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 is no place on earth like Tulum, in the Riviera Maya, Mexico. A Tulum vacation will be filled with the most exciting experiences and activities that are unique in the world. Tulum tours and attractions are offered in many forms and styles; tourists can enjoy the most extreme adventures and the relaxing, family activities.

Choose your favorite  activities from our list of things to do in Tulum, Riviera Maya, Mexico, and start planning your vacation in Tulum.

1.Tulum´s Town has a European essence, that can be admired at the different shops, cafeterias and bars along an avenue that is specially designed for a tranquil walk without car traffic. At downtown Tulum you will find a supermarket, two banks, several ATM’s, money exchange offices, two gas stations, restaurants, pharmacies, cafeterias, souvenir shops, boutiques, handicrafts and more. This charming site in the Riviera Maya is located10 minutes away from Tulum´s Hotel Zone.

2.Tulum´s Hotel Zone is located right in front of the ocean, featuring the most beautiful beach in all the Riviera Maya. Tulum turns magical at night with spectacular full moon nights were you won’t even need a flash light to walk in the dark. If you want to hang out in Tulum, there are some relaxed coffee shops and bars along the main road, or you can also get there walking from beach.

3.Tulum Ruins. One of the most fascinating Mayan archaeological sites in the Riviera Maya coastline about 900 years old, located 4 km south the town of Tulum with amazing views to the Caribbean Sea. Tulum Mayan ruins are open every day from 8 am to 5 pm and has an entrance fee of $4 approximately. If you want to take photographs with a tripod you must need a special permission.

4.Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve: Sian Ka’an in Mayan means “the place where the sky is born” and is the biggest  natural Protected Area and Biosphere Reserve located also in the Riviera Maya, minutes away from the south end of Tulum´s Hotel Zone. It features 1.3 million acres of tropical ecosystem that can be visited with a tour that takes you to see the amazing wilderness of mangrove canals, and unique wild life amidst white sand beaches.

5. The great Coral Reef Barrier: This barrier in the Riviera Maya coastline is the longest coral Reef Barrier in the World, where you can snorkel just a little distance offshore or take a snorkel or diving tour. There are plenty of dive shops in Tulum taking you out to the coral reefs where you can see at least 30 different species of coral and numerous colorful tropical fish. Snorkeling and diving at the reef is a must do on your Tulum vacation. Dive shops will provide snorkeling and diving equipment.

6. Swimming, snorkeling and diving in Cenotes. Tulum area has the most impressive system of natural cenotes or sinkholes in the Riviera Maya, with spectacular stalactites and cavern formations that you can see under water with a snorkel. The Cenotes charge different entrance fees, and some of the most visited ones are Gran Cenote, Cenote Calavera, Cenotes Cristal & Escondido, and Dos Ojos.

7. Fly fishing in Boca Paila lagoon: The fresh water lagoons in the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve offer some of the best fly fishing in the world. Tarpon, Permit, Snook, Barracuda, Jack Crevalle and Cubera Snapper are some of the species to catch. Boca Paila Bonefish average is less than 3 pounds. You will be fishing in rich, clear waters that border the mangrove thick shoreline.  Fishing in Tulum is easy, peaceful and rewarding. 

 If you want another good reason to visit Tulum, in the Riviera Maya, Mexico here it is…from May to October it is Turtle Nesting Season! Every night, after the sun comes down, the amazingly huge mother sea turtles amble slowly up the beach, dig their holes and lay their eggs. It’s a truly spectacular sight which can be seen at most sections of Tulum beach.

Tulum beach and all along the Caribbean coast of Mexico are nesting grounds for two endangered species of sea turtles: the Loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and the Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas). After mating at sea, mother turtle swims to shore and digs with her flippers to lay her eggs and she covers them with sand.  Then she crawls back to the surf zone and swims out to the Caribbean sea. Baby turtles hatch after 50 or 60 days from the nests and struggle to make their way through the sea. 

To witness such event in a beach of Tulum,  is an amazing experience, but if you happen to miss turtle season, The Centro Ecologico Akumal (CEA) offers weekly slide presentations about sea turtles conservation programs and turtles nesting season including addition printed material. For the past four years CEA has been actively participating in the sea turtle protection programs to protect some of the nests of eggs in the long stretch of beach from Akumal to Tulum.

Environmental care is a rising concern and everybody’s responsibility; all of us can help on the turtle conservation purpose. Here is a quick list of things you can do when you visit Tulum beach to help the  sea turtles reach their goal. They will appreciate it!

1. Don’t make campfires on Tulum´s beach. Sea turtle hatchlings are known to be attracted to the light emitted by campfires. They crawl into the fires and die.

2. Avoid flashlights and flash photography; it may cause mother turtles to abort their nesting attempts.

3. Minimize beachfront lighting during sea turtle nesting season in Tulum, by turning off, shielding, or redirecting lights. You can close the blinds and drapes in oceanfront rooms to keep your indoor lighting from reaching the beach.

4. If you encounter a turtle on Tulum´s beach remain quiet, still, and at a distance. Otherwise, the frightened turtle may return to the ocean without nesting.

5. Leave any tracks left by turtles in every Tulum beach undisturbed. Researchers use the tracks to identify the turtle species and to find and mark the nests for protection.

6. Remove your gear (lounge chairs, cabanas, umbrellas, boats, toys, etc.) from the every beach in Tulum at night. Their presence can deter nesting attempts and interfere with the journey of the hatchlings.

7. After a beach day in Tulum, properly dispose of your trash. Turtles mistake plastic bags, Styrofoam, and trash floating in the water as food. If they eat it, they will die when this trash blocks their intestines.

8.  Celebrate events without helium balloon releases. Like trash, balloons end up in the ocean, and sea turtles mistakenly eat the balloons and die.

Tulum, Mexico is located in the Riviera Maya, 130km/86 miles south of Cancun, a secluded beach destination that nestles the Tulum archaeological site; a relatively small Mayan site, but one of the top attractions in Riviera Maya due to the fascinating combination of pristine beach, Mayan ruins, and a picturesque relaxed town.

Tulum Mayan ruins are located on a 12-meter (39 ft) cliff which has a wonderful view to the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea.  

Tulum in Maya means “Wall”, which resembles the history of this walled city that served as a major port for Coba, where the walls surrounding the site protecting Tulum ruins against invasion.  Research suggests that this Maya site was once called by the name Zama, meaning “city of Dawn”, which relates to the fact that Tulum, Riviera Maya  is one of the places were dawn first breaks in Mexico.

Tulum was first mentioned by Juan Diaz, who was part of the expedition of Juan de Grijalva who sailed along the eastern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula in 1518, but the first detailed description of the Mayan ruins was published by John Llyd Stephens and Frederick Catherwood in 1943 in the book Incidents of Travel in Yucatan.

These explorers first visited Tulum Mayan ruins in the mid-19th century a.d, being greatly impressed by the tall building that is known as El Castillo, and made accurate maps of the wall and Tulum ruins. The works were continued with Sylvanus Moreley and George P. Howe in 1913 and by other researchers throughout the late 70´s.

Tulum ruins belong to the archaeological site that was occupied by the Maya civilization during the late post classic period around 1,200 A.D and continued to be occupied until they had contact with the Spaniards in the early 16th century, later to be completely abandoned by the end of the 16th century.

Tulum, in the Riviera Maya, Mexico used to be the major Maya trading port, since both maritime and land routes converged here. Everyday life evolved politics, religious rituals, art, and astronomical observations. The Tulum Mayan ruins that are appreciated today, used to be the ceremonial and political centers of those time.

El Castillo also known as the light house is the tallest and the most famous of Tulum´s Mayan ruins. It stands on a cliff taking over the ocean sights in all directions. It took several stages to build it and the upper rooms have a feathered serpent carved.

Another interesting building of Tulum ruins is the Temple of Frescoes, which features a sculpted descending figure that represents a deity. The Temple of Frescoes in Tulum´s archaeological site conserves most of its decorative elements. It stands in the middle of the walled area on the east west axis.

The Kukulcan group is located north of El Castillo and is formed by several minor structures. Being the most outstanding the Wind God Temple traditionally related to Kukulcan, the God of the Wind also known as feathered serpent god. 

When you visit Tulum, in the Riviera Maya,  Mexico, you don´t have to worry about staying overnight. You can find Hotels in Tulum for all budgets, from the most standard accommodations to luxurious eco-friendly suites. The zone of hotels in Tulum Zone features small boutique hotels, tropical retreats for backpackers, five-star all inclusive resorts and beachfront cabins surrounded by lush tropical vegetation.

The most common style of hotels in Tulum is a legendary Cabaña, which is a rustic, thatched roof independent villa located right on Tulum´s beach. Most hotels in Tulum offer healthy and relaxed ambiences featuring natural therapies such as yoga and meditation classes, and the ultimate Asian, Mexican and vegetarian cuisine blends.

 In general, the Zone of hotels in Tulum is a very tranquil candlelight getaway, situated parallel to the beach, where most hotels are nestled in dense jungle and unspoiled patch of sand, resembling a lost Mexican Caribbean paradise rather than the hot trendy beach destination than a Tulum, in the Riviera Maya,  Mexico. 

Private terraces, master suites, platform beds draped with sheer netting, rooms lit by candles, spas with ocean views, beach parties, eco-resorts, romantic bungalows, tropical gardens and white sand beach make Tulum, a quiet oasis for families, couples and single adventurers. 

There are many options when choosing a Tulum Hotel such as beach hotels, downtown hotels, hotels in Tulum surrounding areas and houses for rent which are also divided in the following star rated facilities:

2-Star Hotels in Tulum are cheap rate hotels only covering basic needs.

3-Star Suite Hotels in Tulum are ideal for business travel, extended stays or family vacations, which include house amenities like kitchenette, microwaves, silverware and more.

4-Star Boutique Hotels in Tulum provide comfortable accommodations with a unique atmosphere at an affordable price. Amenities include beachfront rooms, restaurants and garden patios.

5-Star Luxury Hotels/Resorts offer upscale facilities such as a spa, gym, swimming pools and entertainment including service oriented amenities for weddings and special events.