Photos by Worldwide Scott
The Mayan ruins of Tulum are hands-down one of the most popular sights on the entire Mayan Riviera, and if you pay them a visit, they're likely to pay you back by being one of the highlights of your trip to Mexico.
What makes these ruins so special? Well, in truth, there are certainly more dramatic and more historically significant remnants of the Mayan world to be seen and explored, but none are perched atop such a breathtaking backdrop as Tulum. You see, the Tulum ruins sit on a precipice overlooking a mesmerizing seascape of twirling teal and turquoise water with crashing waves and bright white sand in the foreground. We're definitely talking profile picture stuff here, folks.
Here are a few tips for turning a tour of the Tulum Ruins into a terrific day out.
1. The Early Bird Gets The Worm
As you can imagine, the Tulum Ruins are very popular. While normally there is nothing wrong with being part of a friendly herd, the Tulum Ruins call out for quiet contemplation, so doing your best to avoid the biggest bulk of people is a must. Therefore, getting there early is recommended. You'll have much more space to breath the ruins in and less hot air to breath in as well, as the mornings can be the coolest time of day on the Mayan Riviera.
2. Say Hi to Drate!
No, that's not a typo, and sorry to dash your hopes that Drake has a beach house near the Tulum Ruins - I'm talking hydration here. There's no two ways about it, it's muggy on the Mayan Riviera, and that, combined with the beating sun can dehydrate you in a heartbeat. Bring more water than you think you need - just in case - and also along these lines, pack sunscreen, a hat and something to cover the back of your neck too.
3. Take Your Trunks
If you've always thought the missing element for ancient ruins is just a little swimming, then Tulum is perfect for you. There is a beach directly inside of the ruins, and taking a dip is a great way to cool off and catch sweeping views from the sea at the same time. In fact, why not pack a waterproof camera?
4. Look For The Lighthouse
The grandest ruin in Tulum is called El Castillo (The Castle), but it's not your typical castle, and its true purpose is just now starting to be revealed. As Tulum was a trading port for goods along the Caribbean coast from the Yucatan to modern-day Honduras, it is becoming evident that El Castillo and its three large windows served as a primitive lighthouse for seafarers. These windows line up precisely with a safe passage point in an offshore reef, thus allowing vessels to safely navigate - even at night when fires were likely lit below the windows.
5. Take Time For Tulum Town
Instead of just showing up, seeing the ruins and leaving, spend some time in the town of Tulum (called the Pueblo by locals). While formerly a dusty village, the town has evolved into a place full of boutiques, hip hotels/hostels and bars where you can have a fresh-made mezcal margarita in a swing. No trip to Tulum would be complete without a seafood feast at El Camello Jr., a friendly "plastic chairs" kind of place serving up great fish tacos during the day and all forms of tasty seafood at night.
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