This post covers all your nail-biting questions about the Tulum Ruins.<\/p>\n
Are you ready?<\/p>\n
It’s time to you immerse yourself into Mexico’s most enchanting histories.<\/p>\n
This awe-inspiring\u00a0cliffside Mayan Kingdom is\u00a0your chance to travel back in time!<\/strong><\/p>\n Let’s do this!!!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n All aboard the PlayaDelCarmen.Com<\/a> time machine, we’re going right back to the 13th and 14th centuries!<\/p>\n It’s time to check this one off your list!<\/p>\n Here’s why…<\/p>\n Located 100 miles (62 km) to the south of Playa del Carmen (around 30 minutes)<\/strong> and 80 miles (128 km) from Cancun (around 1 hour 10 minutes).<\/p>\n The magical ruins of Tulum are walled into the east and face the Caribbean Sea to the west.<\/p>\n During its splendor, Tulum<\/a>\u00a0served as a major trading post for both neighboring city-states such as:<\/p>\n … as well as to other communities and their entities to the south in what is now Central America.<\/p>\n Thanks to its strategic location, Tulum proved to be one of the most powerful city-states<\/strong> during the 13th and 14th centuries<\/strong>, particularly following the fall of a\u00a0rival city of Mayapan<\/a>.<\/p>\n Back in their day, the Mayan ruins surely presented an imposing figure for seafaring visitors to the walled city.<\/p>\n In fact, when the Spanish first arrived there in 1518<\/strong> they considered Tulum to be as large as Sevilla<\/a>.<\/p>\n However, shortly after the Spaniards began their occupation of Mexico, the ancient Mayas who once called this majestic site their home abandoned it.<\/p>\n Back to top<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n You’re probably thinking Mayans, right?<\/p>\n Wrong!<\/p>\n That would be the easy answer.<\/p>\n Of course, that’s like saying that the French built the Statue of Liberty.<\/p>\n According to archaeological findings at the Tulum Ruins<\/a>, the site began to be inhabited as early as 564 A.D.<\/strong><\/p>\n Although with never more than an estimated 1,600 inhabitants<\/strong>, the site remained occupied until shortly before the end of the 16th century.<\/p>\n That’s when disease brought by the Spanish<\/strong> eliminated the majority of the population.<\/p>\n Over a period of 7 centuries, rulers came and went. The city we know as Tulum was transformed<\/strong> by each new generation of inhabitants and their respective styles and influences.<\/p>\n As a result, like in other Mayan ruins of the Yucatan Peninsula, many of the buildings fuse different architectural styles<\/strong> depending on the epoch in which they were built or expanded upon.<\/p>\n Back to top<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n Tulum Ruins aren’t just about snapping Insta-worthy pics\u00a0 <\/strong>(though, let’s be real, that’s part of the fun!).<\/p>\n They\u2019re more like a time capsule, offering you a front-row seat to the ancient Mayan world.<\/p>\n Want to know the fascinating history<\/strong> behind them? Read on!<\/p>\n Tulum was one of the last cities inhabited and built by the Mayans, flourishing between the 13th and 15th centuries.<\/p>\n It served as a prominent trading hub<\/strong> for goods like jade and turquoise.<\/p>\n It connected inland cities with maritime trade routes along the Caribbean coast.<\/p>\n Evidence from artifacts found in or near the site confirms contact with regions as far as Central Mexico and Central America.<\/p>\n Tulum was also a hotspot for religious activities<\/strong>. Those walls? They were there to safeguard the sacred leaders and priests.<\/p>\n The strategic location of Tulum atop cliffs made it a vital defensive outpost<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Its walls, watchtowers, and location made it a formidable fortress against potential invaders.<\/p>\n Factors such as drought, disease, and Spanish conquest<\/strong> are believed to have contributed to the decline of Tulum, and the broader Mayan civilization.<\/p>\n The city eventually faced a decline in population and was abandoned by the 16th century.<\/p>\n Tulum ruins were discovered by John Lloyd Stephens and Frederick Catherwood in the 1840s<\/strong> during their exploration of the Yucat\u00e1n Peninsula.<\/p>\n These explorers were drawn to the stunning coastal location and the well-preserved Mayan structures.<\/p>\n Tulum’s ruins gained renewed attention in the 20th century. It began attracting archaeologists, historians<\/strong>, and tourists alike.<\/p>\n Efforts have been made ever since to preserve and protect the site, balancing tourism with conservation.<\/p>\n Back to top<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n Back to top<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n The Tulum ruins are open Monday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.<\/strong><\/p>\n Entrance is free to all archaeological sites on Sundays for Mexican citizens and foreign residents.<\/p>\n Back to top<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n The cost of your visit to Tulum will depend on how exactly you prefer to wander these ancient testaments to the amazing civilization of the Maya.<\/p>\n If you prefer to go on your own with no guide<\/strong>, the cost of entrance is just 95<\/strong> pesos = $6-7 USD. <\/strong><\/p>\n A hired guide will take you for around 600 pesos = $35 USD<\/strong><\/p>\n Because the ruins are a little removed from the parking lot, a folkloric train<\/strong> is available to take you to the entrance and is another 20 pesos = $1 USD per person.<\/strong><\/p>\n If you choose to walk instead this can take around 10-15 minutes but is VERY hot during the dry season from Nov-June.<\/p>\n To get to the ruins yourself you can either take public transportation for 50 pesos = $2-3 USD per person or go by car and pay 120 pesos = $6 USD for parking.<\/p>\n Back to top<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n Want to get the most from your experience?<\/p>\n Don’t choose entrance-only and walk around willy-nilly.<\/p>\n Please go on a guided tour.<\/p>\n You can get a great combo tour of Tulum and Xel-Ha at 15% off<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n In the end, about 2\u00a0hours at the park<\/strong> is enough to see everything.<\/p>\n Combining Tulum Ruins with other activities in the area makes sense.<\/p>\n Looking for a family-friendly tour<\/a>?<\/strong>\u00a0This combo’s for you.<\/p>\n Xel-Ha Park<\/a>\u00a0is one of\u00a0 Mexico’s most famous eco-parks. It’s over 40 football fields large<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Kids LOVE Xel-Ha… so do parents \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n It’s a zoo in a jungle setting, mixed with water adventures like tubing, snorkeling and more.<\/p>\n It’s a fantastic family experience.<\/p>\n Tulum & Xel Ha tour combo includes all entrance fees, professional guide, and entrance to the all-inclusive Xel-Ha Park<\/a>.<\/p>\n Tour Name<\/strong> – Tulum & Xel Ha<\/a> If you’d like to visit Tulum and snorkel with sea turtles, this is the excursion for you.<\/p>\n You’ll explore the 2nd largest barrier reef int he world, packed with ocean life! It’s a nice mix of culture and fun.<\/p>\n Tour Name<\/strong> – Tulum & Turtle Snorkel Explorer Tour<\/a> If you’re an adrenaline junky, consider this heart throbber.<\/p>\n You’ll zipline, rappel and swim in freshwater sinkholes (cenotes) in a jungle adventure.<\/p>\n Tour Name<\/strong> – Tulum Xtreme Tour<\/a> I recently did the Tulum Full-Day Explorer Tour<\/a>, here’s a video from my day!<\/p>\n![\"Tulum](\"https:\/\/www.playadelcarmen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/re-model-of-what-tulum-looked-like-before-it-was-a-ruin1-1-1-min.png\")
<\/p>\n14 Things You Need to Know About the Tulum Ruins:<\/h5>\n
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\nA MUST-SEE Bucket List Activity!<\/h2>\n
1.\u00a0 Where Are the Tulum Ruins?<\/h3>\n
![\"tulum-ruins-mexico-9\"](\"https:\/\/www.playadelcarmen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/tulum-ruins-mexico-9.jpg\")
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2. Who Built the Tulum Ruins?<\/h3>\n
![\"tulum-ruins-mexico-24\"](\"https:\/\/www.playadelcarmen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/tulum-ruins-mexico-24.jpg\")
<\/p>\n3. Tulum Ruins History<\/h3>\n
Mayan Civilization:<\/h4>\n
![\"tulum](\"https:\/\/www.playadelcarmen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/tulum-ruins-aerial-view.jpg\")
<\/p>\nStrategic Importance:<\/h4>\n
Decline and Abandonment:<\/h4>\n
![\"tulum](\"https:\/\/www.playadelcarmen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/tulum-ruins-from-the-shore-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\nDiscovery:<\/h4>\n
Preservation:<\/h4>\n
4. Tulum Ruins: 7 Fun Facts<\/h3>\n
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\n![\"tulum-ruins-mexico-25\"](\"https:\/\/www.playadelcarmen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/tulum-ruins-mexico-25.jpg\")
<\/li>\n5. What Are the Hours for the Tulum Ruins?<\/h3>\n
![\"tulum-ruins-mexico-30\"](\"https:\/\/www.playadelcarmen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/tulum-ruins-mexico-30.jpg\")
<\/p>\n6. How Much do Tulum Ruins Cost?<\/h3>\n
![\"Temple](\"https:\/\/www.playadelcarmen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Temple-of-the-Descending-God-tulum-ruins.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\n7. Tulum Ruins Tours<\/h3>\n
![\"tulum-ruins-mexico-27\"](\"https:\/\/www.playadelcarmen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/tulum-ruins-mexico-27.jpg\")
<\/p>\nHere are 3 combo tour options.<\/h3>\n
1) Tulum & Xelha Tour<\/h4>\n
\nPrice<\/strong> – $135 USD for adults | $67 USD for children
\nDiscount<\/strong> – 15%
\nBook Online<\/strong>\u00a0– Save 15% Here<\/a><\/p>\n2) Tulum & Turtle Snorkel Explorer Tour<\/h4>\n
\nPrice<\/strong> – $75 USD for adults | $59 USD for children
\nDiscount<\/strong> – 15%
\nBook Online<\/strong>\u00a0– Save 15% Here<\/a><\/p>\n3) Tulum Xtreme Tour<\/b><\/h4>\n
\nPrice<\/strong> – $75 USD for adults | $59 USD for children
\nDiscount<\/strong> – 15%
\nBook Online<\/strong>\u00a0– Save 15% Here<\/a><\/p>\n