The Mayan city of Tulum stands 130 km south and 700 years away from Cancun. But the contrast between the two can be measured in more than just distance and time. Cancun is a string of large resort hotels that did not exist before 1974 and specialized in the expected. On the other hand, Tulum was built late in the thirteenth century, during what is known as the Mayan post-classic period.
With a bit of imagination and knowledge, the ruins become a giant puzzle waiting to be pieced together.
Visiting Tulum is a perfect day trip for those who tire of idly lounging around the pool. What sets the site apart from other ruins in Mexico is that it is well-preserved and boasts its inviting beach.
Each Mayan city had a specific purpose, and Tulum was no exception. It was a seaport, trading mainly in turquoise and jade.
As well as being the only Mayan city built on a coast, Tulum was one of the few protected by a wall.
Made of limestone, the 784-meter wall encloses the site on three sides, is seven meters thick, and varies between three and five meters in height. No doubt, this fortification helped preserve the seaport.
Like the questions surrounding the decline of the Mayan world, there are several theories on why a wall surrounds Tulum. One has a Mayan population of 600 inside, protected from invaders. Another suggests only priests and nobility were housed within the walls, while peasants were kept on the outside.
After entering the ruins through one of five doorways in the wall, visitors are greeted by a field of gently rolling hills. Black and grey stone outcroppings, once buildings, dot the sun-baked landscape.
Here, visitors realize that what is left of Tulum can spark the imagination. Given that the seaport was once a link with the outside world, can there be any clues as to what happened to the civilization here? It’s a question historians and archeologists still grapple with, so don’t be discouraged if an answer isn’t apparent.
Most prominent among the remaining structures is the Castillo, or castle, perched on the edge of a 12-metre limestone cliff overlooking the Caribbean coast. Negotiating its steep steps is best done sideways, a fact that will assert itself on the way down.
Before descending, though, catch a glimpse of the Caribbean behind the Castillo. The view is as refreshing as the cool breeze coming from the sea.
In front of the Castillo is the Temple of the Frescoes, one of the better-preserved buildings. Peer inside the temple to see a mural painted in three sections. The first level represents the Mayan world of the dead, the middle represents the living, and the final, highest piece is of the creator and rain gods.
Interestingly, in the middle of the living section is a god astride, a four-legged animal believed to be a horse. If this is a horse, it would mean Mayans still occupied Tulum in 1518, when they would have seen the animals for the first time with the arrival of the Spanish.
Chiseled above the temple doorway is a figure with what appears to be a bird’s wings and a tail. This diving god is believed to represent a Mayan deity who protected the people and is remarkably well-preserved on various buildings around the site.
Piecing together what Tulum was like a millennium ago is exciting but can also be a humid venture. That’s why it’s a good idea to take something cold to drink, a hat and a bathing suit.
Just north of the Castillo is a pathway that leads down to a sandy beach and the multi-hued Caribbean. For visual drama, a walk along the beach provides ample opportunity for photographs. The walk is an adventure into, around, and under nooks and crannies carved from the cliffs. Each additional turn brings a new, secluded Caribbean stretch, perfect for swimming and reflecting on the ruins.
Tulum remains popular because of its elegant setting on sheer limestone cliffs above the turquoise splendor of the crashing Caribbean, the only Mayan city built on the coast.