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An update from Evaneos
Tulum

Tulum (Mexico)

Practical information on Tulum

  • Family
  • Relaxation
  • Encounters with locals
  • Romantic
  • Beach / Seaside Resort
  • Viewpoint
  • Water Sports
  • Archaeological Site
  • Castle and fortress
  • Place or Historical Monument
  • Essential
4 / 5 - 3 reviews
How to get there
2 hours by bus from Cancun
When to go
All year round
Minimum stay
One day

Reviews of Tulum

Seasoned Traveller
129 written opinions

Tulum's principal attractions are that it's a really well preserved archaeological site beside the Caribbean Sea, with incredible beaches.  

My suggestion:
Tulum is a well known stop-off in Mexico with a large number of restaurants and shops. To escape from the tourist bubble I found an empty corner of the beach to lie in the sun under a gentle breeze. 
My review
The Mayas chose this paradisaical place for one of their complexes and when you visit it you can see why. They probably saw a sign from one of their gods telling them where to put the fortress. Nowadays, visitors don't see divine signs but they do see an exceptional natural place. The water's color left me speechless and the whole looks like a picture postcard. 
Tulum's Mayan fortress
A view of Tulum's beaches
David Debrincat Seasoned Traveller
459 written opinions

Tulum is at the end of the nasty Riviera Maya, 135 km from Cancun. It's the only town that is even a bit authentic and removed from mass tourism. For how much longer?

My suggestion:
By the side of the sea the view is magnificent but I detest the exponential growth of hotel complexes. Gringoland in all its glory. Yuck! I prefer staying in a village that is 4 km from the beach but a lot more Mexican.
My review
Yucatan is a must see during a visit to Mexico, and I recommend that you don't forget to visit Tulum. It's a unique site in a superb setting. It's the only Mayan site that was built beside the sea. It was there that the Spanish landed in 1518.
Tulum
Virginie Bigeni Seasoned Traveller
49 written opinions

Tulum is an ancient Mayan city located on Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. Unusually, the site lies next to a beach: ancient ruins against a backdrop of the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea … the description says it all.

My suggestion:
The site gets enjoyably busy within the first hours of opening. So, be the first there, or the last – the choice is yours, though late afternoon is probably slightly better than other times.
My review
The exceptional landscape of Tulum figures amongst those that remain etched in my memory. It's a must-see site. You'll come away from it enchanted. I should warn you that it's so beautiful (and so popular as a result) that visiting it will take the shine off the rest of your stay a little; and though this is unfortunate, it really is worth it. It's a place I think you really must see with your own eyes. The ancient Mayan city here is ten centuries old. Some of the foundations are even older still. It is also surrounded by a thick wall. Because of its position, with the beach below, the site must have served as a stronghold and a lookout in addition to its religious functions. 
Tulum facing the Caribbean Sea