An ancient Mayan ruin overlooks the Caribbean Sea from a coastal cliff in the eastern Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. It is one of the most visited Mayan Ruins in the Yucatan Peninsula. Can you guess which one it is?
That’s right, I’m talking about the archaeological site of Tulum! Visiting the Tulum Ruins is a must-do if you’re ever in Quintana Roo, Mexico. So be sure to include Tulum Ruins on your travel itinerary!
This detailed guide will cover everything you need to know about visiting the Tulum Ruins in Mexico!
Table of Contents
Mayan Ruins in Tulum: Tulum Ruins History
One of the last great cities of the Maya civilization, Tulum, was first inhabited in the 6th century. It didn’t start prospering as a major trading and religious center until the 11th century.
Tulum, which translates to “wall” in Yucatec, was built to be a seaport fortress. A very literal name, because it is guarded by thick tall limestone walls on three sides and a steep cliff by the Caribbean Sea on the fourth.
The original name of Tulum is Zama, which in Mayan means “place of the dawning sun”.
Which I think is quite the fitting name for a city overlooking the horizon. This will be the perfect place to welcome the morning sun (if opening hours start earlier).
The zone inside the Tulum walls was sacred, and was meant only for the rulers of Tulum. Regular residential buildings were built outside the walls.
Tulum was an important Maya city that connected trade routes from all over Mexico and Central America.
Due to its location and convenient landings on the beach, it was a popular land and sea trade hub. Merchant boats came loaded with goods such as obsidian, honey, and salt.
The Tulum Maya population was estimated to be approximately 1,600 residents. They were majority wiped out after the Spaniards brought in the Old World diseases. The Maya city fell and was completely abandoned 70 years later.
Where are the Mayan ruins in Tulum?
The Tulum Mayan ruins are located in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, in the state of Quintana Roo.
It is within the Tulum National Park, right on the outskirts of Tulum Pueblo (aka Tulum town).
The Mayan ruins are 10 minutes away from Tulum town by car.
Can You Go to Tulum Ruins Without a Tour?
Yes, you definitely can visit Tulum Ruins on your own without a tour. While tours do provide the convenience, it’s still doable without one. Once you’re at the Tulum Ruins, you can even hire a tour guide for cheap if you want to get more cultural insights. In this guide, I’ve included everything you’ll need for a self-guided tour.
Tulum Ruins Attraction Details
Tulum Ruins Entrance Fee
The entrance fee for Tulum Ruins is $85 pesos (~$4 usd). Tickets can only be purchased in cash. You’ll need exact change.
If you’re bringing along a camera (even GoPros), an additional fee of $45 pesos will be charged. Drones are not allowed anywhere on the Archaeological Zone of Tulum.
It is a free entry for Mexican residents on Sundays.
Tulum Ruins Hours
Tulum Ruins is open 8am-5pm daily.
Tulum Ruins Parking
Directions to parking lot
The cost of Tulum Ruins parking is a whopping $180 pesos. Insane how it’s actually more expensive than its entrance ticket.
If you want free parking, you can drive to Playa Santa Fe and park along the street. It’s a 10 minute walk to the ticket gate of Tulum Ruins.
Tulum Ruins Shuttle
There’s a shuttle service from the parking lot to the ticket gates. It cost a small fee around $20 pesos.
Tulum Ruins Guided Tour
You’ll find tour guides offering tour services right outside the ticket gate. It costs $200 pesos (~$10 USD) per person (entrance ticket included) for the guide. It’s a lot cheaper than the guided tours offered at other Mayan ruins.
Tulum Ruins Map
How Much Time Do You Need at Tulum ruins?
The grounds of Tulum ruins are not very big compared to other Mayan ruins. 2 hours is enough to fully explore the ruins of Tulum. You’ll have plenty of time to admire the scenery and iguanas, and take lots of selfies.
If you wish to stop by the beach, add 1-2 more hours to your itinerary.
Can You Climb the Ruins in Tulum?
In order to preserve the site, climbing the ruins is not allowed inside Tulum Ruins.
Best Time to Visit the Tulum Ruins
The climate in Tulum, Mexico is usually pretty consistent (averaging 80s) all year long, making it a great destination for travelers. However, you should keep an eye out for the hurricane season during the summer months.
As the high season for the Riviera Maya is during winter, the winter months will see the highest number of tourists to the Tulum Ruins.
To see the ruins without all the overcrowding, go early in the morning, right after opening hour.
Temple of the Descending God
How to Get to Tulum Ruins from Playa del Carmen & Cancun
Visiting the Tulum Ruins is a popular activity for visitors all over the Riviera Maya. So here are some directions on how to get to Tulum Ruins when you are based in Cancun and Playa del Carmen.
Even if you’re staying in Tulum, this section will still be helpful to you because Tulum does not have its own airport. The closest international airport is in Cancun, located 2 hours away.
There’s another international airport on Cozumel Island. But you’ll need to take a ferry from Cozumel to Playa del Carmen first, and then another ride from Playa del Carmen to Tulum.
Fortunately, Tulum is getting its own airport, set to open in 2023, along with a Maya Train rail network that circles the Yucatan Peninsula.
By Renting a Car
You’ll probably be renting a car if you’re doing a lot of exploring in the Riviera Maya.
The highways between major tourist destinations are established and easy to drive. The Tulum Ruins will be 1 hour drive south of Playa del Carmen and 2 hours away from Cancun. There’ll be a parking lot at the site.
By Taking a Taxi to Tulum Ruins
Taxis are always the most convenient transportation method because you don’t have to worry about driving, parking, or any other logistics. But it can also be the most expensive option.
It’s common for tourists to be overcharged, especially for long-distance routes. Always remember to negotiate the price before getting into the taxi.
A taxi from Playa del Carmen to Tulum should cost you around 600 pesos (~30 USD) one way.
ADO Buses to Tulum Ruins
Riding an ADO bus is one of the best ways to travel around Mexico. The ADO bus route between Playa del Carmen to Tulum (Zona Arqueologica) takes an hour and costs (~$6 USD).
From Cancun to Tulum (Zona Arqueologica), it takes 2.5 hours and costs $226 pesos (~$12 USD). There’s a few trips scheduled in the morning.
For the end destination, make sure you get a bus that goes directly to the Tulum Ruins. It will drop you off at the parking lot.
Most important structures in the Tulum Ruins
Colectivo to Tulum Ruins (Shared Shuttle)
Colectivo is a common transportation option used by the locals. As a shared van, it can get crowded, but it is the cheapest way to visit Tulum Ruins.
From Playa del Carmen, you can find the Tulum colectivos near the highway, close to McDonald’s and Chedraui. Here’s the location on Google maps.
The service is very coordinated. When you first arrive, the staff will direct you to a line based on where you’re headed. They will also notify the driver of your stop as you get on the colectivo. Although, make a habit to confirm with the driver. It costs around 50-60 pesos.
How to Get to Tulum Ruins From Tulum
Biking to the Tulum Ruins (Most popular)
Biking is the most popular way to get around Tulum. You’ll see bike rental shops everywhere and almost every tourist I’ve come across has gotten a bike.
You can rent a bike for as little as $100 pesos a day. Ask around for different rates.
Biking to Tulum Ruins from Tulum town is an easy 10 minute. You cannot bring the bikes into the Tulum archaeology site. There’ll be bike racks outside the gates.
In the summer, you might want to skip this option. Bike ride will be too hot.
If you’re staying in a hotel on the Tulum beach, you might be too far to bike.
Walking to Tulum Ruins
When my sister has epically failed to get on a bike (after telling me bikes are easy), we decide to listen to the bike rental owner and forgo the rental. You know your skills are nonexistent when even the owner doesn’t want to do business with you…
We ended up walking to the Tulum Ruins from the town. While it’s walkable, I will suggest against it unless you have nothing else planned. Walking is an additional 1 hour round trip.
Walking pass the marketplace leading to Tulum Ruins
Taking a Colectivo from Tulum (Shared Shuttle)
On Avenue Tulum (the main street in Tulum running parallel to highway 307), you’ll see a collectivo stop every few blocks. Just wait at the stop (heading in the direction of Playa del Carmen) for a colectivo.
Tulum Ruins will be the first stop outside of Tulum town. Let the driver know you’re heading to the ruins.
Taking a Taxi
Taxi prices in Tulum are higher than ever. This article has more details on the current situation of taxi prices in Tulum.
Be careful with the prices. Always ask and negotiate before getting into the taxi.
The taxi prices on the Tulum beach are insanely inflated. I had two people tell me they were charged $600 pesos (~20 USD) for just getting to Tulum beach from Tulum town. With that price for a one way trip, it might be cheaper to just get a rental car.
Best Tulum Ruins Tours
Skip the headache if planning is not your strongest suit. If you just want to sit back and have someone else deal with all the planning, then check out some Tulum Ruins tour.
Most Tulum tours will include the entrance fee to the ruin, tour guide, and transportation.
Because the Tulum archaeological site is not very big, it’ll take at most a couple hours to finish. Therefore, you’ll find a lot of tours that combine Tulum Ruins with other popular destinations.
As one of the most significant Mayan ruins in the Riviera Maya, you’ll see many tours to Tulum Ruins departing from both Cancun and Playa del Carmen.
El Castillo – The Castle
Best Tulum Ruins Tours from Cancun & Playa del Carmen
Have your pick at a Tulum tour based on your interest. There are lots of combos to choose from.
Snorkeling & Cenotes Tour Combo
Adventure tours
- Full day Tulum Ruins & Native Park with ziplines & cenotes
- Tulum Ruins & Rio Secreto Combo – Rio Secreto can only be visited on a tour, so this is a pretty good deal
Coba ruins combo
- Tulum Ruins & Coba ruins combo plus cenote and Paradise beach
- Tulum Ruins & Coba ruins & Maya village
Tips on Visiting Tulum Ruins
- Get there early. Going at the opening hour is the best time to visit Tulum Ruins. There will be fewer crowds. If you can’t wake up early enough, then aim for the closing hours.
- Avoid Sundays. Mayan ruins are usually free for Mexican residents on Sundays. So you’re guaranteed to have a crowd.
- Ignore the ticket booths at the entrances/parking lot. They are selling tours and not tickets to Tulum Ruins. Only buy the ticket at the gate directly outside the Mayan ruins.
- Bring plenty of cash: They only accept Mexican pesos. Don’t rely on the onsite ATM. There are multiple shops if you need to buy snacks or souvenirs. As with all tourist attractions, expect these to be overcharged.
- Bring water. Staying hydrated is important, unless you want to become a dried raisin.
- From the parking lot, it’s about a 10-15minute walk to the entrance of the site. You can take a cheap shuttle if you don’t want to walk.
- Bring your own shade. Escaping the heat from the sun is impossible in the Tulum Ruins, unless you bring your own shade. Natural shade is rare on the site. Buildings are too far and there are barely any trees on the walkway. You want a compact umbrella and a sun hat.
Ignore these ticket booths. The real official ticket area is right at the entrance of the ruins.
What to Wear to Tulum Ruins?
- Wear loose-fitting clothes. It gets incredibly hot walking around the Tulum Ruins, so be prepared to be sweating soon. Natural shade is a rarity in this place. Don’t torture yourself by wearing tight and dark color clothing.
Looking back at my outfit (dark blue romper), I might’ve been an idiot. But hey, at least it’s loose fit.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes. You’ll be doing a lot of walking. I love my TEVAs because not only is it super comfortable walking in them, it also doubles as beach sandals.
- Give the top of your head some love and shelter by wearing a sun hat.
- Bring swimsuit & beach gear. There’s a secret beach connected to the Tulum Ruins (more on that later in the post) as well as a public beach right outside.
You change in the bathroom right next to the Tulum Ruins ticket office. Some people come wearing their swimsuits underneath.
Suggested items to include in your beach pack: quick dry towel, coverup, sunscreen
Exploring the Mayan Ruins of Tulum
Parking Area
The parking area of the Tulum Ruins is a large open area. You’ll find the following attractions surrounding the parking lot:
Tulum Tower – 360 degree view of Tulum 118 feet up in the air
Mystika – an immersive art museum. Great for Instagram pictures.
Mystika Attraction in the parking lot
Market Place
You’ll come across a marketplace once you’ve walked past the parking lot. It’s filled with souvenirs shops, restaurants, and snacks vendors. Most of these shops were closed on the day I visited.
You’ll also see signs for a restroom (deep inside the marketplace). It costs 5 pesos to use the restrooms here. Unless it’s an emergency, I suggest waiting until you get to the ticket gate for the free restrooms there.
Ticket Office
You’ll know you’ve arrived at the ticket office, when you see a line of people waiting.
To the left, you’ll have the free restrooms.
Don’t be confused by people who keep walking right. They are here for the public beach, not the Mayan ruins.
This is also where you can join guided tours. There’ll be a pack of tour guides walking around and offering their services. If you take a guided tour, you can also skip the line.
Once you have purchased your ticket, you can walk straight into a forest area. Follow the path to the Tulum Ruins.
Tulum Archaeological Site
Enter the grounds of Tulum Ruins by walking through the stone entrance in the walls.
You’ll find most of the buildings here have been roped off. Certain areas are also off-limits for safety reasons (it’s a 40 ft drop from the cliff).
Please don’t ignore these ropes and trespass into the off-limit areas like I’ve seen some tourists do.
Informational signs
There are informational plaques in front of each structure so you can learn a bit of the history and what each ancient ruin is for. If you want to visit the Tulum Ruins armed with knowledge, get this handy guidebook before leaving for your trip.
What I love most about touring the Tulum Ruins is the incredible scenery we get to see while exploring. The landscape is beautiful to walk through.
The cactus lining the paths. You’ll also encounter more sunbathing iguanas than you can count. Not to mention the ocean backdrop.
I’m no expert in Maya architecture, so here’s just some simple introduction to the important structures you’ll see.
Home of the Well (Casa del Cenote)
Small, simple building built over a cenote. Once containing drinkable water, the water from the well is now too salty. In the center of the building is a tomb, because Maya people believe the cenote is the entry to the underworld.
Temple of the Wind
If you’ve ever seen a picture of Tulum Ruins on postcards or tour posters, the Mayan ruin sitting on a cliff, this is it.
House of the Great Lord (Casa del Halach Uinic)
The Halach Uinic is the high priest and ruler of a Maya city. The buildings are used for religious ceremonies and housing for the lord.
House of the Columns (Casa de las Columnas)
Temple of Columns
Also known as the Great Palace, this is a large building with a series of columns. This building was likely used as the residential quarters for the royal court.
Temple of the Descending God (Templo del Dios Descendente)
Carved into the building above the doorway, you have a sculpture of a descending god. There are many theories as to which god.
The Castle (El Castillo)
El Castillo is the tallest building in the Tulum Ruins, as well as the most famous. It was built in multiple phrases. El Castillo served as a lighthouse for sailors so they wouldn’t crash into the cliffs.
Temple of the Frescoes (Templo de los Frescos)
Right in front of El Castillo, you will find the Temple of the Frescoes. It is the best preserved building at the Tulum archaeological site.
The Temple of the Frescoes served as an observatory to track the movements of the sun. On the inner walls of the building, there are colored murals.
Why is Tulum Ruins So Run Down?
Structure inside Tulum Ruins
If you had visited Chichen Itza or Uxmal Ruins before, you might be wondering why the ruins in Tulum seem more shabby as you walk through the archaeological site. Even though, it’s built much later than some of the other Mayan ruins.
This is because of the construction process. As the Maya made improvements in their stucco coverings, they ended up slacking in the quality of the actual underlying masonry. Therefore, once the exterior stucco has eroded away, the ruins will be more decayed.
What to Do After Visiting Tulum Ruins?
The ruins in Tulum are quite small compared to other well-known Mayan ruins. It’ll take at most 1-2 hours. So this means you’ll have plenty of time afterwards for another activity.
Visit Tulum Ruins Secret Beach
From the ruins, you have direct access to the secluded beach down below. To get to the secret beach, you’ll need to walk down the wooden staircases.
Normally, the beach opens at 10am on days where the waves aren’t too strong. Unfortunately, the beach access was roped off when I was there.
Don’t worry if this also happens to you. There’s a public beach very close to Tulum Ruins. You can get there in 10 minutes by walking.
Staircase down to the beach
Swimming in the Public Beach Near Tulum Ruins
If you follow signs inside the Tulum Ruins for the exit & beach, they are referring to the public beach. Once you’ve walked out of the ruins, you’ll re-enter the forest area.
You might see a couple of vendors selling snacks and drinks.
Walk down the Tulum beach road and follow the signs to get to Santa Fe Beach. If you keep walking down the beach, you’ll reach Playa Pescadores (Pescadores Beach) and Playa Paraiso (Paradise Beach).
There are a few beach bars along the way.
Remember to apply biodegradable sunscreen before you head into the water.
Swim in a Cenote Near Tulum
Escape from the heat and head to one of the many cenotes near Tulum.
Cenote Calavera and Gran Cenote are among the most popular cenotes for travelers.
Don’t forget to bring along water shoes and a quick dry towel.
Where to Stay in Tulum
In Tulum Mexico, you’re either going to be staying in Tulum Pueblo (Tulum town) or at Zona Hotelera (the resort area on Tulum Beach).
If you come here aiming for the beachside bungalows & checking off Instagram-famous spots, then Tulum beach is where you want to be.
If that’s not your jam and you want to save your wallet, then staying in Tulum town is a good alternative. You’ll find more budget friendly stays here.
Here are some Tulum hotel suggestions. All these hotels are highly rated and chosen based on close proximity to either the town central or Tulum beach.
Budget Stays Under $50
Casa Almendro – Bungalow style common area
Mimosa Tulum – Has dorm option for solo travelers, shared kitchen
Hotel Central Station Tulum – Easy access to buses & colectivos. It’s right next door!
Chavez Eco Beach Camping and Cabañas (Tulum Beach) – Stay directly on the beach
Midrange Stays $50-$200
El Capitan – Spacious rooms & close to the main road
Azura Boutique Hotel – Beautifully decorated apartments
Layla Tulum – Moroccan style adult only hotel with rooftop swimming pool
Luxury Stays on Tulum Beach $200+
Mi Amor – Romantic boutique hotel right next to the water, adults only
La Valise Tulum – The Instagram perfect Tulum hotel surrounded by both jungle and beach
Cabanas Tulum – Stay on Tulum beach. Private jacuzzi, anyone?
Alternative Mayan ruins Near Tulum
Once you’re done visiting Tulum Ruins, why not check out other Mayan ruins near Tulum?
Chichen Itza
Chichen Itza is one of the 7 wonders of the World. It’s also one of the most visited Maya archaeological sites in Mexico.
You can check out my guide to Chichen Itza for the best ways to visit!
Muyil Ruins
One of the oldest archaeological sites in the Maya world, Muyil Ruins is near the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve. You won’t be spending much time here, however, because only a small portion of the site has been excavated.
Coba Ruins
Coba Ruins is estimated to have 6,500 structures with the majority still unexcavated & untouched in the jungles.
Why pick between the two if you can easily visit both Tulum Ruins and Coba Ruins in one day? There’s plenty of tours that visit both Mayan ruins. Most tours include the entrance fees in their tour packages. Plus you’ll get a knowledgeable guide leading you through both Mayan ruins.
- Tulum Ruins & Coba ruins combo plus cenote and Paradise beach
- Tulum Ruins & Coba ruins & Maya village
Ek Balam Ruins
Ek Balam is a tranquil Mayan ruins near Valladolid, away from tour groups. Founded around the 300BC, Ek Balam peaked in the 700-1000AD as an important commercial center.
More Day Trips From Tulum
- Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve – UNESCO Heritage Site, great for wildlife lovers
- Xel-Ha – fun natural aquatic theme park
- Playa del Carmen – read my guide on visiting Playa del Carmen!
Final Thoughts
I had such a great time exploring the Tulum Ruins! I loved seeing all the Maya architecture. If the sun wasn’t killing my battery, I’d be snapping away hundreds of photos.
I can’t wait to come back and visit Tulum Ruins again! Hopefully, the beach will be open on my next time. If you’re ever in Quintana Roo, don’t miss out on visiting Tulum Ruins!
Believe me, it’s well worth your visit!
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