Tulum was very interesting. Make sure you have lots of water with you. Once you park, it's just a short walk up to buy your tickets. On the way you'll encounter some Mayan people dressed in costumes and they will gladly pose for you for a few pesos, great picture spot. There are lots of iguanas around, so keep your eyes open. We didn't get a guide, but we didn't mind, since there are little plaques telling you about each of the ruins. If you follow it around, you will then find a little beach that is great to cool off in. When you get out, watch for mosquitoes if you go near the grass. After my whole trip was over I had 62 bites.

It was a very nice trip. It took less than an hour to drive there, versus the 3 hour drive (one way) to the other ruins. Afterward, we got to play at another Palace Resort on the Mayan Riviera.

If you have gone to Chichen Itza or Tulum, you have seen the typical Mayan ruins. Ek Balam, recently opened (in 1996) to the public, is smaller, more secluded, surrounded by jungle, and definitely less disturbed by tourists.

We took this tour as one of the two offered by Palace Resorts with our package. There are six to choose from. Our guide, Rafael, was very informative and considerate of we older gringas who needed to be out of the tropical sun, stopping to lecture in every shady spot he could. While I would not climb the great pyramid at Chichen Itza, I did attempt the smaller one at this ruin and was well rewarded with a magnificent view of the jungle surrounding the ruins. Coming down is very steep so wear good walking shoes. Since heights bother me a bit, I came down backwards, which was the method of choice for several of us timid folks.

The tour included a stop at a native center where we watched ladies hand knotting hammocks. I bought a huge, beautiful one for $20 -- a real steal. Don't be afraid to bargain!

Lunch was also included, but while good, it was not of the same quality as the Moon Palace. This trip takes most of a day, but is worth the time.

You will love Ek Balaam if you love Mayan ruins and want another place to go besides Chichen Itza. I would recommend getting on the internet before you go to any ruin to get accurate historical information--the information from local guides can be questionable as they're trained by learning from other guides.

These ruins are unlike Chichen Itza because the city had 3 walls or fortifications surrounding it. The city ruins are interesting as they contain three-dimensional statues of people and gods. The main building is massive--over a football field long and almost a football field thick.

It is near Vallaldolid and is not as well-developed as Chichen Itza, but that also means you are not fighting large crowds. There is not as much walking as Chichen Itza and the city is much older than Chichen Itza. We drove there with our rental car. It dates back to before the time of Christ.

The guide was very helpful and pointed out that Old Mayan Roads lead straight to other Mayan cities on the peninsula.

There are no restaurants in Ek Balaam so bring some food or go to Vallaldolid. You can get to Ek Balaam off of the Toll Road by going north off the Vallaldolid exit.