Located north of Valladolid and close to Temozon and Hunukú, Ek Balam means "Black Jaguar" in Mayan. The access to this archaelogical site is on a narrow pavimented road path of approximately one and a half mile.
This archaeological zone was founded in the year 100 BC and was probably one of the most powerful Mayan cities.
This archaelogical area is rich in settlements and constructions, including temples altars, and homes. Among these are "The Tower" and the group known as "The Central Plaza".
Built in the classic period it reached the height of its power during the late classical period of 600-1000 AC. With the Puuc influence from the western coast of Campeche, it has seven pyramidal building settlements two of whom are higher than the Chichen Itza castle. Stands out the structure #1 that is approximately 165 meters lenght and 75 meters high, this is one of the biggest buildings in Yucatan. This is also one of the most voluminous structures in Mesoamerica. Statues, hieroglyphs, figurines and masks can be watched in this also called The Acropolis building.

The structure #2 is the most clear sample of the Puuc style influence from Ek Balam. It is a platform of 80 times 55 meters that supports the big structure of the pyramid.
The main two buildings of Ek Balam are distributed in two plazas called "plaza norte" and "plaza sur"; both them are situated within a walled area of about 1,250 square meters. Two other wall structures are also found around these two plazas giving evidence of strong protection to the central area of the site where the governors and the nobles lived.

Open every day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Entrance fee: 15.00 Mexican pesos.
Free entrance on Sunday and holidays.

Source: INEGI/SECTUR/INAH