Located just south of Akumal along the Caribbean coast, Tulum is the most visited of Mexico's archeological sites due in part to it's ideal location on the beach and its close proximity to busy Cancun. Like Playa del Carmen, Tulum has a noticeable international influence that comes from its continued popularity with adventurous European travelers. The area around Tulum also offers many unique and small resorts, spas and rustic lodgings, restaurants, cantinas and shops. The actual village of Tulum along the main highway has facilities with most of the basic necessities for travelers. There are also Scuba diving shops, and available rentals for cars, mopeds, bicycles and other sporting goods for entertainment. The bus route from Playa del Carmen has regular stops making it an easy getaway for short or extended trips. Direct travel time from Cancun is about 2 and a half hours (130 kilometers). Tulum is an excellent jumping off point for further exploration of the Yucatan. Favorite destinations include the archeological site of Coba, several nearby cenotes popular with Scuba divers (the Gran Cenote and Dos Ojos), and the Sian Ka'an Bioreserve to the south which encompases the maya site of Muyil. History Located directly along the shore overlooking the rough coast, the shores of Tulum are bathed by the clear waters of the turquoise caribbean sea. Here you can appreciate the ruins of what is left of this post classic city. Tulum is recognized as the most beautiful and astonishing archaeological site of the maya civilization because of its amazing location and impressive structures. There are 60 remaining structures of the whole city protected by 3 large stone walls that keep it together. And that is why after the conquest it was renamed to Tulum, which in mayan means "wall". The original name was Zama meaning "sunrise" or "dawn". Tulum used to be the principal commercial port for the mayan civilization as they had access to the caribbean sea which they also controlled. This port created the access to the trading routes to the north and into central mexico.

The main castle ruins of Tulum The beach at the Tulum ruins