Visiting the Mayan Ruins of Tulum: Useful Tips
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You’ve probably heard of the Mayan ruins of Tulum in Mexico, right?
Perhaps you’ve even seen travel photos of Tulum’s iconic Temple of the Wind?
Easy to visit and relatively compact in scope, Tulum is one of the best ancient Mayan cities you can explore in Mexico’s Riviera Maya.
Mexico is like our second home because we travel there so often, and we’ve explored Tulum several times.
Here’s our guide to these impressive ruins, along with some history about the site and useful tips for visiting them.
Contents: Tulum Mayan ruins
The ruins at Tulum: Introduction
Visiting the Tulum ruins today
Main Tulum pyramids and structures
Mayan ruins of Tulum: Introduction
Tulum means “walled city.” (Its original name was “Zama,” which means sunrise.)
And the Mayan founders of Tulum sure knew how to pick their real estate for their prized city!
Poised atop a 39-foot-high rugged limestone cliff, Tulum overlooks the turquoise Caribbean Sea – it’s the only Mayan city ever built by the sea.
Located on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, about 81 miles south of Cancun (40 miles south of Playa del Carmen), Tulum is hauntingly beautiful.
Yes, Chichen Itza (one of the other top Mayan sites in Mexico) is grander.
But the Mayan ruins at Tulum have their own heart-tugging appeal.
For one, the ocean views are staggering.
And steep stairs lead a long way down to one of the most beautiful beaches you’ll ever see, with the whitest sand, where, yes, you can swim.
So there’s a reason Tulum is one of the three most popular archeological sites in Mexico to visit (after Chichen Itza and Teotihuacan)!
Really, exploring Tulum and learning about the history of the Mayan people who lived here is one of the best things to do in Mexico.
With that intro out of the way, let’s learn about and tour these ancient ruins in detail.
Tulum ruins history
The Mayans started building the city around 580 A.D., during the Classic Period. (The Classic Period or “golden age” of the Maya civilization was between 250 A.D. to 900 A.D.)
It was one of the last cities built by the Mayans.
Tulum was constructed as a city fortress, with limestone walls (up to 16 feet high and 26 feet thick) on three sides and the fourth side open to the Caribbean Sea.
On one private tour of Tulum, our guide explained that only royalty and the higher classes (about 300 people) lived within the city walls, in limestone houses.
The ordinary folk (some 20,000 Mayans) lived in thatched huts outside the walls.
Tulum was also a trading port for the Mayan world. Cacao beans, corn, copper, turquoise, jade, salt, gold and textiles were all traded here.
As Tulum was built opposite a channel cutting through the Palancar Reef (the second largest coral reef in the world), the Mayans could trade by sea – paddling their canoes through the channel when transporting trade goods in and out of the city.
Tulum reached the height of its glory between 1200 to 1500 A.D.
But after the Spanish arrived, the diseases they brought with them decimated the local population. The Mayan city of Tulum was completely abandoned by the end of the 16th century.
Some 250 years later, explorers Frederick Catherwood and John Lloyd Stephens discovered the ruins of the ancient city in 1841. They gave it the name of “Tulum.”
Exploring the Mayan Tulum ruins today
The present archaeological site is a far cry from the crumbling Tulum ruins we first traipsed about years ago.
Tulum has since been extensively restored.
Now gravel paths, lined by coral rocks, wind through manicured lawns. The monuments and buildings, many restored, are roped off.
No more climbing up or trying to peek inside – preservation comes first!
Here and there, a few trees also provide some shade, where you and fellow pink-skinned visitors may huddle around your tour guide (recommended, to fully appreciate this fascinating cultural marvel).
But apart from these shady patches, the site is open to the blazing sun.
No wonder the iguanas love it!
There’s a parking lot with shopping stalls too at the entrance.
You can even take a little open-air train from the parking lot to the ruins! (Or, like us, you can just walk the relatively short distance).
All of this means that the Mayan ruins of Tulum are much easier to navigate today.
And with English signboards, you can even understand what you’re seeing without having to refer to your dog-eared Moon travel guide on Tulum :-).
We admit, though, that we missed the haunting wildness of the lonely ruins we experienced years ago (a little, anyway). Then, we felt like true explorers who had just stumbled upon mysterious ancient structures in a jungle clearing.
But of course, with better accessibility comes a much better understanding of the ancient Mayan culture…
Main Tulum pyramids and important structures
Pyramid el Castillo
The Castillo (or castle) is the building that really gets you gawking.
Tulum’s main pyramid, it’s the largest and tallest building (25 feet high) and the one closest to the sea. When Catherwood and Stephens arrived by sea, El Castillo is probably the building they first saw.
Temple of Frescoes
The Templo de los Frescos (Temple of the Frescoes or Paintings) is also noteworthy.
You can’t enter the inner temple to see the colored decorative murals inside (visitors are no longer allowed in).
But on the outside walls on our most recent visit, we could make out stucco reliefs of the “Descending God” (the main god honored at Tulum), shown as an upside-down figure.
And looking closely, we also saw distinct red-colored handprints, original Mayan drawings, on the upper level.
Temple of the Descending God
The Temple of the Descending God is a small one-room building, with a relief of the falling upside-down male god above the door. It’s found to the left of El Castillo, as you face the sea.
No one really knows what the Descending God or Diving God represents.
One theory is that he’s the god of rain, descending head-first from the heavens, bringing welcome rain for agricultural fields.
Another theory is that he’s the Maya god of bees, called Ah Muu Zen Caab. Yes, bees!
Stingless bees were considered a link to the spirit world, and Maya priests harvested honey in religious ceremonies. Bees also played an important role in Tulum’s trade. Honey, candles, wax seals and other bee by-products were all coveted trade items.
Temple of the Wind (Temple of the God of the Wind)
Because of its prime perch above the turquoise sea, the Temple of the Wind is one of the most photographed buildings in Tulum.
It’s part of the Kukulkan Group (found a little north of El Castillo), which are considered minor structures.
Standing alone on the edge of the cliff, this particular Tulum temple has a round base (offering less resistance to the wind).
And get this.
A specially designed hole at the top of the temple makes a loud whistle when high winds blow. It’s said it was an early hurricane and storm warning, and the Mayas would seek shelter inland when they heard the whistle sound.
3 Interesting facts about Tulum and the ancient Maya way of life
History buff or not, you’ll dig these three cool nuggets of information we learned from our Mayan guide on our latest Tulum ruins tour:
1) The lower-class workers bound and flattened the tops of their babies’ heads for the first six months of life, so as adults, they could better carry baskets on their heads. No kidding! Our guide showed us photographs of ancient skulls with completely flat tops. Ouch…
2) The temple buildings look sand- and grey-colored today, but were painted bright blue and red, back when Tulum was a thriving city.
3) Jade was the most important stone for the Maya people – it represented eternal life. Black obsidian, which symbolized energy, was also treasured. The ancient royal Mayans drilled holes in their front teeth into which they inserted round pearls of jade and black obsidian as decoration and a status symbol. (We could hardly believe the photos – wonder what our dentist would have thought of this practice?)
Tips for visiting the Tulum ruins
Getting to the ancient Mayan ruins of Tulum
From the parking lot at the archaeological site entrance, you have to walk about a third of a mile (no more than a 10-minute walk) to reach the ticket booth.
Or you can hop on the tram that shuttles back and forth all day. (It’s only a few dollars.)
Beware the sun!
It’s hot and humid year-round at this ancient Mayan city, and the sun is intense.
Bring water, and wear sun screen, a wide-brimmed hat and comfy walking shoes or sandals (flip-flops not recommended).
No facilities
There are no biffies or change rooms at the ruins. So if you plan to swim at the beach, you’ll probably want to wear your bathing suit under your clothes.
Time needed
Two hours for your visit (sans swim) is plenty to take in the site. You’ll be looking to retreat from the heat after two hours anyway.
Guided Tulum tour
For the best experience, we recommend going on a guided tour of the Tulum Mayan ruins. You’ll get so much more out of your visit, as your guide can bring the place to life for you.
See this top-notch private tour of Tulum, with hotel transfers.
Alternatively, you might like this highly-rated all-day tour (12 hours).
It combines Tulum, the Coba ruins (another impressive Mayan archaeological site) and a swim in a cenote. Transportation from Cancun, Playa del Carmen or elsewhere in the Riviera Maya is provided.
Or skip Coba, and just visit the Tulum ruins and do a cenote swim.
This fun shorter tour (with transportation from meeting points in Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum) includes a guided tour of the ruins with an expert guide, plus free time to explore on your own. It’s followed by swimming in Cenote Chen Ha.
Tulum ruins, Mexico: Exact location
The entrance to the Tulum archeological zone is closer to the town of Tulum than the Tulum Beach area. See its location.
Driving time from nearby destinations
- Tulum to Tulum ruins: 10 minutes
- Playa del Carmen to Tulum ruins: 1 hour
- Cancun to Tulum ruins: 2 hours
- Merida to Tulum ruins: 3 hours
- Valladolid to Tulum ruins: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Cost and hours
- Opening hours: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
- Tulum ruins entrance fee: The entry fee is 90 pesos (about $5.25 USD).
- More information: See the official Mexican government’s website on the Tulum site.
Where to stay
So you’re planning to hang around Tulum and stay for a while? Lucky you! Tulum is one of the chicest Mexican beach towns!
We’ve written a whole post about where to stay in Tulum on the beach – covering the best accommodations on the beach.
We’ve also done a deep dive into all the beautiful hotels in Tulum boasting private pool suites.
You’re sure to find the right place to suit your style and budget from this list!
Last words on visiting the Tulum archeological site
Tulum’s ancient ruins beckon travelers with their intriguing history and breathtaking ocean views. The well-preserved Mayan temples and walls offer a tangible connection to a civilization that thrived over 700 years ago.
When vacationing in Tulum, Playa del Carmen or elsewhere on the Mayan Riviera, these Mayan ruins in Tulum, Mexico, are an attraction you absolutely must see!
Like this Tulum ruins guide? Then pin it!
Experience more of Mexico!
Cozumel: Which is better? Cozumel vs Cancun? (Hint: If you’re an avid scuba diver, pick Cozumel.)
Colonial Mexico: From Taxco to Queretaro, these are the 15 most beautiful colonial cities in Mexico.
Zihuatanejo: Want a great beach vacay? See the best beaches in Zihuatanejo and Ixtapa.
Mexico City: Spending three days in Mexico City? You’ll want to see this helpful itinerary covering the best museums, attractions and restaurants in the fabulous capital.
Cabo San Lucas: Check out our ultimate Los Cabos travel guide. It’s packed with info on where to play, stay and eat.
San Miguel de Allende: From riding a vintage trolley through fairytale streets to visiting a unique mask museum, there are many wonderful things to do in San Miguel de Allende.
Our top travel tips and resources
Hotels: Booking.com is perfect for scoring a “wow” hotel – or at least a decent one – at lower rates than the hotel’s own website. We especially like Booking’s flexible cancellation policy!
Vacation homes, condos and rentals: We prefer and use Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner).
Cruises: CruiseDirect offers amazing deals on cruises (including Holland America, Viking Ocean Cruises, Seabourn and other lines we’ve reviewed).
Flights: To book the cheapest flights, search on Google Flights or Expedia. (Just be aware Expedia tickets may be non-refundable.)
Airport lounge access: We love (and have) Priority Pass for comfy lounge seats, free snacks and drinks, complimentary WiFi and sometimes even showers and spa services!
Tours: For the best local food, walking and other guided tours, plus skip-the-line tickets to attractions, check out Viator (a TripAdvisor company) and GetYourGuide.
Car rental: Renting a car is often a great way to explore off the beaten path. Discover Cars searches car rental companies so you get the lowest rates.
eSIMS: Stay connected affordably with Airalo eSIMS covering 200+ countries and trusted by 10 million+ users, including us! (No more huge roaming bills!)
Travel insurance: SafetyWing is designed for frequent travelers, long-term adventurers and digital nomads. It covers medical expenses, lost checked luggage, trip interruption and more. We also have and recommend Medjet for global air medical transportation.
Travel gear: See our travel shop to find the best luggage, accessories and other travel gear. (We suggest these comfy travel sandals for city walking, the beach and kicking about.)
Need more help planning your trip? Check out our travel tips and resources guide for airline booking tips, ways to save money, how to find great hotels and other crazy useful trip planning info.
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Photo credits: 3, 7 to 9, 11 to 13 © Janice and George Mucalov, SandInMySuitcase
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