Unajil Ek Balam

Overview

Description

Unajil Ek Balam is a rural lodging center with ecotourism services owned by Unajil Ek Balam A.C. and operated by the Ukuchil Cuxtal S.C. de RL cooperative. The cabins are located within the community limits of the pre-Hispanic city of Ek Balam in the municipality of Temozón of the eastern Yucatan, some 118 miles (190 km) from Mérida.

Its name means "dark or black jaguar" in the Maya language, but Maya speakers in the Ek Balam region translate it as "bright star jaguar".

Ek Balam is a beautiful archeological site with unique urban and architectural traits. On a short pathway lined with ramón, cocoyol, and pochote trees, you reach another walkway between the two walls that surround this ancient Maya city. These connect with a large plaza flanked by enormous hills, expansive platforms, impressive arches, and a game court, whose huge size dwarfs you.

Here you can see dispersed fragments of steles, abandoned to the vagaries of the weather, on which you can still discern figures seated on thrones, bands of glyphs, and other interesting features that surround and give meaning to the stony setting of the ruins.

Rooms

12 bungalows

Making a Difference

Number of employees: 16

Percentage of local employees: 100%

Unajil Ek Balam implements best environmental practices to promote natural resource conservation, prevent water and soil contamination, and improve its services for tourists.

The company employs local residents.

Rates

$26 – $50

Rates for the cabins are $600 Mexican pesos (US$45) per person/per night. Each meal costs $150 Mexican pesos (approx. US$10).

Getting There

Nearest international airport: Mérida (MID)

Take the Mérida - Valladolid – Tizimin highway to the intersection of the Ek Balam archeological area, then turn into the town of El Balam and follow the signs to get to the cabins.

Additional Information

Date This Information Was Provided

May 2013.

Photos courtesy of Unajil Ek Balam, Mexico, for SustainableTrip.org.