Ek Balam It is one of the Mayan towns with a privileged location due to its proximity to the archaeological zone of Ek Balam, one of the most visited in the Yucatan Peninsula. Most visitors only pass through Ek Balam, I would stay here to sleep.

El Ek Balam village It is located 2 kilometers from the archaeological site of Ek Balam, which is the third most visited in the state of Yucatan, behind the indisputable Chichen Itza and almost at the same time as Uxmal, according to these statistics from the most visited archaeological sites. A few kilometers away has fantastic cenotes such as the XCanche or the Sac aua.

Thanks to this privileged situation, many villagers make a living from tourism, either working in the cenotes, in accommodation and restaurants, selling hammocks that they make or other handicrafts.

Few travelers stay to sleep in Ek Balam something that I definitely recommend for being a fantastic way to live in a rural Mayan environment, enjoy the peaceful calm of the nights in the countryside and its friendly people.

Live the Mayan culture in the town of Ek Balam 1
With Gutberto, who works in the cabins Uh Najil and sells handicrafts

Tourism in Mayan villages in the Yucatan Peninsula

There are several Mayan towns such as Punta Laguna, Kantemó, Sabacché, Cobá or Santa Elena that benefit from the beauties of their surroundings to offer accommodation and services for the traveler. This tourism is very beneficial for communities that tend to have few economic resources.

In these villages you can live life in the Mayan countryside up close, in some they carry out activities to learn about their culture. It is a nice way to get to know this land.

Sandra Salvadó

Where to sleep in Ek Balam

You find at least three places to sleep in the village of Ek Balam, also in the nearby Xcanché cenote They offer sleeping in Mayan style cabins. The people are the Uh Najil Cabins  from a cooperative of village villagers, where I usually stay. They offer different activities to know the area. The other two are the recommended Genesis Eco-Oasis of a Canadian and the Dolce Vacanza of Italians. Both with restaurant, the Genesis of vegan food and Italian Dolce Vacanza.


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Ek Balam It is one of those towns that have nothing and have everything for the traveler. The life of the town breathes calm and nothing to do. Ek Balam it's like dancing without music, what they said in the movie ¿A quién ama Gilbert Grape? Silent sounds those of Ek Balam, I really like this place.

The most remarkable thing for the visitor is the color that the town has thanks to the sale of hammocks, which adorn the entrances to the houses. The hammocks are self-made, you can buy them without intermediaries, they are of good quality and it is an economic incentive that supports families with limited resources to live in the area.

Ek Balam
Ek Balam
Ek Balam

The last time I was in the town of Ek Balam It was Sunday, and I was able to relive the one I call drinker's sunday: in the towns of the Yucatan Peninsula one of the plausible realities is the damage caused by alcohol among the population. Sunday is the day of rest, and also the day that most alcohol is consumed among the local population, at least openly.

This situation causes that on Sundays you find the odd man more talkative than usual who will want to talk for a while. There is the nice drunk, the pesky and yet harmless and nice, the too daring, the pesky that without alcohol you would not stand it either, the one who doesn't even understand him, the one with the cloudy look without words ... all of them emboldened in endless numbers of personalities.

As a traveler there is no danger drinker's sundayRather, it puts you in anecdotal situations. On no occasion traveling alone or accompanied by these lands have I experienced an uncomfortable circumstance in this reality, but I do try to settle the conversations quickly in a pleasant way.

Ek Balam

I think that having the opportunity to stay in a Mayan town is a very interesting part of the trip through this land, traveling is having the opportunity to experience other environments, other cultures, other situations, know your roots, your countrymen. Ek Balam gives us the opportunity to do all this, it is a pleasant experience on your way.

Ek Balam
Spending the afternoon in his patio
Spending the afternoon in his patio

The area near Ek Balam is full of unmissable cenotes like Sac aua, Popcorn, Sweet Water, X-Ca'anajaljun or the closest cenote Xcanché. I hope you enjoy this wonderful area, its culture and its life.

 

LOCATION: Ek Balam is located 28 km north of Valladolid (30 minutes) on Highway 295. The detour is indicated after Temozón, famous for its rich marinated meats.  HOW TO GET IN PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION? Collective taxi departs from Calle 44 and Calle 35 (30 minutes) from Valladolid. WHAT TO BRING? Comfortable and light clothing, and hat to cover your head. Protect yourself from the sun and insects, and do not forget your swimsuit to enjoy the cenotes.

Good way,

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Sandra Salvadó Training photographer, traveler by vocation and certified tourism guide by the Government of Mexico. We promote natural wonders and contemporary Mayan culture. Great fan of pre-Hispanic history. Author of the blog and co-founder of The Shortest Path Travel, agency that guides you through alternative paths in Mayan lands. Social and sustainable tourism in the Yucatan Peninsula and Chiapas.
I am at your disposal for whatever you need. Let's talk.

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