Find the Best Things to Do in Tulum
By Susan Vincil
About Tulum
Tulum, a small town in the Riviera Maya area, located roughly 2.5 hours south of Cancun, still remains relatively untouched. Sprawling, mega-resorts dominate much of the landscape of Riviera Maya, but Tulum is home to small, eco-friendly hotels, seaside cabanas. There are some larger resorts in Tulum, but the majority of the lodging options are smaller properties. Some of the eco-friendly resorts turn off electricity in the evenings and have hot water heated by the sun. There isn't much nightlife in Tulum. Mainly, people visit this town because they want to get away from it all and enjoy a little slice of paradise, even if it is only for a short time.
See & Do
The town of Tulum is home to the Mayan ruins of the same name. The Tulum ruins, once known as Zama, to the Mayan people, date back approximately 1,000 years, to a time when the Mayan people ruled the region. This archaeological site is different from other Mayan sites, in that it is on the coast. The other major Mayan cities were located inland, in the jungle. Tulum was a major port city for the Mayans and it is believed that there was once a road connecting Tulum to the nearby Mayan city of Coba (the ruins of Coba are another "must see" for people staying in Tulum, or other parts of Riviera Maya). The Tulum ruins are on a cliff, high above the sea. Visitors to the site should wear their swimsuit and bring a beach towel because the beach below the ruins is spectacular and should be enjoyed.
Stay
This is one of Tulum's nicest, and most expensive, hotels. This five-star, all-inclusive resort caters to families & couples and it is a popular resort for destination weddings and honeymoons. The colonial style architecture of the resort makes you feel as though you are at a hacienda, rather than at a hotel. Located on a pristine, white-sand beach, just 5 minutes from the Mayan ruins of Tulum, Dreams Tulum Resort & Spa is a fantastic place for a relaxing vacation in paradise.
Shop
The main area of the town of Tulum is known as El Pueblo. In that area, you will find souvenir shops, cafes, supermarkets, small hotels, some bars, and the bus station. For shopping, this area is your best choice. You will also find souvenirs at the Tulum archaeological site and hotel boutiques will have clothing, souvenirs, and possibly even jewelry, depending on the hotel, of course. Handmade hammocks are nice items to purchase as souvenirs.