Tulum is a special strip of beach and jungle located in the beautiful Mayan Riveria and the state of Quintana Roo, 75 miles south of Cancun. The name Tulum comes from the Mayan word for wall. This name makes sense once you visit the ancient Mayan ruins of Tulum, hovering over its beautiful beach. Sunbathers and swimmers indulging in a visit to Tulum Beach's white, limestone sands and crystal blue waters can look up in wonder at the ancient Mayan ruins -- some from as early as A.D. 250 -- dotting the cliffs above them to grasp the aura of ancient mystery that surrounds the beach.

Once a sleepy beach outpost, Tulum has become a fashionable yet decidedly low-key escape. It is rustic yet cool, small and easy to navigate. Tulum is off the grid.

While you're in Tulum there are many natural wonders, adventure activities, and cultural delights to partake in during your stay. Have a look below for more details.

Tulum is a beautiful place, and there are many places to visit! We will likely arrange a group activity on Thursday. Other than that, Tulum is your oyster!

The Tulum ruins are the closest, and are unique in that they are the only ruins in the Yucatán that are right on the ocean. You can reach the Tulum ruins by bicycle from any beach hotel. Cobá is about a 45 minute drive from Tulum, and the ruins there are notable because you can still climb to the top of one of the pyramids and have an uninterrupted 360 degree view of the jungles of the Yucatán. Chichen-Itzá is about three hours from Tulum and is one of the seven wonders of the world. This well-preserved site was one of the largest Mayan cities in the area.

Tulum is a Mayan archaeological site on Mexico's Riviera Maya. The buildings date from the Post-Classic period, around 1200 to 1500 A.D., and the city of Tulum was a functioning city at the time of the Spaniard arrival. The most spectacular aspect of Tulum Ruins are their location on a cliff overlooking the brilliant turquoise waters of the Caribbean.

This archaeological site is quick 15 minute taxi ride or 30 minute bike ride from town.

Cobá dates from the Classic Period, 600 to 900 AD, after which it was abandoned for unknown reasons. At its height Cobá supported up to 45,000 inhabitants. The city is thought to have been an important trading post and a commercial link between the cities on the coast and those inland.

This Mayan site lies less than one hour from Tulum, and is different from the other big sites in the Yucatan. The site is situated between four natural lakes, which is a rare sight in the Yucatan. These lakes are believed to have given the city its name, which means "Waters stirred by wind". Furthermore, it is not as excavated or reconstructed as Chichen Itza or Tulum. The majority of Cobá is still covered by the growth of the jungle, making it a wild place that truly triggers your imagination.

Test your bravery and climb the large pyramid onsite. The views from the top are breathtaking but the journey down is not for the faint of heart.

Chichen-Itzá the most renowned and authentically restored Mayan ruin. It is about three hours from Tulum and is one of the seven wonders of the world. During the Mayans' magnificent reign of the Yucatan, they built these beautiful and famous buildings: the Snail, the Castle, the Warriors Temple, the Ball Game, the Tzompantli, the Eagles House, the Osario, the Temple of the Chac Mool and more. Watch the snake move along the temple steps during the fall and vernal equinoxes.

A cenote is a natural pit, or sinkhole resulting from the collapse of limestone bedrock that exposes groundwater underneath. The underworld of Riviera Maya is made up these interconnected cenotes beneath the soil and form an underground water system unique to this region in the world. There are many places nearby Tulum where you can explore the underworld through snorkeling, diving and zip-lining, etc. Some of the favorites are Dos Ojos (perfect for a snorkeling trip), the cenotes past Cobá (don't skip these if you go to Cobá!), Casa Cenote (great for cave diving), and Gran Cenote (very close to Tulum, you can take a taxi, and it's perfect for kids).

Check out this and this for more cenote information.

Tulum has an abundance of world class chefs at restaurants and bars up and down the beach. Here's a list to get you started!

Here's a link to some shopping info in Tulum.

In the Mayan language, Sian Ka'an means "born from the sky". The Sian Ka'an reserve is a magical place, characterized by its bio-diversity: jungle, marsh, mangrove lagoons, shallow bays and an extraordinary coral reef. This natural reserve is a U.N.E.S.C.O. World Heritage site and is famous for its numerous cenotes, its hidden Mayan ruins and its only inhabited place, Punta Allen, a small village of lobster fishermen.

This natural reserve is huge and there are many different tours available to explore the exotic wildlife there. It is a 2 hour car ride from Tulum (each way). We do not recommend making this drive by yourself as it can be treacherous and recommend upgrading to a 4x4 vehicle if possible. If you are interested in this, we would recommend extending your stay by a day to dedicate one full day to this excursion. Highly Recommended!!!

Tulum is renowned for yoga, so there are plenty of places to take a class! There is a yoga studio on the beach next to Coco Tulum (just up the beach from La Luna) with classes every day at 9 am and 12 noon. Maya Tulum also gives classes daily, as does Yoga Shala (past La Luna, about 2 km). You can check with them for their schedules when you arrive.

Xel Ha is regarded as one of the Riviera Maya's greatest natural wonders. It is situated about 20 minutes north of Tulum a bit further north. Essentially it is one of the world's largest natural aquariums. Here you can swim, snorkel, take a jungle walk or bike ride, take a train ride, or just relax on a river. Most of these activities are included in the general admission cost. However, Xel Ha also offers several add-on activities for an extra cost. These include things like a guided snorkel tour, a swim with the dophins, and helmet scuba experience.