Opens at approx. 8:00am and closes at 5pm. The compact site is beautifully situated on 12 meters high cliffs overlooking the sea. It is one of the best-preserved Mayan sites and the third most visited in Mexico.  From these famous ruins overlooking the Caribbean Sea you will find a small site with ocean access. Enjoy a different perspective as you swim out into the ocean and then turn to take a look up at what the ancient Mayans must have also believed was truely paradise. Explore this local site on your own. It is easy to walk around the ruins in an hour. Entrance fees are low and you can rent an audio set if you like. Biking to the ruins from the beach road is simple and easy, just head north on the beach road and you will run right into the entrance.

The temazcal was traditionally used by the Mayan culture to purify the body, mind, and spirit to reach a deep connection with Mother Earth.  They would enter the temazcal for days at a time in search of the answers within themselves, exiting the ritual as a newly profound being.  Laboring women also enter the temazcal to birth their babies using the heat, aromatherapy, and chantings as a guide in bringing a new life into the world.  In general, the temazcal was viewed by the Mayans as the womb of Mother Earth.

The temazcal experience is unique to each participant.  It is said to release emotions, creativity, toxins, and more.  Step inside for yourself and find out what you will discover through this ancient Mayan tradition.

Xel-ha (shell-ha) is a large, commercial water theme park situated along Highway 307 approx. 15 minutes drive from Shambala. The park is centered on a natural inlet and lagoon; featuring a river flow through rocks which mixes salty waters with fresh underground water currents. The inlet of Xel-Há is a natural aquarium with hundreds of tropical fish and flora. There is a turtle reserve, where research is constantly carried out to learn more about marine life and contribute with the ecological maintenance of the area. Underwater the limestone has been eroded into a myriad of small caves and grottos. A variety of water-based activities on offer, include snorkeling, scuba diving, and swimming with dolphins. There are restaurants and themed cultural shows. The park is named after the site of Xelha, an archaeological site of the pre-Columbian Maya civilization, part of which is located within the lands leased to the park.

Around 1hr by car. is a large ruined city of the Pre-Columbian Maya civilization based in the jungle. A portion of this massive and impressive site has been cleared from the jungle and restored by archaeologists and is now easily accessible to tourists. Come here to see huge the ancient ball courts Mayan temple pyramids; the tallest of which at 42 meters you climb to access amazing views of the jungle. Local guides are available at the entrance to the site, as well as bicycle rentals to get to some of the further ruins. A large lake at the entrance is also home to crocodiles and local guides can take you on to small purpose built jetties to view them. 2 fantastic Cenotes are also nearby where you can swim and snorkel if you bring your own equipment and towels.

Discover the secrets surrounding the enigmatic architecture of Chichén Itzá and admire its most famous vestige, the pyramid of Kukulcán, testimony to the high mathematic and astronomical precision achieved by the Maya. Even today surprising events occur, such as the shadowy descent of the feathered serpent during the equinox, and the mysterious sound effects you can hear echoing during your visit.

Sian Ka’an means “where the sky is born” in Mayan and the biosphere covers an area of approx. 1.3 million acres with 62 miles of un-spoilt coastline. It is a natural protected nature reserve where you can go to view wildlife and take boat rides in to the mangrove swamps. The biosphere is a 2 and a half hour drive from Shambala.

Is a small but bustling Mayan city situated approximately 90 minutes drive from Tulum. Many of the local townspeople still wear the typical Mayan dress and sell local handicrafts. The Caste War began here in 1847, and also the first signs of the Mexican Revolution of 1910. The church of San Gervasio overlooks the main square and the town is a great place to try out typical Mexican food and get a genuine feel for the real Mexico. Dzitnup Cenotes are also close by.

Are natural groundwater pools, in many cases where sections of cave roof have fallen in to reveal an underlying cave system and the water flow. Gran Cenote, Dos Ojos, and Escondido Cenotes are all within an easy distance of Shambala and are beautiful and unique places to visit. You can go swimming in Cenotes, snorkeling and if you are qualified and experienced; cave scuba diving.