YOUR OWN PRIVATE ADVENTURE

Ek Balam ruins and Swim in Cenote

49 tour reviews
PRIVATE TOUR: Experience an exclusive guided tour of the Ek Balam Mayan ruins, where you can climb the temples for breathtaking views and take a refreshing swim in the X'Canché cenote. This special private trip also features a delicious meal at a local Mexican restaurant.
  • Exclusive Experience: Just you, your personal local guide, and driver!
  • Private Transportation: Convenient pick-up from your hotel or rental.
  • Escape the Crowds & Beat the Heat: Skip the lines & enjoy a relaxed, stress-free guided tour.
  • Climb the pyramids: enjoy awe-inspiring views and take incredible shots.
  • Breathtaking Cenote: The perfect spot to cool off after the ruins!
  • Lunch at local restaurant: Mexican flavors await you!
  • Set Your Own Pace: Stay longer or move on, the choice is entirely yours.
  • All-Inclusive at the Best Price: Transport, guide, entrance fees, lunch and more.

Early bird discountBook 60+ days ahead and save 10%.

Multi-tour discountBook 2+ tours and save 10%.

Offers cannot be combined. Holiday exclusions apply. See terms and conditions.

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

The details of your private day.

Ek Balam Private Tour: Climb the Pyramid, Discover Hidden Ruins, Swim in a Cenote

 

Are you ready to discover the ancient city of the Black Jaguar? Our Ek Balam Private Tour offers a unique journey through one of the most impressive and peaceful Mayan sites, followed by a refreshing swim in a jungle cenote and a traditional Yucatecan lunch.

  1. Explore the Ek Balam Ruins with Your Private Guide

    Ek Balam, which means “Black Jaguar” in the Mayan language, is a lesser-visited archaeological site packed with history and architectural beauty. You'll discover its famous Mayan arch, the observatory, a ceremonial ball court, and of course, the highlight—the Acropolis pyramid, which you can still climb.

    We highly recommend an early morning departure to enjoy the site in cooler temperatures and make the climb more comfortable. After your private pickup in an air-conditioned vehicle, your expert certified guide will take you on a complete guided tour of the ruins, sharing stories about the powerful rulers, sacred structures, and rich culture that once thrived here.

    Climbing to the top of the Acropolis is a rewarding experience. You'll not only enjoy panoramic views of the Yucatán jungle but also get a close look at one of the most well-preserved stucco facades in the Mayan world.

  2. Refresh in the Cenote X’Canché

    After visiting the ruins, we’ll take you to Cenote X’Canché, located just a short distance from Ek Balam. Nestled in the jungle, this open cenote offers clear, cool water and a peaceful natural setting. You can reach the cenote either by biking a short jungle path or riding in our van.

    Once there, you can enjoy a refreshing swim or snorkel in the deep, turquoise waters. A staircase leads you down into the cenote, where you’ll be surrounded by lush greenery and the echoes of birds and jungle life. Life jackets are available for your comfort and safety, making it a great spot for swimmers of all experience levels.

  3. Enjoy a Mexican Lunch in Temozón

    To finish the day, we’ll visit the nearby town of Temozón, well-known for its traditional Yucatecan cuisine. You’ll enjoy a hearty local meal in a small restaurant where regional flavors and hospitality take center stage. Think cochinita pibil, handmade tortillas, and refreshing local drinks—the perfect end to a cultural day trip.

  4. Why Choose Our Ek Balam Private Tour?

    Our Ek Balam Private Tour offers the perfect mix of history, nature, and local flavor in one seamless day. With expert guidance, exclusive access, and personalized service, you'll explore and enjoy at your own pace. It's an unforgettable experience for travelers seeking authenticity, comfort, and adventure in the Yucatán.

     

Price includes

  • Pick up and drop off at your hotel with private air-conditioned transportation (Booster car seat and baby car seat available on request)
  • Experienced certified private guide
  • All entrance fees
  • Toll road when pick up from Playa del Carmen and Cancun
  • Bicycle rental to go to the cenote (we can also go to the cenote by car
  • Life vests
  • Cool drinks in the van (waters, soda)
  • Coffee and snacks in the van
  • Lunch in a restaurant with one main course a la carte

Price excludes

  • Drinks at the restaurant
  • Ruins: If you bring a GoPro, video camera, or phone with a selfie stick, a fee of 60 pesos (about USD 3) per device is charged at the entrance to each archaeological site and must be paid in pesos (INAH fee). Drones and camera/video tripods are prohibited.
  • Tips

General info

Private Tour:
Only you, the guide and the driver, nobody else!
Duration:
 10 hours
Physicality:
 Easy
Age:
 All ages
Snorkeling:
 Basic swimming skills required. This excursion suits everyone from novices to experts.
Which cenote will you visit? 
You will visit cenote X’Canché which is located near the ruins.
What’s on the menu?
Selection of best specialities from Yucatan Cuisime… with vegetarian, chicken & meat options. With corn or flour tortillas. We can accommodate special diets and allergies, just let us know!

Itinerary options

Times at each stop are estimates. Driving and your exact pickup location affect the schedule.

Ek Balam ruins and cenote

  1. Ek Balam ruins — 75 min
  2. Xcanche cenote — 60 min
  3. Lunch in Temozon — 40 min

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 Ek Balam, the cenote, and lunch, moving at your own pace.
Want a faster tour? Free time can be reduced or skipped; your guide can adjust the pace on the day of the tour.

What to bring

  • Beach Towels
  • Swimsuit (We recommend wearing it in the morning and feel free to change after snorkeling activities)
  • Comfortable shoes for the ruins (We recommend tennis shoes)
  • Flip flops or sandals for water activities (Water shoes are optional but can be worn for added comfort)
  • Hat and sunglasses
  • Sunscreen and we recommend wearing a rash-guard/UV-Shirt for water activities*
  • Mosquito repellent*
  • Cash (for tour payment, tips, souvenirs…)
  • Camera/Underwater camera/Waterproof case for your phone

FROM OUR GUESTS

A day worth remembering.

5.00/5 · 49 tour reviews

Showing reviews 37–45 of 49

Perfect from start to finish. No big crowds, amazing guide, and the food in the little town we stopped in—so tasty! Highly recommend.

Mike · Aug 2022

Absolutely the best decision we made while visiting the Cancun area. Our drivers were spectacular, and Juan 100% made our vacation. We chose private because dealing with large tour buses and guides that have dozens of people means you spend a lot of time waiting and miss a lot of info. Going with Absolute Adventures means you get to experience local culture and history much…

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Absolutely the best decision we made while visiting the Cancun area. Our drivers were spectacular, and Juan 100% made our vacation. We chose private because dealing with large tour buses and guides that have dozens of people means you spend a lot of time waiting and miss a lot of info. Going with Absolute Adventures means you get to experience local culture and history much more intimately and in-depth. When you go with Absolute Adventure, I hope you get Juan as your guide! He had personal relationships with the people everywhere we went. He was able to relate to each of our family members in our own way. Best of all, Juan was knowledgeable, more than happy to answer any and all questions and you could feel his passion and love for his country's history and sharing it. Go with Absolute Adventures and you won't be disappointed!

Rachelle · Jul 2022

Excellent ! We did a private tour to Ek balam and we were super satisfied! Got a lot of information about the Mayas and all of our questions were answered. The cenote at ek balam is also highly recommended. Was just super happy again

Florian · Mar 2022

We didn’t expect to have Ek Balam all to ourselves! It felt like discovering a secret! Our guide was so informative and kind.Thank you for a great day.

Jasmine · Feb 2022

The booking process was easy, with Claire answering my questions. We were picked up on time at the hotel lobby. Our guide was personable and informative. We were able to spend as much time as we wanted on each location. We liked the fact that we didn't to take care of anything during the day. Thank you, the tour was totally worth it!

Shahram · Apr 2017

Husband and I enjoyed our tour very much had a wonderful guide very knowledgable. Had super nice lunch in a small village.

Pat · Apr 2017

We did the Ek Balam and cenote tour and we couldn't be happier! We enjoyed the ruins of Ek Balam early in the morning before other tourists. The Cenote was a blast ! Our guide Arturo was an excellent guide and was both knowledgeable and fun. We would highly recommend Absolute Adventure to anyone in the Riviera Maya!

Alexander · Apr 2017

Highly recommend this tour. The ruins are quite amazing, breathtaking really. The private guided tour was an absolute must.

Cindy · Dec 2016

Absolute Adventure met all our expectations. Everyone was very friendly and knowledgeable, the whole experience was incredibly simple and fun!

Brit · Aug 2016

A FEW THINGS TO KNOW

Your tour questions, answered.

Tour basics

Is the Ek Balam Cenote tour private or shared?

This is a private tour, just for you and your group.

You’ll have a dedicated guide and vehicle all to yourselves—no crowds, no waiting, just a smooth and personalized experience.

Is the driver also the guide?

No. The driver and guide are two different professionals.

All our tours include a dedicated driver and a separate certified guide. 

While some companies offer a guide-driver, we believe this is not safe. Having a driver focused solely on the road and a guide fully dedicated to our guests ensures a safer and higher-quality experience.

How long does a private Ek Balam Cenote tour take?

Please check the full itinerary in the “Itinerary” tab for more details.

It typically lasts between 8 to 9 hours, depending on your hotel location and how much time you’d like to spend at each site. 

Pickup & transport

Is transportation included from my hotel or Airbnb?

Yes, round-trip transportation is included from Cancun, Puerto Morelos, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Aventuras, Akumal and Tulum. We’ll pick you up right from your hotel, resort, or Airbnb for a stress-free start to your day.

Please note: we don’t offer pick up from Cancun Playa Mujeres hotels unless your group has 6 or more adults.

What vehicles do you use for your tours?

We offer a range of modern, air-conditioned vans to suit the size of your group and ensure a safe and comfortable journey.

Visit our fleet page for more details.

Can I change the pick up time?

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!

Activities & facilities

How much walking is involved at Ek Balam?

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.

Can we climb the pyramid in Ek Balam?

Yes! You can climb the Acropolis pyramid as well as several other temples at Ek Balam, giving you amazing views of the surrounding jungle.

Which cenote do we visit on this tour?

Yes, we visit Cenote Xcanche, which is close to the ruins.
We can reach the cenote by bike along an easy, flat road or by van if you prefer a more relaxed way to get there.

Can we remove the cenote from the tour?

Yes, in that case, check out and book our Ek Balam private tour.

Planning & booking

What should I bring for the tour? Where can I leave my belongings?

Check the "What to bring" tab on the tour page for the full packing list.

Essentials include swimwear, a towel and comfortable shoes.

You can safely leave your belongings in the van—our driver stays with it the entire time while you're out enjoying the activities.

What is the cancellation policy?

Go ahead and plan with confidence—your booking is fully flexible!

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.

More questions?

Visit our main FAQ page or contact us by email, WhatsApp or via chat, we're happy to help!

Come explore the Riviera Maya with us.

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Coupon terms & conditions

EARLY2MONTHS — 10% off
Book at least 60 days before your tour date.

MULTITOUR — 10% off
Book at least 2 tours in one transaction.

If part of a multi-tour booking is canceled and only one tour remains, the discount becomes void and the remaining balance will be adjusted.

Enter your coupon code at checkout.

Tour photos

MAKE IT YOUR DAY

Book with Confidence

Ek Balam ruins and Swim in Cenote

Choose your date, number of guests and pickup location to see your exact price.

Enjoy free cancellation up to 24 hours before your tour.