Let’s start at Ek Balam,
Only the main plaza has been excavated—and it’s really well preserved. Ek Balam is known for letting you climb the 106 steps to the top of the Acropolis, home to the tomb of their ancient king.
It’s a serious workout, but the payoff at the top is unreal: amazing views over the treetops. On a clear day, you can even spot Chichen Itza about 30 miles away.
Ek Balam means ‘Black Jaguar’ in Mayan,—the detailed stucco facade on the Acropolis is shaped like a giant jaguar’s open mouth, guarding the path to the underworld. Cool to see even with scaffolding.
We headed to a local restaurant our guide recommended—delicious authentic food and some great shopping right next door for the kids.
Next stop: Coba, another incredible Mayan site that’s also mostly unexcavated and five times larger than Ek Balam.
Here, you rent bikes and ride along ancient stone pathways through the jungle to reach the different pyramids. We loved this option to explore!
Coba’s famous for its massive 138 foot tall pyramid—I really loved checking out their ball court, where the ancient Mayans played their legendary game.
After a full day of sweating in the rainforest, nothing beats cooling off with a swim in a nearby cenote. This one had two jumping platforms—my teenagers loved jumping off them! The water is crystal clear, super cold, and feels amazing after the heat.
If you are headed to Cancun - Check out the full itinerary below for all the details.
Trust me—this day trip is unforgettable!”
Here is our itinerary!
Epic Mayan Ruins Day Trip
Just 2 hours from Cancun
*Morning: Ek Balam
Climb 106 steep steps up the massive Acropolis (ancient king’s tomb inside)
Panoramic jungle views — on clear days you can spot Chichen Itza ~30 miles away!
Less crowded, super well-preserved main plaza
*Lunch Break
Use your tour guide to find an authentic local restaurant with fun shopping next door for the kids (or big kids too!)
*Afternoon: Coba
5× larger than Ek Balam — mostly unexcavated jungle ruins
Rent bikes & ride ancient stone paths to the pyramids
Climb the tallest pyramid in the area (138 ft) for insane views
Check out the incredibly preserved Mayan ball court
*Cool Down: Cenote Swim
Crystal-clear, ice-cold water after a hot day in the rainforest
LOTS of options of cenotes in the area of Coba
Have you done this combo? Drop your favorite ruin below!
Lots of different tours have this day trip combo. We used @almaldstours as our private family – friendly guide. They also drove for us on other days of our trip as well as picked up/drop off at the airport and a stop at a local Walmart to stock our kitchen at the beginning of our week.