Tulum Mayan Ruins – A Brief History of the Site

Considered one of the most beautiful of all Mayan archeological sites Tulum is perched on top of a cliff facing east and overlooking the Caribbean Sea below. Originally it is believed that this Mayan fort was called “Zama” which translates roughly into “The place of the dawning sun”. And when the sun rises or sets on this fantastic historic area the sight really is outstanding.

Tulum was effectively a walled fort, with twenty foot high walls on three sides, insinuating the need for protection from invaders from both the sea and the land. Even the Spanish invaders felt so threatened by the size and strength of the city of Tulum and passed on by.

Just inside the entrance of the Tulum Mayan ruins is the first attraction, the famous “Voladores” or flying men. They hang upside down from an extremely tall pole roughly 150 ft high and spin round and round on long ropes until they unwind all the way to the ground, it really is a spectacle worth taking the time to watch, before or after you enter the site.

The archeological ruins at Tulum have a number of excellently well preserved structures and buildings to explore and the scenery is outstanding. One of the main buildings is called El Castillo (the Castle); it has a fantastic vantage point directly above Tulum beach and the Caribbean Sea below. There are many other interesting structures, sculptures and artifacts, but I’ll leave it up to the guides to explain and take you on a wonderful journey into the past.

If you want to get a greater understanding of Mexico and its fascinating Mayan Heritage, while also enjoying basking in the sun, as much as the local Iguanas, then visit the Archeological site of Tulum, where just a couple of hours can teach you over a 1000 years of Mayan history. 

Want to have an amazing day in Tulum? Complement your visit to the archaeological site of Tulum with one of the Mayan rituals in a Temazcal and the place you are looking for is called Delek Tulum.