The ruins of Tulum
The famous ruins of Tulum are one of the emblematic places of the Riviera Maya and Kayak in Tulum. This fortified city (6th-15th centuries) dedicated to the cult of the Descending God, was a strategic place of land and sea trade of the Mayas. It is not the most impressive archaeological site in the region, but it is truly unique for its privileged location facing the Caribbean Sea. Also because it is located in the Tulum National Park, the only protected area in this very touristic region between Cancun and Tulum!What to see in the archaeological site of Tulum:
- The wall with the watchtowers.
- The Castle, facing the sea, is the most important building of the site. It was used as a reference point for navigators to avoid the great coral reef!
- The Temple of the Frescoes, which is the best preserved and most interesting structure, especially for its decorative richness (paintings, engravings, sculptures).
- The Temple of the Descending God
- The House of the Columns, House of Halach Uinic, House of the Chultún, House of the Cenote, etc.
- Kayak in Tulum.
How to visit the ruins of Tulum
- Entrance fee: 85 pesos
- If you want you can hire the services of a guide when you arrive, but there are also explanatory signs in English/Spanish.
- The site is open daily from 8 am to 5 pm (last entrance at 4:30 pm).
- To get to the Tulum ruins from town: 10 minutes by car from Tulum town or by combi (taken in front of the 7 Eleven on Carretera Federal 307, 20$MXN).
- To get to the ruins from Playa del Carmen: by ADO bus (1h, 65$MXN) or by combi (40$MXN) from Carretera Federal on the corner of Avenida Juarez.
- To get to the entrance of the archaeological zone you will have to walk 700m or take the little train (20$MXN).
- Parking is available at 80$MXN per hour or 150$MXN per day.
Immerse yourself in a Mayan Cenote
Cenotes are natural fresh water wells that were sacred to the Mayas who considered them a place of communication between the terrestrial world and the underworld. Today, bathing in a cenote has become one of the best things to do in Tulum and Kayak in Tulum. There are thousands of cenotes in the Yucatan Peninsula and there really are all kinds: some are perfect for families with children and beginner swimmers, others are only recommended for experienced divers. Gran Cenote and Cenote Dos Ojos are the most touristic, but there are others much quieter like Nicte-Ha and Calavera, perfect for enjoying nature.Relaxing on white sandy beaches
Along with Holbox and Contoy, it is definitely in Tulum where I saw the most beautiful beaches of the Yucatan! Fine sand, warm, calm and crystal clear water: here you have the perfect combination to create paradise on earth. There are many beaches along the coast, some very touristic and others little known. Here are some of Tulum’s beaches:Ruins Beach
I recommend you to arrive early because it is quite a touristy place that fills up quickly and the beach is not very big, but it is interesting to be able to combine the archaeological visit with relaxation. Don’t be afraid of the iguanas, they are calm but it is better not to get too close to them. You can also take a boat ride from the beach to observe the ruins and go to the reef to snorkel and Kayak in Tulum.Paradise Beach
Playa Paraiso is only 1 km from the ruins, in the Tulum National Park. The water is calm and the nearby reef offers a good place to snorkel and watch turtles, fish, etc. And here you find the famous leaning palm tree, an iconic Tulum photo spot!Las Palmas Beach
Near Playa Paraiso is Playa Las Palmas, another popular beach because of its easy access in the center of Tulum and because of the wind which is ideal for kitesurfing and windsurfing. There are cafes, restaurants, hotels. It is possible to camp safely on the beach.Chemuyil Beach
This is definitely one of the best beaches in Tulum, and much quieter than the others, it is a well kept secret of the Riviera Maya! It is located in a bay surrounded by dense vegetation, with crystal clear water, perfect for swimming and snorkeling. Getting to Chemuyil Beach: 20 km from Tulum, near Akumal. From Chemuyil village, about 500 meters from the bridge, take the beach traffic circle and follow the dirt road. The entrance is 500 meters from there. There is nothing on the beach, so bring your towel and, if you can, an umbrella because there is no shaded area.Xcacel Beach
Next to Chemuyil is Xcacel Beach, a beautiful white sand beach that is part of a large protected nature reserve among palm trees and mangroves. From May to October, it is a sea turtle nesting site and they organize turtle release activities from mid-September to the end of November. It is a paradisiacal place for snorkeling and diving because there is a coral reef just 50m from the beach and a shipwreck to the south. At 200m from the coast is also the Xcacelito cenote with fresh and crystalline water surrounded by mangroves. Entrance fee 80$MXN How to get to Playa Xcacel: 20min from Tulum by car, following Highway 307. You can also get there by colectivo, leaving from 7 Eleven located on 307 (30$MXN). Remember to tell the driver in advance that you get off at Xcacel. There are no services on the beach (restaurant, bar, umbrellas) and it closes at 17h30.The best tip of Tulum
Hotel Zulum is located on a beautiful beach, perfect for a long walk with your feet in the warm water. You can access the hotel facilities with a minimum consumption of 250$MXN (drinks, food). It has a small restaurant with terrace (I recommend the Margarita and the salad with tuna steak!), but you can also go directly down to the beach, sit on the lounge chairs and eat at the bar. The beach is surrounded by quite elegant hotels and the atmosphere is quiet, so it offers the perfect balance between relaxation and comfort.Biking
With such a pleasant climate and the accessibility of its main tourist attractions, Tulum is ideal for biking. There is a bike path of a little more than 3 km that goes all the way to the end of Avenida Coba and I just cycled to the Gran Cenote. The ruins of Tulum and Playa Paraiso can also be reached without any problem by bike as they are only 15 minutes from the center. Further away, but also accessible by bike from Tulum: the ruins of Muyil (1h15), Coba (2h30) and Cenote Dos Ojos (1h10). It is a sustainable and convenient way to get around the city, its surroundings and the beach, but be prepared for sun and heat, especially in summer!- Several hotels offer bicycles to their guests, but if this is not your case, it is very easy to find a bike rental store in Tulum.
- Renting a bike costs around 150$MXN per day or 550$MXN for an electric bike. It is also possible to rent scooters.
The secret to enjoy Tulum without seaweed
There is a place in Tulum where there is never sargassum: Tankah Cove. It is a small beach club, not very touristic, with a restaurant, lounge chairs, umbrellas, hammocks and a small cove facing the Caribbean Sea where no seaweed enters. In addition, it is a perfectly clear fresh water that allows you to see hundreds of fish! There is also a cenote in the middle of the jungle about 50 meters from the beach. The water is completely clear, not very deep and the place is very quiet because there is almost no one.- Tankah is located 6 km (10 min) from the center of Tulum. From the entrance you have to walk 500 meters.
- It costs 300$MXN the entrance fee, it includes sun loungers and umbrellas. No consumption is required and parking is free.
Kitesurfing
If you want to kitesurf in Tulum, there are schools on the beach that offer lessons for all levels and equipment rental. With its long white sand beaches with no rocks, a temperature of around 25C, and 15 to 25 knots of wind all day long, Tulum is a great place for kitesurfing, especially from December to May!Party in Tulum
Tulum is one of the most famous party destinations in Mexico, but in a completely different atmosphere than Playa del Carmen and Cancun. I recommend the Batey – Mojito & Guarapo Bar and its passion fruit mojito, de-li-cious! There is live music every day and a super atmosphere with travelers from all over the world. One of the best places to party in Tulum is the Papaya Playa Project, which is a boutique hotel on the beach. You can go by day to relax on the beach or by night to one of their DJ events.
