Table of Content
Welcome to Tulum
Uncover the captivating allure of the Ruins of Tulum with our ultimate travel guide. Step back in time as you explore the remnants of this ancient Mayan city perched on the stunning Caribbean coastline. From the iconic El Castillo to the intricate frescoes, immerse yourself in the rich history and architectural wonders of Tulum’s ruins. Our guide will navigate you through the site’s hidden gems, offering invaluable insights and tips for a truly immersive experience. Unveil the mysteries of the past and create unforgettable memories amidst the awe-inspiring Ruins of Tulum. Plan your archaeological adventure today!
Where to Stay in Tulum
As you would expect from a major travel destination, Mexico has no shortage of options when it comes to accommodation. As always, I’d suggest you stay somewhere central, to make accessing all the attractions as easy as possible.
Best Luxury Hotels in Tulum Mexico
Habitas Tulum: This luxury hotel combines sustainability with contemporary design. The hotel offers stylish rooms and suites with eco-friendly amenities and outdoor showers. Guests can relax by the pool, enjoy yoga classes, savor delicious cuisine at the on-site restaurant, and take in breathtaking views of the Caribbean Sea.
Be Tulum: Situated on the beautiful white sands of Tulum Beach, this luxury hotel offers stylish rooms and suites with modern amenities and ocean views. The hotel boasts a beachfront infinity pool, a spa, a fitness center, and a renowned restaurant serving delicious Mexican and international cuisine.
Casa Malca: Housed in a beautifully restored mansion, Casa Malca offers luxury accommodations with a blend of contemporary and vintage decor. The hotel features spacious suites, a beachfront pool, a rooftop terrace, and an art gallery showcasing works by renowned artists. Guests can indulge in gourmet dining and relax on the pristine beach.
Best Mid-Range Hotels in Tulum Mexico
Ahau Tulum: Located on Tulum Beach, Ahau Tulum offers comfortable and eco-friendly accommodations. The hotel features charming cabanas with private terraces and ocean views. Guests can relax on the beach, enjoy yoga classes, savor delicious meals at the beachfront restaurant, and unwind with holistic spa treatments.
Coco Tulum: This bohemian-chic hotel offers a laid-back atmosphere and beachfront accommodations. The hotel provides rustic cabanas and beach huts with stunning ocean views. Guests can relax in hammocks, enjoy beachside dining, and soak up the relaxed vibe of Tulum’s beautiful coastline.
La Zebra Colibri Boutique Hotel: Nestled on Tulum Beach, this boutique hotel offers vibrant and stylish rooms with modern amenities. The hotel features a beachfront pool, a restaurant serving Mexican and international cuisine, and a beach club with loungers and umbrellas. Guests can enjoy live music and a lively atmosphere.
Best Hostels in Tulum Mexico
TuboTulum Hostel: This unique hostel offers a one-of-a-kind experience, with accommodations in repurposed concrete tubes. The hostel provides dormitory and private tube rooms, a communal kitchen, and a lounge area. Guests can enjoy the quirky and eco-friendly ambiance while meeting fellow travelers.
Chill Inn Hostel Tulum: Located close to Tulum’s main avenue, Chill Inn Hostel offers an affordable dormitory and private rooms. The hostel features a communal kitchen, a swimming pool, a bar, and a lounge area. Guests can socialize with fellow travelers and take advantage of the hostel’s convenient location for exploring the area.
Che Tulum: Situated near Tulum’s main avenue, this welcoming hostel offers affordable dormitory and private rooms. The hostel features a communal kitchen, a courtyard with a pool, and a bar. Guests can enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of the hostel, meet fellow travellers, and explore the nearby shops and restaurants.
Begin your search for the perfect accommodation now while the excitement is still fresh in your mind. Discover stylish and affordable options, and find the best accommodations at the lowest prices:
Explore a wide range of hotels in Mexico here (Booking.com)
Explore a wide range of hotels in Mexico here (Tripadvisor)
Explore a wide range of hotels in Mexico here (Agoda)
Discover affordable hostels in Mexico here (Hostelworld)
Easily compare prices and book hotels in Mexico here (Hotellook)
Tulum is a coastal town located in Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula that has become a very popular tourist destination during the last couple of years. Tulum got its name from the ancient Mayan ruins located on the edge of a cliff in Quintana Roo, overlooking the Caribbean Ocean in Mexico. “Tulum” simply means “Wall” or “Walled City”.
The archaeological ruins are one of the best-preserved coastal Maya sites in Mexico and probably, it won’t be the best idea to visit Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula without seeing the Mayan Ruins of Tulum. The ruins of Tulum is very (and probably too!) popular day trip from Playa del Carmen and Cancun.
If you cannot come as early as possible (which means before opening!) you will have to share the experience with hundreds of people and tons of guided groups. And it gets overcrowded! But it is a beautiful place to visit and still the most preserved coastal Maya city which makes it so interesting for tourists to visit. Back in the day, it was possible to climb the pyramids, but that’s no longer the case. If you want to climb a pyramid visit Coba (50 minutes by car from Tulum) or Ek Balam (2 hours by car from Tulum).
History Of The Tulum Ruins
Between the 11th and 16th centuries, Tulum was one of the most important trading and religious centre in the Yucatan Peninsula. Nowadays, the Ruins of Tulum are one of the most important archaeological sites in Mexico.
The main difference between Tulum and other archaeological sites in Yucatan, such as Chichen Itza or Coba, is that Tulum was built to be a seaport fortress and not a Mayan settlement. The walls and the steep sea cliffs of Tulum provided protection from the East during the centuries.
Tulum served as a major connecting point between the Yucatan Peninsula and the Gulf of Mexico with the Mayan peoples of Honduras and Central America.
Some of the most important structures that you can see in Tulum nowadays are the El Castillo (Tulum’s main pyramid that was used as an ancient lighthouse), The Temple of the Frescoes (the best-preserved building of the complex), The House of the Columns (building with 4 rooms and a series of large columns), and The House of the Halach Uinic (the house of the high-priest of Tulum).
Things to Know Before You Go
Getting to the Mayan Ruins of Tulum by Car: The Mayan Ruins of Tulum are located on the eastern side of the Yucatan peninsula, about 1 h 45 min drive from Cancun (130 km), 60 km south of Playa del Carmen (50 min drive), and 105 km southeast of Valladolid (1 h 35 min drive).
Opening Times: The ruins are open daily all year round from 8 am to 5 pm. I’d recommend arriving before opening so that you are among the first to enter as it is much quieter and cooler in the mornings. You may also avoid (if possible) visiting The Mayan Ruins of Tulum on Sundays, as the admission is free for citizens and residents of Mexico – it will get much busier!
Entrance Fee: The price for visiting The Mayan Ruins of Tulum is 70 MXN (about 3.25 €) and for parking, you have to pay 30 MXN (1.40 €).
Time for Visiting: You can stay as long as you like, but I guess that 1.5 to 2 hours of stay would probably be the average.
Ideal Clothing & Footwear: This region of Yucatan is very hot and humid all year round, so dress for hot weather.
When is the Best Time of Year for Visiting The Mayan Ruins of Tulum?: The best time of the day to visit The Mayan Ruins of Tulum is in the early morning or in the late afternoon. During the first hour, there were almost no people there and the temperature was about 22°. It was absolutely lovely having almost the entire ruins site to ourselves! The only way to avoid the crowds and beat the vendors is to arrive at the ruins as early as possible and close to their opening time of 8 am. Many of the tour buses make their way from places like Cancun and Playa in the morning and arrive at The Mayan Ruins of Tulum around 9:30 a.m. The busiest and the hottest time to visit the ruins is between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Why You Should Choose The Mayan Ruins of Tulum over Chichen Itza?: You should not! Just visit both archaeological sites 🙂 To be honest, I do even prefer visiting Chichen Itza over the Mayan Ruins of Tulum as there is much more to see and experience.
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Begin your search for the perfect accommodation now while the excitement is still fresh in your mind. Discover stylish and affordable options, and find the best accommodations at the lowest prices:
- Explore a wide range of hotels in Mexico here (Booking.com)
- Explore a wide range of hotels in Mexico (Tripadvisor)
- Explore a wide range of hotels in Mexico (Agoda)
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- Easily compare prices and book hotels in Mexico (Hotellook)
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Enjoy the day!
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