On June 9th, my wife and I went on the Horseback riding excursion, and Oscar was once again our amazing guide. I have to tell everyone, he felt more like our cousin back home. He was very personable, and we were able to cut up with one another. He has a great sense of humor as well. He even helped us with our Spanish. When we arrived at the ranch, Eduardo “Lolo” was waiting for us. The horses were well fed and cared for, which made our hearts feel good because we knew they were cared for. We took a beautiful ride along the shoreline, talked, and laughed with Eduardo and Oscar. We were very thankful that Enrique was able to reschedule our excursion from the previous day because of the storm. OSCAR, we want to say, muchas gracias, mi amigo.
Tour
TOUR DETAILS
Rate
Duration
Maximum capacity
TOUR DESCRIPTION
Ek Balam, Cenote & Valladolid Experience
Climb an Ancient Acropolis and Discover the Hidden Treasures of the Yucatán
Step beyond the ordinary and uncover the secrets of Ek Balam, one of the Yucatán Peninsula's best-preserved and most fascinating archaeological sites, where ancient history, breathtaking landscapes, and colonial charm come together in one unforgettable adventure.
Hidden deep within the lush Mayan jungle, Ek Balam—meaning "Black Jaguar"—was once a powerful city whose impressive architecture and extraordinary artistic details continue to captivate visitors from around the world. Accompanied by an expert guide, you'll journey through centuries of Mayan history as you explore ceremonial plazas, ancient temples, and intricately carved stone monuments that reveal the legacy of this remarkable civilization.
The highlight of your visit is the opportunity to climb the magnificent Acropolis, the tallest and most iconic structure at the site. From its summit, you'll be rewarded with spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding jungle, offering a perspective few archaeological sites can match and creating an unforgettable moment for every traveler.
After your cultural exploration, immerse yourself in the refreshing waters of a beautiful open-air cenote, a natural oasis of crystal-clear water surrounded by lush vegetation. Considered sacred by the ancient Maya, this peaceful sanctuary provides the perfect place to relax, swim, and reconnect with nature.
Your journey continues with a delicious regional lunch, where you'll savor the authentic flavors of Yucatán cuisine before heading to the charming colonial city of Valladolid.
Stroll through its picturesque streets lined with colorful pastel buildings, admire its historic churches and elegant architecture, and experience the warm atmosphere of one of Mexico's most beautiful Pueblos Mágicos. Rich in history and local culture, Valladolid offers the perfect ending to a day filled with discovery and unforgettable experiences.
From climbing ancient temples and swimming in sacred cenotes to exploring the timeless beauty of Valladolid, this extraordinary journey invites you to experience the history, culture, and natural wonders of the Yucatán like never before.
Supplier: CAD
IMPORTANT: The drive to Ek Balam may take up to 2.5 hours each way, Activities duration: 6 hours
Includes
- Round trip A/C transportation
- Professional guide
- Life jacket
- Snack
- Box lunch
- Soft drinks and typical food from the region.
- Umbrellas
Not included
- Photographs
- Souvenirs
Book Your Experience
Fill in your details and we will contact you to complete your reservation.
Important Information
WHAT TO TAKE
Guest should bring: Swimwear | Towel | Sunglasses | Hat/Cap | A change of clothes
Comfortable shoes | Sun protective clothing | Camera | Biodegradable repellent
Extra money for souvenirs
Restrictions
Minimum suggested age 8 years-old. Guests must be relatively fit and must be able to swim.
Not recommended for guests with limited mobility.
For safety reasons, we do not recommend participation on any snorkel activity if you have respiratory problems, injuries, back/neck issues, heart conditions, or conditions that can cause loss of consciousness.
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The Experience Speaks for Itself
Real feedback from travelers who trusted Sunnyside DMC with their journeys across Mexico.
Muy buen servicio del personal y camionetas prácticamente nuevas y en excelentes condiciones, tour tomado a chichén. 100% Recomendado
Amazing tour to Ixtapa Island! The staff was very friendly and attentive, and everything was perfectly organized. The beaches and crystal-clear water are a true paradise. We got to swim, snorkel, and enjoy every corner of the island. Definitely an experience that exceeded our expectations. We’ll be back for sure!
100% recomendados para planificar vacaciones y recorridos familiares. Tienen mucha experiencia en el sector turístico
5-star rating on Google.
My name is Heidi and I live in Victoria, British Columbia (BC), Canada. Rate 5 star! January 2026 I went to Ixtapa for two weeks and stayed at Posada Real Hotel. Fernando was the Sunnyside representative in our hotel lobby. He was friendly, informative and spoke English very well. We did three excursions with Sunnyside. The tour to Ixtapa Island included a delicious hot lunch on the beach and I paid extra for a snorkelling guided tour. I was able to snorkel by myself after the introduction to the area and sea life. Our guide Mariella took great care to make sure we had the most enjoyable experience. The sunset cruise was so much fun, we celebrated my birthday that day. The crew of the catamaran Picante were amazing! They made sure that everyone was having a good time and provided entertainment that had everyone laughing. The food and drinks were good. The captain spoke English very well and told us about the sights along the way, we even saw humpback whales! The crew put out fishing rods and I reeled in a Spanish mackerel! (I am a fisherperson back home) The turtle release was a highlight for me as I have never done this before. We drove to a remote beach were a family works to conserve the turtle population. Our guide educated us on the endangered turtles and what they are doing to increase the population of green turtles specifically. It was an amazing feeling to dig up the baby turtles, hold them and then release then into the ocean surf. I highly recommend Sunnyside for excursions and will certainly book more with them the next time I am in Ixtapa. Thanks Fernando for making me feel special.
On June 5, 2026, my husband and I went on the City Tour, and Oscar was our guide. He was very knowledgeable about the areas around Zihuatanejo and Ixtapa. When we visited the La Ropa area, we stopped at the beach, where there were various restaurants and shops where you could make purchases. We stopped and saw various bird species, crocodiles, and iguanas. We grabbed a bite to eat at Chekos for lunch, and it was delicious, and the customer service was great. They were very friendly people. Afterward, we opted not to go to the downtown marketplace and instead went to the Parthenon. The view was breathtaking, and the artwork was beautiful. Even though the story behind the place sounds horrible, I am glad the government was able to turn it into something that could benefit its citizens. Thank you, Oscar, for making our excursion memorable, and thank you to Sunnyside for an amazing tour.



