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    Ek' Balam

    Yucatán › Valladolid

    Ek' Balam

    Photo by Photo by Dorothy Beals and Sarah Martin Original uploader was Elijahmeeks at ..., CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Archaeological site 23 km north of Valladolid

    A walled Maya city north of Valladolid with a huge acropolis and some of the best-preserved stucco sculpture in the Maya world.

    Ek' Balam, usually translated as "black jaguar" or "star jaguar," is a Maya city about 25 kilometers north of Valladolid. It was the seat of a kingdom for centuries and reached its peak in the 8th and 9th centuries. It is much smaller and quieter than Chichén Itzá, and for many visitors that is the point: you walk in through an arched gateway in the old city wall and often share the plazas with only a few other people.

    The great building here is the Acropolis, a platform-pyramid about 160 meters long and around 30 meters high. Partway up, under a thatched shelter, is the tomb of the king Ukit Kan Le'k Tok'. Its entrance is a stucco façade shaped like the open jaws of a monster, with teeth framing the door and winged human figures standing on either side. Because it was buried for centuries, the plaster kept its fine detail, which is rare at Maya sites.

    About a kilometer and a half from the ruins is Cenote X'Canché, run by the local community, where you can swim after the visit. Ek' Balam is easy to combine with a stop in the village of Temozón on the way back.

    What to see and do

    Enter through the arch in the city wall and walk the white causeways between the plazas.
    See the stucco façade of the king's tomb on the Acropolis, with its monster mouth and winged figures.
    Climb the Acropolis for a view over the forest if it is open to climbing on the day you go; rules at Mexican sites can change.
    Swim at Cenote X'Canché, a short walk or bike ride from the entrance.

    Getting there

    Ek' Balam is about 30 minutes from Valladolid by car: head north on Highway 295 toward Tizimín and follow the signs east to the site. Taxis and colectivos from Valladolid also make the trip; agree on the fare and the return before you leave. It is managed by INAH and open daily; arrive early for cooler weather.

    23 km north of Valladolid

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    Distances are in a straight line; the road is usually longer.

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    Weather warm

    Ek' Balam shares the climate of Valladolid, 23 km away. The best months to visit are Jan, Feb, Nov, Dec.

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    Yucatán Valladolid

    Ek' Balam is an easy trip from Valladolid, a Pueblo Mágico with places to stay, food, and more to see.

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    Location from OpenStreetMap. Written by Puebloteca.