Tulum Ruins
It almost goes without saying, if you come to Tulum, you have to see the ruins!
Tulum Ruins Pixabay Public Domain
Tulum holds so much authentic Mayan history within the city, especially within the site of the ruins, that it is almost foolish not to see some of it for yourself while here. The Tulum Ruins are ‘one of the most popular Mayan archeological sites along the Riviera Maya’, sitting atop a scenic cliff on the rocky coastline just south of downtown. The site gives way to several Templos and Castillos, each building and monument a great tribute to the pre-Colombian Mayans who called this place home as early as AD 564. The dramatic scenery of the seascape as the backdrop of these rustic ruins on the top of the cliffs makes you realize exactly why this spot is loosely translated into meaning ‘bluff facing the rising sun’. It is said that this is actually one of the only beachside Mayan civilization sites known in history!
The walls of the Castillo you’ll see are 7.5 meters tall, utilized heavily during the Caste War. The wall is 3.5 meters wide and 400 meters long! The site as a whole is considered to be the most visited site in the Yucatan, with thousands of eager and curious guests visiting daily. Quintana Roo as a whole also lovingly refers to this spot the ‘most known and most adventurous sites’ in all of the regions. Be sure to get here between 8-5 on any given day for proper site viewings, and also be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes and possibly bring a sun hat to beat the heat. Of course, you’ll also want to bring/wear your swimsuit, there will be cenote swimming opportunities nearby and face it, you really shouldn’t be going anywhere here in paradise without your swimming gear!
