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Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Tulum Archeological Site, Tulum, Quintana Roo, Riviera Maya, Mexico

The Tulum archaeological site is the remnant of a walled city  inhabited and built by the Mayans and in peak use about the 13th ton15th centuries. The site is atop 40-foot cliffs on the east coast of the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico about 120 kilometers south of Cancun. The hallmark structure at left in the photo above is "El Castillo" (the castle). As one of the best-preserved coastal Mayan sites, it is very popular for visiting tourists.  Many  folks like to bring their swim suits and take a refreshing dip in the sea below the site. 

I am guessing that the lintel over this arch was installed to help support and stabilize the structure by modern day humans not by the Mayan builders.

The aqua and azure tones of the Caribbean stretch out from this cliff top paradise. (Panorama - click to view in full width).

This bluff-top view was the most popular spot for family photos. 

Even we couldn't resist the tourist temptation.

One can take a swim in the beach below the site and imagine the Mayan kings of yesteryear doing the same.

I had to wait a while for the throng of tourists to subside to make this photo. (Panorama - click to view in full width). The stunning seaside location of this Mayan archaeological site is breath-taking.  If you don't like crowds though, come early or late to avoid all the other tourists. Last year I arrived on a weekday an hour before closing and at closing, was chased out by the guards - we wanted to stay for sunset and moonrise.

This is one of the  local residents who seemed mildly annoyed with tourists traipsing all around. The archaeological site at Tulum is arguably one of the most spectacular locations anywhere.


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