Tulum was a fortified city of the Mayas, it is located in the State of Quintana Roo, in the Southeast of Mexico, right in front of the Caribbean Sea. Nowadays it is a great tourist attraction of the Mayan Riviera, where its ruins rise above the sea, offering you a glimpse of its history while you sunbathe. There are many things to see and do so we have developed a tourist map of Tuluum. In this wonderful city not everything is beach, you can also visit The Temple of the Frescoes, The Castle and the Temple of the Descending God. You can even dive into the Cenote Dos Ojos to dive inside caves in the middle of a forest. Come and dare to know Tulum.
Tourist Map of Tulum
Its name means in Mayan “wall” which was apparently used when the city was in ruins, most of the buildings that are estimated today were built in the post-classical period of the Mayan civilization, between the years 1200 and 1450. The Mayans gave importance to the planning of the town according to cosmology, and so the foundation of the city of Tulum was based on the concept of the “four corners”. One of the most important constructions is called El Castillo and is built in front of the sea, it is probably one of the oldest buildings in the city. It is a surprising construction, since it has elements that make reference to the Sun and Venus, besides the fact that the Castle sits on a cliff, and there is a cave at the bottom; thus representing the underworld.
It is a hot sub-humid place with rain in the summer of higher humidity. The average annual climate is 25.7° C. The outstanding winds are those of the southeast. In the year the average rainfall is between 1,136.8 millimeters with a rainy season from May to October. It is affected by storms, which increase rainfall especially in the summer. In Tulum, temperatures have reached 40°C more easily, mostly in the spring season. Similarly, in the winter, temperatures have dropped to 4°C. It has a population of 28,263 inhabitants. It has the best beaches in the state and internationally, with its white sands and delicious places of the Mexican Caribbean.
Tourist guide of Tulum
It is important to know our destinations before arriving at these, for this reason we are here to provide you with the best information about tourism in Tulum, that is why we have created a tourist route of the city of Tulum, recommending its Mayan ruins, because they are located on a cliff facing the Caribbean Sea, with warm starry nights and clear turquoise waters, they are the only archaeological site that sits on the seashore. It is the most photogenic site in the region and, why not, in the entire country.
What to visit in Tulum
Paraiso Beach
Playa Paraiso is considered one of the best beaches in the Riviera Maya, from where excursions to the famous Mesoamerican Barrier Reef are organized, and is located under the cliff. The Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve is so wide that it covers all possible scenarios among which are: beaches, rainforest, coral reefs, cenotes and dunes.
It is a beautiful place, where you will enjoy a beach that as its name indicates seems “paradise” is located in the heart of the Riviera Maya. Besides this, it is framed by the Mayan ruins of Tulum, which are located only 1 km away. Not to stay is irresistible, since the softness and whiteness of its sand is incredible. After visiting this place you will be totally convinced that you should come back. Because its experience is unique to be accompanied by your family or a special person. To get to “El Paraiso” Beach if you are located from Cancun or Playa del Carmen you can pay for a car and take the highway 307 to the archaeological zone of Tulum, or take a bus from both points to the same destination. It will take from Cancun one hour and a half, while from Playa del Carmen it is reduced to 40 minutes.
Zama Castle
It takes this name because in ancient times it was known as The Sunrise, is located in the highest area of the east coast, new studies indicate that this population exists since the twelfth and fourteenth centuries was also one of the main Mayan cities, was inhabited by 600 people who were responsible for controlling the trade of maritime resources of the coast of Quintana Roo. The most notorious area is Caleta, which is an entrance to the sea between the rocks where the Mayans worked the trade and where currently is a site used for the care of sea turtles. This is a place to connect with nature, get more information about the Mayan culture and spend a different and pleasant time, where you can also watch the sunset from the top of the city. To get to the Magic Mayan World Park If you drive from Cancun, you will pay a toll booth, the road is excellent and completely safe, you must enter through Valladolid or you will pay another toll booth.
Labnaha
It contains an ecological park known as “Mundo Mágico Maya” in which you can perform activities such as zip-lining, kayaking and snorkeling in the cenotes Labnaha and Agua Profunda where you will enjoy the jungle and the great underground world. There is also a fruit buffet and fresh water. Here you will find tourist guides for your comfort. Also at the moment of buying your ticket you will be contributing with the protection of animals and the different trees that are already in danger of extinction and are in danger because of the buildings made around the area. Age is not a limitation since each activity is adapted to your well-being. If you wish to go to Castillo de Zama it is located 65 kilometers (about 50 minutes by car) from Playa del Carmen. Take highway 307 towards Tulum, exiting by the sign that says “Tulum” (this is where the archaeological zone is located). If you are in Cancun, take the same highway 307 at 130 kilometers (about 1 hour and 40 minutes) to arrive at the place. If you like to go by bus, you should go to the Playa del Carmen Bus Station, which leaves for Tulum at 8:00. The schedule to visit the ruins is from 8:00 to 17:00, every day of the week.
Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve
It is the largest protected area in Mexico and occupies approximately 650,000 hectares along 120 kilometers from north to south, between the municipalities of Felipe Carrillo and Tulum. It is made up of beaches, cenotes, dunes, tropical jungle and a coral reef. More than 300 species of birds and more than 1000 plants and 100 animals live in the jungle. Its meaning is “where the sky is born” and not only that, it was declared a World Heritage Site in 1987. However, it is composed of three zones, where only the buffer zone is open to visitors and activities. You should book your place of accommodation well in advance at the various hotels near this place. On the shore of the reserve there are extensive white sand beaches, small bays and mangroves. Each of these places is home to different types of fauna. To reach the reserve, there are five entrances, but the most usual is that of Tulum, 6 kilometers from the town. There is no bus, just one a day that takes workers from the reserve or a combi that goes to Punta Allen at the southern end of the reserve. If you go by car, ask the people in charge of the reserve to recommend routes and places of interest.
Tulum National Park
In this place you will find certified guides for an excellent tour, shops and toilets. The view from the viewpoint is incredible and you can go down to the beach to sunbathe or swim, it has a very well preserved archaeological complex located in the middle of an amazing landscape, which includes cenotes, and one of the most spectacular coasts of the Yucatan Peninsula, in addition, preserves different types of vegetation (chit palm trees, coconut palms, tropical shrubs and creeping plants) If you are careful you may see different species (anteaters, sereques (a large native rodent) or white turtles, loggerheads and leatherbacks that come once a year to lay their eggs)
Coba Archaeological Zone
They are ruins of the classic period of the Mayan culture, located 40 kilometers northwest of the city, the tour begins in the Coba Group where there is a temple of 25 meters high, this is the starting point to meet the other interesting groups. On the site there are places for walking or cycling, for lunch, craft sales and guided tours. Open from Monday to Sunday from 8 to 5 in the afternoon. A fee must be paid when accessing the parking lot, which is the responsibility of the Coba ejido.
Sea and Cenotes for Diving
Tulum is a unique place in the world, it has excellent reefs and a spectacular sea, the best known reefs are Los Coquitos, La Ballena and La Piscina. Diving lovers choose Tulum because it is possible to discover extraordinary cenotes with beautiful stalactite / stalagmite formations. Tulum is the ideal place with the perfect conditions for beginner divers, thanks to its white sand beaches and its incredible cenotes to practice this sport. In the same way the cenotes give this unique experience in its deep and crystalline waters.
Tulum Hotel Map
In Tulum, there is a great variety of hotels, that is, if you are looking for where to stay you will find everything, although if we talk about areas there are only two options: city center or beach, to save you time and work we have prepared a map of hotels in Tulum, where we will help you choose where to establish your stay. The advantages of staying in the center of town is that you have all the services nearby such as banks and supermarkets, and also that if you are visiting cenotes and the beach it is perfect because you are in the middle of everything, so moving around will be easier. The second option is to be on the first line of the beach, where you can find from exclusive options to more alternative ones, but at prices higher than those of the city.