Tulum
The Maya ruins on a Caribbean cliff - a walled clifftop city of temples above a turquoise sea and white beach, the most beautifully sited of all the ancient Maya towns.
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Illustrative image - a scene in the spirit of the place, not a photograph of it. Real photos are below.
Tulum is the most beautifully sited of all the ancient Maya cities, a walled town perched on a low cliff above the turquoise Caribbean, its weathered temples and the landmark Castillo gazing out to sea. Once a thriving port, its dramatic setting above a white-sand beach, where iguanas bask on warm stone, makes it the most photogenic ruin in Mexico, on the popular Riviera Maya coast.
What you actually see
- El Castillo - the clifftop temple gazing over the Caribbean.
- The sea views - the ruins above the turquoise water.
- The beach below - the white-sand cove beneath the cliff.
- The walled city - the temples and the surviving city wall.
When to go
November to April for cooler, drier weather; go at opening to beat the heat and the crowds bussed in from the resorts. Morning light and a swim on the beach below make the most of it.
Honest expectations
The ruins themselves are modest compared with the great inland cities; the draw is the spectacular seaside setting. It gets very crowded and hot, so go early. The beach access below can be limited. The modern Tulum town and beach strip beyond have become busy and pricey.
Nearby
The cenotes, the ruins of Coba and the beaches of the Riviera Maya are close; Cancun is up the coast.
What to pack for Tulum
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
