🧞♂️ Welcome to your handy all-in-one self-guided tour of Ek’ Balam. Download & print our custom made map, along with directions & explore Ek’Balam ruins like a pro!
Coming up we share a little bit of the history and we highlight the main attractions of the Ek’ Balam ruins. Then we guide you smoothly around Ek’ Balam, step by step, on a self-guided tour that will give you enough information to keep you interested, but not put you to sleep!
Take the time to admire the cool little map we created… because we made it especially for you. No strings attached, simply download our free map of Ek’ Balam to your phone. OR you might even like to print it and bring it along to the ruins.
With our self-guided tour of Ek’ Balam we’ll save you paying for a guided tour and give you the freedom to see it in your own time.
📖 Also read our Ek’ Balam guide, for how to get there, the entrance fees, key tips & the best guided tours if you prefer to have someone tell you about the sights and sounds.
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Table of Contents
Ek’ Balam Self-Guided Tour – The History Basics!
The Mayan settlement of Ek’ Balam started around 300 CE and continued to develop through until 900 CE. The city reached its peak between 770 – 840 CE. The city of Ek’ Balam, is thought to have supported up to 20,000 people while it was the Capital of the Tlalol Kingdom.
Ukit Kan Le’k Tok (the Father of the Four Flint Fronts) was the first known ruler of Ek’ Balam. And it was during his reign that he had the Acropolis built as his Palace, along with several other impressive structures. In particular, the noteworthy Sak Xok Naah, or White House of Reading, was erected within the Acropolis.
Archaeologists believe that this later became his tomb, where he was buried with a collection of over 7,000 offerings. These included ceramics, shells and objects made of Tumbaga which is a non-specific alloy of gold and copper found throughout Pre–Colombian Mesoamerica.
Fun Fact: The name Ek’ Balam, in the Yucatecan Mayan language refers to Dark Jaguar, Black Jaguar or Jaguar Star.
Ek’ Balam Ruins More Recently
It’s believed that the city of Ek’ Balam covered approximately 12 km2 in it’s time. However, it’s currently only the inner sanctum that has been uncovered. In other words, an area of around 1.2 km2 with 45 structures, is currently excavated, restored and now open for your visit.
After the Spanish left Ek’ Balam the jungle slowly reclaimed the site, where it remained mainly undisturbed until 1980. From 1980 to 1990 large sections of the site were uncovered, at which time a major mapping program took place.
Ek’ Balam opened to the public in 1990, with further extensive research carried out over four stages between 1994 to 1999.
While researching for our own visit, we found this great blog written by a couple who visited Ek’ Balam in the mid 90’s. During this time they wandered the site, experiencing it before much had been restored and was still under rocks. For interests sake, take a look through their photos to get a better idea of what Ek’ Balam looked like nearly 30 years ago.
Entrance & Tickets for Ek’ Balam Ruins
From the parking lot, make your way to the main entrance. This is a short walk down a jungle path not far from the Ek’ Balam main sign.
The ticket office is inside a large circular building. Here you’ll also find the toilets, access to X’Canche Cenote, an information counter and a small snack bar. Tickets were a breeze with no line when we arrived.
We recommend visiting earlier in the day if you’re looking to find an empty site.
💰 For the Ek’ Balam entrance fee details and costs, read here.
Free Printable Map for Self-Guided Tour of Ek’ Balam
🗺 Download our free map of Chichén Itzá that we created just for your self-guided tour. Keep it on your phone, or print it for your walk.
📍 And don’t forget the second page which gives you a step by step explanation of how to navigate between the key sights at Chichén Itzá.
👆 Tap this link to download… no need to sign-up, no strings attached. Just a pretty little map, created by us with love… especially for you!
Let’s begin with the fun part! This is where your self-guided tour of Ek’ Balam starts. Tap the link to get the complete map with walking directions. Read this before you get to Ek’ Balam or bring it along with you, or keep it ready on your phone.
It’s important to note, that we are not experts. However, we have done a lot of researching and reading. So our self-guided tour to Ek’ Balam is a collection of all of this information, the stuff we thought was interesting. If you’re a history lover and like ALL the details then we recommend you look at some of the official guided tour options of Ek’ Balam.
Beginning the Self-Guided Tour of Ek’ Balam Ruins
Below we begin by explaining each attraction or sight, of which we highlight #1 through to #8. Then under in the coloured text box, you’ll find the walking directions. Use these to navigate your way to each sight mentioned… with the help of our map!
Ready… set… go!
#1 The Defensive walls
The Defensive Walls once encircled the entire inner sanctum of Ek’ Balam. The inner wall is two metres tall and three metres wide, while the outer wall is smaller in size.
🚶Walking Tour Directions
From the main entrance follow the path beyond the small section of craft vendors, through the forest, to the ticket check point. As you approach the Ek’ Balam ruins from the jungle you’ll pass by two walls, these are the (#1) Defensive walls.
#2 The Entrance Arch
This raised rectangular structure sits atop of the sacbe, which is a raised path or road typically found in Mayan Archaeological sites.
Climb to the raised platform of the Entrance Arch and look up. Or atleast, be sure to walk the full exterior, noting each arch at all four sides. The unique architectural design is made up of intersecting vaulted ceilings.
In terms of purpose, the Entrance Arch is thought to have served as the main entrance point to the inner sanctum. In addition to this, it would have been used for religious and ceremonial purposes.
🚶Walking Tour Directions
Continue on the same path, beyond the Defensive Walls. Next is the (#2) Entrance Arch, which is the first structure you’ll see as you emerge from the forest.
Note: Beside the Entrance Arch the rear side of the (#3) Oval Palace comes into view.
#3 The Oval Palace
The Oval Palace is a large structure, believed to have been constructed over several phases and was used for both residential and ceremonial purposes.
The bottom section is a rectangular base that housed 10 rooms around its perimeter. While the upper section was a tiered oval with a shrine at its peak.
Human remains, as well as various offerings were found during the excavations. One of the remains was a young child found within a ceramic vase or pot covered with a plate.
🚶Walking Tour Directions
From the Entrance Arch, walk around behind the southern side of the (#3) Oval Palace. Circumnavigate the building in an anti-clockwise direction. Explore some of the smaller rooms on the lower section of the Oval Palace.
Then pass between it and the covered area that houses the Stela – Monument – of Ukit Kan Le’k Tok’, to view the Oval Palace from the front (the northern side). Don’t miss the opportunity to walk to the top to admire the views. In the distance is the Acropolis, to your left are The Twins.
#4 The Twins
If you look closely, you’ll see the Twins are built on a singular large rectangular base. Upon this, two identical secondary structures or temples are built side by side. Both of these two vaulted buildings, each have four rooms.
Access to these are from two identical staircases positioned side by side.
🚶Walking Tour Directions
Standing at the bottom of the stairs of the Oval Palace, looking towards the west is the structure referred to as (#4) The Twins.
#5 Stela – Monument – of Ukit Kan Le’k Tok’
Directly opposite the twins you will find a Stela of the ruler Ukit Kan Le’k Tok’. This is a free standing monument, and used by Mayans to commemorate important moments in history and significant people.
From the section above related to the history of Ek’ Balam, we explain the role Ukit Kan Le’k Tok’ played in the development of this city. It was clear he was a key figure in the prosperity of Ek’ Balam. As such this Stela is an important structure within the tour.
🚶Walking Tour Directions
From the Twins, head back to the (#5) Stela of Ukit Kan Le’k Tok’ for a closer look at the carving dedicated to the great historical Mayan ruler.
#6 Structure 10
Structure 10, is on the eastern side of Ek’ Balam. It’s essentially a large rectangular base with slopping walls and a central staircase leading to a grassy upper plateau. Upon which you’ll find two small platforms and a vaulted temple.
The outer back edge of this structure drops off into the surrounding jungle. From this vantage point, you get a better sense of what Ek’ Balam looked like, before it was rediscovered.
🚶Walking Tour Directions
Make your way from behind the Stela of Ukit Kan Le’k Tok‘, towards (#6) Structure 10 and up the steps for a look around.
#7 The Acropolis
The largest of the buildings found within Ek’ Balam is the Acropolis. This impressive structure was the Royal Palace and stands at approximately 152 metres long (500 feet), 60 metres wide (200 feet), and 30 metres high (100 feet).
Positioned on the northern edge of Ek’ Balam, this structure like many others has been added to over time. Now it finally stands, rising over six levels, with both an east and west wing. The Acropolis comprises of numerous rooms, temples, courtyards, corridors and stairways. And to date, more than 70 spaces within the Acropolis have been excavated.
Climbing on the Acropolis at Ek’ Balam
One of the most exciting things about visiting the Ek’ Balam ruins, is that you can climb to the top. The main external staircase leads to the summit of the Acropolis. The 3600 view from up there, emphasises the incredible remote location of Ek’ Balam. Peeking through the trees ahead is the Oval Palace and the Twins, and it’s a beautiful sight!
The White House of Reading / Sak Xok Naah
Just below, on the forth level is a self-contained structure, with an external façade decorated in the most impressively detailed stucco. This is the Sak Xok Naah or White House of Reading, wherein the tomb of Ukit Kan Le’k Tok’ was believed to have been found.
Admire the open mouth and fangs. Through our research, these have been explained as an earth monster, earth deity, mouth of jaguar or a flower mountain monster. We’ll let you be the judge on this one. At any rate, it certainly appears protectively guarding the main entrance door, which leads deeper into the structure and tomb.
Unfortunately, you can only admire this area from the outside, as it’s currently cordoned off.
🚶Walking Tour Directions
From Structure 10 head north to the (#7) Acropolis on the way passing Structure 7 and the Steam Bath. Begin the slow, steady walk to the summit.
Provided you’ve caught your breath, it’s time to make your way down to the 4th level. Take it slowly, as the steps down seem a lot steeper than they did on the way up. Here you will step off the stairs to your right, to pass by the façade and entrance of Sak Xok Naah / The White House of Reading.
Don’t forget to take your time to admire the impressive Acropolis from below, particularly the two monuments at the base. Two Hieroglyphic Serpents, with extended tongues stand to the left and right.
#8 The Ball Court
The Ball Court at Ek’ Balam is significantly smaller than Chichén Itzá in both length and height. Furthermore, the walls are lower, wider and have a gentler angle, thereby providing a lot easier field for the players.
It’s understood that the game at Ek’ Balam was only for the upper class. And unlike Chichén Itzà, no signs of human sacrifice were depicted as a result of the game.
🚶Walking Tour Directions
After you’ve seen everything there is to see at the Acropolis, head south towards the Entrance Arch. In doing so you’ll walk though the pitch of the (#8) Ball Court, with the walls to your left and right.
This is the last sight on our self-guided tour of Ek’ Balam! Make your way back to the Entrance Arch, to rejoin the path towards the exit.
Audio Guides & Guided Tour Options at Ek’ Balam
Okay, what did you think? Did our self-guided tour of Ek’ Balam give you enough of the details… or do you feel like you need more. Perhaps you’re a facts and dates person and need more in the way of history. If that’s the case, you have three options.
Firstly, grab yourself a guide at the ticket office on arrival. Easy peasy.
Secondly, you can read our blog on the best guided and private tours – Valladolid (and beyond) to Ek’ Balam. In this post we share the best group or private tours from Cancun and the Riviera Maya. As well as, the best private tours from Valladolid. All of these tours include visits to other attractions, such as cenotes, Chichén Itzá, or the north coast of the Yucatan.
Your third option is to download one of the audio guides below for your tour. I mean who doesn’t love a good audio guide! And the second of these guides includes Chichén Itzá among others.
Is Ek’ Balam Worth Visiting
Is Ek’ Balam worth a visit? This is a definite yes, yes, yes!!! This was hands down one of our most favourite days in Mexico. Probably given also to the fact that we went by scooter which was a total adventure.
But for sure, for our family the Ek’ Balam Ruins were a definite positive. It was less overwhelming than Chichén Itzá and therefore easier on the kids. However, primarily we loved it for the fewer crowds, the quality of the experience, and the tranquility of the site.
What’s more Ek’ Balam is located 10 minutes from the Cenote Route and some of our favourite cenotes in Valladolid. We definitely recommend a visit to the nearby cenote of Sac Aua.
More on Valladolid
We hope you loved our self-guided tour of Ek’ Balam and most importantly that you found it helpful. Let us know if there was anything you think that needs adjusting, or clarifying. And if you’re planning on staying in Valladolid for a few days, then you might like to browse through the other posts we’ve created.
Check our other posts for your itinerary and visit to Valladolid.
- The best cenotes of Valladolid – we recommend and review our favourite cenotes.
- The best place to stay in Valladolid – our review of the Oryx Hostel.
- The best things to do in Valladolid – (post coming soon).
And of course don’t forget to bookmark or pin this post: how to visit Chichén Itzá without a tour!
We now travel full-time and have plenty more itineraries and guides to share on all the destinations we visit. Sign up to follow our journey! (And don’t worry we won’t spam you with unnecessary emails.)
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