The Ek Balam Maya Ruins are located about 1 1/2 hours from Tulum. While for some they may seem a little too far, it is well worth the drive as if you are pressed for time, you can visit three places in just one day! The ruins of Chichen Itza are about a 30 minute drive from Ek Balama and the colonial city of Valladolid is right on the way. You could go see Chichen Itza first and once you are done, you could go visit Ek Balam which would take you about 1 to 2 hours max to take them in and not a lot of people go see them. To finish up your little tour, on your way back you could stop by Valladolid and grab something to eat and explore the city center which is beautiful and very manageable under 2 hours.

Ek Balam is famous for its main structure called La Torre which is located in the main plaza.  Ek Balam has protective walls and up to now, only a very small part of the city has been uncovered only leaving about 10 structures that can be explored. The city is suspected to have started around the Pre-Classic Period about 100 B.C. and was inhabited for about 1,000 years. However, keep in mind that many Maya cities may have been populated after the cities demise by small groups of Maya or made settlements adjacent to the ruins.