Now these ancient Mayans knew all about the importance of location.
The ancient pre-Colombian ruins of Tulum is beautifully situated on a hillside, overlooking the ocean. The bays boast of gorgeous half-moon beaches. And the ruins themselves are an incredibly impressive display.
Before our visit to Tulum, we stopped in the small town of Akumal. We had already driven by it a few times, and decided to head to the coast to explore. Once we passed through a small touristy area, we found a stunning stretch of beach with some bars/restaurants and loads of condos and homes. The bay was quite built up, but beautiful.
We settled on lunch at La Buena Vida. The beers were ice cold, the food was delicious, but this view is what kept us there.
A bit further down the road, we took the turn from the main highway to access Tulum. We got on a narrow road that was parallel to the beach, with cars tightly parked the entire way, and pedestrians and cyclists taking over the street. It was a challenge to find parking, and once found, was a long walk to the ruins of Tulum. On our last visit here, 30 years ago, none of these resorts, condos, restaurants, etc. were here.
Once inside Tulum, the crowds were huge, even in the afternoon. While this does detract from the ambiance of the place, the sheer size and amazing detail of the ruins truly inspire. And, the views from the cliffside location are jaw-dropping.
After a hot day yesterday at Chichen Itza, it was equally hot at Tulum, but with a bit of an ocean breeze. This is a great day trip option from Playa del Carmen, and really is a must-do. But if you go, do not be surprised by the busy crowds and touristy surroundings.
Comments