam Mayan Ruins

Cindy and I have been to many Mayan ruins and would rate Ek Balam in our top three or four. We found the structures to be interesting and in good condition (safe); it is always nice to be able to climb the structures as it enhances the experience of these extraordinary pieces of history and culture. Climbing El Torre is an effort in itself but rewarding as the view from the top is awe-inspiring. In fact, it is said that you can see Chichen Itza or Coba from atop of El Torre; we did not. All the structures located here at Ek Balam are fascinating. We meet three young men from Germany at the top who were visiting Mexico for 3-weeks. It’s always enlightening to meet people from around the world.

Our list of Mayan ruins that we have had the pleasure of experiencing are:

• Tikal In Guatemala
• Edzna In the Mexico state of Campeche
• Uxmal in the Yucatan
• Dzibilchaltun, in the Yucatan
• Tulum, in Quintana Roo
• Coba, in Quintana Roo
• Xcambo, in the Yucatan
• Chichen Itza, in the Yucatan

Cooling Off in Cenote Xcanché

We spent about three hours touring the ancient ruins of Ek Balam, and now it was time to cool off in Cenote Xcanché. Leaving the ruins, we head back to the entrance, where you will find the ticket booth to purchase tickets for the cenote. The cost to Xcanché is 170 pesos each (a little rich, I think), but you can use visa, so we purchase the tickets and are told if we have a car we can drive to the cenote which is a 2.5 km walk or bike ride.

The waters of the cenote are cool, almost to the point of being cold after the sun while touring the ruins. Finding it refreshing, not overly clean because this cenote is an open style, therefore subject to leaves, dust, etc., falling into the water. The stairs leading into Xcanché are very steep to the point of being uncomfortable, so be careful. We enjoyed our cool-down break, we spent about 30 minutes here enjoying the water, but it was time to head back to Valladolid.

Tips To Improve Your Ek Balam Experience

• Make sure to purchase a guide of the ruins for 100 pesos at one of the stalls after entering the park; this guide is handy in explaining the site and has a great map.
• Go early in the morning or later in the day to avoid the sun and the heat.
• Carry water (stay hydrated), sunscreen, and a hat. Wear light, cotton clothes.
• Carry bug repellent, we didn’t need any, but you never know.
• There are bathrooms are located in the main entrance building and they are free and well kept. Always good to carry your own hand cleaner and a pack of tissues just in case.
• Wear comfortable walking shoes as you will be climbing the structures.

Final Thoughts on Ek Balam

• We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Ek Balam; we would rate this Mayan ruin top three or four on our list of 7 ruins that we have been to. Great location in a jungle typesetting, the ruins themselves are an open area where you can see almost everything. It was great having a cenote located here so that you could cool off after touring these ancient ruins.

Our Positives

• The sheer beauty of the ruins. Nature everywhere.
• No crowds, lots of time to enjoy and appreciate the Mayan ruin experience.
• Few hawkers are selling their wares, and they are all located at the entrance.
• Being able to climb and get up close to these structures is amazing and never gets old.
• Having a cenote on-site is nice; you can cool down after walking the ruins.

Our Negatives

• Maybe some signage located at each structure explaining the facts associated with each Mayan ruin

Would have, Could have, Should have

• There is nothing we would change about our visit, we spent approximately 3 hours viewing the ruins and 30 minutes enjoying the cenote.

Next Stop

We are basing ourselves out of Valladolid for about 14 days. We have visited Rio Lagartos and will be visiting Chichen Itza, along with the many cenotes in the area, and of course the city of Valladolid itself. So please join us as we continue our adventures in this beautiful part of Mexico. After our stay in Valladolid will be off to Isla Mujeres before leaving Mexico to go back home to Canada.

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Recommended Travel Essential

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Accommodation Options While Traveling The World

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