Tulum Mayan Ruins travel guide
A quick and easy guide to the Mayan ruins near Tulum,. Mexico
Tucked away on the rugged coastline of the Yucatan sits a once glorious port city. Today, the ruins of Tulum are a reminder of the powerful empire that held sway over the peninsula – the Mayans. And the good news is that the ruins are well-preserved, accessible, and being looked after by the local government at last.
In this Tulum travel guide, we give a brief background as well as some tips for getting the most out of your trip. So read on to learn more about the amazing Tulum ruins and expand your Cancun trip!
Understanding Tulum
Many travellers who arrive in ‘Tulum’ aren’t particularly enamoured by the charming yet noisy and dirty pueblo of Tulum. But this isn’t the main attraction. The name ‘Tulum’ generally refers to the Mayan city that was once the trading port for the equally impressive ruined city of Coba deeper into the Yucatan’s rainforests.
Tulum was inhabited as early as 562, but it wasn't until 1200-1521 that it flourished and became a major port town, controlling maritime commerce along the Caribbean coast to Belize. In 1518, the Spanish conquistador Juan de Grijalva sailed by and was awestruck by the sight of the walled city with its buildings painted in brilliant red, blue, and yellow, and a ceremonial fire burning atop its seaside watchtower.
Although once advanced, and home to many of the stepped pyramids, homes and halls that are typical of Mayan cities, today there are only a select number of buildings that remain. Abandoned in the 16th century, along with plenty of other Mayan settlements, the layout of the city and a handful of crumbling buildings is all that remains of this once prosperous port.
The city was deserted only 75 years after the Spanish conquest, possibly because its population had been wiped out by European diseases. Nature reclaimed the city for hundreds of years afterwards, and no one outside of the region knew about it until the middle of the 1800s.
Although the site was occasionally used by Maya pilgrims and indigenous refugees seeking shelter during the Caste War, foreign visitors did not begin arriving in any significant numbers for another century and a half.
Know before you go
From Tulum Town, the ruins are a quick trip away. Tulum is well-serviced by taxis, but those who prefer independence can also rent bicycles or walk.
The months of November and December are ideal for a trip to Tulum. By that time, the hurricane season will be over and the summer tourist season will have ended. As a result, you can relax in comfort with temperatures in the mid to high 20s degrees Celsius (70 Fahrenheit)
Tulum is completely enclosed by massive stone walls. Seeing everything takes a couple of hours if you start at the oceanfront and move clockwise, but if you want to stay for a swim after exploring, you can spend the entire day there with ease. A door in the south wall serves as the exit, and it’s easy to miss!
The ruins are open every day, closing at around 5 pm, but the beach remains open at all times – ideal for sunset Instagram posts.
Is a Tulum tour a good idea?
If you’re staying in Cancun, it’s really easy to reach Tulum via coach or reasonably priced taxi, and you can easily pay your entry fee and explore your heart’s content. But if you want to be steered past the endless tourist traps, avoid the street hawkers and gain insights from local experts, then a tour is a great option in Tulum.
Save extra hassle by booking a Tulum day trip with transfers from Cancun, so you can simply meet your driver, enjoy your day, and be whisked back to your hotel.
The best places to stay near Tulum ruins
The vast majority of visitors to Tulum travel from Cancun, with its luxury resorts and hotels (check out our list of all-inclusive resorts in Cancun), but there are some trendy art hotels worth checking out in Tulum itself.
Take the amazing Casa Malca, an art hotel that was once part of drug lord Pablo Escobar’s private Tulum estate. The hotel features huge international names, including KAWS. The five-star resort sits on its own mini beach and features just 42 rooms, 9 of which are housed in the original house. Narcos fans will love this chic hotel in Tulum.
If you’re after something a little more romantic, then Mi Amor is practically within walking distance of Tulum ruins. It is adults-only and located directly on the beach.
The main restaurant, which features the work of award-winning chef Paul Bentley from Guadalajara's Magno Brasserie, serves a tempting Mediterranean-Mexican menu and has rooms that are made for two. Spa visitors can bond through shared experiences in the Mexican steam room, including a variety of rituals designed specifically for couples.
Are the Tulum ruins worth seeing?
Even if you aren’t that much of a history nerd, you can’t help but be impressed by the engineering that has gone into the structures and decorations still visible today. That, and the stunning backdrop, including golden beaches and giant black iguanas climbing the rocky bluffs make the area a fantastic place to explore.
Like the sound of exploring the Mayan ruins at Tulum? Book your dream Mexico break or find great flight prices to Cancun with our flight finder.
Find this article helpful? Please share it with someone else who might be planning this trip and don’t forget to subscribe to Unmissable Trips.
