Special Attractions
February 17
2:56 PM
Rating: 5.0
Location: Ek Balam, Yucatan
Entrance Fee: 211 Per person (Cenote & peddletaxi 300 for 2 plus tips)
Notes:
Like so many of these ruins in the Yucatan only a small part of the town has been excavated and restored. The archeologists were thrilled to discover plaster frescos still clinging to the pyramid walls protected by rubble. These are now protected with palapa roofs. The Mayans built a vast network of roads called sacbes all through the Yucatan and Quintana Roo. There is an intersection of these roads in Ek Balam still visible. Presumably following one of these roads would take one to Cobà 30kms away.
An unusual feature of the ruin is the low wall that once surrounded the main square. Some people think it was fortifications but lately the archeologists speculate that it was more symbolic than protective because they don’t think it was very high.
After wandering around the ruin for an hour or so we headed for the cenote for a swim.
There are 3 ways to get to the cenote 1. walk
2. rent a bike
3. take a peddletaxi.
We opted for the taxi because we were tired and it was hot! Kind of fun but I felt sorry for the poor guy peddling the bike. Bill gave him a good tip.
The cenote was a hole about 50 feet deep to the water. I have no idea how deep the water was but it must have been quite deep because lots of people were jumping in off a swinging rope. It looked like fun- for them not me! Bill and I just floated and swam leisurely, enjoying the view and the crystal clear water.
The trees lining the top of the cenote send their roots down the side to dangle in the water. They dont care if it rains or not. They have plenty of moisture.
Entry located at: https://www.google.com/maps/@20.8899168,-88.1356940,100m/data=!3m1!1e3
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