Lifestyle, Travel

A Day Trip in Tulum From Your Resort

One of the best things about traveling to the Riviera Maya is the mayan culture and the proximity to ruins. When you’re staying in an all-inclusive resort, it can seem “wasteful” to spend a day away from the resort. However, it would be even more to not go out and explore some sites. If you aren’t down for a full day trip, Tulum is the best in between option, only being an hour drive from Playa del Carmen.

Getting There – Booked Tour

If you are staying at a resort, you can book a tour through their booking desk. This is what me and my boyfriend did to not have to worry or think about it. It is sold as a half day trip (9am-2pm), giving you time at the ruins with a guide and time at the beach. (You also get back in time to have lunch) I did the tour last year and they took us to a beach club after the ruins. However, this year we had time at the Tulum beach. It was inconvenient, as there was nowhere to change, no shade and nowhere to get food/drinks. Definitely ask whether the tour lets you stay at the ruins or takes you to a beach club. You travel in a van with people usually from other resorts. It can be annoying if you are the first ones, having to waste time picking up people along the way.

Getting There – On Your Own

Entrance fees to the ruins are very cheap (60 pesos, or about 3 dollars). If you are at a resort close to Tulum; near Akumal or Puerto Adventuras for example, it might be cheaper to take a cab yourself. If you are staying further away but traveling in a larger group, it might also be better to take a van taxi. If you are in resort far away, like in Cancun or Puerto Morelos, price out to see if the tour is cheaper. Another option is taking the public bus. They have greyhound-like busses leaving from Playa del Carmen for about $12 roundtrip per person. Not going by tour has its advantages; like spending as much time as you want. However, you wouldn’t have a guide explaining the history of the site.

Around the Ruins

Both routes of getting there drop you off at the same place. No cars are able to reach the site, so you will be dropped off at a market before walking 10 minutes to the ruins. There is a Starbucks (no wi-fi), Subway and a medley of souvenirs stalls. Along the road there are people with iguanas to take pictures with. They are only around certain times of the day. Last year I got this picture with an iguana called Calimar. However this year they were on break when we came back from the tour. If you want a picture with animals, its best to do it here. This way you can have them on your own camera versus overpaying for prints in your resort.

These trees along the entrance are large and hollow. They were cut down in half and used for canoes.

The Ruins

The ruins in Tulum are beautiful. The scale is much smaller in comparison to Chichen Itza or Coba. However, the views up against the turquoise beaches are breathtaking. As an architecture student, I love seeing archaeological sites and learning about past cities.

The city of Tulum was originally called Zama, meaning the City of Dawn. Tulum however now means “Stone Wall City”, as it is one of the few walled cities within Mexico. The solar alignments is what makes the structures within special. The site acted as an astronomical calendar, using the sun passing through openings to indicate the equinox.

Keep in mind that if you go with the tour option, you will be there during the hottest part of the day. There is very little shade so bring a hat and water. (I was kind of jealous of the people walking with umbrellas)

The Beach

Tulum is known for its beaches. Staying at a resort in Playa del Carmen that was overrun with sargassum seaweed makes you realize just how beautiful the beaches are in person. From the ruins you get beautiful views down of the beach.

On the Beach

Thankfully I’m crafty at changing behind a towel, so I was able to switch into my bathing suit. I’ve been obsessed with the brand Maaji ever since I got a suit from Bikini Village.