Ek Balam, Rio Lagartos, and Tequila private tour from Cancun

Explore the recently excavated ruins of Ek Balam, a Mayan city full of carvings, tombs, wall paintings, and mysteries. Visit a tequila factory for a tasting, enjoy lunch, then head to Rio Lagartos, the Yucatan´t famous pink lake, full of flamingo birds.

This day trip to the northern edge of the Yucatan Peninsula combines archaeological and natural wonders, topped off with a little tequila. Be ready in your hotel lobby at 7am for pickup in your private, air-conditioned minivan. Head to Ek Balam, one of the last discovered ancient Mayan cities, which wasn't fully excavated until the 1990s and only recently opened to the public. Your historian guide will walk you through the structures of this fascinating ruin, pointing out hieroglyphs, carvings, and wall paintings. Climb the Acropolis, believed to contain the tomb of an important Mayan ruler.

Onward from Ek Balam, stop at a local tequila factory to get an up-close look at how this famous beverage is made and enjoy a tasting and lunch. Your final stop is Rio Lagartos Lagoon on the northern shore of the Yucatan, located within a nature preserve. The high content of minerals and salt color this lagoon pink. Navigate a small boat to the pink salt lake, catching glimpses of crocodiles and flamingos along the way. Once there, take a dip and cover yourself in the mineral-rich white clay, then jump into the Gulf of Mexico to wash off.