At Ek Balam, a New Section of the Grand Acropolis Opens to the Public
Ek Balam is famous for its stucco friezes at its base, several of which narrate the history of the city through hieroglyphs. But its main attraction has always been the monster of the earth facade, sculpted in stone and stucco on the fourth level of the temple complex known as the Grand Acropolis.
This monster of the earth facade borrows from the Chenes Maya style and depicts an open maw. This highly adorned ritual space, which represents the entrance to the underworld, is also flanked by the likenesses of ancestors of Lord Ukit Kan Le’k Tok’, who commissioned the construction of this massive temple, which at its base is 160 meters long (480 feet), 59 meters wide (180 feet), and 32 meters tall (96 feet).
But since the site first opened to the public in 1997, the only section open to visitors was its main staircase and the area immediately open to the previously mentioned great maw. That is, until roughly a month ago.
The Western Patio at Ek Balam
A new section of the Grand Acropolis opened to the public. This new area is located in the western patio of the structure. The opening of this area follows years of excavation and restoration work by Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH).
The western patio is on the western end of the Acropolis’s immense platform. Excavations in this area began in 2023. The work was part of the Program for the Improvement of Archaeological Zones (Promeza), which is linked to the Tren Maya project. The restoration efforts have focused on stabilizing and preserving the decorative elements of the Acropolis and its surrounding spaces.
There is something undeniably magical about making your way through ancient tunnels within ancient temples, and here, Ek Balam delivers.Photo: Carlos Rosado van der Gracht / Yucatán Magazine
The view from the western patio of the Acropolis at Ek Balam could be an archaeological site in itself. Rather, it is just a section of a single temple within a huge ancient city.Photo: Carlos Rosado van der Gracht / Yucatán Magazine
An adorned chamber on the way to the western patio is visible with surviving stucco decorative elements.Photo: Carlos Rosado van der Gracht / Yucatán Magazine
Large semi-circular and rectangular stone receptacles lined with pottery fragments and stucco are plentiful in Ek-Balam, but their exact purpose is unclear.Photo: Carlos Rosado van der Gracht / Yucatán Magazine
Though the Chultunes most visitors can see are usually at ground level, it was not uncommon for the Maya to integrate their design into massive structures.Photo: Carlos Rosado van der Gracht / Yucatán Magazine
The monumental monster of the earth’s maw, almost directly above the western patio, is covered with a thin mesh to protect it from the elements. Still, fortunately, the view is just as impressive as ever.Photo: Carlos Rosado van der Gracht / Yucatán Magazine
Adorned stucco niches seem to be just about everywhere in Ek Balam, which is part of what makes this Maya ceremonial center so special.Photo: Carlos Rosado van der Gracht / Yucatán Magazine
Several of the paths along the Acropolis are narrow, but always fun to explore, as you never know where they may lead.Photo: Carlos Rosado van der Gracht / Yucatán Magazine
During excavations, archaeologists discovered several architectural features and details, many of which were able to be rescued. What is more, the western wing of the fourth level of the Acropolis contains rooms with some of the best-preserved facades at the site. These facades include modeled stucco decorations, characteristic of Ek Balam’s unique architectural style.
Getting In is Half the Fun
To access the western patio, one must register with security personnel at the base of the acropolis, as only 15 people are allowed in at a time and have a maximum of 30 minutes to explore the area.
But because Ek Balam is far less visited than archaeological sites like Chichén Itzá or Uxmal, there usually is no wait. To enter, visitors are escorted through a chamber that is otherwise off-limits and guided through a maze of corridors and chambers until they reach the patio.
Once inside, the first feature most visitors will observe is a staircase that leads to what was once the summit of the grand Acropolis, though this upper section of the temple remains incomplete. It is not possible to access the summit from this point, but access is allowed via the main staircase, which is well worth the climb.
Nevertheless, seeing this grand temple from a new angle is fascinating in itself and provides a new perspective on its architecture.
Aside from the section dominated by the western staircase, the northern edge of the patio is home to a two-level structure that still has traces of painted stucco elements. To the east of the platform, there are seven chambers with collapsed ceilings, which during antiquity would have been covered by corbelled vaults.
Within the western patio, it is also possible to observe three chultunes (water reservoirs) that served the palatial complex, which has a total of at least 72 rooms over six levels.
One of the most interesting features of these choltunes is their layout, which is irregular, suggesting that they were not all in use at the same time. The two smaller of these likely predate the larger, which sits near the center of the patio and would have had a large stucco ring at an angle to enable it to collect as much water as possible.
The water captured by this great chultun would then run through the waterways of the palace to serve the needs of the elites of the city, including their many steam baths.
A rather unusual feature found on the upper level of the Grand Acropolis is semi-circular stone basins that appear to have functioned as receptacles of some kind. Because they do not seem to be connected to the temple’s water network, it’s hard to infer their use, but they certainly are interesting and stick out as a unique feature.
Though they are not restored, running parallel to the Great Acropolis are two nearly identical structures, which remain unrestored, but are sure to hold the promise of future great discoveries.
If You Go
Ek Balam is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m The entrance fee for foreign visitors is 691 pesos (approximately 34 USD) and 237 pesos (approximately 11.85 USD) for Mexican citizens.
There is, of course, much more to visit at Ek Balam than “just” the Grand Acropolis, so it’s best to schedule at least three hours to get the most out of your visit.
If you would like a guided tour of Ek Balam or any of the other spectacular archaeological sites of the Yucatán, send us an email at: carlos.rosado@gmail.com
Senior Editor Carlos Rosado van der Gracht, PhD, is a journalist, photographer, and expedition leader. Born in Mérida, Carlos holds degrees from universities in Mexico, Canada, and Norway. Most recently, he earned a doctorate in Heritage Studies in 2026.
