We decided to see Tulum instead of Chichen-Itza. It was a shorter distance and combined with the Xel-Ha package. It is very interesting from a historical perspective, but not as awe-inspiring as Chichen-Itza (from what others told us). If you are interested in devoting an entire day to seeing ruins, Chichen-Itza is the way to go. To get a taste of the ruins, we preferred Tulum. The view of the ocean from Tulum is also beautiful.

We did Tulum as part of a day trip, so the bus took us right to the park gates. There is a local bus that runs from downtown Cancun, too, and although we didn’t use this, it’s cheap and I heard it also drops you close to the entrance.

The park is open from 8am to 5 pm and costs 35 pesos, so if you are arriving independently, try and get there early before the hoards of tour buses descend. If you are on a tour, you will already have the entrance fee covered.

Because we did it as a tour, we had a guide who walked us through the park and past all the temples, telling us all the history and pointing out things that we wouldn’t normally have noticed. This particular site dates back to 1200 AD.

Tulum is smaller than Chichen Itza, but I like this one mainly because I’m not a big history buff, but I do love to at least learn something of the culture. Admittedly, my reason for loving this one so much is its position on the coast, so you can get the most stunning photos graphs of the ancient temple El Castillo with a backdrop of white sand and ocean.
Also, if the tour gets a bit much, you can nip off and lie out on the beach. Not that I would ever do that of course, but you could !!

For extra history on the Mayan ruins, check out this site

Tulum is a popular seaside Mayan ruin site, located about one hour south of Cancun. If you can afford to, I would highly recommend purchasing a package with one of the many tour companies in Cancun. My wife and I picked Best Day Tours and were picked up and dropped off at our resort in Cancun by an air-conditioned bus. The cost of our tickets was approximately US$40 each, which we thought was reasonable, considering the price included transportation, admission to Tulum, and a guided tour of the ruins.

The ride to Tulum seemed very long, as there was not much in the way of scenery once you left Cancun. The actual ruins are located a fair distance away from the parking lot. If you are the adventurous type (and you are wearing comfortable shoes), you can choose to walk back to the ruins. The walk is a long one (at least 20 minutes) and, if you are visiting the area during the summer, like we were, a very hot one. However, if you don't feel like walking or have small children with you, you are also given the opportunity to purchase tickets for the tram that runs back and forth between the ruins and the parking lot. Once you reach the ruins, prepare to be amazed. For someone who has never seen ancient ruins before (like me), the sight of the Mayan city is an awesome one. There are many buildings and temples throughout the area that are well-preserved, but the main temple along the seaside cliff is by far the most magnificent. Unfortunately, tourists are no longer allowed to climb up or go inside the temples. Our guide was quite long-winded and spent close to two hours taking us through the site and providing us with a plethora of historic information. Once the tour was finished, my wife and I spent another hour or so snapping pictures and doing a little sightseeing of our own.

If time allows, I would suggest taking some time to walk along the cliffs or climb down to the beach. Some of our best honeymoon pictures were taken in those areas. Keep in mind, however, that there is very, very little shade around the ruins, so be sure to bring plenty of water with you. My wife and I both regretted not bringing our swimsuits along with us. After several hours of walking around in the hot sun, the beach was starting to look very good to us (the water looked a little rough, though). All things considered, visiting Tulum was one of the highlights of our trip to Cancun, and if we are ever given the opportunity to go back, it is one site we would definitely visit again.

The Maya city of Tulum is located about an hour and a half southwest of Cancun. We decided on Olympia Tours after a couple of recommendations. Olympia is not in contact with any timeshares. Be careful of half-price tours; these include up to a two-hour timeshare presentation. Olympia Tours offered only a tour of Tulum with Xel-Ha combination (an all-inclusive package was also available).

We met Olympia at a previously discussed location at 7:45am and boarded our bus at 8am. The ride was in a new deluxe air-conditioned bus. The trip from Cancun to Tulum was about an hour and a half long. Our guide Victor discussed Mexican and Mayan cultures on the journey to Tulum.

Once you arrive at the ruins you will board a tractor-train that leads you to the entrance (about a five-minute ride). This is a great time to get your camera ready.

The walled city of Tulum was occupied mainly between the 14th and 15th centuries. Within these walls the view is breathtaking. Located on a cliff over looking the ocean the scenery is outstanding. Our tour guide sited facts and scientific theories pertaining to the Maya culture and construction of the ruins. After Victor's hourlong class, we had about 25 minutes to walk around and shoot photos of the ruins and surroundings.

Tulum's ruins can no longer be climbed upon because of erosion. Some ruins are not fully restored. The main building, which is known as El Castillo (castle) is in good condition. El Castillo is the focal point of Tulum. Located behind El Castillo is a cliff. Below you will see beautiful white sand beaches. The view from here is incredible.

In front of El Castillo is the Temple Of The Frescoes. This building contains wall art, but accessibility is barred.

When your time allotment has expired head for the exit. You will be directly in front of the tractor-train. This will take you back by the parking lot so you can meet your tour group and bus.

This was our first time visiting an ancient Maya civilization. Tulum is a must see. We found Olympia to be an excellent tour service. On future trips to Cancun my wife and I plan to use Olympia for other daily excursions.

It is amazing to see this archeological site. Unfortunately, we arrived on a day when all the cruise ships were bringing tours, so there was a long line. The entrance to Tulum is through a narrow doorway, so everyone has to funnel in single file. They do charge you a fee to bring in a camera or movie camera, so be prepared to pay or leave it at the door until you exit if you don't want to pay.

It is very humid, so come early and avoid the crowds and the heat. If you are staying at the Adventure Palace, it is worth a trip just for the scenery and a change of pace.