Marketing Executive Dorte Nielsen continues her adventures in the Mexican Caribbean. This time, our intrepid explorer went on the Ek Balam tour and shares her appreciation for a major Maya archaeological site that is surprisingly somewhat off the tourist radar.
Amstar offers a wonderful tour to the archaeological site of Ek’ Balam in combination with a visit to the nearby large and beautiful ‘Cenote Maya’, a gorgeous underground sinkhole just outside of the site. I recently had the privilege to visit these beautiful ruins so rich in history. The Ek Balam tour is one I highly recommend to anyone with an interest in culture and adventure in the Mexican Caribbean.
Here’s why.
Arriving to the Yucatan peninsula, Cancun or the Riviera Maya means that you have arrived to the land of the Maya.
This is a geographical area with a rich culture like no other.
Not only does the Yucatan Peninsula boast famous archaeological sites as Chichen Itza, Tulum and Coba, it’s also home to a large number of other interesting yet less known places that deserve a visit.
One of these great sites is the lesser-visited Ek’ Balam, which means Black Jaguar in the Mayan language.
A visit to the Ek Balam tour includes a stop at the mystical ‘Cenote Maya’, a mystical underwater sinkhole.
Buildings and original stucco are very impressive and well preserved; among them the tallest and most important building in the center which served as a mausoleum.
It is even possible to climb all buildings and from there contemplate the impressive view of the Yucatan Peninsula.
There are still several unexcavated temples throughout the site that rise up from the surface like mysterious hills containing ancient secrets.
Inhabited from the Middle Preclassic through the Postclassic periods, Ek Balam stands as a testament to the great cultural legacy of the ancient Maya.
The visit at the ‘Maya Cenote’ begins with a traditional ritual prior to descending into the mystical sinkhole that greets visitors with an emerald-colored reflection where the sun makes its first encounter with the deep crystalline waters.
The more adventurous can make the descent by rappel, and there is also a zip line for those wanting to feel the adrenaline run through their veins as they splash into the refreshing waters of the cenote.
The Ek Balam tour also includes a delicious Mayan lunch prepared using natural and organic foods grown in the local orchards.
Unlike other archaeological areas, Ek Balam is not very crowded, which gives it a feeling of authenticity and exclusivity. So if you like a combination of culture, history, natural beauty with a little dose of adrenaline (if you so choose), the Ek Balam tour is the perfect choice for you.
Discover the magical world of Ek Balam, the Black Jaguar of the Mayan jungle, on your next trip to the Mexican Caribbean. Book your tour here or talk to your Amstar representative at the hotel for more information.
