Tulum

In ancient times, Tulum was the only seaport for representatives of the civilization through which the Mayans exported cotton, rubber, and salt to Guatemala. This fact helped the city to avoid the decline of nearby settlements when the Spanish conquerors landed in Yucatan (1517). In contrast, the beginning of the XVI century is considered to be the time of flourishing for Tulum. Remaining a maritime fortress, it became a major trading center on the Caribbean coast. All trade by sea, from Yucatan to Honduras, was conducted through it.

The exploration of the territory was continued between 1913 and 1924 by the American archaeologist Sylvanus Morley and scientists from the Carnegie Institution for Science. They confirmed that the emergence of the city should be attributed to the year 1200. At the same time, according to them, Tulum stopped to exist after the XVI century.

Thus, there is a real ancient city in front of us, as if it was frozen more than 400 years ago. With untouched nature and clean beaches right by the Caribbean Sea. This fact has allowed developing Tulum as a popular resort. Today, recreation here has all the advantages one can dream of.

El Camaleon Mayakoba Golf Course hosts the World Tour Mayakoba Golf Classic every February. At this time, it is a gathering place for both beginners and professionals. 

In spring, in April and May, Tulum gathers electronic music lovers on the beaches of the coast for a festival of the best performers in this genre.

During the summer months, the main event in the city is the festival of culture and art called Art with Me. During this time, impressive installations of natural materials can be seen on the beaches. Night discos and music performances complement the spectacle.

Do not miss out on the IK LAB Art Gallery (located near the Azulik Hotel) at any time of year. Decorated with wood carvings and round designer windows, it is beautiful in its own way. Externally, the gallery looks like a giant bird's nest. It hosts exhibitions of contemporary art.

• Look at ancient ruins. The most convenient way to get to them is by bike. The ride takes only 15 minutes. The old town is 3 km from Tulum Pueblo, on 12 m high rocks. It includes the remains of residential buildings, fortifications, as well as fragments of the five-meter wall that surrounded the city. It is the only city of ancient civilization surrounded by a wall. Usually, the Mayans did not build fortifications. The wall in Tulum served as protection against raids by northern nomadic tribes.
• Take a tour of El Castillo. It's both a beacon, a fortress, and a temple. The structure is dedicated to one of the mythological supreme Mayan deities, the Kukulkan. It stands right by the Caribbean Sea and is beautifully preserved. The Tulum pyramid and the Kukulkan temple are other names of attraction. The height of the building is 7.5 m.
• Get acquainted with Maya culture in the Temple of the Frescoes. This ancient structure is considered to be a tacit symbol of Tulum. Paintings on the walls of the temple are plots from the world of gods, people, and the underground kingdom. It's a classic Mayan cosmological system. Here, the images of the fertility goddess Ixchel and the rain god Chaak are clearly distinguished. Despite the fact that the frescoes faded with time (they were once painted), the images have not lost their charm, let alone their historical significance.
• See the unique Temple of the Wind God. This temple-barometer is built right on a rock. And it's no coincidence. It warns of a possible hurricane approaching. "Weather prediction" comes from special holes at the top of the structure. As the wind increases and passes through them, a characteristic "whistling" is heard. Truly, the Maya are unique people. Their creations continue to work to this day. In 1995, when Hurricane Roxanne hit the coast, the Temple of Winds "whistled" very loudly.
• Learn what cenote are and see the most beautiful of them — Cenote Crystal. The pond, which appeared as a result of the destruction of rocks, is a typical phenomenon for these places. The water in the Senates is extremely clean, and bathing in it is an incomparable pleasure. The crystal is a few kilometers from Tulum. The site is surrounded by tropical plants and resembles a picture of "paradise scenes". To explore the peculiarities of the underwater world, tourists are invited to dive into the lake with a diving suit.
• Visit the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve. The name of this unique place, translated from the Mayan language, means "where the sky begins". Here, on an area of 528 thousand hectares, there is a unique collection of flora and fauna — there are over 300 species of birds alone. Among them is one of the largest flying birds in the world, the Brazilian jabiru. Tourists in reserve will find vivid entertainment: canoe trips on Mayan canals, guided tours of the lagoon, walks in mangroves, and swimming in natural waters.
• Bungee ride in Cenotes Tankah. This is just one of the many activities that are available to visitors to the park. You can also go canoeing, swim in Indian lakes and, most interestingly, visit a real Mayan village, get to know the locals and their culture.
• Look at the sea turtle nests. The Caribbean coast of Mexico is inhabited by rare giant turtles (loggerhead sea turtle). The adult reaches a length of about 1 m and weighs up to 200 kg. The period of their nesting is May-August. At this time, some beaches are even closed so as not to disturb the animals. Every evening, after mating in the sea, the females crawl ashore, digging holes in the sand and hiding their eggs there. The babies are born after two months.
• Play golf at El Camaleon Mayakoba Golf Course. It is enough to say that this is one of the 100 golf courses in the world, which was equipped by Greg Norman himself nicknamed the Great White Shark (a famous Australian golfer and entrepreneur of the XX century). The size of the golf court exceeds 7,000 yards (about 6,500 m) and covers three different landscapes: seashore, tropical jungle, and mangroves.
• Try Mexican cuisine. Its signature dish is fried fish with spicy spices. You can order avocado sauce (guacamole) and grated black beans with cheese. Be sure to try the salsa with tortilla chips (corn or wheat flour scones). This Mexican sauce of tomatoes and chili peppers is only known to be genuinely cooked in Tulum.