Chichen Itza & Ekbalam Tour: Explore Mayan History & Swim in Saama Cenote from Playa del Carmen
4.6
249 Ratings
Playa del Carmen
Explore the rich Mayan history at Chichen Itza and Ekbalam ruins, and cool off with a refreshing swim in the Saama Cenote. Book your tour from Playa del Carmen now!
Duration: 12 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Chichen Itza - One of the most important archaeological sites in the world! Chichen Itza is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, a “must do” tour when visiting Cancun. An expert guide will lead the way and share the exciting facts and folklore of Chichen Itza and the Mayan civilization. See the ball court, the Temple of a Thousand Columns and of course, the imposing Kukulkan Pyramid.

  • Cenote Saamal - Cenotes are unique to the Yucatan Peninsula, natural limestone sinkholes of incredible natural beauty that are perfect for a refreshing swim in a jungle oasis. Immerse yourself in the crystalline waters and admire the spectacular rock formations!

  • Zona ArqueolĂłgica de Ek Balam - The Mayan ruins of Ek Balam may be less famous than Chichen Itza but they are spectacular! Climb the incredible Acropolis and admire the exceptional carvings and art of the ancient Maya that has been so well preserved and maintained and enjoy the view from the top.

What's Included
  • Bottled water
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Box Lunch with sandwich, fruit, juice, and sweet (available with Plus option)
  • Lunch
  • Admission to Chichen Itza, Ekbalam, and Cenote Saamal
  • Professional guide
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
  • Not included Yucatan State Tax Chichen and Ekbalam 48 USD per person. Must be paid at the check in
  • Life jacket rental it is mandatory for the swimming in the cenote. 3 USD per person in cash
Additional Information

Embark on a distinct expedition of historical significance, embracing cultural wealth and mesmerizing nature with our Chichen Itza Saama Cenote and Ek Balam tour from Cancun. A knowledgeable tour guide will accompany you as you delve into the two Mayan archaeological locations and engage in a divine cenote swim. Round-trip transportation and lunch are provided!

  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
  • Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
  • It is recommended that you bring sports shoes, sandals or flip flops, swimsuit, towel, sunglasses, hat, biodegradable sunscreen and mosquito repellent, a camera and Mexican Pesos in cash for expenses and tips
Location
La Bodeguita del Medio Playa del Carmen
7:00 AM
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.6
(249 Ratings)
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Samantha_v
May 21, 2024
Amazing day! - What a great day. Be prepared for a long day but the sight seeing and Cenote visit at the end is totally worth it. Driver and Tour guide are fantastic and keep you informed. Got a lot of information about the Mayans and really enjoyed the site visits. It is really hot tho so plenty of water/ suncream and a hat! The Cenote at the end is absolutely lush so enjoy!
Review provided by Viator
Carloalberto_b
May 13, 2024
Great experience - Great tour, great guide! If you like history this is the tour for you, the 2 sites are both very interesting.
Review provided by Viator
Aisha_s
Apr 25, 2024
Amazing Tour - The cenote was amazing visiting the ruins was good as well. Nice bus ride great tour. We would recommend.
Review provided by Viator
Mymorena_p
Apr 18, 2024
Great and great excursión!!!😎😄😂 - The Marcela& Braulio ( driver and tour guide) they were wonderful we really had a good time. However, needed to clarify the fees is unclear since some passengers had a small breakfasts and drinks included in the payment that brought a lot unsatisfactorily between the passengers. All the changes it should be included in one payment. Hope the company resolved this inconvenience in order that anyone gets surprised. This company is so lucky to have a Marcela and Braulio to save the moments in this excursion. Thank you both of you for your dedication beyond your job. Take care and God blessed you
Review provided by Viator
Myron_m
Apr 7, 2024
This and that - The sales tax was unexpectedly high! Cost more than the trip.The trip and the driver and the guide where enjoyable!
Review provided by Viator
617kaylag
Jun 12, 2024
Great day seeing the ruins, better transported would’ve made it 5 stars - The tour was great, combining the ruins with a Cenote was much needed with the heat. The staff was awesome and very knowledgeable. Marking off a star for the transportation - the van was way too cramped for the amount of people on the tour. The air conditioning was also not the greatest. I would have liked the transportation to be a bit more comfortable since the tour requires 6+ hours driving around to each site and back to the hotels. Overall great experience but could’ve been even better with more comfortable transportation.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Gisselle_c
Apr 3, 2024
Very good trip to Chichen itzĂĄ - The trip was very good very good driver Marcela, and Braulio very friendly, the food was not great but in general the experience was pleasant.
Review provided by Viator
Katherine_b
Mar 18, 2024
No water, cold food - Pros: you see all the sights listed. It was a small group. Cons: no water provided as advertised; NONE for a 12-hour tour in 85+ degree weather. Lunch buffet isn't until 3 in the afternoon. All the food was a cold! (Does anyone like cold tacos, cold refried beans and cold rice?) Our guide announced that two alcoholic drinks were included with our lunch; they were not. Our whole table got caught in the trap of having to pay what we were told was included. Website advertised a $3 required life vest fee at cenote--it was $5. Guide lost my husband's ticket to Chichen Itza. We watched our guide run around for 30 minutes looking to see where he might have dropped it. He kept asking us if we had it (we were never given it). I'm not sure if he ever found or just bought a new one. No way around the hundreds of other tourists visiting the same sights. LONG lines of vendors all selling the same tourist crap--while not harassing, definitely bothersome and a killjoy.
Review provided by Viator
Kimbolee_f
May 14, 2024
Poor organization - We drove for four hours with no access to a washroom , there was one on the bus which was broken pick up was 6:50 am which meant we didn’t have breakfast . We had to drive around for another hour or two to get other persons at their respective hotels and same thing for drop off . It was exhausting and I don’t think I’ll ever book with Viator again . The tour guide was nice . Driver grumpy .
Review provided by Viator
Gustavo_o
May 29, 2024
Badly organized tour, left late, lots of time picking up people - TLDR: Stressful day, tour left 1 hour late, lots of time picking people up in places almost 1 hour afar, terrible logistics from the company, too little time on Chichen Itza because of their own delay, tour had more people than advertised. Definitely don't recommend this company Whole story: The reason we booked this tour was that it's advertised they leave at 7 a.m and we wanted to arrive early at Chichen Itza to avoid the big crowds and the hotness. Also we took into consideration it especifically says that the tour goes from and to Playa del Carmen, so we expected less picking up time The day before, they sent us a message telling us to be at 7:10 am at the pickup meeting point and that's the last good thing about it. There we were at 7:10 only to be left waiting for a whole hour standing on our feet with nowhere to sit The guide arrived there before the bus and all the time he'd come with a new excuse to explain the delay First one was that they had mixed up the order of the hotels of the people they were picking up first and because of that the bus was late Then he said those two people, whose hotel was out of order, didn't show up Funny thing is that when we finally got to the bus, an hour later, there were only a couple already there. Then, already running 1 hour late, we went to pickup other people in completely distant hotels. If the tour is from Playa del Carmen, why do you pick people that are located almost in Tulum? I wouldn't have booked if I knew this tour would go from both cities. Also, remember when the guide said they were late because of two people they went to pick up and that they didn't show up. Well... Glad they didn't because otherwise there wouldn't be seats available at the bus for everyone. See where they advertise the tour is limited of 15 people? Well, there were 20... plus the 2 people who allegedly didn't show up, we'd be 22 So, it was already 10 am when we STARTED going in the pyramid's direction Then, another surprise. The tour promises starting the day in Chichen Itza, but we went to Ek Balam first. So, we've booked this in order to arrive early to Chichen ItzĂĄ but we ended up going there only really late in the afternoon After Ek Balam, we went for lunch. But before that they made us spend 20 minutes in a overly priced craft store and it was already 14:30 pm (PDC time). Needless to say we only had lunch at 15h. Since we were in the meeting point at 7am, this means we spent 8 hours without any food Then it was finally time to meet Chichen ItzĂĄ. They say you have an hour and a half there, but we were only given 1 hour so we didn't even stay to listen to the explanation and went to explore it, otherwise there wouldn't be enough time to see the whole place. We had to rush through the whole site in order to see it. It was supposed to be the highlight of the day and I didn't even had time to see it properly. Then, it was time for the cenote. It was nice and we had proper time there so no complaints. To end the day, we finally got back to the meeting point almost 10 pm. Basically, that was a 15 hour tour even though the company says it should last around 12 hour. The three hours of difference basically were due to their own delay and their terrible logistics. Seriously, do better I guess the only people who must be happy after this are the two people who, allegedly, didn't show up. Good for them, wish I hadn't shown up either This tour isn't even one of the cheapest available in Viator, quite the opposite. I felt really disrespected to say the least. I mean, the places are most definitely worth it, really incredible. But the tour operator is not. Maybe this will be your only opportunity to visit Chichen ItzĂĄ and the other sites, make sure you do it propperly.
Review provided by Viator
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
July 2024
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