Archeological Sites

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The Archeological Zone of Tulum is situated on the cliffs overlooking the Caribbean Sea it has magnificent views of the ruins and the sea.  It was built in around 1200 AD to 1450 AD.  It is the iconic image of Tulum perfect place for a selfie, but be aware it can be very busy in high season.  You can take a guided tour and learn more about the history of the site and the origins of Tulum itself.  It is a small site with architectural style like that at the bigger archeological sites of Chichen Itza and Mayapan. The site was probably founded to expand the coastal trade routes of the Yucatán Peninsula.  There is also a temple that was used for human sacrifices to the Mayan gods, the last view the victims had was of a gorgeous sight of the Caribbean Sea.  Wear a hat and sun cream as you will need to walk around the site to see the ancient city.  The site is open 8am to 5pm, but they wont let you in after 4pm from our experience.  We recommend getting there early to avoid the crowds and the heat.

Muyil is a ruin of a ancient Mayan town just 15 mins south of Tulum.  This is one of my favorite places in the whole world. You have these impressive ancient buildings surround by thick jungle.  It is a quieter place, as it is not as well known as Coba or Tulum archeological zones, so you feel like Indiana Jones discovering it for the first time. Entrance fee is a lot cheaper too, there are well maintained paths among the jungle, the Mayan temples and ruins are very impressive and you can still see some of the colours on some of the buildings, the original buildings were all brightly painted and only a few examples remain. Make sure no to be too loud and look up during your visit, as sometimes you can see howler monkeys on the tree tops.

The highest building is called El Castillo (the Castle) it is 17m (55 ft) tall. Behind the main Castillo structure you will find a path that leads you to an small wooden hut (it will take you about four minutes walk). This is where you can pay a small fee (50 pesos per person) and enter a trail into the actual Sian Ka’an biosphere nature reserve. I would really recommend doing this and walking through the woods on the raised boardwalk, is a very peaceful experience and you get to hear the birds and animals around you. Under the boardwalk there is fresh water from cenotes. If you are not afraid of heights (unlike my husband), you can climb up a watch tower and see the jungle and Sian Ka’an Biosphere reserve from the top.  At the end of the boardwalk you will find a lagoon which is a entry point further into the reserve.

Sian Ka’a is the largest protected area in the Mexican Caribbean with approximately 1.3 millions acres.  It was established in 1986 as part of the UNESCO’s “Man and Biosphere Program” and it is a UNESCO World Heritage site. You can access the biosphere if you turn right on the beach road or you can also get a tour from Muyil once you go on the path behind El Castillo you will see a big lagoon this is part of the Biosphere and there are boats and tour guides that can take you on a tour. Make sure to bring towels and swimming suits and cash ( $50USD per person for a 4 hr tour) it is worth the money.

A great site to visit if you are looking for something off the beaten track. La Torre (The Tower) is one of the largest Mayan structures in the Yucatan peninsula, measuring over 151m (500ft) long, 60m (200ft) wide and reaches 30m (100ft) high. It is home to the most intricate designs and motifs found in Yucatan. 45 structures have been mapped and new ones are still being discovered. Its around 2 hours' drive from Tulum. 

A large site situated among five small lakes on a dry plain in sub-tropical rainforest. Coba is a Mayan ceremonial center dating from about 700 AD to 1100 AD.  Filled with ancient ruins and temples underneath wild vegetation. You can walk or rent bikes to see the different buildings. You can also see an ancient football (soccer) field made with ancient stones, with two circles high up that were the goals. The ball was made of rubber, rubber trees grow locally and you can see them as you go around the site. Unfortunately for the winning team, they were sacrificed to the gods. It was an honor, as they believed they went straight to heaven. Coba is a beautiful site that will fill your heart with its beauty, and the surrounding rainforest rich with life, colours and sounds. I had the best mangos and mineral lemonade from the little stand by the car park.

It is the most visited archeological site in all Mexico. Steeped in Mayan folklore, it is one of the biggest Mayan metropolises in Mesoamerica. It has beautiful and diverse architecture, the main attraction being the 1,500-year-old Kukulkan (feathered serpent) pyramid, listed as one of the seven wonders of the world. The site has a fascinating history and tour guides can teach the magic of its history. The Mayas were expert astrologers and mathematicians so you can also see the observatory and many other temples and Mayan buildings that will give you an idea of how life would be like in those days. It is approximately a 2 hours drive from Tulum, or you can take one of the organized tours.