PRIVATE TOUR: Experience the wonders of Ek Balam Mayan Ruins on a private tour like no other. Delve into the ancient mysteries of this hidden gem with a certified guide.
Scroll down for detailed info, inclusions, and itinerary.
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Take a step back in time with our Ek Balam Tour, a private express experience focused entirely on the ruins. This half-day excursion is perfect for travelers who want to explore one of the Yucatán’s most fascinating Mayan sites without extra stops or a full-day commitment. It’s simple, efficient, and immersive—ideal for history lovers short on time but eager for rich cultural discovery.
Ek Balam, meaning “Black Jaguar” in Mayan, is a lesser-known archaeological treasure filled with unique structures, peaceful surroundings, and deep historical significance. On this private tour, you’ll enjoy a complete guided visit led by a certified archaeological guide who will bring the ancient city to life with insights into its powerful rulers and sacred ceremonies.
Walk through the ceremonial archway, visit the ball court, and admire the stonework of the observatory. The highlight of your visit is the climb up the Acropolis pyramid, one of the tallest and most impressive in the Yucatán. From the top, you’ll enjoy sweeping views of the jungle and see up close the famous Jaguar Altar with its intricate stucco carvings—a rare feature not found at more crowded sites like Chichen Itza.
This express Ek Balam tour is designed for those who want to skip the extras and focus on what really matters: the ruins themselves. Without additional stops at cenotes or restaurants, the tour is simple, affordable, and inclusive—everything you need is provided: private round-trip transportation, entrance fees, bottled water, and the guidance of a passionate local expert.
You’ll depart in the morning and return comfortably by early afternoon, leaving the rest of your day free to relax or explore on your own.
If you're looking for an enriching cultural experience without the time or expense of a full-day tour, this is the perfect option. It allows you to see one of the Yucatán’s most climbable and best-preserved ruins in just a few hours, with the comfort and flexibility of private service. Whether it’s your first time visiting the area or you're adding a cultural highlight to a relaxing vacation, this express Ek Balam tour is a smart and memorable choice.
Book 2 or more tours and enjoy a 10% discount! Perfect for travelers looking to make the most of their stay in the Riviera Maya.
The recommended early pick-up time helps you avoid traffic,
crowds, and heat at the sites, but you can opt for a later pick-up when
booking.
Timing may vary based on traffic and your exact location.
We can spend more or less time at each location, moving at your own pace.
06:45am: Private transportation from your hotel to Ek Balam
08:00am – 10:00am: Visit of Ek Balam ruins
10:00am – 01:30pm: Transportation to your hotel
Transportation takes around 2 hours, and there is a one-hour time difference between Cancun/Playa del Carmen/Tulum and Ek Balam.
You can bring personal belongings you require during the tour (phone,
camera, extra set of clothes…). While you are visiting you can leave the
things you don’t need in the van. Our driver will always be in the van,
so keeping your things safe!
You must be logged in to post a review.
Take a step back in time with our Ek Balam Tour, a private express experience focused entirely on the ruins. This half-day excursion is perfect for travelers who want to explore one of the Yucatán’s most fascinating Mayan sites without extra stops or a full-day commitment. It’s simple, efficient, and immersive—ideal for history lovers short on time but eager for rich cultural discovery.
Ek Balam, meaning “Black Jaguar” in Mayan, is a lesser-known archaeological treasure filled with unique structures, peaceful surroundings, and deep historical significance. On this private tour, you’ll enjoy a complete guided visit led by a certified archaeological guide who will bring the ancient city to life with insights into its powerful rulers and sacred ceremonies.
Walk through the ceremonial archway, visit the ball court, and admire the stonework of the observatory. The highlight of your visit is the climb up the Acropolis pyramid, one of the tallest and most impressive in the Yucatán. From the top, you’ll enjoy sweeping views of the jungle and see up close the famous Jaguar Altar with its intricate stucco carvings—a rare feature not found at more crowded sites like Chichen Itza.
This express Ek Balam tour is designed for those who want to skip the extras and focus on what really matters: the ruins themselves. Without additional stops at cenotes or restaurants, the tour is simple, affordable, and inclusive—everything you need is provided: private round-trip transportation, entrance fees, bottled water, and the guidance of a passionate local expert.
You’ll depart in the morning and return comfortably by early afternoon, leaving the rest of your day free to relax or explore on your own.
If you're looking for an enriching cultural experience without the time or expense of a full-day tour, this is the perfect option. It allows you to see one of the Yucatán’s most climbable and best-preserved ruins in just a few hours, with the comfort and flexibility of private service. Whether it’s your first time visiting the area or you're adding a cultural highlight to a relaxing vacation, this express Ek Balam tour is a smart and memorable choice.
Book 2 or more tours and enjoy a 10% discount! Perfect for travelers looking to make the most of their stay in the Riviera Maya.
The recommended early pick-up time helps you avoid traffic,
crowds, and heat at the sites, but you can opt for a later pick-up when
booking.
Timing may vary based on traffic and your exact location.
We can spend more or less time at each location, moving at your own pace.
06:45am: Private transportation from your hotel to Ek Balam
08:00am – 10:00am: Visit of Ek Balam ruins
10:00am – 01:30pm: Transportation to your hotel
Transportation takes around 2 hours, and there is a one-hour time difference between Cancun/Playa del Carmen/Tulum and Ek Balam.
You can bring personal belongings you require during the tour (phone,
camera, extra set of clothes…). While you are visiting you can leave the
things you don’t need in the van. Our driver will always be in the van,
so keeping your things safe!
You must be logged in to post a review.
You’ll have a dedicated guide and vehicle all to yourselves—no crowds, no waiting, just a smooth and personalized experience.
It typically lasts between 6 to 7 hours, depending on your hotel location and how much time you’d like to spend at each site.
Yes, round-trip transportation is included from Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and Akumal. We’ll pick you up right from your hotel, resort, or Airbnb for a stress-free start to your day.
Please note: we currently don’t offer service to Playa Mujeres unless your group has 6 or more adults.
Yes, you’re welcome to choose your preferred pick-up time when booking.
That said, we recommend an early morning start to help you beat the crowds, skip the traffic, and enjoy cooler temperatures—it really makes a difference!
The site is relatively small, so the visit typically lasts between 1 hour and 1 hour 30 minutes, and you can explore at your own pace.
Yes! You can climb the Acropolis pyramid as well as several other temples at Ek Balam, giving you amazing views of the surrounding jungle.
Yes! If you'd like to include a refreshing swim in a cenote, check out our Ek Balam Cenote tour.
You should comfortable closed-toe shoes for walking and climbing.
You can safely leave your belongings in the van—our driver stays with it the entire time while you're out enjoying the activities.
You can cancel free of charge or reschedule (subject to availability) up to 24 hours before your tour.
We’re a small team and often fully booked 1–2 weeks in advance, so we recommend booking early to secure your spot.
Bonus: if you book at least 2 months in advance (60 days), you’ll qualify for our early bird discount*!
For full details, check out our booking policy page.
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Jenifer –
Our family loved this tour! Big thanks to Cristina, our guide—she picked us up right from the hotel in Tulum, made the ride fun, and kept the kids interested the whole time. Ek Balam was amazing, not crowded at all, and being able to walk up the pyramid and explore the top was seriously cool. Totally recommend it! Thank you Cristina!
Arthur –
What a find! We didn’t see another tour group the entire time. Our guide Alex made the history come alive. Climbing the pyramid was awesome!
Grace –
We were staying in Playa del Carmen and looking for something more authentic and off-the-beaten-path. This private tour to Ek Balam with Absolute Adventure was exactly what we needed. Our guide, Cristina, was exceptional—friendly, super informed, and perfectly balanced between giving us insight and giving us space to explore on our own.
Ek Balam itself is just incredible. Being able to climb the pyramid is such a rare opportunity nowadays, and it gives you this massive sense of awe when you look out over the canopy. What really surprised us was how few people were there—we passed maybe three other visitors the whole time. It made it feel like a personal discovery.
We’re already looking at booking another tour with them on our next trip.
Juliet –
We arrived at Ek Balam early in the morning, and it was literally just us. Climbing the pyramid was both exhilarating and peaceful—hard to explain, but unforgettable. Juan explained the carvings, the tomb, and the significance of the structure in a way that made everything come alive. Highly recommend for anyone who wants a deep and personal experience.
Susan –
Honestly, the whole thing was perfect—from booking to the actual tour. Absolute Adventure made it super easy to set up, and everything ran right on schedule. Ek Balam was amazing—quiet, super well preserved, and climbing the pyramid was the highlight for sure. It didn’t feel rushed at all, and having a private guide made the experience way more personal. Definitely booking with them again next time we’re down here.
Robert –
We got picked up right on time from our hotel in Playa del Carmen and headed straight to Ek Balam. Super smooth ride, AC, comfy, no stress. Our guide Alex knew all the little details about the site and gave us time to really explore. Climbing the pyramid was insane—the view at the top was totally worth it.
Niurka –
This was a fantastic, private tour. Our tour guide “extraordinaire” Alex was amazing & truly knows the Mayan culture. Listening to him was a free education & I can really appreciate the history & the struggle. We also spoke for a long time over lunch because he made it so engaging. I will certainly look this group up when I return to my beloved Mexico. Thank you Alex, for climbing to the top of Ek Balam with my children when my knee gave out at the 52nd step. Niurka 💕
Melanie –
The tour we went on with Juan was absolutely incredible! I would definitely recommend it without hesitation!
Cathy –
Huge shoutout to our guide, Juan, he made the whole visit to Ek Balam way more interesting than we expected. Super friendly, explained the history in a way that was easy to follow, and pointed out cool details we would’ve totally missed on our own. It was just us and him, so we could take our time and ask questions. The pyramid climb was unforgettable. Highly recommend this if you’re into ruins but want to skip the big crowds.
Ashley –
We went to Ek Balam as a family of four and had such a great time! Our guide, Juan, was awesome—super friendly with the kids and really knew his stuff. The site was quiet and peaceful, which made it even better. Climbing the pyramid together was a fun little challenge, and the views from the top were incredible. So glad we booked this—one of the best days of our trip!
Leila –
Went with my best friends. A totally private adventure
We were a group of six friends and wanted to avoid the super touristy spots. Ek Balam was incredible. Unlike other ruins, you can still climb the pyramid here, which made a huge difference. The views from the top were breathtaking, and there was barely anyone else around. It felt like we had the entire ancient city to ourselves.
Our guide, Juan, was chill but super professional. He managed the time so well and made sure we had everything we needed.