Hello again,
We are flying into Merida on Christmas Eve and on the 27th we sleep in Santa Elena in the Ruta Puuc - I assume we can just book the bus (ADO?) a day or 2 ahead to get out there (where we then meet Rolando, who is going to taxi us around to see all the sites) -likewise when we return to Merida for another night?
(ii) we sleep in Valladolid for 2 nights being the 29 and 30 December - do we just do the same - buy tickets ahead? Is Chichen Itza on the way, it looks like it on my Rough guide map and, if so, should one take in Chichen Itza on the way (the early bus (ADO?) = 6,30 to get there at 8,30) - there is Cenote Dzitnup near there I believe, can we get over there from Chichen Itza and how do we do that? (If we go to Ek Balam we shall go on another day). My worry here is we shall have 2 suitcases with us, is there a secure place to store ones stuff while one goes around Chichen Itza (and the Dzitnup Cenote?).
(iii) We sleep in Tulum on the 31st December and 1st January - with taking in so many ruins with our base being in Valladolid, we shall probably book our bus to Tulum (ADO?) when we arrive in Valladolid - with only having 2 nights in Tulum and lots to see and enjoy there, is it worth it (and will we be ruined out?!) and will we have time to stop off to see Cabo - and if so, how do we arrange the transport to there and onward to Tulum?
(iv)We are then back in Merida for 2 nights for the 2nd and 3rd January;
(v) Our last night we spend in Campeche - it is only one night so should we just head there and enjoy Campeche or should we stop over to see Edzna and if so how do we break up our journey (I wonder if we rather give it a miss?).
Thanks in advance for any advice.

Sorry, I don't know what happened to my title there!

There is a ADO bus station in Tulum (main drag)that will take you to Coba ruins, but make sure that you know the time it is back for you to get on to go back to Tulum. There is also a station in Valladolid and are at least 3 stations (that I know of ) in Merida. Yes, you can purchase your ticket ahead of time, which I recommend, especially if you wiah to reserve your seat on the bus. ADO is very reliable, clean and economical.As for Ek Balam ruins, there is no bus available from Valladolid for that destination, the taxi is cheap and easy to get. Remember that all these ruins close early (around 4.00 pm) If you stay over in a nearby hotel, they will gladly keep your belongings at the front desk until your return.

Thanks Rohelio, very good information.

• I think you would be best able to visit the Cenotes Dzitnup from Valladolid and without your luggage.
• The ruins at Tulum are quite different from anything else. As someone who actually had an interest in Mayan ruins, and who planned my time accordingly, the question of whether YOU will be “ruined out” is not something I can imagine answering.
• I believe I already said, on one of your many other threads, that I was not enamored of Edzna. I found it interesting, but not enthralling.

Good luck!

Thanks kja, yes we are very interested in history - have just been to Greece taking in the ancient sites there, archaeology is a bit of a passion of mine - but it is a very short holiday.
I have decided that we must make time for Coba, apparently it is very good - I picked up from both you and TT (on which i also posted this query).
Thanks for all your help!

Any thoughts on Ek Balam?

Ek Balam is great. Of the ruins I have visited in the area, it is my 2nd favorite, after Uxmal. Its a beautiful site with a really nice location - kind of forested. Its not as jungly as Coba, but close. The carving at the top of the main pyramid is worth a visit in and of itself. And the other buildings are really intersting too.

When we were there, the site was pretty quiet. It was mid afternoon and only a few other people where there.

There are some vendors as you walk from the parking area to the site, but not in the site itself. The vendors are along the side of the path in some traditional Mayan-style buildings - essentiallya cabins or huts - which makes it a little more atmospheric.

We had been to Chichen Itza earlier in the day, so visiting Ek Balam was a much-appreciated change of pace.

EK BALAM, is an easy visit, I was there twice and on both occasions, there was about 12 people on site, in the afternoon. Inexpensive, clean and relaxing time for all. If pushed for time, I would choose Coba over Ek Balam though.

Coba vs Ek Balam - that's a tough choice. I think I would go with Coba as well, although it would only win by a small margin. I think the jungle setting of Coba is very cool, and because it isn't completely excavated, it does feel more adventurous, I guess is the right way to describe it. The main pyramid at Ek Balam is very impressive though. Ack - I'm glad I didn't have to make the choice between the two

I've been to both Coba and Ek Balam and they are both favorites and would be hard pressed to choose between them. I would probably choose to drop something else, like Tulum ruins which are just not that impressive other than the location.

I'm very glad I saw Ek' Balam. It's frieze is, IMO, extraordinary, and although it is now known that such friezes were not uncommon, there are very few that can be seen.

Thanks for all your enthusiastic replies guys, will definitely have to get out there - and a very merry Christmas/ Hogmanay!