photo journal for Tulum
Despite bars, cafés, pool sides and beach clubs teaming with the influential, we have the Cenote Naharon all to ourselves for a good hour before two girls arrive. They choose a palm tree next to where we’ve spotted a lounge of Basilisk Lizards to pose for their next post.
Tulum’s delicate balance of sandy beaches, jungle vegetation and ancient history has made it high priority on travel bucket lists. Mayan culture is present in the bygone city ruins, but also remains in the present with the rituals and beliefs that the indigenous population still practice - as well as temazcals and other spa like treatments being offered to “authentic”travellers passing through.
It’s a small strip of sand that has attracted these crowds in their droves, but just outside of Tulum yet more jungle, cenotes and Mayan ruins await - the most famous of which has even been granted “wonder of the world” status. If you like to keep busy, you’ll find there is no lack of ways to fill your day and the time it takes to pose on a beach with a cocktail may just slip away. Don’t be too distracted, here it’s about “the vibe” and if you’re not finding the time to relax into it, then you’re not getting it.
The Tulum Archeological Park was once a Mayan City, called Zama meaning ‘City of Dawn’, which was a seaport trading mainly in turquoise and jade.
The walls of the Mayan city sheltered a city of 600 people, archeologists believe that less wealthy Mayans also lived on the outskirts of the walls.
It’s believed that Mayans still inhabited this city in 1518 when the Spanish had arrived in Mexico.
The Mayan City is perched on 12 metre high cliffs facing the Caribbean Sea.
The site of the Tulum ruins was inhabited as early as the 6th century, today it is one of the third most visited cities in Mexico.
‘Tulum’ the modern name for the city in Mexico means fence or trench in Mayan.
Gitano Beach, Private Beach Club and Restaurant
Cenotes are natural pits, or sinkholes, resulting from the collapse of limestone bedrock that exposes groundwater.
Cenote Naharon
Cenote Escondido Tulum (Mayan Blue)
Hotel Bardo, Tulum
Spa at Hotel Bardo offering a traditional Temazcal experience
Pathways on the outskirts of Sian Ka’an Nature Reserve
Mayan Ruins within the Nature Reserve of Sian Ka’an
Nature Reserve Sian Ka’an
Summer Tanager spotted in Sian Ka’an Nature Reserve
A treetop viewing tower in Sian Ka’an providing a great viewing point of the reserve.
Chichén Itzá in Yucutan Mexico was an important city state in pre-Hispanic America built by the Mayans.
Crows on the ruins of Chichén Itzá.
Looking for more bars and hotels in Tulum? Maybe our map can help.
For more Mexican destinations check out our photo journal for Mexico City & photo journal for San Miguel de Allende. For more destinations where you can explore ancient civilisations check out our photo journal for Angkor.