Tulúm Ruins

As we’ve advised for other ruins in Quintana Roo and Yucatan, there are a couple reasons why you’ll want to get an early start on your day when you visit Tulúm. Foremost is because no matter when you arrive, once you get there, you aren’t going to be alone. If you can manage to get there early in the day you stand a better chance of missing the worst of the crowd. And secondly, there is very little shade of any kind in Tulúm and if you get there in the morning, you will enjoy the added benefit of beating the worst heat of the day.

Due partly to it’s location near the tourist centers of Cancún, Playa del Carmen and Cozumel and also due to some degree to the bus loads of cruise ship passengers that take excursions there each day, Tulúm is the most visited Mayan site in the Yucatán. While not a large city in terms of size or in the number or restored structures, Tulúm’s cliff-side location overlooking the Caribbean provides some beautiful vistas and the ease in getting there makes it an attractive stop for tourists.

Tulúm was built in the 13th Century well after the zenith of the Mayan civilization. It was one of the few old cities that were still occupied at the time of the Spanish invasion.

While the architecture in Tulúm is not as elaborate as you might find in many other cities built in earlier days, the restored structures there are of interest. The Castillo pictured in the top two photos on the right sits high upon the edge of a cliff offering a good view of the ocean and the countryside and a lovely white sand beach below. In fact, you may want to wear your swim suit when you visit so you can take a cooling dip in the water if the mood strikes you. In several of the structures, glimpses of color are still visible where ancient frescoes were painted

Entrance is free on Sunday, and $40 pesos during the rest of the week. You will be changed an additional $40 pesos if you want to take along your video camera. English speaking guides are available for an additional charge.