Tulum was previously known as Zama, or “Metropolis of Dawn,” since it was home to an ancient Mayan city. What is the location of Tulum?
This tropical oasis is situated on Mexico’s Riviera Maya, roughly 2-hours south of Cancun. Tulum is a scuba diving paradise with several cenotes and caverns to explore, as well as gorgeous sandy beaches and crystal blue water.
Tulum is a site where the old world and the contemporary world collide. Today, you’ll discover a combination of Mayan ruins, yoga retreats, shopping, restaurants, and a slew of celebrities who come to revitalize their mind, body, and spirit.
In reality, in 2023, the Mexican government plans to establish a new international airport (together with a railway) in Tulum.
Temazcal Ceremony
Participating in a Temazcal ritual is a one-of-a-kind way to experience Mayan culture in Tulum. This ancient Mayan purifying ritual takes place in a small stone or wood cabin.
You strip down to your underwear (or swimwear) and enter the sweat lodge, which has been transformed into a steaming sauna by the addition of hot rocks and water. The rite is conducted by a native shaman, who also looks after the attendees.
The temazcal ritual takes place in full darkness, with the shaman pouring water over the hot rocks while singing and summoning spirits with various plants.
Temazcal has been used since ancient times as a purifying ritual for the body, mind, and spirit. You reach a profound level of concentration while your body sweats in the little hut, aided by the shamanic chanting.
Muyil Ruins In The Biosphere Reserve
The Muyil Ruins, which show Peten architecture and are located inside the Sian Ka’an Biosphere reserve, date back to 350 BC.
The ruins, also known as Chunyaxché, are located near the Sian Ka’an Lagoon and are located along a historic trade route to Coba.
Aside from the prominent remains, like the 17-meter-tall Castillo, you may also climb to an observation platform to get a bird’s-eye view of the surrounding landscape.
Gran Cenote
Gran Cenote is a big and well-known cenote just outside of Tulum. It consists of a series of caves, caverns, and an open-air cenote that are linked by meandering wooden boardwalks and surrounded by beautiful greenery.
It’s the entrance to the Sistema Sac Actun, and it’s the most popular cenote in Tulum with holy waters.
Sian Ka’an Biosphere
Sian Ka’an literally translates as “portal to heaven” or “source of the sky.” Since 1987, the Sian Ka’an Biosphere, just south of Tulum, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Sian Ka’an is a 5280-square-kilometer island with over 300 bird species, 120 kilometers of shoreline, rich flora and fauna, coral reefs, a lagoon, and around 23 Mayan ancient sites.
Booking a Sian Ka’an boat trip or kayaking excursion to explore the rainforest mangroves and saltwater lagoons is a popular pastime. There are also snorkeling excursions available. On these cruises, you could encounter dolphins, turtles, manatees, and a variety of birds.
Visit Chichen Itza
Chichen Itza is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. It’s also Mexico’s most visited Mayan ruins. You can arrive there directly form the Cancun airport by taxis or from one of the Boutique hotels.
From 525 to 1200 AD, the Mayans flourished in their huge city complex. The entrance fee is around 80 + 417 pesos. You can take a private tour of the Parque ecológico.
It’s a two-hour journey from Tulum Town with a rented vehicle, although many organized trips will take you there. Mayan people and their tradition in the local cenote is all about raw love, and the easiest way to see this is at Chichen Itza.
Visit The Tulum Ruins
The Tulum Archeological Site is a stunning 13th-century cliff-top Mayan city that is a must-see for anybody visiting Tulum. The ruins, which stand 12-meters high above the glistening Caribbean water, make for a great picture background.
Tulum, which is the Maya word for fence, may have gotten its name from the 5-meter high walls surrounding the city. The most popular way to experience Tulum in the Mexican Caribbean is to visit the ruins.
The Templo Dios del Viento, or Temple of the God of the Wind, Pyramid El Castillo, Temple of the Descending God, and Temple of the Frescoes are all major monuments at the Tulum ruins.
The gates open at 8 a.m., but lines may be lengthy, so if you want to be first in line, I suggest coming about an hour ahead of time. You may also take a tour with a guide.
Explore Tulum Pueblo
Tulum is really divided into three distinct regions, all of which are referred to as “Tulum,” which might be perplexing for first-time tourists.
Tulum Town (also known as Tulum Pueblo or El Centro) is the heart of the Tulum community. Grocery stores, local eateries, and other Mexican businesses may be found here.
All of the beaches, resorts, and tourist shops are located on Tulum Beach (also known as Tulum Hotel Zone). Tulum Town is around a 5-minute drive away. It would take around 1 hour to walk this distance (not recommended). Instead, ride a bike or take a cab.
Finally, there are the Tulum Ruins, which I already mentioned. Both the town and the beach are situated to the north of the ruins. A disclaimer is to be careful with the ice cream in Tulum centro as lots of tourists have reported some food poisoning from it as it stands a long time in the sun.
La Chiapaneca for street tacos, Del Cielo for breakfast or brunch, and Huerto del Eden for fresh juice and coffee are a few nice locations to stop in Tulum Town to get a flavor of native Mexican culture.
Go on a food tour of local restaurants and enjoy some of the best restaurants that offer a hippie vibe combined with great food.
You can also visit some of the top highlights beach club locations at Paradise beach and experience the nightlife with live music. Also, visit some boutique shops as they are only a minute drive from the center.
Visit Yal Ku Lagoon
The picturesque Yal Ku Lagoon is a favorite snorkeling and sunbathing location about 30 minutes from Tulum. What makes Yal Ku so unique? It’s a cenote that runs into a lagoon, which also serves as a sea entrance.
The lagoon is ideal for snorkeling since it has both saltwater and fresh water. Small fish abound in the shallow waters near the cenote, while turtles, rays, and larger fish inhabit the deeper waters near the sea. The turquoise water makes a gorgeous beach in the model of nature and makes it a popular spot apart from the town center and archaeological sites.
There are food shops nearby, as well as rental snorkeling and diving equipment. One of the best things to do in ahau Tulum and generally in Tulum today. You can also visit the beach house of Pablo Escobar or go to the Playa Del Carmen in the Caribbean sea.
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