Mayan Ruins of Tulum Mexico : The Ultimate Travel Guide
Visiting the Mayan Ruins of Tulum? Check out our Tulum Ruins Visitor's Guide which provides you with all the information about how to visit this ancient city.
MEXICO
From the best things to see at the Tulum Ruins (including a beach!) to the tiniest details about tickets, opening hours, and logistics, we cover everything in this Ultimate Tulum Ruins Travel Guide.
Planning to visit the ancient Mayan Ruins of Tulum in Mexico?
Wondering if a trip to the Tulum Archeological Zone is worth it? Does Tulum even have a pyramid?
You’re at the right place because we have prepared the Ultimate Tulum Ruins Visitor’s Travel Guide for you.
In this Ultimate Travel Guide to the Tulum Ruins, we will answer all your questions and some more.
Before you have second thoughts, let us tell you that visiting the Mayan Ruins of Tulum Mexico is definitely worth it.
The location of Tulum’s El Castillo is the most dramatic we have seen, and this is what makes the Tulum Archeological Site so special. It is unusual to find an ancient Mayan Ruin perched on a bluff by a white sand beach.
Tulum is very easily accessible from many cities in Riviera Maya, making it an easy day trip from Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Valladolid.
Here’s a rough idea of how long a drive to Tulum takes from some of the major cities.
Cancun to Tulum – 2.5 hours
Playa del Carmen to Tulum – 1 hour
Valladolid to Tulum – 1.5 hours
Merida to Tulum – 4 hours
If you prefer, you can stay in the town of Tulum and drive, take a collectivo, or ride a motorbikebike or cycle to the ruins which are only 2 miles away from the city center.
How To Get To The Mayan Ruins In Tulum
Getting To Tulum Ruins By Public Transport
If you want to get to Tulum Ruins by public transport, take the ADO bus from Cancun Airport, Cancun city center, Playa del Carmen Turistica bus station, and the ADO bus station in Valladolid.
ADO buses run every hour from Cancun and are quite comfortable. Book your ADO bus tickets on the Busbud website here.
Another option is to take a collectivo – a small van that is cheaper than the bus but has several stops in between. We would not recommend taking the collectivo from Cancun to Tulum but between Playa del Carmen and Tulum, great idea.
Getting To Tulum Ruins By Car
Renting a car and driving to Tulum is a great way to explore the ruins at your own pace. Driving gives you the flexibility and freedom that no other means of transport can ever give. You can also add in stops at other attractions in the area.
Parking is available at the Tulum ruins and costs around 100 – 150MXN.
Do you want to read this later? Save this PIN on your Mexico Board on Pinterest and read it later
Getting To Tulum Ruins With A Guided Tour
Guided Tours are the best and the most convenient way to visit the Tulum Ruins from Cancun or Playa del Carmen.
You do not have to worry about transportation and tickets. Additionally, a knowledgeable tour guide will take you on an immersive trip of the history and culture of this ancient Mayan city.
Some of these tours also include Coba Archeological Site, Mayan Village tours, cenote swims, reef snorkelling and traditional lunches.
The Best Guided Tours For Tulum Ruins
Reserve now and pay later with 24 hours notice for a full refund. All tours include pick up and drop off in air conditioned vehicles.
On this highly recommended full-day guided tour from Riviera Maya, you’ll visit the Tulum and Coba Ruins, visit a cenote, experience Mayan traditions including an introduction to Mayan Bee Melipona honey and enjoy a buffet lunch.
This bestselling (and so affordable!) Tulum day trip includes a guided tour of the ruins and a refreshing swim in a cenote.
This full-day tour is for adventure enthusists! Visit both the Tulum and Coba Ruins and then head to the Parque Tankah adventure park featuring cenotes, zip-lines, lagoons, snorkeling, canoes, cliff jumps and more.
About The Archeological Zone Of Tulum Ruins
Tulum was an important pre-Hispanic city that had been first settled around the 6th century. It was influenced both by the Mayan and Toltec civilizations.
Tulum reached its zenith between the 13th and the 16th centuries as an important trading center because of its closeness to the sea.
If you are not keen on history, then you can visit the site for the sheer beauty of the place against a stunningly beautiful backdrop of the ocean.
Food items, metal objects, and cotton were traded here. Tulum was the only city that was built on the seashore. So, it is easy to imagine the strategic importance that it held during those times.
Today, Tulum is the third most visited historical site in Mexico after Teotihuacan and Chichen Itza. On busy days, more than 2,000 tourists visit the ruins.
The name “Tulum” means “the wall”. It was named so by the Spanish conquerors. The original Mayan name of the city was probably Zama or “the dawn” since the city faced the rising sun.
The city of Tulum is a charming beach town located in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo. It has a wonderful Caribbean coastline with pristine white beaches. Some of Yucatan’s best cenotes are also located here.
Tulum was a walled city – surrounded by tall walls on 3 sides and by the Caribbean Sea on the 4th.
It was probably built as a fortress town in addition to being a trading port. Not the usual format of other Mayan sites like Chichen Itza or Coba which were inland.
That’s probably why we see a smaller pyramid in Tulum and several structures facing the sea as if waiting for traders and enemies to show up!
Here are some of the main attractions at the Tulum Archeological Zone that you must definitely check out.
Best Things To Do At Tulum Archeological Site
El Castillo Or The Pyramid Of Tulum
El Castillo or the Castle is the largest and the tallest structure in the Tulum Archeological Zone.
It is an ancient shrine and one of the most fascinating pyramids to visit in Mexico. That’s because of its special location facing the vast expanse of the Caribbean Sea.
There’s a small shrine on top of El Castillo that is believed to have served the purpose of a lighthouse.
Imagine hundreds of ships and canoes docking at the Tulum port thousands of years ago. Their first point of reference would have been El Castillo because that would’ve been visible from very far away.
Temple Of The Descending God
One of the must-visit attractions in Tulum is the Temple of the Descending God.
The Descending God (so named because of his upside-down image) is special to Tulum. It is believed that the Descending God is the Mayan God of Bees. You can eee the image of the Descending God in the niche right above the doorway.
You can find his figure all over Tulum’s structures but the Temple of the Descending God is the most important shrine dedicated to him.
Top Tip: Mayans have a long-standing culture of bee-keeping and honey extraction. No doubt, they had a deity dedicated to bee-rearing. If you’re someone who enjoys learning about bees and what part they played in Mayan cultural practices, then you have to check out this Mayan Bees Experience from Valladolid (own transport or taxi required)
Temple Of Frescoes
The Temple of Frescoes, located right in front of El Castillo, is another important place to visit at the Tulum Ruins.
This temple is a two-story building and one of the most well-preserved ones in Tulum. It is called the Temple of Frescoes because it still possesses an intact mural painting in a room on the first floor colored in red, black and green.
At this temple, you can also see niches above the columns featuring Tulum’s Descending God, standing figures and stuccoed masks.
The second floor of the temple has ancient handprints in red color.
Even though there’s no way to access the rooms at the Temple of Frescoes, this shrine forms an important part of the Tulum historic zone because it is one of the best-preserved examples of ancient Mayan art.
House Of Columns Or The Tulum Palace
The House of Columns is an important attraction because this was once the home of the rulers of the Tulum’s Mayan community.
Also known as El Palacio, this was a 3-story building with big rooms and utility areas.
It is called the House of Columns because of the numerous large columns that must have held up the roof.
Beach At Tulum Ruins
The beautiful beach right by the side of the ruin is absolutely unmissable. There is a flight of wooden stairs that will take you to the beach.
While climbing down, be sure to notice scores of iguanas in the rock crevices.
The beach opens around 10:00 and is usually a little less crowded till about noon.
The beach at Tulum is beautiful and inviting. So, be sure to pack your swimsuit and towels.
This is probably one of the most unique places in Mexico where history and nature go hand-in-hand. No wonder, the ruins of this ancient Mayan city are often called the Tulum beach ruins.
Sometimes the beach is closed because of Sargassum seaweed infestation. But the government is proactively cleaning them up. Be sure to check for an update on Sargassum seaweed in Mexico before planning your trip to the ruins at Tulum.
Tulum Ruins Tickets And Prices
Admission tickets for the Tulum Archeological Zone cost 90MXN per person. Check the official website for the latest prices.
Since the ruins are part of a CONANP Protected Area, there’s an additional fee of 58MXN per person. This fee does not apply to children
So, expect to pay an admission fee of 148MXN per person at the ruins of Tulum.
You can buy your tickets at the Tulum Ruins box office. Be sure to have cash on you because the box office does not accept dollars or cards!
Or get a skip-the-line ticket here. However, remember that online tickets may only include the INAH fee and not the CONANP fee. This means you will need to queue up to pay the CONANP fee anyway!
Also, we haven’t seen great reviews of Tulum’s skip-the-line tickets. So, it is best to buy them at the box office or book a guided tour that covers admission.
Here are a few more points that you should know about admission prices at Tulum Ruins.
The entrance to the ruins is a 10-minute walk from the parking area which is also where taxis and collectivos will drop you. If you don’t want to walk, you can take the shuttle for 50MXN.
If you are planning to record videos on-site or have professional photography gear, there’s an additional charge of 50MXN pesos.
Entrance is free on Sundays for Mexican citizens and residents of Mexico, you can expect a bit of a crowd.
Best Guided Tours Of The Mayan Ruins Of Tulum
Guided tours are a great way to see the best of the ruins at Tulum, Mexico. Tours usually cover round-trip transportation and include the services of a local guide which is fantastic when exploring an archeological site as rich and complex as Tulum.
Here are a few great guided tours of Tulum ruins:
Reserve now and pay later with 24 hours notice for a full refund. All tours include pick up and drop off in air conditioned vehicles.
On this highly recommended full-day guided tour from Riviera Maya, you’ll visit the Tulum and Coba Ruins, visit a cenote, experience Mayan traditions including an introduction to Mayan Bee Melipona honey and enjoy a buffet lunch.
This bestselling (and so affordable!) Tulum day trip includes a guided tour of the ruins and a refreshing swim in a cenote.
This full-day tour is for adventure enthusists! Visit both the Tulum and Coba Ruins and then head to the Parque Tankah adventure park featuring cenotes, zip-lines, lagoons, snorkeling, canoes, cliff jumps and more.
Tulum Archeological Ruins Opening Hours
The Archeological Ruins of Tulum are open from 08:00 to 17:00 every day. Last entrance 16:00.
Early morning (08:00-09:30) or late afternoon (15:00-17:00) are good times to explore Tulum ruins without the crowds. 10:00 – 14:00 is usually busy.
Best Time to Visit Tulum Ruins
The winter months, November to February, are the best months to visit the ruins or anywhere else in Tulum City.
Temperatures are lower and the weather is dry. Rains and hurricanes are over. It is the perfect time to be out exploring.
However, remember that December and January are the busiest months in Tulum. If you’re planning to visit Tulum during this time, be sure to make your bookings in advance.
If you can be flexible with the dates, we highly recommend visiting in the shoulder months of November and February when crowds are fewer and accommodation and tours are more affordable.
Tulum Ruins Travel Tips
Visit early at 08:00 or late after 14:00 to avoid crowds and the sun.
It gets unbearably hot during the day. Bring a hat, sunscreen, and lots of water with you.
The Tulum Ruins are not as huge as those of Chichen Itza. You can see all of them in 1-3 hours depending on your interest in history and architecture.
Entrance to the site is free for Mexican citizens and residents on Sundays. So, avoid Sundays if possible. If not, go early.
The ticket counter accepts only cash. Even restaurants and bars deal only in cash. Good to have some pesos with you.
Be sure to walk the entire stretch near the sea while doing exploring the ruins at Tulum. And don’t forget to take some wonderful pictures of the sea.
Tulum Mayan Ruins Travel FAQ
Are Tulum Mayan ruins worth visiting?
Yes, the Mayan ruins at Tulum, with their stunning location by the Caribbean Sea and an interesting history that dates back more than a thousand years, are absolutely worth visiting.
What is special about Tulum ruins?
Tulum ruins are special because they are located at a scenic location, on a cliff by the turquoise Caribbean Sea. In short, the ancient Mayan city of Tulum is a wonderful mix of history and nature.
Are there Mayan Ruins in Tulum?
Yes, there are Mayan Ruins in Tulum. Tulum was an important trading center and an ancient seaport of the Mayan civilization that controlled access to the sea. The Mayan Ruins at Tulum depict quintessential East Coast Mayan architecture and even feature a lighthouse pyramid.
Are Tulum Ruins and Mayan Ruins the same?
The Tulum Ruins are Mayan Ruins located along the Caribbean coastline in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo. Mayan ruins, on the other hand, refer to all ruins of the ancient Mayan civilization. For example, the ruins of Chichen Itza, Uxmal, Coba, and Ek Balam are also Mayan Ruins.
Do Tulum ruins cost money?
Yes, it costs money to visit the Tulum ruins in Mexico. You need to pay an admission charge of 90MXN and an additional protected area fee of 58MXN to enter the archeological site of Tulum.
Are there pyramids in Tulum?
Yes, there is a pyramid in Tulum. It is called El Castillo. The Tulum Pyramid is unique for its picturesque location by the Caribbean Sea and was once used as a temple as well as a lighthouse.
What are the pyramids in Tulum called?
The pyramid in Tulum is called El Castillo or the Castle. It was once an ancient temple and also functioned as a lighthouse due to its proximity to the sea.
Where To Stay In Tulum
Tulum has an array of great hotels and luxury resorts where you can stay. Of course it depends on your budget, logically the hotels in the hotel zone along the beach are much more expensive than, for example, apartments in Tulum Pueblo.
You could also try glamping at Our Habitas where you stay in a luxury tent with aircon in the jungle situated along the beach.
There are many luxury boutique hotels along the coast of Tulum, usually hotels near the beach in Tulum are expensive. You can find more affordable apartments in Tulum town and if you go to Tulum in low season you can get great deals! Sometimes it even is 50% cheaper than during the peak season.
Glamping at Our Habitas
Famous luxury hotels and resorts in the Tulum beach area are Papaya Playa Project, Ahau Tulum, La Valise and Azulik.
Note: This post contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we get paid a small commission at no extra cost to you.
SUBSCRIBE
Subscribe to our newsletter to always be the first to hear about recent Blogs and adventures.
