Exploring the Ruins of Tulum Mexico
While visiting Mexico, I had several must-see attractions on my bucket list. We enjoyed a few glorious days near the Maya city of Chichen Itza (in the county Tinum). We had an amazing time exploring the world famous Chichen Itza archeological site which had been on my bucket list for years. Now it was time to experience the Ruins of Tulum Mexico. This is the second most visited tourist attraction near Playa del Carmen with Chichen Itza being the first. It is located in Parque del Jaguar about 45 minutes from Playa del Carmen.
Tulum Ruins of Mexico
Instead of taking an expensive door to door tour, we decided to take public transportation and make an adventure of it. We were determined to arrive early, to catch the light (and beat the heat). We took a collectivo mini bus filled with locals who were on their way to work. It was fantastic, super cheap and so easy. Just stand in a short line, hop in a van and go. For this relatively short ride, we didn’t mind the basic van. A sweet young woman sitting next to us helped with the language challenges. She was more than happy to practice her English. She also made sure the driver knew where we wanted to get dropped off. See our Tulum Ruins Mexico: Know Before You Go article link below.
Early Tulum Ruins Tour
We were scheduled to meet up with a guide named Hagen at the entrance to Tulum at 8am, right when they opened. The collectivo got us there early, so Richard photographed some birds while we waited. Hagen was a local who studied archeology, and he was extremely knowledgeable about Tulum. His tours usually last an hour, but as always we were on a tight schedule. So, we only spent about 30 minutes together. Once again, my husband Richard darted off chasing the light for his photography. I had done a bunch of research before our visit, and I came armed with my list of specific ruins I wanted to see.
Tulum was originally called Zama, which means “Dawn” in Yucatec Maya language. It faced the sunrise, hence it was called ‘City of Dawn.” The Spaniards later dubbed it “Tulum” which was their word for “wall.” The cities’ 26 foot thick limestone wall did its job of preservation and allowed this archeological site to stand the test of time.
El Castillo/the castle
Hagen explained that El Castillo, the most prominent of all the structures, was used as a lighthouse to direct the incoming ships. Needless to say, it was also used to look for incoming invaders arriving via boat. The structure had windows offering a sightline to break in the reef. Deeply carved reliefs of serpents are found on each corner of the structure. Moreover there were two watchtowers to the north and south that also maintained security at Tulum. Past El Castillo, close to the edge of the cliff above the sea, is Templo del Diós del Viento/Wind God’s Temple, the small building seen in the photo above.
El Templo de los Frescos/The Temple of the Frescoes
Just across from El Castillo, another building El Templo de los Frescos/The Temple of the Frescoes stood majestically in the sunlight. This was a two story building used as an observatory as well as a shrine. Unfortunately, what inspired the name (the beautiful frescoes depicting Mayan Gods) are all inside the structure. At one point tourists were allowed inside. Unfortunately, entering is no longer possible these days.
La Casa de las Columnas/The House of the Columns
La Casa de las Columnas/The House of the Columns was set on an L-shaped platform and considered to be a palace with many rooms. Six columns support the roof of the main room. Religious ceremonies took place here.
Templo del Dios Descendentee/Temple of the Descending God
Another favorite of mine was Templo del Dios Descendentee/Temple of the Descending God. The building dons a figure of a descending god in the niche above the doorway entrance. The image shows the character’s legs upward with arms down in front.
The walled city of Tulum was considered to be one of the most powerful cities due to its location on the coast of the Caribbean sea. It was a bustling trade hub. Goods brought to market were obsidian rock, as well as turquoise, jade, copper and even cacao beans.
My tour was just about over, and I was beginning to wonder what happened to my husband. That thought slipped away quickly however. Located on the east side of the site, the Casa de Chultun caught my eye. Hagen had told me about this residential building. It was quite stunning. All in all I was very impressed with Tulum. I loved learning about the history of the Mayan People, and I highly recommend this attraction as a must-see destination if you are visiting Mexico.
Your entry ticket the Parque del Jaguar and the Tulum archeological site also allows you to visit the Museo Regional de la Costa Oriental as well. The museum houses over 300 artifacts. It opened in late 2024 and is just a short tram ride away from the ruins. While immersing yourself in the history of the Mayan people is the primary reason to visit the museum, escaping from the blazing sun between 12-3pm is a welcome bonus.
Additional Attractions
Frida Kahlo, an exhibition by Woman Experiences, is another compelling attraction at this site. It is located outside the Parque del Jaguar at the Tulum entrance. This is also where the shops and concessions are found. The exhibition is part audiovisual projections, part installations and part performance art. An actress transforms herself into the famed artist, as she guides you through the exhibition space revealing the life of Frida Kahlo.
I thought it was a wonderful portrayal of the artist’s life. The bus accident, how she painted in bed, as well as all the important highlights in her life were covered. Be aware, there is an additional charge for this. However, if you love Frida Kahlo, you will definitely enjoy it. Visit the website for more info – https://fridawomanexperience.com/
Unfortunately, the official Tulum website does not have much information. Fortunately, I found another website filled with historical information as well as additional info about all Mayan ruins.
For more in-depth information about Mayan Ruins and the fascinating history of the Mayan people visit – https://www.themayanruinswebsite.com
Read my Tulum Ruins Mexico: Know Before You Go article; Or Visit the ETG Mexico Page.
