Bungalows Ek Balam

Llegue al hotel y nadie tenía mi reserva lista, me comentaron que un señor les avisa cada vez que hay una reserva (los señores no manejan internet ni tienen computadora) y no tenían mi reserva o datos de mi llegada. Me acompañaron a la cabaña y se metieron a 2 cabañas ocupadas. Finalmente me dieron una cabaña libre (la de menor precio) siendo que yo pague la de mayor precio (para dos personas). Mi experiencia personal fue buena puesto que iba a descansar pero no recomendaría el lugar para que se llevaran sorpresas. Las sabanas estaban manchadas y los mosquiteros de las camas también.

Hotel realmente malo. el sitio esta en un lugar remoto. Aunque el paraje es bonito el servicio es muy malo.

Overall, it was alright. Let me first clarify, I like roughing it a little bit. I was slightly disappointed that before arrival, no attempt to sweep bugs off the floor or remove them from the bed or mosquito net had been made. We stayed despite this. That being said, two backpackers checked in next door and immediately demanded a refund and left because their room was "bad" (in their words) - no idea what it looked like relative to ours. Anyways, it is the only place I've ever been where I slept on top of the bed. The villagers were nice. We had the problem that we spoke very broken Spanish. I do not recommend staying here if you do not speak Spanish well. No food was available at our hotel. We went to the hotel with the Italian restaurant for dinner - no one else was there. Also, slightly misleading posts about distance to the ruins. We rented bikes from the hotel. Very old, uncomfortable bikes for 100 pesos for two. It was a 10-15 minute bike ride to the site. Not a 5 minute walk as others have suggested. It was an experience. I'm glad we did it. Though I'm not sure I will personally do it again.

The best time of our 11 day Yucatan vacation. The pictures do not do this place justice. It is beautiful jungle setting with parrots and stars. Friendly mayan staff who obviously care about their environment and stewards of their land. The day at the cenote was surreal. I'll be back to Ek Balam village. Wish I could stay forever.

While I would recommend Cabanas Ek Balam, it isn't what it seems from the ads. Our biggest problem was checking in. No English speaking staff and no record of our reservation (despite several e-mails to a staff member located somewhere else). They did get us checked into a cabana. Grounds are very nice. It is obvious they are trying to upgrade the facilities. But . . . there are almost none of the things in the listing: memory foam mattresses, rainfall shower heads, etc. No hot water in our unit. We enjoyed our stay and found it to be a very convenient base.

I expected to stay two nights, wespent just one...

Small cabanas with bath and fan. Bed is not very comfortable. Primitive, quiet, nice jungle surroundings. Must have transportation, taxi or car, or willing to walk in. Near the ruins. Restaurant serves odd hours only, 1:30 pm lunch, 7:30 pm dinner. Italian restaurant in town, food is OK for the price. Nothing else to do but rest, relax, and reflect.

Fascinating eco-hotel run by the ejido of Ek Balam. Everyone very friendly. Cold water shower fine. The ejido is quite isolated, and we had been told a dinner was forthcoming, we discovered only mid evening that no food was available. The village's one restaurant was closed. Fortunately we carry a couple of days supplies. Evidently the hens laid eggs overnight, and breakfast was lovely. Nice hiking around the ejido.

basic accomodation but top experience to visit ek balaam first thing in mornign before tourists arrive

The hotel seemed closed: no water in the pool, the restaurant closed and only one person at the recetion who spoke Mayan. Although we were glad that we booked for just one night, it was quite an experience.