{"id":6319,"date":"2021-12-16T10:02:46","date_gmt":"2021-12-16T17:02:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bucketlistjourney.net\/?p=6319"},"modified":"2025-07-01T11:10:14","modified_gmt":"2025-07-01T18:10:14","slug":"tulum-mayan-ruins","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bucketlistjourney.net\/tulum-mayan-ruins\/","title":{"rendered":"Touring the Tulum Mayan Ruins in Mexico"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When you first hear the word \u201cTulum\u201d, you\u2019ll probably think of sun, sea, and beaches\u2014and most definitely start to fantasize about visiting all the famous cenotes in the area. Perhaps you\u2019ll immediately also dream of fruity cocktails and the yummy food from Mexico<\/a> to go along with all that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But another top attraction located right in the heart of Tulum are the Tulum Ruins. While, for some reason, they may not be quite as world famous as some other ancient sites, visiting this old and significant Mayan site will not only make for a picturesque self-made postcard to send to folks home, but can easily become one of your best memories from visiting Tulum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So what exactly do you need to know about the Mayan Ruins in Tulum prior to your visit? I\u2019ll let you know below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Touring the Tulum Mayan Ruins and Archaeological Site in Mexico<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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What are the Tulum Ruins<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The original purpose for the Tulum Ruins was to serve as a sea fortress of sorts, and a means of protection for the city\u2019s people, which is why it was walled on three sides, the Caribbean Sea operating as its fourth wall. Back in the Mayan days, Tulum was a significant trading point, with especially trade with Chichen Itza, Ek Balam, and Cob\u00e1, being of great importance to them. Especially once its biggest rivaling city, Mayapan, came to fall, Tulum became an incredibly powerful city and state throughout the 13th and 14th centuries. Sadly the Mayans abandoned the city once the Spaniards arrived in the early 16th century.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interestingly enough, Mayans were not the ones who actually built these ruins, however. Based on the archeological finds made at the Tulum Ruins, there has been some form of habitation there even as early in history as 564 AD. From that moment on, until the arrival of the Spanish, the city was also occupied by some group of people, although never surpassing more than 1600 inhabitants at once. When the Spanish came, along with diseases, most of the inhabitants sadly passed away.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Tulum<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
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Tulum Ruins vs. Chichen Itza<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The most famous ruins in the Riviera Maya and its nearby surroundings is the Chichen Itza, part of which has even been appointed as one of the 7 wonders in the world. It gives an amazingly comprehensive view into the history and culture of the Mayans, and just like the Tulum Ruins, it absolutely cannot be missed as part of your itinerary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, as amazing as  Chichen Itza is, and deservedly is considered more magnificent than Tulum Ruins, the one aspect in which Tulum Ruins edges out is the time spent touring it. If you\u2019re short on time, Tulum Ruins are absolutely the way to go, as tours to Chichen Itza take a full day out of your schedule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Though if you have the time, here are the top tours that will take you to Chichen Itza:<\/p>\n\n\n\n