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Tulum lies at the southern end of the Mayan Riviera. It is a small town that has sprung up gradually over the years and is still growing in response to the popularity of its gorgeous idyllic beach and famous ruins.
The Tulum ruins are well worth a visit. In their time they served as a point of defense against invaders from both the land and sea, and also as a port of call for the maritime commerce that thrived along the coast. It is the only walled city the Maya built and the only one by the edge of the Caribbean. When the Spanish first came upon the site in 1518, they recorded that it was as large as Seville. The major construction is the Castle, a handsome pyramid perched on the edge of a cliff high above the pearl-white beaches below. From here one can see most of the ancient city, as well as a spectacular view of the coastline.
Tulum town itself does not hold much for the visitor and most of the hotels are situated down the Boca Paila road fronting the beautiful stretch of white sand and turquoise sea known as Tulum beach. This is simply a wonderful place to relax in informal surroundings with the fabulous warm Caribbean waters and white sand under foot. The hotels here are not as luxurious as some of those further up the coast, as they are more isolated and have to provide their own electricity, waste disposal and water. As they are not connected to the main public utilities this does mean that systems and power failures can be common. The accommodation here is more of the comfortable cabañas and charming "eco-hotels" type but what they lack can be forgiven for their absolutely stunning location, sprinkled along this beautiful stretch of beach.
Please note it can often be pretty windy along the peninsula, especially from December to March.
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Places near Tulum
- °ä´Ç²úá 27 miles away
- Playa del Carmen 38 miles away
- The Mayan Riviera 39 miles away
- Cancun 76 miles away
- Yucatán Peninsula 80 miles away
- Chichén Itzá 81 miles away
- Isla Mujeres 85 miles away
- Isla Holbox 93 miles away
- °²¹²úá³ó 144 miles away
- ²Ñé°ù¾±»å²¹ 151 miles away
- Uxmal 152 miles away
Photos of Tulum
Our expert guides to exploring Tulum
Written by our specialists from their own experiences of visiting Tulum, these guides will help you make the most of your time there. We share both our practical recommendations and the best ways to appreciate Tulum at its best.
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Audley travel specialist Anna shares her tips for where to go and what to do on a Mexico family vacation. Focusing on the Yucatán Peninsula, she explains how you can combine beach time with wildlife watching and visiting ancient ruins.
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What to do in Mexico: our highlights guide What to do in Mexico: our highlights guide
What to do in Mexico: our highlights guide
Mexico’s character is many-sided. From cosmopolitan colonial cities and vibrant markets to mountain wilderness, sleepy Caribbean islands, vast cacti-covered deserts and a wealth of intriguing ancient ruins, specialist Carolyn shares her highlights.
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Accommodation choices for Tulum
We've selected a range of accommodation options for when you visit Tulum. Our choices usually come recommended for their character, facilities and service or location. Our specialists always aim to suggest properties that match your preferences.
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Ana y José Hotel & Spa
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Be Tulum
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Jashita Tulum
Tulum