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 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.

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.

When you go on vacaction to Tulum, take a day to drive on the coast road south of the Zone of  Hotels in Tulum that leads to the entrance of the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, in the Riviera Maya, Mexico. Straddling northern and central Quintana Roo, this UNESCO World Heritage Site comprises 1.3 million acres of jungle, marsh, mangrove forest, Caribbean beaches and a 110-kilometer-stretch of coral reef, all of which are rich in flora and fauna. The biosphere reserve was established by government decree in 1986 to protect these incredibly fragile ecosystems.
Sian Ka’an, which means “where the sky is born in Maya,” is home to 103 different mammals and over 350 resident and migratory species of birds, including herons, ibis, roseate spoonbills, wood storks and frigate birds. This reserve in the Riviera Maya, Mexico also has a large breeding population of ospreys and protects a tiny colony of the rare jabiru stork, the largest bird in the Americas.
Include a day trip to Sian Ka’an in your Tulum Vacation Itinerary, this will  give you the opportunity to know more than Tulum Beach and ruins only in the Riviera Maya. Visit at least two of the reserve’s 23 archaeological sites, Muyil and Xlapak. You’ll also get an overview of the reserve’s jungle and wetland ecosystems and take a boat ride through the lagoons to see the birds.

During your Tulum vacation, embark on your own jungle adventure! Forty-two kilometers inland from Tulum beach, an hour from Playa del Carmen and a 90-minute drive from Cancún, Cobá is one of the Maya World’s largest archaeological sites and has an extension of around 70 square kilometers. The city is clustered around five shallow lakes, which would have provided fresh water in ancient times, and its name in Maya means “waters ruffled by the wind.”
The city reached its peak during the Mayan Classic period, A.D. 250-900, when it was a regional capital inhabited by up to 70,000 people. An important trade center, it also distributed goods to and from the eastern seaboard, Central America and cities in the Yucatán.
Archaeologists believe that Cobá had links with the Guatemalan city of Tikal, pointing to certain architectural similarities in the earliest buildings at the site, for example, pyramids, false arches, lintels, huge, roughly cut blocks and a coating of red stucco plaster. Some later structures at the site also resemble Tulum Mayan ruins.
The most famous building at Cobá is the Nohoch Mul pyramid. Standing 42 meters high, it is the tallest pyramid in the northern Yucatán. Other clusters of buildings at the site are the Cobá group, the oldest in the city, La Iglesia, another 24-meter-high pyramid crowned by a temple, the Ball Court, Las Pinturas, Xaibé or the Crossroads Pyramid and the Macanxoc group which has nine circular altars and eight stelae.
Cobá is also famous for the sacbes or Mayan causeways that radiate from the heart of the city. To date, 45 of these roads have been detected at the site including the longest sacbe in the Maya World, which links it to Yaxuná, a lesser city in the Chichén Itzá hinterland, 101 kilometers away.
Getting there: Take the turnoff marked “Coba” in the Zone of  Hotels in Tulum.

During your Tulum vacation take a day to catch a glimpse of the strange underground world of the Riviera Maya without getting wet by visiting Aktun Chen (very close to Tulum). Located in the jungle two miles south of Akumal, this park is famous for its caves, thought to be five million years old. One of the caves has been floodlit so that visitors can see the stalactite and stalagmite formations and an underground lake. Aktun Chen is one of the most amazing tours around Tulum area.
Getting there: Take Highway 307 north from Tulum Mayan Ruins. Ask your travel Agent for lodging options. Tulum has Hotels for all budgets.

During your vacation in Tulum, visit Xel-Há by car. Xel-Ha Park lies a few minutes only to the north of Tulum Mayan Ruins. No matter if you are staying in Cancun or in la Riviera Maya, Tulum-Xel Ha is one of the most popular Tours. Xel Ha is a chain of cenotes, lagoons and inlets nourished by fresh water from underground streams which mixes with the waters of the Caribbean. Fish from nearby reefs congregate in the lagoons to feed and breed and local people proudly call Xel-Ha the world’s largest natural aquarium. Whether the claim is true or not, the crystalline waters are ideal for a close encounter with rainbow-colored reef dwellers such as solitary butterfly, trigger and angel fish and shoals of porkfish and French grunts.
Snorkeling and swimming are permitted in designated areas of the park and you can float through the water on an over-sized inner tube. There are hammocks and palapas, restaurants, shops, restrooms and lockers.
Paths wind through the jungle around the inlet leading to secluded pools, the lazy river, the cliff, the Mayan cave, the dolphin area and other attractions. For a breathtaking view of the turquoise waters, walk back across the floating bridge at the mouth of the inlet. You’ll see larger fish such as snappers and jacks.
Xel-Ha was also a Post-Classic port and trade enclave. The archaeological site is across the highway from the park and you pay a separate admission charge to visit it. During excavations in the park, archaeologists found traces of Mayan occupation on the shores of the inlet, including temples and offerings at a shrine in an underwater cave, thought to be in honor of the Diving God, a mysterious deity that was the focus of a regional cult. There are Many hotels in Tulum to stay.
Getting there: Highway 307 to the north of Tulum Ruins.

Tourists from around the globe who like nature and Mayan culture have discovered Tulum, in the Riviera Maya,  Mexico as the perfect beach destination to enjoy with a limited budget.  Tulum beach is not famous for being a sophisticated commercial hot spot; on the contrary, Tulum is worldwide known for its tranquil and beautiful sun-blessed white sand beach and its spectacular Mayan ruins.

Tulum is not only famous for its historical Mayan ruins and its beautiful beach backdrop, but also also famous for its cenotes, which are natural crystalline fresh water pools with underground rivers where you can snorkel or dive just minutes away from Tulum´s Hotels. The tours to Tulum Cenotes are amazing experiences that allow you to take a break from the beach and swim in ancient fresh springs.

Hotels in Tulum are specially designed for every budget. The Hotel Zone seems to be very rustic, most hotels feature thatched roofs but the facilities rank from the most basic services to luxurious five star facilities, including romantic accommodations for a special Tulum vacation such as honeymoons and weddings.

There is a lot to do and see in Tulum, Riviera Maya, Mexico regardless of how much you spend in your stay, or what is your budget limit. A Tulum vacation is a life changing experience that enraptures all the mystery and beauty of the Mexican Caribbean and Mayan culture.

 Actually, there are even more reasons nowadays to travel to Mexico, one Tulum travel tip is that your USD money will go further. Another reason to plan a Tulum vacation at these times is that you may find cheaper flights and low-discount hotel deals. If you have any spare cash; this is the right moment to take advantage of it. And your third reason to enjoy a Tulum vacation is that traveling is a remedy for stress that doctors have always recommended! 

When I visited Tulum Mexico, it was the first time that I heard about Xtabentun legend, then I realized that  Mayan culture is not only rich because of its Mayan ruins but also for the history, traditions, folklore and legends that are part of a legacy. There is an ancient Mayan legend that concerns the most traditional drink of the Yucatan Peninsula: Xtabentun that is pronounced (ish-ta-ben-toon), which means– “twisting vine that grows on rocks” is fermented from a flower with the same name (Rivea corymbosa) that comes from a seed that causes a sense of euphoria and drowsiness, due to its psychotropic nature.

The Xtabentun Mayan legend from the Yucatan Peninsula, tells the story of two women who lived in the same town long ago. Xtabay, was a beautiful woman that used to be with every man in town; however, she was a kind soul who gave help to those in need. The other woman´s name was Utz-Colel who was considered an exemplary woman in the town. But her goodness was limited because she was cold hearted, and never helped anyone.

The Xtabentun Mayan legend tells that when Xtabay died, her tomb was covered by white flowers which gave off that same delicious sweet scent that filled the town. When Utz-Colel died, a nasty plant began to grow on her grave, it was a spiny cactus called Tzacam, revealing a nauseating smell. The white flower on Xtabay’s grave was called Xtabentun, from which nectar is prepared the famous drink made of honey and anise, native to the Yucatan Peninsula.

The Xtabentun Mayan legend says that when you drink a cup of Xtabentun, the dizzy drunkenness that follows is the effect of the love and charm that Xtabay had on the men she frequented. And if you get lost in the Mayan jungle, the mean Utz-Colel will come along to take your heart forever.

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.