January 23, 2014 - Tulum Ruins

The Tulum ruins are set on a 12-meter tall cliff, along the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula on the Caribbean Sea. It was one of the last cities inhabited and built by the Mayas. It was at its height between the 13th and 15th centuries and managed to survive about 70 years after the Spanish began occupying Mexico. Old World diseases brought by the Spanish settlers appear to have been the demise of the city.

Today was overcast and threatening rain, but we decided to go to the ruins anyway. We took a colectivo to the ruins stop, then walked the last half mile. The ride to the ruins cost $20 pesos each (about $1.50 USD).

There was another couple looking to split the cost of a guide so we decided to do that. Admission and a guide for one hour was $398 pesos for the two of us (just under $30 USD). To tour the ruins without a guide is $59 pesos each, but we felt it was worth it to get the history of the area.

As we entered the archaeological site, we immediately saw these two iguanas.
The Maya site is also known by the name Zama, meaning City of Dawn, because it faces the sunrise.
From numerous depictions in murals and other works around the site, Tulum appears to have been an important site for the worship of the Diving or Descending god. If you look closely at the building below, you can see the Descending god in the center of the building.
At its height, Tulum had an estimated population of 1,000 to 1,600 inhabitants. The small window above is where the sun shines through on the winter solstice.
Tulum had access to both land and sea trade routes, making it an important trade hub, especially for obsidian. El Castillo - The Castle - is the tallest building of the archaeological site. It may have functioned as a navigational aid, directing Mayan craft through the break in the reef to the beach. Tulúm is also the Yucatan Mayan word for fence, wall or trench. There is some controversy whether the walls surrounding the site allowed the Tulum fort to be defended against invasions or whether they were to just separate the upper class who resided within the walls from the workers and farmers who lived outside the walls.

Toward the end of the tour and we neared the overlook to the sea, it started to sprinkle and the wind picked up. Had the weather been nicer, we had the option to get in the water and swim just beneath the ruins. We decided we didn’t need to!After our tour of the ruins, we looked around at some of the market stalls on our way back to the colectivo. I love the beautiful colors and artistry in the weavings and dresses!


We stopped for milk and fruit on our way back home and had a late lunch at the apartment. We plan to cook in tonight and just hang out.