Our Chichen Itza Saama Cenote and Ek Balam tour from Cancun brings you on a unique journey of history, culture and stunning natural beauty. An expert guide will lead the way as you explore the two Mayan ruins sites and swim in a sacred cenote, round-trip transportation and lunch included!
Posted By : Vicki_K
We had a great day on our tour. We got picked up at hotel promptly at 6:50 as requested as we had to pick up other guests from other hotels before we made our way to Ek Balam. Francisco (our tour guide) was super friendly , talking to us on the way there about local Mexican history and about Ek Balam, Chitchen Itza and cenotes.
We started at Ek Balam, a lesser known Myan Ruin, and Francisco had all of our tickets ready for us, he was very informative about Ek Balam, educated us on the couple structures that were there.
Next week made our way to a local restaurant/buffet for lunch. Food was good. They had something for everyone, tacos (get the pork tacos, they was awesome!), steamed veggies, rice, spaghetti, fresh fruit, it was very good. We were all satisfied. The food was included in our ticket, any alcoholic beverages were not. FYI.
Then we went to Chitchen Itza. Again, Francisco took us around talking about the various structures there and what every thing was for. He was very knowledgeable. Then he let everyone explore on our own for about 45 min before meeting to head back to the van. Lastly, we visited a local cenote. The place we went to was so nice. The grounds themselves were really pretty, and the cenote was so cool! It was a big sink hole about 40 ft or so under ground, and they had about a 15ft jump that you could jump off of into the water, it was very cool. Plus there's places for some snacks and drinks (including alcohol) if you don't want to swim and just want to chill while you're there. Then we made our way back to the hotels.
It was a long day, I'm not gonna lie. Getting picked up at 6:50 and being the last off the van at about 8:15 or so, it was a long day, spending most of it in the van. But we knew what to expect as the trip says it's about 12hrs. But with the stops in between it didn't seem so bad. The longest was the ride back from the cenote to Playa Del Carmen where our hotel was, but again, we expected that.
All in all, it was a great day. Our tour guy Francisco was awesome. So friendly and knowledgeable. Our driver (I forget her name) was also friendly, didn't say too much throughout the day as she had to focus on driving, but she was also nice and got us back to the hotel safely. Definitely bring cash for various things. Tipping, any souvenirs /trinkets you might want to buy, there's plenty of places, alcohol if you want it, and cash for the life vest at the cenote.
I would definitely give this tour 5 stars and would highly recommend it to anyone looking to get off of the resort for the day.
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Posted On : 2024-06-30 09:31:29 
Posted By : 617kaylag
The tour was great, combining the ruins with a Cenote was much needed with the heat. The staff was awesome and very knowledgeable. Marking off a star for the transportation - the van was way too cramped for the amount of people on the tour. The air conditioning was also not the greatest. I would have liked the transportation to be a bit more comfortable since the tour requires 6+ hours driving around to each site and back to the hotels. Overall great experience but could’ve been even better with more comfortable transportation.
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Posted On : 2024-06-12 11:54:05 
Posted By : Gustavo_O
TLDR: Stressful day, tour left 1 hour late, lots of time picking people up in places almost 1 hour afar, terrible logistics from the company, too little time on Chichen Itza because of their own delay, tour had more people than advertised. Definitely don't recommend this company
Whole story:
The reason we booked this tour was that it's advertised they leave at 7 a.m and we wanted to arrive early at Chichen Itza to avoid the big crowds and the hotness. Also we took into consideration it especifically says that the tour goes from and to Playa del Carmen, so we expected less picking up time
The day before, they sent us a message telling us to be at 7:10 am at the pickup meeting point and that's the last good thing about it.
There we were at 7:10 only to be left waiting for a whole hour standing on our feet with nowhere to sit
The guide arrived there before the bus and all the time he'd come with a new excuse to explain the delay
First one was that they had mixed up the order of the hotels of the people they were picking up first and because of that the bus was late
Then he said those two people, whose hotel was out of order, didn't show up
Funny thing is that when we finally got to the bus, an hour later, there were only a couple already there.
Then, already running 1 hour late, we went to pickup other people in completely distant hotels. If the tour is from Playa del Carmen, why do you pick people that are located almost in Tulum? I wouldn't have booked if I knew this tour would go from both cities.
Also, remember when the guide said they were late because of two people they went to pick up and that they didn't show up. Well... Glad they didn't because otherwise there wouldn't be seats available at the bus for everyone.
See where they advertise the tour is limited of 15 people? Well, there were 20... plus the 2 people who allegedly didn't show up, we'd be 22
So, it was already 10 am when we STARTED going in the pyramid's direction
Then, another surprise. The tour promises starting the day in Chichen Itza, but we went to Ek Balam first. So, we've booked this in order to arrive early to Chichen Itzá but we ended up going there only really late in the afternoon
After Ek Balam, we went for lunch. But before that they made us spend 20 minutes in a overly priced craft store and it was already 14:30 pm (PDC time). Needless to say we only had lunch at 15h. Since we were in the meeting point at 7am, this means we spent 8 hours without any food
Then it was finally time to meet Chichen Itzá. They say you have an hour and a half there, but we were only given 1 hour so we didn't even stay to listen to the explanation and went to explore it, otherwise there wouldn't be enough time to see the whole place. We had to rush through the whole site in order to see it. It was supposed to be the highlight of the day and I didn't even had time to see it properly.
Then, it was time for the cenote. It was nice and we had proper time there so no complaints.
To end the day, we finally got back to the meeting point almost 10 pm. Basically, that was a 15 hour tour even though the company says it should last around 12 hour. The three hours of difference basically were due to their own delay and their terrible logistics. Seriously, do better
I guess the only people who must be happy after this are the two people who, allegedly, didn't show up. Good for them, wish I hadn't shown up either
This tour isn't even one of the cheapest available in Viator, quite the opposite. I felt really disrespected to say the least.
I mean, the places are most definitely worth it, really incredible. But the tour operator is not.
Maybe this will be your only opportunity to visit Chichen Itzá and the other sites, make sure you do it propperly.
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Posted On : 2024-05-29 17:14:44
Posted By : Samantha_V
What a great day. Be prepared for a long day but the sight seeing and Cenote visit at the end is totally worth it. Driver and Tour guide are fantastic and keep you informed. Got a lot of information about the Mayans and really enjoyed the site visits. It is really hot tho so plenty of water/ suncream and a hat! The Cenote at the end is absolutely lush so enjoy!
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Posted On : 2024-05-21 22:58:13
Posted By : Kimbolee_F
We drove for four hours with no access to a washroom , there was one on the bus which was broken pick up was 6:50 am which meant we didn’t have breakfast . We had to drive around for another hour or two to get other persons at their respective hotels and same thing for drop off . It was exhausting and I don’t think I’ll ever book with Viator again . The tour guide was nice . Driver grumpy .
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Posted On : 2024-05-14 13:51:01
Posted By : CarloAlberto_B
Great tour, great guide! If you like history this is the tour for you, the 2 sites are both very interesting.
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Posted On : 2024-05-13 12:05:46
Posted By : Aisha_S
The cenote was amazing visiting the ruins was good as well. Nice bus ride great tour. We would recommend.
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Posted On : 2024-04-25 11:35:34
Posted By : mymorena_P
The Marcela& Braulio ( driver and tour guide) they were wonderful we really had a good time. However, needed to clarify the fees is unclear since some passengers had a small breakfasts and drinks included in the payment that brought a lot unsatisfactorily between the passengers. All the changes it should be included in one payment. Hope the company resolved this inconvenience in order that anyone gets surprised. This company is so lucky to have a Marcela and Braulio to save the moments in this excursion. Thank you both of you for your dedication beyond your job. Take care and God blessed you
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Posted On : 2024-04-18 15:41:32
Posted By : Myron_M
The sales tax was unexpectedly high! Cost more than the trip.The trip and the driver and the guide where enjoyable!
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Posted On : 2024-04-07 15:39:53
Posted By : Gisselle_C
The trip was very good very good driver Marcela, and Braulio very friendly, the food was not great but in general the experience was pleasant.
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Posted On : 2024-04-03 17:02:48
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