Tulum
Ruin at Tulum
Located at the far southern end of the Riviera Maya, the ancient Mayan hamlet of Tulum stands on a cliff overlooking one of the best beaches in the area.
The ruins at Tulum are walled on three sides and face the ocean on the forth. Tulum was once home to around 600 people, considerably smaller than Coba and Chichen Itza which both were home to around 50,000 people.
Tulum was one of the last Mayan cities to remain intact after the Spanish Conquest as evidenced by representations in murals there of "gods" riding on horseback (the Spanish first brought horses to the area).
The style of the murals in the Temple of the Frescos shows a strong Mixtec Indian influence. However, the subject matter of these murals is Mayan and includes scenes of Mayan gods and goddesses performing traditional rites.
No visit to Tulum could be complete without a dip in that lovely ocean, so be sure to bring your bathing suit.
Fees
- Entrance Fee: $40 pesos, under $4 usd.
- Expect to pay a few dollars more to be allowed to bring your video camera inside.
- Guided Tours run about $250 pesos, or just under $25 usd. Share a tour with others to bring down the cost.
Mexicans and Mexican residents get into all Mexican Archaeological sites for free on Sundays.
Hours
- Open Daily: 8am – 5:30pm
- Beach Closes at 4:30pm
Getting There
Beachside Cliff at Tulum
Located at the southern end of the Riviera Maya. The archaeological site of Tulum is located north of the town itself. Turn east off the Tulum-Cancun at the traffic light on the north side of town. The intersection is marked as one of the entrances to the archaeological area. There is marked, free parking to the left.
The ruins are located just less than 1 kilometer from where you park, by the highway. To get to the ruins you can walk or take the painted tractor train (kids love it). The train costs $20 pesos, or under $2 usd round trip.
From Cancun:
- Driving Time: 1.5 – 2 hours
- Distance: About 8o miles / 130 kilometers
From Playa del Carmen:
- Driving Time: 45 minutes - 1 hour
- Distance: About 40 miles / 65 kilometers
What to Bring
- Sunscreen
- Hat
- Bathing Suit
- Mosquito Repellant
- Water Bottle
- Camera
- Snack
- Sturdy Shoes - suitable for rough terrain
Note for Parents
Consider putting small children in backpacks. The terrain can be a little too rough for comfortable stroller use.
What’s Nearby
The town of Tulum has some interesting restaurants which are worth exploring. Many visitors to Tulum spend part of their day snorkeling at Xel-Ha. You might also enjoy visiting Yal-Ku after your Tulum visit; Yal-Ku has wonderful snorkeling and is located at the northern end of the town of Akumal.
Suggested Reading
-
"
The Maya
" by Michael D. Coe
-
"
Maya Cosmos
-
"
The Ancient Maya
-
"
The Caste War of Yucatan
Errors and Omissions
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