Tulum, Mexico Cruises
Tulum, Quintana Roo is one of the most popular destinations cruising the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico.
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Things to do in Tulum
Water Activities
Visit the Kaan Luum Lagoon in Tulum for an amazing swim, or a relaxing day just laying in the hammocks at the pier. This beautiful lagoon has multiple shades of turquoise due to its central deep pool. Another must-visit lagoon near Tulum is the Yal-Kú Lagoon. This site offers snorkeling, paths, and beaches to take a stroll through the beautiful natural scenery.
Places You Can’t Miss
Tulum is full with cenotes, the underground water cavities that make the Yucatan Peninsula so special. Here’s a list of the impressive cenotes around the area:
Natural Parks and Museums
The Reserva de La Biósfera Sian Ka’an, located in Tulum, is a protected natural park which was named a World Heritage site by the Unesco back in 1987. The crystal clear water and white sand beaches in perfect harmony with the flora and fauna of the area make this a must visit site. Another natural park in the area is the amusing Xel-Ha. This park mixes the breathtaking nature in the area with extreme activities like zip lining, kayaking, and exploration tours.
Visit the Kaan Luum Lagoon in Tulum for an amazing swim, or a relaxing day just laying in the hammocks at the pier. This beautiful lagoon has multiple shades of turquoise due to its central deep pool. Another must-visit lagoon near Tulum is the Yal-Kú Lagoon. This site offers snorkeling, paths, and beaches to take a stroll through the beautiful natural scenery.
Places You Can’t Miss
Tulum is full with cenotes, the underground water cavities that make the Yucatan Peninsula so special. Here’s a list of the impressive cenotes around the area:
- Cenote Sac Atún
- Cenote Dos Ojos
- Cenote Calavera
- Gran Cenote
- Cenote Zazil Ha
Natural Parks and Museums
The Reserva de La Biósfera Sian Ka’an, located in Tulum, is a protected natural park which was named a World Heritage site by the Unesco back in 1987. The crystal clear water and white sand beaches in perfect harmony with the flora and fauna of the area make this a must visit site. Another natural park in the area is the amusing Xel-Ha. This park mixes the breathtaking nature in the area with extreme activities like zip lining, kayaking, and exploration tours.
Beaches
Disconnect in Tulum’s white sand beaches, there’s plenty of options to choose from. Akumal Bay Beach and Wellness Resort is one of the most popular in the area. Punta Allen, Boca Paila, and Playa Paraiso are also amazing pristine beaches you must visit. You can do snorkeling or just relax in a typical Mayan hammock. The beautiful beaches of Kaleta Tankah and Playa Kantenah are also a must. Xcacel Beach is only 19 km away from Tulum, and you may appreciate the turtle sanctuary located in this beautiful beach.
Archaeological Sites
Tulum is near some of the most iconic and important archaeological sites in the Yucatan Peninsula; Cobá is one of them. This ancient Mayan city is home to the famous Nohoch Mul Pyramid, and several other structures that explain a lot about the Mayan civilization. Another archaeological staple in the area is the Archaeological Site of Tulum, home to the world-know “El Castillo” (the castle). El Castillo and its surrounding structures are some of the most impressive Late Classic gems of the Mesoamerican civilization.
Wellness
Tulum is a perfect getaway destination to disconnect from everything that disturbs your inner peace. There are multiple great spas and yoga studios in the area. The Leaf Luxury Spa located near the central park is a tourist favorite. If yoga is your thing, the Yaan Healing Sanctuary is a must. Guests love taking a yoga class in this tranquil, top-rated sanctuary.
Disconnect in Tulum’s white sand beaches, there’s plenty of options to choose from. Akumal Bay Beach and Wellness Resort is one of the most popular in the area. Punta Allen, Boca Paila, and Playa Paraiso are also amazing pristine beaches you must visit. You can do snorkeling or just relax in a typical Mayan hammock. The beautiful beaches of Kaleta Tankah and Playa Kantenah are also a must. Xcacel Beach is only 19 km away from Tulum, and you may appreciate the turtle sanctuary located in this beautiful beach.
Archaeological Sites
Tulum is near some of the most iconic and important archaeological sites in the Yucatan Peninsula; Cobá is one of them. This ancient Mayan city is home to the famous Nohoch Mul Pyramid, and several other structures that explain a lot about the Mayan civilization. Another archaeological staple in the area is the Archaeological Site of Tulum, home to the world-know “El Castillo” (the castle). El Castillo and its surrounding structures are some of the most impressive Late Classic gems of the Mesoamerican civilization.
Wellness
Tulum is a perfect getaway destination to disconnect from everything that disturbs your inner peace. There are multiple great spas and yoga studios in the area. The Leaf Luxury Spa located near the central park is a tourist favorite. If yoga is your thing, the Yaan Healing Sanctuary is a must. Guests love taking a yoga class in this tranquil, top-rated sanctuary.
Get to know Tulum
Location and Etymology
Tulum is classified as a Mexican “Magical Town;” this means that this historic city offers cultural richness, breathtaking nature, traditions, and more that amaze thousands of tourists each year. It is located in the Riviera Maya, in the State of Quintana Roo (East in the Yucatan Peninsula). This walled city is made up of 3 main zones: the archaeological site, the hotel zone, and the town. “Tulum” is the Mayan word for “walled city,” in reference to the wall that surrounds the entire town. Originally, Tulum was called “Zama,” the Mayan word for “sunrise” due to its orientation facing the ocean (where the sun rises).
Historical and Cultural References
Tulum, Quintana Roo is one of the only inhabited Mayan cities and best-preserved sites. It was built back between 1200 and 1550 from our era. It used to be a major trading hub for obsidian as it had the perfect land and coast location. Tulum was first spotted by the Spanish explorer Juan Díaz in 1518, and it was completely abandoned 70 years later due to the many diseases brought overseas by the Spanish explorers. Tulum is a key historic site since the architecture, objects, and corpses found in the area reveal life from the pre-Columbian period. Fast-forward to the 1900's, work was put into the walled city and the buildings and beaches were restored. The city was repopulated, and has kept developing until today. Tulum’s high demand on real estate flourished and its forecasted to grow at a steady pace in the following years; it is currently one of the top destinations in the international investment market.
Architecture
“El Castillo” is one of the most iconic buildings in Tulum. This 7.5 meter-tall castle was built in several stages and it portrays the reason behind building the city in that specific location: trading. El Castillo appears to have a beacon for incoming canoes, making Tulum a perfect trading hub back in the day. Next to El Castillo sits the Temple of Frescoes. This temple was used as an observatory and has a whole lot of history in it, including murals, figurines of the “Diving God,” and two galleries.The third iconic temple in Tulum honors the Descending God. The Temple of the Descending God consists of a single-room temple with a sculpture of a God with wings, a head dress, and an object in his hands. All of these sites are surrounded by the infamous Tulum wall. This emblematic, 400-meter long building shows how important protection was for the Mayas. On the opposite side of the wall, Tulum was protected by a cliff that faced the coast, leaving only 5 entrances to the city (two on the North and South sides each, and one on the West side). Tulum’s wall averages 4 meter heights and about 8 meters depth, it is truly an impressive structure.
Flora and Fauna
The mix of jungle, coast, warm/humid weather, and altitude make Tulum a perfect home for hundreds of exotic flora and fauna species. Some of the outstanding flora include the chaca, chicozapote, campeche, and chechen. Red mangrove is predominant in the coast, and the fauna is mostly composed of shoveler duck, fulva swallows, and striped-breasted sandpipers. Besides birds, Tulum is home to spider monkeys, armadillos, and squirrels.
Gastronomy
When in Tulum, Quintana Roo, make sure you try some authentic Mayan-style dishes. The Tikin Xic, is grilled fish prepared the Mayan way. Salbutes and Camarones al modo de ajo (garlic shrimp) are also lunch classics. Don’t forget to try the Balché, as its name indicates, this fermented juice beverage comes from Balche tree extract.
Tulum is classified as a Mexican “Magical Town;” this means that this historic city offers cultural richness, breathtaking nature, traditions, and more that amaze thousands of tourists each year. It is located in the Riviera Maya, in the State of Quintana Roo (East in the Yucatan Peninsula). This walled city is made up of 3 main zones: the archaeological site, the hotel zone, and the town. “Tulum” is the Mayan word for “walled city,” in reference to the wall that surrounds the entire town. Originally, Tulum was called “Zama,” the Mayan word for “sunrise” due to its orientation facing the ocean (where the sun rises).
Historical and Cultural References
Tulum, Quintana Roo is one of the only inhabited Mayan cities and best-preserved sites. It was built back between 1200 and 1550 from our era. It used to be a major trading hub for obsidian as it had the perfect land and coast location. Tulum was first spotted by the Spanish explorer Juan Díaz in 1518, and it was completely abandoned 70 years later due to the many diseases brought overseas by the Spanish explorers. Tulum is a key historic site since the architecture, objects, and corpses found in the area reveal life from the pre-Columbian period. Fast-forward to the 1900's, work was put into the walled city and the buildings and beaches were restored. The city was repopulated, and has kept developing until today. Tulum’s high demand on real estate flourished and its forecasted to grow at a steady pace in the following years; it is currently one of the top destinations in the international investment market.
Architecture
“El Castillo” is one of the most iconic buildings in Tulum. This 7.5 meter-tall castle was built in several stages and it portrays the reason behind building the city in that specific location: trading. El Castillo appears to have a beacon for incoming canoes, making Tulum a perfect trading hub back in the day. Next to El Castillo sits the Temple of Frescoes. This temple was used as an observatory and has a whole lot of history in it, including murals, figurines of the “Diving God,” and two galleries.The third iconic temple in Tulum honors the Descending God. The Temple of the Descending God consists of a single-room temple with a sculpture of a God with wings, a head dress, and an object in his hands. All of these sites are surrounded by the infamous Tulum wall. This emblematic, 400-meter long building shows how important protection was for the Mayas. On the opposite side of the wall, Tulum was protected by a cliff that faced the coast, leaving only 5 entrances to the city (two on the North and South sides each, and one on the West side). Tulum’s wall averages 4 meter heights and about 8 meters depth, it is truly an impressive structure.
Flora and Fauna
The mix of jungle, coast, warm/humid weather, and altitude make Tulum a perfect home for hundreds of exotic flora and fauna species. Some of the outstanding flora include the chaca, chicozapote, campeche, and chechen. Red mangrove is predominant in the coast, and the fauna is mostly composed of shoveler duck, fulva swallows, and striped-breasted sandpipers. Besides birds, Tulum is home to spider monkeys, armadillos, and squirrels.
Gastronomy
When in Tulum, Quintana Roo, make sure you try some authentic Mayan-style dishes. The Tikin Xic, is grilled fish prepared the Mayan way. Salbutes and Camarones al modo de ajo (garlic shrimp) are also lunch classics. Don’t forget to try the Balché, as its name indicates, this fermented juice beverage comes from Balche tree extract.