The Best Way to Get to Ek’ Balam from Valladolid

A scooter and knack for an adventure is all you need to explore this less-traveled Mayan Ruin. Saddle up, this is the best way to get to Ek’ Balam.

The town of Valladolid is a quaint one. Dead center of the Yucatán Peninsula, filled with genuine people, good food, and a great vibe for backpackers. Not to mention, it’s the perfect launching point to nearby Mayan Ruins.

Among these nearby Mayan ruins is Chichén Itzá, the famous ancient city known for its architecture, history, mathematical and astronomical engineering. A fine sight to see, for certain. Only if you can beat the crowds, though.

Don’t want to deal with the crowds but still seeking a Mayan adventure? No worries, the ancient metropolis of Ek’ Balam isn’t too far away from Valladolid, either. In fact, it’s closer, with a slightly more adventurous journey along the way.

What is Ek’ Balam?

Ek’ Balam, meaning the black jaguar in the ancient Mayan language, is a once dominant Mayan city between the years of AD 700 and 1000. It served as an economic epicenter for the empire and may have even had more influence than its famous neighbor, Chichén Itzá.

Today, Ek’ Balam is an active archeological site, with 80% of the city still remaining beneath the jungle. Meaning, resist the urge to take any stone – it may be an important artifact for researchers!

Why you should visit the Mayan ruin.

Visiting Ek’ Balam provides a pleasantly surprising reprieve from the swarms of tourists often found at Chichén Itzá while still bolstering the marvelous architecture that makes the latter so popular.

Additionally, you’re able to climb the 100 foot pyramid at Ek’ Balam! The climb is steep, but totally worth the view on top! Just don’t look down the stairs – you’ll quickly notice just how steep the climb really was.

Getting to Ek’ Balam – an adventure built for a scooter

Asking the hostel owner in Valladolid, “where’s the best place to rent a scooter?” Without hesitation, he recommended the shop just east of the city square, Scooter Valladolid. And I’d be inclined to do the same.

But why travel to Ek’ Balam by scooter?

Uuuum, why not?! Renting a scooter while traveling is my favorite mode of transit. It provides you complete and utter freedom. Go where you want, when you want, while navigating foreign streets and exploring new places. It’s the ultimate travel adventure.

Not to mention, you can explore all the nearby cenotes, see the outskirts of the town, visit nearby cities, make the trip to Chichén Itzá, and travel to Ek’ Balam!

The Road to Ruins

From Valladolid, head north along Mexico 295 directly out of town. The trip is only 28 km from the city center so it’s honestly a breeze, taking about 45 minutes.

Navigating out of the city center is the only tricky part, with lots of one ways and confusing turns. Just pay attention to the signs, flow of traffic, and when in doubt pull over to look at your pre-downloaded map on our favorite offline app: maps.me.

For lunch, or to stretch your legs, stop in the town of Temozón along the way. The small Mexican city is famously known for its meat BBQ and the restaurants did not disappoint.

Once arriving, the parking lot is safe enough to leave your bike. Some security guards working for the park will be “watching it” to give you a piece of mind. I tipped them a few pesos once I was done exploring the ruins.

At the gate, you’ll pay the admission fee to enter and take your self guided (or guided) tour! Have fun!

Other Ways to Get to Ek’ Balam

If scooters aren’t your thing, no worries. These other options will get you there all the same:

🚌 Take the Bus: Buses are leaving every few hours from Valladolid’s Central Station. Get an idea of price and times on BusBud.

🚗 Rent a Car: No matter the city you’re leaving from (Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Mérida, or Valladolid), renting a car is on the table. Search for the best deals on Discover Cars.

🎫 Guided Tour: This epic tour brings you to Ek’ Balam and beyond to Rio Largartos and Las Coloradas to visit with the wild flamingos!

Where to stay in Valladolid

The city has plenty of great options for backpackers, including a plethora of hostels. Head over to HostelWorld to compare prices and see the reviews on the hostels in the area.

Resources for a successful day at Ek’ Balam

• Good shoes – lots of walking and climbing!
• An eco-friendly water bottle – ditch the plastic for more eco-friendly alternatives!
• Environmentally friendly sunscreen – use the coupon code “oceanwide” to get 10% off your purchase at Stream2Sea.

National Geographic makes a great map for traveling the Yucatán Peninsula. It even includes write ups about many of the Mayan Ruins found in the area.

National Geographic Yucatán Peninsula Adventure Map

Happy travels, explorers!