Tulum

A Maya temple on a cliff, turquoise water and white sand below: hardly any image says Mexico's Caribbean coast like the ruins of Tulum. A vacation here combines archaeology, cenotes, beaches and a lifestyle of yoga, eco-hotels and jungle that has changed Tulum rapidly in recent years.

A Maya City by the Sea

Tulum, probably called Zamá, "dawn," in Maya times, was a fortified port city that flourished between the 13th and 15th centuries. Traders here dealt in obsidian, jade, cacao and feathers. The Spanish spotted the city from their ships in 1518 and described it as being as large as Seville. Tulum then lay off the beaten path for a long time, until backpackers discovered the beach in the 1970s. Today the town is growing fast, with new residential areas, hotels and its own airport, which has also sparked debates about water, mangroves and wastewater.

Sights in Tulum

The Zona Arqueológica de Tulum is surrounded by a wall, which is probably the origin of its modern name, meaning "wall." The main building, El Castillo, stands on the cliff above the sea, with the Temple of the Frescoes, which preserves remnants of painted walls, and the Temple of the Descending God beside it. The best time to visit is early in the morning, before the heat and the tour groups arrive. Since 2023, the site has been part of Parque del Jaguar, a national park with trails and bike routes. To the south, the hotel zone stretches along the beach to the entrance of the Sian Ka'an biosphere reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage site with lagoons, mangroves and canals that the Maya already used. Boat tours lead through the canals of Muyil, where you can float with the current in a life jacket, and out to dolphins, turtles and seabirds in the bay of Punta Allen.

Cenotes, Food and Nightlife

Around Tulum you'll find numerous cenotes, freshwater-filled limestone caves such as Gran Cenote, Dos Ojos, Calavera and Carwash, which invite you to swim, snorkel and dive. In the town, the Pueblo, taquerías serve cochinita pibil, tacos al pastor and panuchos at moderate prices, while the restaurants along the hotel zone are known for creative cuisine, wood-fired cooking and high prices. In the evening, beach clubs and jungle venues host parties with electronic music. If you go out, keep an eye on your drinks and use only official transportation. Things are calmer in the Pueblo itself, where mezcal bars, cafés and small eateries on Avenida Tulum stay open until midnight.

Getting Around, When to Go and Day Trips

Since late 2023, Tulum has had its own international airport (TQO), and the Tren Maya stops at a station outside town. Cancún airport is about 80 miles (130 km) to the north, and ADO buses run several times a day. Locally, bicycles, colectivos and taxis are the usual options; taxi fares are comparatively high. The best time to visit is between December and April; June through November is hurricane season, and in summer sargassum can affect the beaches. Day trips lead to the Maya city of Cobá with its tall pyramid, to Akumal, where you can snorkel with sea turtles, and to the Bacalar lagoon.