Tulum Ruins

Welcome to Tulum, where ancient history meets the breathtaking blue of the Caribbean. As you begin your journey near the scooter and bike rental along the Reforma Agraria – Puerto Juárez highway, you are standing at the edge of one of the most uniquely situated Maya cities in the world. Before it was called Tulum, this city was known as Zama, which translates to 'Dawn' or 'Morning' in the Mayan language. It was a fitting name, as the city sits atop twelve meter high limestone cliffs, perfectly positioned to greet the first rays of the sun as it rises over the ocean. Unlike many Maya cities hidden deep within the jungle, Tulum was built to be seen and to see, serving as a beacon of commerce and culture for centuries. Today, you will walk the same paths as ancient merchants and priests, exploring a site that reached its peak between the thirteenth and fifteenth centuries. As you move toward the entrance, take a moment to imagine the vibrant red and blue paints that once covered these stone structures, making them glow brilliantly against the turquoise water.