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| Tulum | ||
| State | Quintana Roo | |
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| Residents | 33.374 (2020) | |
no tourist info on Wikidata:  | ||
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Tulum is a city in mexican State Quintana Roo on the Yucatán Peninsula.
background
Nowadays, Tulum is known and loved for two things: On the one hand because of the beautiful location of the ancient Mayan ruins on the Caribbean Sea and on the other hand because of the cabañas (originally rather primitive huts right on the beach, with hammocks as a bed, but today there are also quite luxurious huts!) along the coast from Tulum down to Punta Allen.
A stele from the 6th century was built here. AD, but it is generally assumed that this was brought here from another place, since apart from this stele there is no evidence of a settlement before the 11th century. AD could be found. The history of Tulum (roughly means fortress) begins in the post-classical period. When the big cities in the interior fell and the trade routes on the coasts became more important, Tulum, which was then called Zamá (roughly means dawn), was also able to benefit from it. The city grew into an important trading center with a religious center. There could be trade contacts as far as the lowlands of Guatemala be detected. When the Spanish discovered the New World in the 15th century, Tulum was in full bloom. On his fourth voyage, Christopher Columbus described a lively city that could be seen from the sea, which, according to the time of sighting and description, could well have been Tulum. During a new sighting in 1518, the Spanish navigator Juan Díaz de Solís compared the city with Seville. In 1544 the city was taken by Spanish troops without a fight and soon after the cultural center was abandoned. A small fishing village remained outside the historic walls. Many stones of the walls and buildings have been used over time to fortify the residents' accommodation. When in the course of the caste war in 1858 AD. the independent Maya kingdom of Chan Santa Cruz (today Felipe Carrillo Puerto) was proclaimed, Tulum again became a religious center. The so-called Queen of Tulum, the Mayan priestess María Uicab, resided here, and here there was a so-called speaking cross, which, in addition to Catholic symbolism, also reproduces Mayan mythology and spoke to the Mayans via ventriloquists. In 1871 there was the first heavy attack by Mexican troops on Tulum, which could be repulsed with great losses. When the kingdom of Chan Santa Cruz was finally smashed in 1901, Tulum also sank into a fishing village again. That was to change again when archaeologists discovered the ruins. As early as 1842, Catherwood and Stephens had described the most important buildings. In 1916, extensive excavation work began by the Washington Carnegie Institute under the direction of Sylvanus G. Morley. Twenty years later the ruins were examined again under Mexican supervision. When then close in the early seventies with Cancun a tourist center was built from the ground up, this facility in a fantastic location also found a large audience. Today this relatively small ruin complex is behind Teotihuacan and Chichen Itza the third most visited archaeological site in Mexico. The village of Tulum, which has meanwhile grown into a town of 15,000 inhabitants with numerous hotels, souvenir shops and restaurants, was also able to benefit from this.
getting there
By plane
Air travelers mostly land in Cancun. The cheapest way to get there is by bus Playa del Carmen towards Tulum. As an alternative should still be here Chetumal which is, however, flown to much less frequently.
By bus
There are several connections to daily Cancun, Playa del Carmen or Chetumal with 1st class buses (e.g. ADO). With ADO there are also daily connections with Coba, Valladolid (Mexico), Chichen Itza and Mérida (Mexico). However, if you want to get to the ruins, you should note that these buses only stop in the village of Tulum (approx. 4 km from the ruins!). For a day visit, it is advisable to look into Playa del Carmen take a collectivo (shared taxi). Then you can get off at the junction to the ruins, and from there a tourist train goes to the entrance (or of course you can also go on foot!)
In the street
Tulum is right on the MEX 307, which runs from Cancun along the coast to Chetumal leads. The parking lot to the ruins is chargeable.
mobility
Basically the place is manageable and all necessities can be reached on foot or by bike. Some hotels rent bicycles to hotel guests. The sights such as the ruins are outside the city, but can be reached on foot or by bike. For those who are not very good on foot / by bike, a small mini-train shuttles between the MEX 307 to the archaeological site.
Tourist Attractions
Tulum ruins
The ruins of Tulum are located directly on the sea. The area is very small compared to other Mayan sites and is sometimes flooded by tourists. Still worth a visit thanks to its fantastic location. The facility is open in summer from 8:00 a.m. (in winter only from 9:00 a.m.) to 5:00 p.m. The main buildings are here:
- city wall. Tulum is one of the few Mayan cities that is surrounded on three sides by a defensive wall. With a width of 6 meters and a height of up to five meters, this is also quite impressive. It also has two watchtowers. In total, it had a length of 715 meters. The fourth side faced the sea.
- Casa del Noreste. Shortly after the entrance is this temple on the left side. Remnants of the masonry and two columns can still be seen on a platform.
- Casa Del Cenote. This building was built over a cenote and thus also ensured the water supply within the walls.
- Templo del Dios del Viento. This small temple stands on a round platform on a cliff above the harbor. Round platforms are very unusual in the Mayan world. The most famous platform with rounded corners is certainly the Pyramid of the Wizard in Uxmal. From here you have an excellent view over the city, the harbor and the sea.
- Old Port. Not much is left of the old port except for a wonderful sandy beach with the Castillo enthroned on a rock in the background. Bathing is allowed here from time to time. If this is not the case, you shouldn't despair and just go to the official beach around the Castillo.
- Gran Palacio. The great palace of the high priest, together with the Casa de las Columnas, was the largest building after the Castillo.
- Casa de las Columnas. Similar in size to the great palace, you can still see a few columns here and you can understand the construction method more closely.
- Templo del Dios Descendente. The temple of the descending god shows a stucco sculpture of the same. The Maya call this Ah Mucen Cab, which means something like the god of bees. In addition to the bees, it is also associated with lightning and rain. The image shows a god standing on his head on the way down. New speculations connect this representation with possible diving in the cenotes. The building was built on top of an older structure. The walls were inclined outwards at the top and the door pillars were built inclined inwards in opposite directions. The temple used to be brightly painted inside. But not much of that remains.
- Castillo. The largest and most famous building is certainly also the highlight of the complex. In 1518 Juan de Grijalva even described this three-phase temple complex as a tower. A wide staircase leads to a terrace on which the actual temple can be found. There is a sacrificial altar in front of the temple. The entrance to the temple is supported by two serpentine columns. There is another stucco sculpture of the descending god above the entrance. Inside there are two rooms. In addition to the temple function, the building also served as a lighthouse. In small niches at the back, ships could be guided through the reef by fire even at night. The temple was most likely dedicated to Kukulcán, which was so widespread in the post-classical period on the Yucatán peninsula.
- Templo del la Serie Inicial. In this temple a stele was discovered in 1842 by Stephens and Catherwood, on which the date 564 AD could be deciphered. This was stolen and is now in the British Museum in London.
- Templo de los Frescos. From an archaeological point of view, this temple is the real highlight of the complex. The temple lies exactly in the middle of the walled area and was built over and changed several times. A stele was found in front of the building with the date inscription 1004 AD, 1261 AD or 1517 AD. Originally, the temple consisted of a rectangular building with painted interior and exterior surfaces. Later a surrounding colonnade was added. The western front is noteworthy here. Above an entrance supported by four columns is a stucco relief divided by two ledges. At both corners there is a bas-relief mask depicting the sky god Itzammá. There are still four niches set into the western front. There are three of them directly above the four pillars. In the middle there is again a stucco sculpture of the descending god. This can be found again in the fourth niche, which is located in the western front of the second floor, which was added later. Inside are the partially restored frescoes, which depict numerous gods such as Chaac the rain god, the sky god Itzamná or the fertility goddess Ix-Chel framed by flowers, crops and animals. Stylistically, the frescoes show a strong Toltec influence. For safety reasons, the frescoes can only be seen from a safe distance.
- Templo del Mar. This small temple, which is a bit out of the way on a hill, offers another nice overview of the complex.
Cenotes
There are a variety of cenotes around the city that provide direct access to the subterranean freshwater cave system in Yucatán. Most of them invite you to swim, snorkel or dive.
- Cenote Angelita. Open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., this cenote is less suitable for swimming and snorkeling, but a paradise for divers. If the upper part is still crystal clear, hydrogen sulphide suddenly mixes into the water halfway through, which leads to the water becoming misted. When you look up you can see the last rays of the sun shimmering through dead tree trunks. These dives are only for experienced divers under guidance, but then a unique experience.
- Gran Cenote. This cenote is also accessible from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and is 3 km from Tulum in the direction Coba away. Here there is direct access to the underwater cave system of Osh-Beh-Ha. This is the second largest underground river in the world. You can take a refreshing dip and snorkel here. You can get here by taxi for 50 MEX $.
- Cenote Calaveras. Drive 1.5 km in the direction of Coba and turn right into a small path. Again, only the divers are in demand. Because it first goes down 10 meters before you reach the entrance to the vault. These dives are only for experienced, instructor-led divers. The cenote is open between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., and entry costs 50 MEX $.
- Cenote Dos Ojos. Probably the most famous cenote in the region since 1999. Because back then the IMAX film "Journey Into Amazing Caves" was shot here. Get there early as this place is often overcrowded as both snorkelers and divers have fun here. Underwater lighting takes a bit of the natural look, but extends the diving / snorkeling fun in the depths. Divers should watch out for the barbie. The first 400 meters can also be mastered by inexperienced divers.
- Cenote Escondido & Cenote Cristal. These two cenotes are located south of Avenue Tulum and are the closest to the city center. Ideal as a refreshing bath or for snorkeling. Crystal clear water with plenty of fish is available here for 50 MEX $.
activities
- Swimming - Tulum is rich in beautiful beaches. The mere possibility of interrupting the visit to the archaeological site with a swim in the Caribbean is unique. But most of the long sandy beach is further north and south. However, those who stay overnight in the city have to take a taxi or ride a bike to swim and are limited to the public area. Therefore, a hostel in the Zona Hotelera is recommended. As a rule, your own sandy beach is already included and you fall from the breakfast table into the Caribbean. For those who can no longer see salt water, there is still a refreshing swim in a cenote.
- Discover - The facility is not large, but it is beautiful. Also found in every Mayan illustrated book. Therefore, this should not be missing in your photo album.
shop
Those looking for souvenirs will find them here. The way from the parking lot to the ruins is lined with countless souvenir stands. The products range from kitsch to craftsmanship and, of course, all have something to do with the Maya.
kitchen
- Kinich Tulum restaurant, Carretera Chetumal-Cancun 307, Tulum. Tel.: 53 984 871 26 33, 53 984 871 26 34, Email: [email protected].
- El Mariachi restaurant, Avenue Tulum.
nightlife
- Azul, Avenue Tulum. Disco & Lounge.Open: from 6:00 p.m.
accommodation
Accommodation is available in the city and in the so-called Zona Hotelera.
The hotels in the city of course have better transport connections, but they are a bit removed from the actual sights:
- The Weary Traveler Hostel. Tel.: 53 984 871 2390, Email: [email protected]. Price: 120 to 400 Mex $.
Generally speaking, the Zona Hotelera is cheaper. As a rule, the beach is already there and some hotels are very conveniently located for the ruin:
- La Vita è Bella. Price: Double rooms and bungalows in the price range from 400 Mex $ to 1200 Mex $.
- Posada Margherita, Carretera Tulum-Boca Paila Km. 4.5. Tel.: 52 984 801 8493, Email: [email protected]. Price: Double 1300 to 2000 Mex $.
Learn
Work
security
health
It is essential to bring sunscreen, hat and water supplies with you. The ruins are not exactly known for shady places. Therefore one should be prepared. When visiting the surrounding cenotes, one should also be prepared for mosquitos.
Practical advice
From late morning this small ruin complex is almost overrun by tourists, so that it is no longer fun to look at the temples. And when the big hordes of tourists invade, you can go swimming in peace. In general, it must be noted once again at this point that everyone who expects the large imposing Mayan temples here will be disappointed. The facility is small, but nicely located. If you want to see great pyramids, you should at least go to Coba or Chichen Itza or even better after Tikal or Calakmul drive.
Opening times from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., last entry 4.30 p.m. Entry 70 pesos.
trips
