Caleta Tankah is a beautiful bay on the Mexican Caribbean, 4 km from Tulum archaeological zone, ideal for snorkeling. Its beautiful white sand beach makes it one of the most beautiful beaches of the Riviera Maya, where you can see the Mayan ruins of Tulum. There is also a restaurant offering a delicious and well-stocked buffet every day, and the option of ordering à la carte seafood specialties. Caleta Tankah is a very special place where you come in contact with nature and forget the hustle and bustle of the city. At dusk, you can go to Margarita Bar and restaurant opening night with a huge frozen margarita flavor of your favorite drink served in Mexican-style blown glass. Margarita Bar, has an excellent menu of margaritas of various flavors, recognized as the best in the Riviera Maya. In addition, every night there are different events in the Mexican Caribbean atmosphere outdoors with a variety of music in the parking lot of the Mayan pyramids of Tulum. Also the restaurant La Palapa Hemingway appears in the list of favorite restaurants in Tulum. A fun place for teenagers and adults who like to enjoy fine cuisine while enjoying the rhythms of bolero, merengue and bachata making it a fun place to eat and dance after you have explored  the majestic Mayan pyramids of Tulum and have enjoyed all the water activities that the beautiful beach of Tulum has.

During the Mexican Holidays from April 30th to May 6th, 2010, the flow of tourists in Tulum Archaeological Site, had a significant increase not only with the presence Europeans, Asians and American but also with domestic tourism.

The occupancy of the 226 thousand rooms in Tulum  hotels is above 80 percent. This increased flow of visitors to Tulum Mayan Ruins is of  tourists  mainly from the U.S. and Europe. However, during this extended period of Mexican holidays which celebrates children’s day, Labor´s Day and the Battle of Puebla Anniversary, many Mexicans took advantage of the different deals to spend a vacation in Tulum, crowding Tulum Archaeological Zone  Ruins and Tulum beach, reaching almost 90% of Tulum Hotels occupancy and marking  so, a decidedly tourism increase registered in the ninth municipality of Quintana Roo, Mexico, which according to some estimates made by Tulum authorities, will remain on average for July and August 2010, which indicates a gradual decline in the economic crisis that affected the tourist industry  in 2009.

The white sandy beach of Tulum delineates the deep blue of the Caribbean Sea, inviting its visitors to discover the wonders of the Riviera Maya.

Immersed into the dense jungle of the Riviera Maya, there are several archaeological sites that bear witness to an amazing ancient civilization, “the Maya.”

Tulum Mayan ruins, solemnly stand on a cliff. Visitors can see the sunset from the top, enjoying a splendid view of the Caribbean and take a plunge in the beach.

In Tulum, Mexico you can also go to pre-Hispanic city’s oldest and largest state east of the Yucatan, “Coba”. From the top of the pyramid Nohoch Mul, one of the highest in the Maya World, you can see the lush jungle and the placid lakes that in the past served to supply water to its inhabitants.

They are also still some Maya Trails called “Sacbes” (the longest, 100 km) which connected to Tulum Ruins to other major cities. In Cobá were found serveral stelae with calendar dates that tell the story of this city founded in 600 AD and occupied until the fifteenth century.

On Tulum area and surroundings in the Riviera Maya, Mexico you can dive or snorkel in more than 30 explored cenotes (sinkholes) and caves, these are activities that attract most tourists who come to spend their vacation in Tulum, since underwater, prevails peace and calming silence together with the solemnity of the stalactites and stalagmites that decorate the caves, leaving its visitors bewildered and giving them moments of reflection.

 At a short distance from Tulum, in the Riviera Maya, Mexico  outstand the theme parks Xcaret and Xel Ha, with a range of fun attractions and environmental activities. Both are a good example of sustainable development that is taking place in the region.

Tulum, south of the Riviera Maya, Mexico  is an exciting adventure for every traveler who wants to enjoy the tranquility of nature and tradiction and the rich history and culture of the country.

At Tulum Beach, there are many surprises that amaze visitors. During the month of October, large colonies of blue crabs from the mangroves cross the sea to breed, creating an unbeatable entertainment for lovers of nature.

During the summer, huge sea turtles come to Tulum beach to spawn. It is advisable not to attend this event to not interrupt the cycle of turtles. During this time, environmentalists monitor Tulum beach to protect nests and hatchlings. The release of thousands of baby turtles is a unique experience that attracts children and adults around the world, year after year.

A few meters from Tulum Beach, there is a mysterious world of coral reefs, home to thousands of underwater species, which can be discovered by scuba diving or snorkeling.

A  Tulum vacation is  ideal  for souls who like bohemian music, dance, or enjoy delicious regional or international food under the stars.

The Maya city of Tulum, on the Riviera Maya,  Southeast coast of the Yucatan peninsula, in the State of Quintana Roo, North of the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve,  145 km south of Cancun, on a spectacular 12 meters cliff overlooking the Caribbean Sea.

Tulum, Mexico is one of the greatest cities of the ancient Mayan world. Among other important archaeological sites are Coba, 42Km northwest of Tulum Ruins and Chichen Itza, 159Km in the same direction.

Around the Ruins of Tulum Archaeological Zone, and the small neighboring towns, the Maya people have kept their customs and traditions alive, and most of them live in houses with thatched roofs. The main activity is fishing, building huts, making crafts and furniture, among other activities. 

Tulum, in the Riviera Maya  is home to a system of underground rivers and cenotes connecting with the sea, along the coast, making it an extremely attractive place for tourists. Also, Tulum beach is so beautiful, that  every year thousands of marine turtles arrive to lay their eggs.

Tulum is divided into three different areas, Tulum Hotel Zone, Tulum town and Tulum Archaeological Zone (Ruins). In the zone of  Hotels in Tulum, there are some of the most spectacular beaches, many of them are still pristine and considered among the best beaches in the world.
 
The architecture of the Hotels in Tulum shows a deep respect for the environment and a lovely harmony with the natural beauty of the surroundings.

There is only one avenue with commercial activity; craft shops and supermarkets, restaurants, cafes, bus station, bank and post office in the area of Hotels in Tulum.

For years, Tulum beach has been the mecca for travelers seeking spiritual and physical relaxation, tha is why Tulum, Mexico is certainly the ideal destination for nature lovers, sun, and culture.

Due to the dynamic growth of the Riviera Maya, including Tulum and the great demand of services, the construction of Tulum International Airport will begin on this year, so you can travel directly to Tulum in a very near future instead of arriving at Cancun.

If you want to combine Mayan culture and water activities take one of  Tulum Xel Ha Tours. This tour combines nature, archeology and culture and also is familiar.

The Tulum Xel Ha Tours are available at most hotels in Cancun. However, the best thing you can do, is to book Tulum tours before arriving to Cancun or the Riviera Maya, to save money and time of your precious vacation in Tulum.

With these tours to Tulum you will first stop is at Tulum Mayan ruins, and you will know this major city of the Mayan culture, which faces spectacularly the Mexican Caribbean.

The visit to the ruins at Tulum archeological zone  takes about 2 hours. Then you will visit the largest natural aquarium and most beautiful in the world to enjoy water activities that characterize Xel Ha Natural Park.

Some of the Tulum Mayan ruins that you will see at Tulum Archaeological Zone, in the Riviera Maya are:

• El Castillo Pyramid
• Temple of the Frescos
• Temple of the Initial Series
• Temple of the Descendent god
• Temple of the Wind god
• House of Columns, Halach House and House of the Cenote
• Kukulcan Group

The stay at  Xel Ha is 5 hours. Tulum-Xel Ha tours include round trip transportation from Cancun, bilingual guide, entrance to the ruins of Tulum Archaeological Zone and Xel Ha, food and drinks.

The buses of Tulum Xel Ha tours are luxurious, with special service on board and toilet. It is important to be in the hotel lobby at least 30 minutes before the hour of scheduled transportation.

Bring your own towels, comfortable clothing, and swimsuit, walking shoes and extra money for expenses like, souvenirs, photo, video, tips and other services with additional cost within the locations. Remember to always use biodegradable sun lotion to your skin care and the environment.

Unlike the big chains of Tulum hotels, small ones do not enjoy the boom in occupancy and they rely increasingly on the high season, so far the figures are quite low and they can only hope that the start of the Easter holiday period takes the desired effect, say the hoteliers of Cancun, Riviera Maya and surroundings.

Tulum hotels with less than 15 rooms located on the shores of the Tulum beach, from the ruins of Tulum Archaeological Zone to Sian Ka’an, cover about two thousand 300 rooms, which have not had a good occupancy in the recent weeks, so that hotel enterprisers desperately wait a rebound during the last week of March with the arrival of the Easter vacation in Tulum, from March 28th to April 04th, 2010.

Easter week is a full week in which tourists can visit all the attractions of the Riviera Maya, from Cancun to Tulum Archaeological Zone.

In addition to the lovely Tulum beach, it has one of the most important Mayan archaeological sites in the area and attractions for the whole family.

Tulum hotels suit all budgets. There are large luxury family resorts, romantic hotels for couples,  hotels for singles and rustic cabins on the beach. There is also very simple accommodation for those globetrotters who just want to rest without great pretensions.

Check with your travel agent about Tulum hotels, rates, special Easter promotions, activities, tours and best travel deals.

If you are in search for the top beaches in the world, here you will find a useful list of the world’s most popular beaches, which includes Tulum, Riviera Maya as the all-time favorite beach destination that offers spectacular turquoise waters and the most secluded locations. 

There are many ways to pick the top ten beaches in the world which depend on our own personal traveling style. Some beaches are so apart from the rest of the world that they turn idyllic havens for honeymooners, while others are more accessible and practical for families with kids. Here is our list of Top 10 Beaches in the World.

1. Bora Bora, Matira Point, Tahiti: This is a not-to-be-missed beach! Matira Beach is one of those magical islands of Bora Bora that makes up French Polynesia in the South Pacific. Long and calm stretches of beach is what you can expect from Matira Beach.

2. Anguilla, Caribbean: Anguilla is flat; there are no mountains like so many other Caribbean islands have. That means few clouds, lots of sunshine and little rain. Parts of Anguilla are literally desert, no cruises, no water sports and the beaches all to you.

3. Anse source D’Argent, La Digue, Seychelles: La Digue is the fourth largest inhabited island of the Seychelles. This is known to be the most photographed beach in the world, because of its long stretch golden soft white coral sands and hidden coves.

4. Pink Sands Beach, Harbour Island, Bahamas: Harbour Island’s pink sand beach is alluring to any traveler in the world. Basking under the glorious Caribbean sun it is 3 miles long and half a mile wide and offers picture perfect locales to the visitors.

5. Whitehaven beach, Australia: It is an almost four mile stretch of pristine sand perfect to plan a day of peace since you will feel in the middle of the noweres. Beware of Queensland’s seasonal marine stingers – these jellyfish are deadly!

6. Oahu, Honolulu: Oahu is considered the “Heart of Hawaii” and is the most visited of all of the Hawaiian Islands. Oahu is also home to the world-famous Waikiki beach. The most popular resort areas are Waikiki, Turtle Bay, Kahala and Diamond Head.

7. Tulum, Riviera Maya, Mexico: Tulum beach has been the Mecca of travelers in search of an eco-archaeological beach destination. These beautiful virgin beaches offer numerous relaxing retreats such as yoga, spas and romantic cabanas in a unique secluded ambience. Tulum has been named the top beach in the world by many travel industry professionals such as Conde Nast Traveller Magazine.

8. Horseshoe Bay – Bermuda: Horseshoe Bay is considered to be one of the loveliest beaches in the world. The wide stretches of pink soft sand and clear blue water entice travelers to its 21 mile long shoreline full of corals, and shells.

9. St. Maarten, Netherlands Antilles: If you appreciate gourmet food, world class duty free shopping, vibrant nightlife, pristine beaches, all year long warm weather and a cosmopolitan atmosphere with a Caribbean taste, St Maarten is a good option for you!

10. Which should be one of the 10  top beaches in the world for you?

If you are looking for a beachside destination without the bustle of a typical resort, escape from the crowds and daily routine, and spend a memorable holiday in contact with nature, start planning a vacation in Tulum.

At the southern tip of the Riviera Maya you will find a magnificent beach and the mystical Mayan ruins of Tulum  archaeological site that make this secluded tranquil vacation destination, one of the all-time favorites . Here is a list of 7 reasons why you should visit Tulum, in the Riviera Maya, Mexico.

1. Tulum hotels are for all budgets. Lodging ranks from beachside rustic cabanas, with a ceiling fan (thatched roofs and hooks to hang a hammock) to luxurious resorts with higher prices. For accommodation options, visit bestcancuntrip.com

2. Tulum, Riviera Maya  is a perfect place for diving & snorkeling enthusiasts. Experienced guides can take you to the coral reefs, or deep into the cenotes. Go to the Yal-Kú lagoon near Akumal, about a half-hour drive north of Tulum beach; the warm, clear waters are home to countless fish. Remember to use only biodegradable sunscreen lotions, as standard sunscreen damage local ecosystem.

3. Tulum, Riviera Maya is situated close to many Mayan archaeological sites. Visit the only Mayan archaeological site that faces the Caribbean Sea. The Mayan ruins in Tulum archaeological site used to be part of an ancient Mayan port on top of a cliff overlooking the ocean. Other Mayan archaeological sites located close to Tulum are Coba, aslo in the Riviera Maya and Chichen Itza, in Yucatan.

4. Tulum beach is located  on the eastern coastline of the Yucatan Peninsula, which is composed of an intricate system of underground rivers. Near Tulum beach, there are cenotes (sinkholes) and underground rivers, that are natural crystal water wells that run through the Peninsula´s limestone layers and flow towards the sea. The cenotes (sinkholes) used to be sacred sites for the Mayas, and today they are unique places for swimming, snorkeling or diving.

5. Tulum Beach is some minutes away from Sian Ka´an Biosphere Reserve. This is the largest protected are in the Mexican Caribbean that was also declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. A local fishing boat will take you through the mangrove canals to watch the regional wild life, snorkel in an unspoiled reef and swim in a natural pond as finish your day with a buffet lunch by the beach.

6. Tulum beach features  a great natural spectacle during the Turtle Nesting Time. From May to August it is Turtle Nesting Time in Tulum Beach. Every night, after the sun comes down, the amazingly huge sea turtles amble slowly up the beach, dig their holes and lay their eggs. It’s truly a spectacular sight which can be seen at the beach of most hotels in Tulum.

7. Tulum, in the Riviera Maya is an eco-friendly destination. It´s Hotel Zone uses mostly limited electricity from wind-driven generators. Other eco-friendly actions at Tulum beach include organic bed linens, water and trees conservation measures. 

The Mexican Caribbean coast is dotted with many Mayan archaeological sites, Mayan ruins and temples that were once ancient ports to Mayan traders that navigated Tulum beaches in sturdy canoes, venturing as far south as Honduras.

Yet one site surpasses all others, a sacred cliff top city that greets the sun as it rises over the Caribbean known as the ruins of Tulum Archaeological site. Here is a list of some interesting facts on Tulum Archaeological site ruins.

1. Tulum ruins are located in the Archaeological site that was once known as “Zama” which means “place of the dawning sun” in Mayan language.

2. Tulum ruins are in the most important Mayan archaeological site in the state of Quintana Roo coast and is the third most visited site in Mexico.

3. The Mayas inhabited around Tulum ruins as far back as A.D. 564 but Tulum  archaeological site reached its peak during the Post-Classic period (1250 – 1521) as a strategic port on the sea and land trade routes.

4. It is believed that trading canoes may have anchored in the tiny bay below Tulum Ruins at the  archaeological site, at the foot of the cliff crowned by El Castillo, the main temple in the city. Trade goods such as jade, obsidian, copper, flint and ceramics have all been found at the site.

5. Tulum Archaeological site ruins feature the religious and ceremonial zone of the ancient city that includes the temples and palaces of the ruling class.

6. Apart from El Castillo, other important ruins at Tulum Archaeological site are the Temple of the Descending God, the House of the Columns, the Temple of the Wind and the Temple of the Frescos, which still has traces of murals on its inner walls.

7. Tulum Archaeological site is one of the very few walled cities found to date in the Maya World. A massive stone wall surrounds Tulum ruins on three sides, the fourth being the ocean.

8. Archaeologists believe that rather than being used for defensive purposes, the wall surrounding Tulum Archaeological site ruins was used as a class barrier, separating the ruling elite from their subjects. The word Tulum actually means “wall, trench or fence” in Maya.

9. Spanish explorer Juan de Grijalva and his men are believed to have been the first Europeans to spot Tulum  Archaeological site ruins, in the Riviera Maya from afar during their voyage along the eastern coast of the Yucatan in 1518.

10. During the19th-century, the Maya World pioneers, J.L. Stephens and Frederick Catherwood placed the ruins of Tulum Archaeological site on the map. They visited the long-lost site in 1841 when the crumbling temples were covered in jungle creepers and published their findings a year later to great acclaim. Catherwood’s detailed drawings of El Castillo became world famous.

There are several reasons why people keep choosing Tulum in the Riviera Maya, Mexico as the ideal destination where to say “I do”. Weddings in Tulum have become a huge trend, by offering beautiful turquoise beach, exclusive tropical scenarios, private and secluded locations and top hotel services. Weddings also come along with a honeymoon in Tulum hotels  at almost half of the price than in the United States. Here you will find some useful information on different topics to plan a Wedding in a beach in Tulum.

In Tulum, at the Riviera Maya, Mexico there are many wedding coordinators/ wedding planners. Their mission is to offer you a personalized, professional and complete  service for your wedding.

Whether you prefer a simple and private  beach for your wedding in Tulum or a sophisticated one, these kinds of agencies feature a team of professionals specialized on wedding planning. They take care of the accommodations for you and your relatives in different hotels in Tulum, the rehearsal dinner location or welcome cocktail, the wedding ceremony, food, music, cake, judge and traveling logistics. There are even some that organize other type of wedding celebrations such as gay weddings and nude weddings in exclusive locations on the beach in Tulum. You will also have the option of choosing between a Tulum Mayan wedding or a traditional civil wedding on the beach.

Tulum Mexico Weddings Judges/ Justice of the Peace: If you want your Tulum wedding to be officially recognized you need a Justice of the Peace. Justice of the Peace is often called on to perform marriages in which the participants don’t have a religious belief. The Judge or Justice of the Peace carries out the wedding at any location such as hotels and restaurants. At the end of a Tulum civil wedding he grants a certificate that is legally recognized in other countries such as USA, Canada, France, England, Scotland, Ireland, and Germany among many others. This is a formal ceremony and the Tulum wedding requirements which are all the same in Mexico are not as many as we may think.

Religious Wedding Services in Tulum, Riviera Maya, Mexico: In Mexico, religious figures do not have the power to legally marry couples, so keep that in mind if you want a legal wedding in Tulum, in the Riviera Maya or any other place in Mexico. The only person who can perform a legal wedding ceremony is the local Justice of the Peace, who can come out to the beach to perform a legal ceremony that can also be combined with a religious or spiritual ceremony before or afterward. Catholic weddings can only take place in the Tulum parish located downtown Tulum, Riviera Maya.  If you belong to a specific church or religious group and would like a religious figure to preside over your service, there are some alternative religious ceremonies for a wedding in Tulum, Riviera Maya that will attend to the place you choose as your wedding venue such as a Christian (non-denominational) Pastor, Tulum symbolic ceremonies and Celtic Ceremonies.