Visit Yucatan Peninsula
The archaeological site of Tulum is spectacularly situated on a cliff top, majestically overlooking a palm-fringed beach and the turquoise Caribbean sea. It is a prime destination for tour buses so we recommend the best way to enjoy the ruins is to arrive early in the morning or late in the afternoon (gates open at 7am, closed at 5pm).
The fortified civilization has ramparts still remaining - you pass through a narrow gate in the walls to enter the compound. These walls were built several metres thick and between 3-5 metres tall to protect the outer three sides of Tulum, in the late post classic period AD 1200-1521, during a period of conflict between Mayan city-states.
The restored buildings are Toltec in influence with features such as serpent columns at the temple's entrance of El Castillo, the watch tower; and diving relief figures above the doors of the Templo del Dios Descendente and El Palacio. Once you have toured around the Mayan structures, you may like to descend the cliff path to cool off in the sea below (pack your swimming costume!).