After visiting the ruins of Ek Balam, we wanted to check out the cenote that is part of the Ek Balam property. We spent several hours doing a tour and exploring the ruins. After climbing pyramids in the hot sun, were ready to get in the water.
The ruins and the cenote are all on the same site, and makes for a convenient day of exploring and then cooling off at the cenote.
I believe the entrance fee was $70 pesos, and we paid extra for a rappelling and zipline tour.
You can pay to rent a bike or taxi, but we had our rental car with us, so we drove over from the main Ek Balam parking lot.
There are plenty of signs along the dirt road, and it wasn’t far – I would say less than 5 minutes.
The road was narrow and had some potholes, but we had no problems driving.
The first thing we did was rappel down the side of the cenote. By we, I mean the kids!
The staff there was helpful and friendly. They got everyone’s gear set up, and then lowered the kids over the side of the cenote.
Once you get to the bottom via rappelling, there is someone at the bottom to help you on to a platform.
Alternately, you can walk down the stairs, which are incredibly steep. Check out the cutouts in the stairs!
After we got to the bottom of the cenote, there was a zipline as well.
There are life jackets available at the cenote as well. (I believe they were required).
Cenote Xcanche is an open air cenote, which means there is no roof covering the top.
There was an awesome platform here with a rope swing.
There are some neat catfish here (similar to a lot of other cenotes).
When we were done, we grabbed a bite to eat on the premises.
It was nice to get indoors, out of the sun and away from the bugs.
The menu at Cocina Maya is small, but it was nice to get something after a day at Ek Balam, including some refreshing drinks.
Check out our other Mexico blog posts here.
About the Author: Marysa
Busy blogger and mom of two girls. Our family loves traveling and the great outdoors, and are always looking for our next adventure!
Wow what an incredible experience and what an entrance! This truly looks like the definition of paradise.
What a pretty spot. That water is gorgeous. I would love to visit one day.
What an adventure! My friends and I are planning a Mexico trip and this is definitely going into our to-do list.
I love that you can zipline to the water. This would be a fun way to get to the water.
This looks like an amazing adventure. I would love to visit one day as I’ve personally only been outside of the US a handful of times.
The water looks so clear too! I imagine it was a wonderful time.
I’ve never visited Ek Balam, Mexico, I would love to check it out though.
I had no idea there were so many beautiful places to visit in Mexico!
How fun! I would do the rappelling and zip line there. What an awesome adventure.
That’s so much fun! The water is so clear, you can actually see the fish swimming in the water.
The water looks so refreshing! It would be great to cool off after walking.
How exciting is this! What a great experience in beautiful surroundings!
Nice place. I love that it has a huge parking space.
I really like the history of Mexico and its indigenous cultures, thank you for taking us with you!
I didn’t realise there were so many cenotes in Mexico. They are really beautiful. It must be amazing to go see them and swim in them.
That looks like a lovely place. I’ve always wanted to check out Mexico. This would definitely be a place I’d want to go to.
That looks really beatuiful and adventure place. I would love visit someday. Excellent to spend time with family.
What a refreshing and lovely place to be. I would love to go swimming there!
It looks like a really cool place to visit!
Our family loves exploring Mexico! Thanks for adding some new locations to our lisr.
Some people go to Mexico for the beaches or to party. I’d love to visit Mexico to explore all the pyramids and ruins.
This seems like a great piece of paradise. I have never been or seen a cenote in my life bit this sounds like a wondeful adventure to me. Not a good swimmer though but good thing there are life vests available.. The water seems deep
Looks like a fun place for a swim! I like the history of Mexico most, but the recreation is excellent, too, and a much needed break.
Another place I’ll have to add on my bucket list!
What an adventure! This place looks so beautiful, with so many things to do as well.
This does look like a great way to spend the day. I love to visit ruins and the water area was the best way to cap a busy, hot day. Super pretty surroundings there too.
This is breathtaking. So many gorgeous views with so much excitement,
That is so amazing! The place is so quiet and peaceful. Such a perfect place to relax and enjoy your time with the family.
Hands down… absolutely incredible. Those stairs though.. a little scary, but look worth the trek down.
I like the idea of swinging in one of those vines and just falling into the clear water.
Looks like such an adventure for the whole family who want to give this a go. Never knew about Ek Balam before this, but would love to visit it when we go Mexico
Wow, what an adventure! I’m not really a fan of swimming, but the water is so beautiful. I’m hoping to visit Mexico someday.
My daughters would love this zipline…what a great adventure! 🏨🍕🍕👓
I love nature so I’ll definitely add Cenote X’Canche, Ek Balam, Mexico in my travel bucket list! So clean and so nice. I hope to visit it soon.
This place looks like so much fun! My children would love to spend the day here, especially with the zip lining!
Viewing Cenotes in Mexico through your eyes and words, seems to be an incredible place to visit, thank you for taking me there.