Ik-Kil is a large cenote on the highway just across from the Hotel Dolores Alba, 2.5km (1 1/2 miles) east of the main entrance to the ruins. And it's deep, with lots of steps leading down to the water's edge. Unlike Dzitnup, these steps are easy to manage. The view from both the top and the bottom is dramatic, with lots of tropical vegetation and curtains of hanging tree roots stretching all the way to the water's surface. Take your swimsuit and enjoy the cold water. The best swimming is before 11:30am, at which time bus tours start arriving from the coast. These bus tours are the main business of Ik-Kil, which also has a restaurant and souvenir shops. Ik-Kil is open from 8am to 5pm daily. Admission is $6 (£3) per adult, $3 (£1.50) per child 7 to 12 years old.
The Cave of Balankanché is 5.5km (3 1/2 miles) from Chichén Itzá on the road to Valladolid and Cancún. Taxis will make the trip and wait. The entire excursion takes about a half-hour, but the walk inside is hot and humid. Of the cave tours in the Yucatán, this is the tamest; it has good footing and requires the least amount of walking and climbing. It includes a cheesy and uninformative recorded tour. The highlight is a round chamber with a central column that gives the impression of being a large tree. You exit the same way you enter. The cave became a hideout during the War of the Castes. You can still see traces of carving and incense burning, as well as an underground stream that supplied water to the refugees. Outside, take time to meander through the botanical gardens, where most of the plants and trees are labeled with their common and botanical names.
Admission is $5 (£2.50), free for children 6 to 12. Children younger than age 6 are not admitted. Use of a video camera costs $4 (£2) or it's free if you've already bought a video permit in Chichén the same day. Tours in English are at 11am and 1 and 3pm, and, in Spanish, at 9am, noon, and 2 and 4pm. Double-check these hours at the main entrance to the Chichén ruins.
