Villa Balam Ek

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4 Bedrooms
4 Baths
10 Guests
Oceanfront Home overlooking Half Moon Bay
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Featured Amenities

  • Book online now
  • Swimming Pool - Private
  • Poolside BBQ area
  • Great for Families
  • Nice Central Location

Description

“La Buena Vida” at the Beach in Akumal

History has it that thousands of years ago a great Mayan lord Ek Balam (meaning “black Jaguar”) founded one of the biggest cities of Mayan civilization.

It thrived for centuries, but then was abandoned and lost in the jungle. And while you may not get a chance to visit this place, you can still spend your vacation in a unique villa, designed by the famous architect Jose Luis Moreno and named after the great Mayan leader.

Seated Close to the Caribbean waters of Half Moon Bay

Casa Balam Ek offers its guests an airy living room, a cozy fully equipped kitchen, a beautiful dining room and 4 spacious bedrooms that can comfortably accommodate up to 8 people.

The artful ‘touches’ of the famous architect are seen in the unique structure, a very cool and original Casita ‘feature’ that you will find out about later and the smart layout of the house. Casa Balam Ek actually makes the most of the Caribbean breeze and stunning ocean views by having all the rooms face the beach.

Even if you are traveling with children and a big group of people there will be no more arguing over who gets what room. They all come with comfortable beds, private bathrooms, and cleaning services 6 days a week, so you will not have to worry about anything but rest and relaxation.

Besides the main house, Balam Ek also includes an adjoining Casita apartment, perfect for a small family or a couple.

The Casita includes a tastefully decorated bedroom with a king-size bed and an en-suite bathroom, a full kitchen, and a cozy dining area.

Outdoor soaking tub for Star Filled Nights Overlooking the Caribbean

But one of the best ‘features’ of the Casita mentioned earlier is undoubtedly an outdoor tub, located on the upper level right outside the bathroom window.

Soak here and making a wish on the shooting stars is something any romantic couple should try at least once.

During the day there are plenty of other activity options for both children and adults, like taking a refreshing swim in the pool, exploring the wonders of the underwater world, tasting new freshly-prepared dishes and cocktails at the local beach restaurant or taking a nap in one of the hammocks placed for you on the oceanfront terrace. This is what they call “La Buena Vida” in Mexico!

For your convenience, Casa Balam Ek has wifi internet and a Smart TV that is connected to Netflix. So make sure to bring your camera, your laptop or an iPad. Otherwise, how will you share the beauty of Ek Balam and Riviera Maya with your friends and relatives back home?

But before you start to pack your suitcases, remember to check the availability for this unique villa named after an unusual man! Inquire about this vacation villa!

Guests can enhance their stay with our water equipment rentals. We offer two kayaks available for $60 per kayak for the entire stay, as well as two inflatable paddle boards for $40 per board. Payment is to be made in cash directly to the maintenance staff.

Bedding Details

  • Main house has 3 bedrooms
  • Master Bedroom with king bed and single bed
  • Guest Bedroom with king bed
  • Guest Bedroom with 2 double beds and a single bed
  • Casita Guesthouse has 1 bedroom with a king bed

Amenities

Property Features

  • Oceanfront
  • 5 min walk to sandy beach
  • Air conditioned - Bedrooms only
  • Swimming Pool - Private
  • Central location

Indoor Features

  • Full Kitchen
  • Purified bottled water provided
  • Living room
  • Dining room
  • Ceiling fans
  • Safe for valuables
  • High Chair and crib upon request

Outdoor Features

  • Outdoor dining
  • Patio
  • BBQ - Charcoal grill
  • Hammocks
  • Sun deck with chaise lounges
  • Alfresco dining

Service Features

  • Cook Services upon request ($)
  • Maid services 6 days per week
  • Linens and Bath Towels Provided
  • Beach Towel Provided
  • Manager lives onsite
  • Bike & Golf Cart rental ($)
  • Massages, manicures, pedicure($)
  • Concierge Service

Entertainment

  • WiFi Internet
  • Smart TV with Netflix

Availability

Key
#Night Available#Night Unavailable#Arrive Only#Depart Only
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Rates

VILLA BALAM EK WEEKLY RATES

Season2025 Dates4 BR
High SeasonJan 6 - Apr 30$3,500
Low Season May 1 - Nov 19$3,300
High Season Nov 20 - Dec 18$3,500
ChristmasDec 19 - Dec 26$6,000
New YearDec 27 - Jan 5$7,000

Policies:

Maximum 10 guests, 8 adults and 2 children.
Main house: 6 adults and 2 children. Studio Casita: sleeps 2.

Please add 22% tax to the rates above. 
A $75 Accidental Damage Waiver is required.
Rates are in USD and are subject to change without notice.

Location

Get Directions

Reviews

Leave a Review

A beautiful and comfortable home!

Reviewed on 2025-02-24 by Linda L. , Tucson, AZ US
Overall
5
Services from rental manager
5
Cleanliness
5
Location
5
Property condition
5
Eight of our family members (all adults) had an amazing stay at Villa Balam Ek. First, Akumal Direct was amazing to work with. Not only did we get the villa through them, they also helped arrange transportation, a private chef, and a catamaran tour with snorkeling. Villa Balam Ek is just gorgeous! Very close to the restaurants and Akumal Bay. The owner, Ingrid, greeted us minutes after our arrival to share info about the property. She is so kind! The villa is immaculate inside and out. The kitchen is so well stocked! I can't think of anything we needed that wasn't available! The outdoor space is wonderful. We spent most of our waking hours there. Having our own private pool was so nice. If you got too hot all you needed to do was jump in and cool off! The staff were so great! Roberto was there every morning to clean the patio, chairs, tables etc. One day he chopped the top off coconuts for each of us to drink fresh coconut water. Leticia kept the inside sparkling! From dishes in the kitchen, cleaning bathrooms, making beds, sweeping and mopping floors - she was on it! We highly recommend booking a private chef through Chef Daveed. Our chef, Chef Ruben, and his assistant were personable, professional and incredible chefs! Our food was delicious! Fresh, flavorful and perfect! We loved our catamaran with snorkeling tour through Akumal Dive Shop. We were the only guests on the boat with Captain Abuelo, sailors Rebecca and Santos. The snorkeling was beautiful. The beer and margaritas were plentiful. The food prepared right in front of us was delectable! Villa Balam Ek is the place to be in Akumal!

Eight of our family members (all adults) had an amazing stay at Villa Balam Ek. First, Akumal Direct was amazing to work with. Not only did we get the villa through them, they also helped arrange transportation, a private chef, and a catamaran tour with snorkeling. Villa Balam Ek is just gorgeous! Very close to the restaurants and Akumal Bay. The owner, Ingrid, greeted us minutes after our arrival to share info about the property. She is so kind! The villa is immaculate inside and out. The kitchen is so well stocked! I can't think of anything we needed that wasn't available! The outdoor space is wonderful. We spent most of our waking hours there. Having our own private pool was so nice. If you got too hot all you needed to do was jump in and cool off! The staff were so great! Roberto was there every morning to clean the patio, chairs, tables etc. One day he chopped the top off coconuts for each of us to drink fresh coconut water. Leticia kept the inside sparkling! From dishes in the kitchen, cleaning bathrooms, making beds, sweeping and mopping floors - she was on it! We highly recommend booking a private chef through Chef Daveed. Our chef, Chef Ruben, and his assistant were personable, professional and incredible chefs! Our food was delicious! Fresh, flavorful and perfect! We loved our catamaran with snorkeling tour through Akumal Dive Shop. We were the only guests on the boat with Captain Abuelo, sailors Rebecca and Santos. The snorkeling was beautiful. The beer and margaritas were plentiful. The food prepared right in front of us was delectable! Villa Balam Ek is the place to be in Akumal!

Manager's Response

Thank you, Linda! We're thrilled your family had an amazing stay at Villa Balam Ek and that Akumal Direct could help make your experience seamless. It’s wonderful to hear you enjoyed the beautiful villa, private pool, and exceptional service from Ingrid, Roberto, and Leticia. Chef Ruben’s meals and the catamaran tour sound like highlights! Please let us know when you're ready to return—we’d love to help plan another great vacation!

Great House!

Reviewed on 2023-12-30 by Tamir S. , Toronto, ON Canada
Overall
5
Services from rental manager
5
Cleanliness
5
Location
5
Property condition
5
We had a lovely time with the whole family in this amazing house. Can't wait to return!

We had a lovely time with the whole family in this amazing house. Can't wait to return!

Manager's Response

Thank you, Tamir!

We are glad you had a lovely time at Villa Balam Ek. Let us know when you're ready to join us again, and we'll gladly help you plan another fun vacation in Akumal.

Balam Ek

Reviewed on 2023-02-14 by Craig W. , DALLAS, TX, TX United States
Overall
5
Services from rental manager
5
Cleanliness
5
Location
5
Property condition
5
We really enjoyed our stay. The staff were very accommodating and did an excellent job. We loved the location. We would like to come back for another wonderful vacation!

We really enjoyed our stay. The staff were very accommodating and did an excellent job. We loved the location. We would like to come back for another wonderful vacation!

Manager's Response

Thank you, Craig!

We appreciate your review and recommendation of Villa Balam Ek. Please let us know when you're ready to visit us again and we'll gladly help you plan another wonderful vacation.

Balam Ek

Reviewed on 2023-02-14 by Pat W. , Dallas, TX United States
Overall
5
Services from rental manager
5
Cleanliness
5
Location
5
Property condition
5
We really enjoyed our stay. The staff were very accommodating and did an excellent job. We loved the location. We would like to come back for another wonderful vacation!

We really enjoyed our stay. The staff were very accommodating and did an excellent job. We loved the location. We would like to come back for another wonderful vacation!

Manager's Response

Thank you, Craig!

We appreciate your review and recommendation of Villa Balam Ek. Please let us know when you're ready to visit us again and we'll gladly help you plan another wonderful vacation.

Lovely home base in Akumal

Reviewed on 2022-06-29 by Jenny D. , Denver, CO US
Overall
5
Services from rental manager
5
Cleanliness
4
Location
5
Property condition
5
After 9 days in such a lovely place, it was difficult for us to leave! The house is very comfortable with lots of outdoor spaces to enjoy the ocean breezes and waves crashing on the rocks. Bedrooms are all comfortable and the kitchen is well stocked. Leticia, Humberto and Roberto were all very nice and helpful, too. We loved our time at Villa Balam Ek!

After 9 days in such a lovely place, it was difficult for us to leave! The house is very comfortable with lots of outdoor spaces to enjoy the ocean breezes and waves crashing on the rocks. Bedrooms are all comfortable and the kitchen is well stocked. Leticia, Humberto and Roberto were all very nice and helpful, too. We loved our time at Villa Balam Ek!

Manager's Response

Thank you Jenny! We'll be sure to let everyone at Balam Ek know you appreciate their work, this certainly means a lot to them. Do let us know when you're ready to join us again. Our team will be happy to help you find the property you most want in Riviera Maya.

Rest and Relaxation!

Reviewed on 2022-06-02 by Robin M. , Cape May Court House, NJ United States
Overall
5
Services from rental manager
5
Cleanliness
5
Location
5
Property condition
5
I have been a short term rental host for over a decade and have very high expectations. I can say that everything about Villa Balam Ek is exceptional. From Akumal Direct, to the lovely owner, to the house keeper, gardener, cook and security guard - we were highly impressed and felt well taken care of and very safe. I traveled to Akumal in mid May with my three adult daughters, using Happy Shuttle Cancun for a reasonably priced transfer from the airport - they were fabulous. After we arrived we rented a golf cart for the short jaunt into town. So much fun! The inventory is low so be sure to reserve before you arrive. The small town of Akumal is lovely and quiet. The sargasso was heavy in Half Moon Bay so we spent most of our time relaxing at the house or at the beach in Akumal Bay, though we found the beach to be very busy with turtle snorkeling guides seeking our business, so we did not hang out there too long. This is a very small community with fabulous restaurants and loads of gift shops. We loved the peace and quiet of Akumal. We so appreciated the cleanliness of the home, the beautiful gardens, the quick responses from Ingrid, the perfectly sized pool, the quietness of the neighborhood, the spectacular sunrise views from each room, the views of the two bays from the dock, the especially kind people of Akumal, the Mayan cooperative shop, the meals from Rosa the house cook, the private cenote tour with JP, and so much more. We never felt unsafe during our time in Mexico, from our arrival to our departure. We truly hope to return again in the near future for a longer stay. Thank you Ingrid and Akumal Direct.

I have been a short term rental host for over a decade and have very high expectations. I can say that everything about Villa Balam Ek is exceptional. From Akumal Direct, to the lovely owner, to the house keeper, gardener, cook and security guard - we were highly impressed and felt well taken care of and very safe. I traveled to Akumal in mid May with my three adult daughters, using Happy Shuttle Cancun for a reasonably priced transfer from the airport - they were fabulous. After we arrived we rented a golf cart for the short jaunt into town. So much fun! The inventory is low so be sure to reserve before you arrive. The small town of Akumal is lovely and quiet. The sargasso was heavy in Half Moon Bay so we spent most of our time relaxing at the house or at the beach in Akumal Bay, though we found the beach to be very busy with turtle snorkeling guides seeking our business, so we did not hang out there too long. This is a very small community with fabulous restaurants and loads of gift shops. We loved the peace and quiet of Akumal. We so appreciated the cleanliness of the home, the beautiful gardens, the quick responses from Ingrid, the perfectly sized pool, the quietness of the neighborhood, the spectacular sunrise views from each room, the views of the two bays from the dock, the especially kind people of Akumal, the Mayan cooperative shop, the meals from Rosa the house cook, the private cenote tour with JP, and so much more. We never felt unsafe during our time in Mexico, from our arrival to our departure. We truly hope to return again in the near future for a longer stay. Thank you Ingrid and Akumal Direct.

Manager's Response

Hi Robin! Thank you for such a wonderful review. Villa Balam Ek is a favorite among families who love Akumal and its staff prides itself on providing guests with an excellent experience during their stay. Do let us know when you're ready to come back and we'll help you find the place you want most for your next visit with us.
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