Rising to importance during the Terminal Classic era, between AD 800 and 1000, Ek Balam – means Black Jaguar – was a contemporary of the more well-known site at Uxmal. Today the small set of ruins at Ek Balam is growing increasingly popular with tour groups. The site is both easy to get to off a two-lane highway approximately halfway Valladolid and the town of Tizimin.

Archaeologists are not sure whether the double ring of walls surrounding the city served a defensive or a more symbolic purpose. Within their crumbled remains are a freestanding arch, ball court, and other buildings constructed in the Chenes style.

By far the most impressive building is the Acropolis, which was added to by successive rulers and is known to contain at least one royal tomb. Marvellous, detailed, high-relief carvings of warriors surrounded by detailed iconography are the piece de resistance of this magnificent former palacecum-mauselum.