Post Last Modified – April 20, 2025 ¦ gr8traveltips.com
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Cancun Private Guided Tours by Special Mayan Tours
My wife and I recently returned to the beautiful Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico, after first visiting 10 years ago. On our first visit we had the pleasure of taking our…
🌺 Cancun Private Guided Tours 🌺
with Special Mayan Tours.
We had an outstanding {private personalized tour} back then, and couldn’t wait, to join them once again, for another great adventure. Be sure to check my full …
review and 📸 photos.
That post, was on our amazing day spent with owner; Pepe Lopez Jr, on our first tour seasons ago.
About Special Mayan Tours – Mayan Expeditions
This is a family-owned and operated tour company and one of the most long standing, tour companies in Cancun, Mexico.
Since 1980, they have established themselves in the industry, as one of the premier tour operators in the region. Offering exceptional personalized Cancun Private Guided Tours to various destinations around;
Cancun and Riviera Maya.
Today, they offer multi-day packaged journey’s to various parts throughout this beautiful and historical region in Mexico.
“Our love and passion for Mayan history is something we always want to share with our traveler’s”
Ek Balam & Río Lagartos Private Tour
On our first tour years back, we were so amazed by the Ancient Mayan Ruins of Ek Balam, that we definitely wanted to return to this beautiful and hidden historical site once again.
As we also enjoy being away from the crowds and love to experience nature as much as we can, Pepe Lopez suggested a private tour visiting the beautiful natural reserve of {Ria Lagartos}, together with Ek Balam.
What a great choice it was and what a wonderful day we spent with him and his superb driver.
Below, is a sneak peak and a few photos of our full day tour.
Ek Balam Mayan Historical Site
This historical Mayan City is located about 12 miles/19 kms north of the City of Valladolid, on Highway 295, then east on a marked secondary road.
During this period, it was the capital of a {Classic Period Kingdom} known as Talol.
Today, there are over 40 visible structures located within the defensive walled enclosures. Presently, the site is undergoing controlled digs, to uncover new hidden structures, within the city.
It is an absolutely amazing historical site and that simply must be seen in person, to fully appreciate.
As you enter the grounds, Pepe will give you a detailed history of this {Ancient City}, and its visible surrounding outbuildings to walk around and explore.
There are a total of 40 structures within the walls of the city, visible at this time.
On the {North Plaza} is the enormous and spectacular structure known as the; Acropolis. The structure is 480 feet/127 meters long and over 90 feet/30 meters high.
Most fascinating about the Acropolis, is that it contains a number of structures, within each other. This is as a result of continuous construction done in phases, which was a common practice, during this period.
Within, there are numerous; rooms, passageways, courtyards, temples and stairways, covering six levels.
Visitors are still able to climb the steep steps to the top, where you find a view … like no other!
“On the fourth level is a self-contained structure unparalleled in the Maya world. This temple has an intricately worked stucco façade that is near perfectly preserved.”
It’s like stepping back in time as you view, what this enormous city must have looked like, centuries ago.
Pepe is filled with volumes of knowledge and his passion for the history. Especially, that of the Mayan people and empire they created.
This amazing historical site of Ek Balam, is one of the {least busiest} of Mayan attractions. The incredible neighboring {Chichen Itza}, following.
If you are interested in history and visiting more remote historical sites when traveling, then both of these destinations are a must, when visiting the Yucatan Peninsula.
Our morning started at 07:30 am for pickup at our hotel, in Akumal. Pepe wanted us to be the first to the site, to enjoy a peaceful setting and before, many others would start arriving.
It was absolutely perfect, having this amazing site almost to ourselves, during our visit.
Rio Lagartos Natural Biosphere Reserve
After our tour of the grounds of Ek Balam, it was time to make our way to the;
🦩 Rio Lagartos Natural Biosphere Reserve.
For more detailed information on this reserve, I’ve listed the official UNESCO webpage, for your convenience.
Briefly, Ría Lagartos reserve is known for its; unique pink lakes (also called Las Coloradas), and for the many pink flamingos that arrive annually.
They know this site, is a safe nesting and mating location.
This protected nature reserve, consists of over 230 square miles. It is also one of the; richest ecosystems in all of the Yucatan Peninsula.
This nature reserve has a total of 8 ecosystems consisting of; enormous mangrove forests, coastal dunes and even Mexico’s first Ramsar site.
Ramsar Definition {WorldAtlas}:
“A Ramsar wetland is a wetland placed under protection due to its international and ecological significance.”
This unique ecosystem consists of a variety of birds, reptiles, fish, fauna and flora.
Your journey into the Reserve starts on the docks of the town of Rio Lagartos. Here, you will board your boat with your Captain, also with your private guide.
As you make your way deep into the Bio-Reserve, your Captain will point out and explain, the importance of this protected reserve, to the region and its inhabitants.
Heading deeper into the reserve, you start to feel like you are truly escaping into a; natural untouched and peaceful environment.
A chance to really experience nature, the beautiful surroundings and wildlife present.
Your experienced Captain knows exactly where to go for the best viewing in this reserve.
Including, some of their favorite places to just sit and take in nature at its best!
We enjoyed a peaceful stop at one of our Captain’s favorite hide-a-ways, surrounded by; Immense Banyan Trees.
As we took in this beautiful reserve, our Captain explained in detail, the variety of trees, and how they grow and thrive, in this protected environment.
After a peaceful stop, it was time to head further into the reserve to hopefully, view the Pink Flamingos feeding!
☘ Luck was on our side this day!
When we arrived at their favorite feeding grounds, a group of flamingos, were indeed feeding.
Ría Lagartos Reserve, is also known for experiencing an all natural beauty treatment. Along the banks of the reserve, your boat Captain will make a stop for you {optional}, to cake your bodies with; enriched mud and/or white clay.
Visitors can enjoy spreading mud or white clay on their bodies, extracted from the sand, on the beach and all over the body.
This fun treatment is said to be excellent for the skin, as the sand contains rich amounts of; sulphur, salts, algae and minerals, that exfoliate and soften the skin.
If you love nature and want to experience the absolute beauty of a protected reserve site in Mexico, then you will love visiting {Ria Lagarto} and this boat excursion!
The boat tour takes at least an hour in length and on our tour after arriving back at the dock, it was time to enjoy an superb, freshly prepared lunch.
Our lunch was served at a well known waterfront hotel and restaurant in Rio Lagartos, right at the docks. The restaurant is known as … Yuum Ha. We enjoyed our lunch on their small covered deck, located right over the water.
A superb lunch in a picture perfect setting!
The Lopez family do their utmost, to make your; Cancun Private Guided Tours, as enjoyable and memorable as possible. Their years of expertise in the industry and passion for what they do, definitely shows, in their superb customer service and experience.
They offer a variety of private individual and/or group tours for your party, ranging from single day to multiple day tours. They will also put together, the perfect personalized tour, for your individual wants and needs.
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It was 10 years since our first visit and tour with {Special Mayan Tours}. On this recent adventure with them, our day was even more enjoyable, than the first.
If you are searching for a very professional and reputable private tour company, when visiting the Yucatan Peninsula, then I strongly suggest contacting the Lopez family, and discussing your tour wishes with them.
You will not be disappointed!
For more detailed information on their; tours, prices, live contact and online booking, I’ve listed the link to their official website below, for your convenience.
Special Mayan Tours {Mayan Expeditions}
🛡 I Only Endorse Products/Services That Can Be Trusted & Verified &/Or That I’ve Personally Used! 🛡
😎 Safe and Healthy Travels! 😎
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Although our Cancun private guided tour was in collaboration with Special Mayan Tours, rest assured, all content and opinions are mine and reflect my personal views only.
All personal photographs on this post are the property of gr8traveltips.com and are copyright protected.
Unauthorized use is strictly prohibited.
✨ Did You Know …
Cancun Travel Tips {Good To Know}
Affordable Holidays In Mexico {A Closer Look}
Sunscape Akumal Beach Resort & Spa {Review}
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