Tulum is one of the most visited archaeological zones in Mexico and for good reason: it鈥檚 sublime. The ruins sit on听seaside cliffs, high above turquoise waters that extend as far as your eye can see. True, the structures themselves are modest in comparison to other grand Maya cities. But Tulum captures your imagination like no other, perhaps conjuring visions of pre-Columbian听tradesmen arriving in canoes laden with goods, and the Maya workers who received them, contemplating the same bracing views.
History
Inhabited as early as 564, Tulum鈥檚 heyday wasn鈥檛 until 1200鈥1521听when it served as an important port town, controlling maritime commerce along the Caribbean coast to Belize. When the Spanish conquistador Juan de Grijalva sailed past in 1518, he was amazed by the sight of the walled city, its buildings painted a gleaming red, blue and yellow, and a ceremonial fire burning atop its seaside watchtower.
Yet, only 75 years after the Spanish conquest, the city was abandoned, its population decimated by European-borne diseases. For hundreds of years afterward, nature reclaimed the city, and it was听unknown to the outside world until the mid-1800s when explorers John Stephens and Frederick Catherwood published detailed descriptions and drawings of it. Foreign travelers didn鈥檛 begin arriving in earnest for another 100-plus years, though Maya pilgrims and indigenous refugees taking shelter during the Caste War used the site intermittently.
Meaning of Tulum
Tulum听means 鈥渨all鈥澨齣n Yucatec Maya, a reference to the city鈥檚 fortifications; 19th-century explorers used the name听and it stuck. Originally, the city was called Zam谩,听or 鈥渄awn,鈥澨齜ecause it faced east.
How to navigate Tulum
Tulum is a compact archaeological zone, contained entirely within its enormous stone walls. The entrance is on the north side. Starting with the oceanfront structures and walking clockwise through the site, you鈥檒l see it all in a couple hours, longer if you stay for a swim. The exit is through the south wall.
Principal structures
The three ramparts (walls) surrounding Tulum are 3m to 5m high, and measure between 170m to 380m long. They served to enclose and fortify the city, protecting the city鈥檚 civic-ceremonial buildings, palaces and the ruling classes who lived there. The vast majority of the residents, Tulum鈥檚 working class, lived outside the walls.
The most photographed structure is Templo del Dios de Viento, a small temple perched on a rocky outcrop, the Caribbean waters perfectly framing it. The structure鈥檚 circular base is associated with the god of wind, for which it is named. It鈥檚 believed that the roof had a special opening that would whistle when hurricanes approached to warn Tulum鈥檚 residents.
Templo del Dios Descendente is named after the relief figure of a descending god above the building's door. The image, perhaps the most iconic of Tulum, is associated with the highly revered god of bees. At the spring equinox, a ray of sunlight shines through the temple, aligning perfectly under the image.
Sitting on a dramatic bluff, El Castillo is the tallest (7.5m) and most imposing structure in Tulum. Built in several phases, it served as a lighthouse, with a shrine at the top doubling as a beacon to lead canoes to the beach landing. Look for the plumed serpents hugging the pyramid鈥檚 corners, a reflection of regional influence of the Toltecs.
Templo de las Pinturas was an observatory used to track the movements of the sun. It features some of Tulum's most elaborate d茅cor 鈥 now quite weathered 鈥 including carved figures of the descending god, stucco masks and colorful murals on interior walls depicting various Maya gods.
The beach
Tulum is one of the few Maya ruins with a beach 鈥 two, in fact 鈥 the ancient structures sitting like sentinels above them. Add to that the seaside cliffs and the impossibly blue waters, and bringing your swimsuit is a no-brainer. The main beach is beneath El Castillo, at the bottom of a steep wood staircase. By late morning, it鈥檚 often crowded with visitors playing in the waves and posing on the sand. A second beach, just as lovely, is below the Templo del Dios de Viento. Reachable by a sandy trail, it鈥檚 typically cordoned off but is a good spot for selfies.听
Read more: Tulum's 7 unmissable beaches
Tours
Tours (from M$700) are offered onsite by certified guides who hustle for customers at the visitors complex and near the ticket booth. Tours last about two hours and can offer invaluable insights into this ancient city.
Tickets
Tickets cost M$80 and can only be purchased onsite. The ruins are open from 9am to 5pm, but the last entry is at 3:30pm.听
Things you should know
- Arrive early.听It鈥檒l give you a shot at enjoying the ruins before the mass tour groups descend, typically by 11am.
- Visitors are not allowed to climb on or enter听most the structures in order to protect them from听erosion. Respect the barriers and 鈥渄o not enter鈥 signs.
- Bring a hat and plenty of water. May to September are the hottest months here, but it鈥檚 sunny and humid year-round and the ruins have very little shade.
Eating and drinking
Centro Artesanal Tulum, a handicrafts mini-mall in the visitors complex, has a few sit-down restaurants and fast-food joints. Prices are inflated, but they鈥檒l do in a pinch. You can grab snacks and drinks here too. (There鈥檚 even a Starbucks.)
Getting there
Tulum鈥檚 visitor complex is just off Hwy 307, on the outskirts of town. From there, it鈥檚 another 1km to the ticket booth and archaeological site 鈥 a trolley (M$55) shuttles people or you can just hoof it. From town, taxis charge a fixed rate to the complex (M$100). Northbound colectivos (shuttle vans) will drop you on the highway (M$20) a couple blocks away. If you鈥檙e driving, there鈥檚 plenty of parking in the main lot (M$180).
Alternatively, Tulum鈥檚 beach road becomes a pedestrian-only road to the ruins, about a 400m walk to the ticket booth. It鈥檚 a popular access point for those staying on the oceanfront (and for those who want to hit the beach after a visit to the ruins).
Planning a trip to Tulum?听Here's more of our expert advice to help you plan.
听15 experiences in Tulum to add your itinerary
On your way? How to get around Tulum听
Deciding when to go? The best time to plan your visit听听
Things to do in Tulum that don't cost a thing
听
听
听