The enormous elaborate Acropolis pyramid, located inside the Maya site of Ek Balam, is a striking sight after driving miles through the surrounding jungle. Ek Balam, which means black jaguar, was at the height of its importance as a city during the Late Classic period (600-900 AD).
When the Mayas abandoned the site, it went under cover, literally, as the dense low-lying jungle of Yucatán engulfed it. As with all of the Maya pyramids, these were discovered when archaeologists and adventurers saw a group of hills with trees and brush growing out of them. Digging in the mounds, they uncovered treasures of buildings and artifacts hidden for hundreds of years.
At Ek Balam, restoration has been ongoing since 1997. The Acropolis is the largest restored building, measuring 480 feet across, 180 feet wide and 96 feet tall. This palace has six levels where the governors and higher echelons of the city’s population lived. Archaeologists believe it was not built all at once. You can climb this imposing structure, and from the top you can see all the other structures at Ek Balam, as well as two large hills which are two unrestored buildings.
At the entrance to the Acropolis pyramid there is a monster-like figure that is said to be guarding the entrance to the underworld. Under the thatched roofs that protect the facade, other statues and carvings of angels, animals and various figures are integrated in a complex and beautiful design.
Ek Balam, located just north of Valladolid, is special in another sense: it is never overwhelmed with tourists. While it is quieter and more peaceful than Chichén Itzá, it is also not as fully excavated nor does it provide the same comfort facilities for the traveler. There is one restroom at the site, but no refreshments, so be sure to bring your own. You can buy drinks and food in Temozón, a small village you will pass on your way from the cuota road. Temozón has a delicious claim to fame… its smoked meat, be sure to try some!
Schedule and Fee:
The Ek Balam site is open every day from 8 am to 5 pm and the entrance fee is $413 pesos for foreigners, $153 pesos for Mexican nationals.
Editor’s note:
There are a lot of stray dogs at the Ek Balam site. A recent visitor decided to do something about it, and you can help. She started a campaign: www.gofundme.com/balamdogs Please click on the link and consider contributing to a program to feed, treat and control the birth rate of feral animals in the region. It is a very well-organized and solution-oriented program.
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Would it be possible for you to send me the name of a contact person at Dolcemente Ek Balam? If you have an email address and phone number, that would be great. It would help if they spoke English too. Thanks Terry
Hola Terry, Dolcemente has been closed for many years. It was rented for a project called Anahata but they closed during Covid Virus.
Dolcemente has been closed for many years. It was rented for a project called Anahata but they closed during Covid Virus. There are two hotels in the village of Ek Balam, Genesis Eco-Oasis and Cabañas Unajil. Only minutes from the ruins this predominantly Maya village has itself attracted visitors, anthropologists and archaeologists from around the world. It is well known in the region for its hammock weavers.
Gracias for the update Janis!!!
I’ve been at Ek Balam and I must say, this place is an obligatory visit, when you travel to Mexico! The only negative aspect is that tourists have to pay higher prices. It’s not about the money, it is about the principle…
Hola, thanks for your comment!