700 years ago some Mayans authorities passed a parcel of golden sands and green-and-turquoise waters in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. Mesmerized by its beauty, they decided to build a seaport on this slice of paradise. Fortunately, this 13th-century Mayan wonder in paradise called Tulum can still be admired by us on a day trip from Cancun, Mexico. It is the 3rd most visited site in Mexico.
History
Tulum was built as a seaport 700 years ago in the 13th century during the Mayan post-classic period. It prospered from the 13th century to 15th century thanks to the trade of turquoise and jade. It stands out from other Mayan ruins because it is the only Mayan city built on a coast. It is also unique because of the fact that it is a walled city. The population of the city is believed to be 1000 to 1500 during its golden period.
The actual history of Tulum goes as far back as the 6th century when it was called Zama, meaning the City of Dawn. Until the 13th century, it had fewer inhabitants and it was an ordinary village by the beach. It is believed that Tulum was inhabited when the Spanish arrived. As with most Mayan cities, its demise is unknown.
Architecture
Tulum Mayan Archaeological Site
Tulum is one of the few Mayan walled cities, it has a 784-metre limestone wall enclosing the site, seven meters in width and five meters in height. El Castillo (the castle) sitting on the edge of a 12-metre limestone cliff is a well-preserved building amongst the Tulum ruins. It breathtaking in its beauty and time-warpness. Another important building is The Temple of the Frescoes which has murals representing three Mayan worlds – the world of the dead, the world of the living, and the world of the gods. A figure with bird’s wings and a tail can be seen on the walls of many Tulum ruins. This figure is believed to be the Mayan God of the Ocean. The Temple of the Descending God is another important structure at the site dedicated to the local deity.
Visiting Hours
Open all days from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m with last entry at 4:30 p.m. But, it is best to visit early in the morning or later in the day to avoid crowds, heat, and humidity.
Visiting Fees
Entrance: MXN 70 (US$ 4)
Parking: MXN 50-100 (US$ 3-5.50)
Guide: MXN 600 onwards (US$ 34)
How to Visit Tulum Ruins, the 3rd most visited site in Mexico
Tulum Ruins are 128 km (80 miles) south of Cancun. You can take a luxurious and comfortable ADO bus from Cancun to Tulum. One-way bus ticket costs 86 to 150 MXN (US$ 5 to 9) per person based on the class of the bus and the travel time is two and a half hours. The first bus leaves Cancun at 5:30 a.m. and the last one at 10:15 p.m.
How to reserve an ADO bus online
Most hotels in Cancun provide day tours to Tulum Ruins. If your hotel doesn’t have a tour option then there are several travel agencies in Cancun who provide guided visits. If you have rented a car, then drive south on Mexican Highway 307 out of Cancun.
It takes two hours to see Tulum, therefore it is recommended to visit one of the nearby attractions – Coba Pyramid, Muyil Ruins, Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, Paradise Beach or El Gran Cenote – to make the most of your time.