Tulum, Cenote & Akumal Turtles
Tulum is the only Mayan city built on a cliff above the Caribbean Sea. Its walled center, with El Castillo looking out to sea, was an important port for trade along the coast.
About Tulum
Tulum is the only Mayan city built on a cliff above the Caribbean Sea. Its walled center, with El Castillo looking out to sea, was an important port for trade along the coast.
Below the ruins there are small beaches of white sand and turquoise water, and south of the site starts the hotel zone of Tulum, with beach clubs and palm trees. These photos show the ruins, the coast from the air and the beaches.
Our recommended tour is "Tulum, Cenote & Akumal Turtles" (Ruins, cenote & turtles · 10 h). Book it online with our partner GetYourGuide, or ask us on WhatsApp for a private trip.
Tulum, Cenote & Akumal Turtles
| Price on GetYourGuide | from $84 USD |
| Duration | 10 h |
| Departure | Hotel pickup in Cancun |
Included
- Round-trip A/C bus with Cancun hotel pickup
- Guided tour of Tulum archaeological site
- Cenote Mariposa entry
- Guided snorkeling with turtles at Akumal
- Buffet lunch with drinks
- Life jackets, lockers & water
Good to know
- Archaeological site fee (about $40 USD) may be paid on the day
- Use biodegradable sunscreen
- Bring a swimsuit and a towel
History of Tulum
Tulum is on the Caribbean coast of Quintana Roo, almost opposite the island of Cozumel, about 128 km south of Cancun on highway 307 (around an hour and a half by road).
Its name, given in the 20th century, means "wall" or "fence" in Mayan, for the stone walls that surround the city on three sides. It is believed that it was originally called Zamá, "dawn", a fitting name for a city on the east coast that sees the sunrise every day. Built on a cliff over the Caribbean, it was an important port of the Postclassic period, linking sea and inland trade.
Tulum is the only Maya city of its size built right on the coast. Its highlights are El Castillo, on top of the cliff; the Temple of the Descending God, with a carved figure of the god over its door; and the Temple of the Frescoes, with a stucco mask on its corner and the remains of murals inside that look like pages from a codex. Below the cliffs lies one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
It is worth hiring a guide to learn the history and legends of the city. Wear light clothes and comfortable shoes, and bring sunscreen: there is little shade.
Tulum
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Book online with our partner GetYourGuide.
Ready to visit Tulum?
Book online, see the photo gallery, or ask us on WhatsApp.