ek balam or chichen itza

[lostgirlfound]

We are coming to Tulum after going to Valladolid but with 3 kids and only 2 days there we are wanting advice on whether we should go to Ek Balam and ditch Chichen Itza as we have heard it has gotten really commercial. What does anyone think?

[minniemex]

Chichen Itza is less hands on than Ek Balam from what I have read. Do a search for both here and I think you will get a real good feel for which might work the best for you. I also think there are some great pictures to judge by also.

[Maverick]

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f155/Maverick68/PICT0194.jpg


http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f155/Maverick68/PICT0207.jpg


This is my opinion only, but I would do Chichen--commercial or not. Arrive at opening, leave by noon when the heat and busses swarm. To me, the place was almost spiritual.

Have a good trip either way.

[letele]

Agree with Maverick - I didn't get to do Ek Balam, hoping to next time, but Chichen was amazing. It's my second-favorite ruins after Copan (Honduras.) An interesting side note - I feel like everyone that has come back from Chichen in the last year or two has a pic like Maverick's of the pyramid without any people in front of it. So even if it is more commercial, it is still not that crowded. Go early and bring lots of water!

[pepper]

If the kids are youngish - do Ek Balam - it's smaller and they won't tire out as they will at Chichen.

Chichen is amazing and definately worth seeing despite the commercialness of it. But it's a good 5-6 hours to see everything. My kids have a 10 year age difference, it was hard on the little one who was 2 at the time. In fact we saw half of Chichen one year and then went back and saw the other half the next year.

[northern boy]

It has been years since I was at Chichen and it was wide open at that time. We climbed to the top of el Castillo and also that dank and dark inner staircase to see the Jaguar. Is it still open?

As minnie said, Ek Balam is more hands on. I like climbing things and had my fill there. Might be a bit much if the kids are young. If you do go, hire a guide, well worth it. No crowds either.

Paul

[Lynnette]

El Castillo is now closed...too many injuries/deaths from falls. I would also suggest Chichen Itza, but be there when it opens to avoid the crowds. The grounds are huge, so be prepared for a lot of walking. If your kids are fairly young, pick a few favorites and don't feel like you need to cover everything. Just my :twocents:.

[AdGuy]

Having been to over a dozen Mexican ruins - including Chichen Itza, Ek Balam, Coba and Tulum - I would definitely head to Ek Balam if you're looking for a "non-commercial", hands-on experience. Oh...and DEFINITELY get there early (true of any site) AND get a guide to take you around.

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i317/FloridaAdGuy/December2006TulumPictureson16MB558.jpg

[lil fishee]

I would say Ek Balam too. We visited those ruins in April and I thought they were lovely and there was nobody there but us. It was a great experience. There is also a cool cenote onsite there for swimming in.

[PhyllisB]

Chichen is more commercial in the sense that there are vendors lining the sidewalks/walking paths selling their wares. It is possible to walk through and just ignore them, but if you'd rather not see them at all, Ek Balam is for you.

No matter which ruins you visit, as others have said, go early. Especially true for Chichen. Bus tours go there from Cancun, and usually they arrive around 10ish. You can get there by 8 or 8:30 and cover a lot of ground before the buses arrive.

But I think I'd choose Ek-Balam too. Chichen is amazing, particularly from a historical, architectural perspective (just the scale of it), but I think there's a lot to be said for these smaller ruins sites with fewer people and more exploring opportunities, particularly for kids.

[beachreader]

I haven't been to Ek Balam, but from the pictures, it also looks like it's much closer together, easier to manage, perhaps.

[AdGuy]

I haven't been to Ek Balam, but from the pictures, it also looks like it's much closer together, easier to manage, perhaps.


Yep, you're right...also there's much more shade so you don't wear out as fast! :sun:

[kcaraco]

Well, if you weren't going without kiddoes, then I'd vote for Chichen Itza, because it's so much walking, and so much to see, so hot, so buggy, etc etc, and of course, etc.

But, Ek Balaam was just fascinating! They were actually excavating while we were there, a totally new and emerging site, that doesn't take too long, definitely get a guide, the locals are all approved by the site, and dig in! Totally fascinating! We loved our visit here.

Cheers,
Kat

[think]

It really depends on what kind of experience you are wanting. Ek Balam is like going to the downtown district in a small typical US city. It isn't crowded, it is fairly small and you can walk around in a couple of hours. Where Chichen is like New York City. It is super crowded, it is huge and takes forever to see everything, but it has TONS of cool stuff and is massive.

[kimba]

I like them both equally, for different reasons.

AdGuy: What time of year were you there when it was so green like that? Next time I come down there I want it to be wet-green and not dry-green.

[chamba]

Chichen is a classic and a must see! from there Ek Balam is also FANTASTIC. I would always recommend Chichen first.
Ek Balam is nice, but can you make it to Uxmal? that is really spectacular and hands on and off the beaten path.