January 18, 2011 Part Two (Tulum, Mexico)

Looking Down at the Caribbean from Just Behind El Castillo at Tulum

The great Maya walled city of Tulum is about 80 miles (2 hours) southwest of Cancun (8 miles south of Xel-Ha). It is known as a great "post-classic" Maya site dramatically overlooking the shimmering aquamarine Caribbean Sea. The post-classic sites (further divided into "early" and "late" post-classic periods) flourished from 1000 AD until the Spanish invasion in the early 1500's. Tulum was built during the 10th century AD, which meant that the structures I saw today were over 1000 years old! Tulum was built as a sea port and a fortress, but only about 600 people actually lived in the city during its prime. Most of the inhabitants lived outside the walls. The inner sanctum -- protected by imposing walls over ten feet high-- was reserved for priests, governors and its amazing ceremonial structures shown in several photos below.



El Castillo Rising Above the Other Main Structures at Tulum

Tulum was finally abandoned about 70 years after the Spanish conquest in 1521. Today many of the structures have been restored and the site has become a very popular tourist attraction. After a 50 peso (approx. US$5.00) taxi ride from my hotel to the beach about 5 miles away and paying my 50 peso park admission fee, I entered the site near "The House of the Chulton" and started my tour. My favorite structure was the magnificent "El Castillo"-- a combination temple and fortress which stands perched on a big hill just above the Caribbean. Park visitors can take the stairs just behing El Castillo down to the beautiful beach below for a refreshing swim. Unlike the majority of Maya sites in Belize and Guatemala, you are not allowed to go into or climb on any of the structures in Tulum. With the high number of visitors the Tulum ruins receive each year it is believed that allowing this would lead to significant deterioration of the limestone structures. I think it's a good policy.

The imposing "Temple of the Frescoes" located in front of El Castillo apparently contains a number of 13th century wall paintings but- unfortunately- entry inside the temple is not allowed so you can't see them. There is still plenty of great stuff to see as the photos below illustrate:



A Close Up of One of the Structures at Tulum



El Castillo at its Lofty Perch above the Tulum Site

Looking over at the House of the Cenote

After my day of exploring ancient ruins I had worked up a huge appetite so that evening I visited the seafood restaurant recommended by Liz and dined outdoors on fresh shrimp cocktail and a local (white) fish called "boquinete". The entire meal-- with two Pacificos and dessert -- totaled 200 pesos (about US$20.00.) AND it was delicious. What am I gonna do tomorrow to top this?