Guided Tour of Ek' Balam and Valladolid with Cenote and Lunch

Guided Tour of Ek' Balam and Valladolid with Cenote and Lunch

Get a close-up look at Maya history and traditions on this off-the-beaten-track tour. You'll visit the ancient Maya city of Ek' Balam – the most recent to be opened to the public – as well as Yalcoba to swim in the cenote and a stop in Valladolid. Francesca, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘Archaeologists only began uncovering Ek' Balam in 1985, and they're still digging away today. It's a more complete site than many others, and you can still imagine daily life in the Maya town going on around you as you explore. But the main reason I enjoy Ek' Balam is that there are so few visitors.'We'll start the adventure with a guided visit of Ek' Balam, which translates as ‘Black Jaguar.' The site has more than 40 structures and its walls formed a maze, while the main pyramid, known as the Acropolis, has a well-preserved entrance surrounded by the open jaws and fangs of a jaguar. It's bigger than even El Castillo at Chichen Itzá. Best of all, you can climb to the top – which few Maya sites allow.Afterwards, we'll head to Yalcoba where you can try your hand at chocolate-making and learn how to craft obsidian at a workshop. After a tequila and mezcal tasting you'll have time to enjoy the crystalline cenote, then tuck into a tasty buffet lunch of typical regional dishes. Lastly, we'll have a quick stop in central Valladolid, a city known for its art and architecture and a picture-perfect medley of colourful colonial buildings and historic churches.

Ek' Balam Deluxe Tour with Hacienda Chukum & Valladolid

Dive into an epic adventure at the ancient Maya ruins of Ek' Balam with some adrenaline fun packed in too. You'll get to step back in time at this archaeological site, followed by ziplining and cenote swimming at Hacienda Chukum, a buffet lunch of regional classics, and a visit to Valladolid. Maria, one of our local guides, says, ‘Known as the ‘Black Jaguar' or ‘Star Jaguar', it's not every day you get to see such massive structures and what makes Ek Balam unique are its unique double walls that encircle the central area'. At Ek' Balam, get ready for a blast into Maya history discovering over 40 structures, with the opportunity to climb several monuments. Prepare to be wowed by pyramids and the towering acropolis, offering epic shots of the site and surrounding lush jungle. Next up, let's kick the adventure up a notch at Hacienda Chukum. This isn't your typical stop – it's a jungle hideout with a cenote where you can swim or zip line across the cavern. Your guide will share snorkelling tips and fun facts about the local flora and fauna around you. After all that action, it's time to refuel with a delicious buffet of regional favourites in an open-air restaurant. Savour dishes like pulled pork, spicy fish, and tortillas, plus some sweet treats to top it off. Our day wraps up in Valladolid, a town oozing with Insta-worthy Spanish vibes, colourful mansions, and quaint cobblestone streets. Enjoy some leisure time to explore, take photos at the Municipal Palace and soak up the laid-back atmosphere in the main plaza before heading back.

Cirque du Soleil JOYÀ Riviera Maya entrance ticket

A chance to experience the world-famous aerial acrobatics of Cirque du Soleil – but with a Mexican twist. You'll enjoy pre-show canapés treats and champagne before the awe-inspiring acrobatics really kick off at Cirque du Soleil JOYÀ. Without doubt, one of the most exhilarating nights in the Riviera Maya.Stroll along a wooden walkway, which winds its way around a lake, and make sure to look out for the characters spinning fire-lit batons on board canoes. Take your seat right up close to the action before the rest of the audience, so you can enjoy your champagne and appetisers in a leisurely manner.When the show starts, you'll be treated to an out-of-this-world set – acrobats soaring across the ceiling and daredevil motorcyclists on stage. And, of course, it comes with a Mexican twist, from the dinosaur-destroying meteor that landed in the Yucatan peninsula to a homage to the migrating monarch butterflies. Cirque du Soleil JOYÀ – a night of fantasy and pulsating entertainment.

Coco Bongo Cancun Ticket

If you're in the mood for a night out with plenty of fun and dancing, look no further than Coco Bongo in Cancun. With acrobat displays, bar-top conga lines, DJ sets, live bands, and music from every decade you're sure to have a great time – and you'll have express entry and an open bar thrown in for good measure.

Xcaret Archaeological Park Ticket

Xcaret is a gigantic eco-archaeological complex with more than enough attractions to keep all ages busy for days. The whole family will love its jungle trails, culture and nature – and tasty traditional food. There's nothing else like it in the Riviera Maya.Located by the sea near Cancun, Xcaret boasts more than 50 attractions that take you through the heart of the jungle in many different ways. Check out Jaguar Island and the Butterfly Pavilion or walk through caves, archaeological sites and a Maya village. You can even dive into the water with a snorkelling tour, underground river swim and then relax in Acuatic Paradise.And when night falls, you'll be treated to the Xcaret México Espectacular, a light and colour show that takes you through the country's history. A great family day out in nature.

Xenses Entrance Ticket

A feast for the senses awaits at Xenses Adventure Park. This ticket is your pass to the topsy-turvy world of Mexico's newest attraction. Up is down, right is left, and nothing is quite as it seems as you make your way around two circuits. By air, land and water, this perfect mix of thrills, illusions and relaxation will bring your senses to life.The fun begins the moment you approach Xenses Adventure Park – the whole place is an optical illusion. Inside, you'll have two circuits to complete. And an ever more mind-boggling array of activities will challenge your mind and body. You'll have a choice of more than 15 activities like the tree-top Bird Flight zip-line, a hike through caverns in the Labyrinth of Underground Arteries, and a float down a mud river.There's also an unusual town and unexpected twists and turns around every corner. It's fun for all the family. What's more, with cameras dotted around every attraction, you'll even have the chance to take home some of your most memorable moments with you.

Cancun Xplor Adventure Park Ticket

Xplor is one for adrenaline junkies. Ziplines, 4x4 jungle trails, underground pools, rafting through caves – and that's only the beginning. Bring out your inner Tarzan and enjoy an action-packed day in Cancun.Deep into the Riviera Maya jungle, you'll discover a land of adrenaline-pumping opportunities. Soar through the treetops on ziplines as high as 45 metres – the height of an 11-storey building – then back on solid ground you'll get behind the wheel of a 4x4 to rev your way through the rainforest.Your journey will also bring a few surprises along the way, with a chance to swim and raft in an ancient cenote – an underground cavernous pool – where you'll use your hands to propel you through the water as you admire stalactite spears that have formed on the roof. And round of the experience with a splash by zooming through the sky in a hammock and land in a cenote.

Nat Geo Day Tour: Unveiling the Importance of Cancun’s Reef Restoration

Explore the wonders of the Mesoamerican Reef System on this exclusive National Geographic Day Tour. Led by marine specialists, you will have the unique opportunity to snorkel and witness the impact of humanity on the reef and see coral bleaching. This is followed by an insightful talk on actionable steps for reef restoration.Setting sail when the waters are at their calmest, you'll venture to two different reefs, each affected by bleaching due to global warming, water pollution, and microplastics. Visit the reef known as “El Meco”, which boasts the youngest corals, making it a particularly special attraction.The boats used for the tour are certified by Blue Flag for sustainable tourism, ensuring your voyage aligns with eco-conscious practices. Along the way, you'll also get to know the local fauna and savour samples of traditional snacks including Kibi.During this tour, you will be inspired to protect these marine ecosystems, which is the aim of the National Geographic-sponsored Pristine Seas project. This project has carried out expeditions to Banco Chinchorro, a significant part of the Mesoamerican Reef System. This project's work underscores the importance of safeguarding marine environments from human influence while protecting the last wild places in our oceans.By joining this tour, you will engage with the vital importance of preserving and protecting the precious Mesoamerican Reef System. See for yourself the marvels of the ocean and gain a profound understanding of coral reefs and their critical role in the biosphere.

Scuba Diving Experiences for Certified Divers

Scuba diving off the shores of the Caribbean features nothing less than crystal clear water teeming with corals and sea life as well as magical cenotes and shipwrecks. And on these scuba packages, qualified divers can take their dive portfolio to the next level. Discover the cool waters of a cenote or even head to the depths of a sunken shipwreck.

Coba Maya Ruins Tour with Lunch and Cenote Swim

A journey deep into the Yucatán jungle to discover the ancient Maya city of Coba. You'll learn about their enigmatic culture, see the Great Pyramid, meet local villagers and swim in a sacred cenote