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.

Xcacel Beach, Tulum, Quintana Roo, Riviera Maya, Mexico

I was surprised at how crowded this beach was compared to my visit last year.  Of course, it was a Sunday afternoon so maybe that was the reason.  There was also a lifeguard on duty and a police officer patrolling with his machine gun slung over his shoulder.

Even the crowds couldn't detract from a walk in the spongy, springy, squishy sand that make up this spectacular beach. 

Clouds rolled in and clouds rolled out but the air and water temperatures remained about 78 degrees F.

On reflection, I guess it wasn't too crowded after all.  I've seen a few beaches in my life - and this is one the more beautiful anywhere. 

A few hundred yards walk south along the beach is a small cenote. They recently began construction of this walkway and dock to prevent damage to the mangrove roots along the trail.

As soon as you get in the water, hundreds of little fish immediately swarm your legs nibbling away.  It is an odd sensation.

And this local resident was not too keen on humans interrupting his lunch - those same little fish who get too close to the edge.

This area is maintained as a turtle sanctuary to protect the habitat.  Entry fee was 25 pesos/person. (about $2.00 USD). The quotation under the name of the sanctuary  translates as: "Only when the last tree has died and the last river been poisoned and the last fish caught will we realize we cannot eat money" - American Indian Wisdom.

Tulum Beach, Tulum, Quintana Roo, Riviera Maya, Mexico

Tulum is 80 Miles (130km) south of Cancun along the Riviera Maya. The beaches and archaeological site are the big draws. The beaches of Tulum are among the prettiest anywhere I've seen in my life and the stretch just south of the archaeological area is wide, with white sand, and not overly crowded on this January day.

The powdery white sand was great for walking. Rumor has that they want to improve the local airport to international standards and make the area more of a tourist destination of first choice.  In 10-20 years they just might achieve that goal.

Not everyone was thinking about sunning, swimming, walking, or airports.

What an unexpected treat to find a Thai-inspired restaurant (at Mezzanine hotel/bar/restaurant) overlooking the beautiful beach for a nice bowl of pineapple mango curry - and it was even vegan - as were other menu options!

A wide range of accommodations is available - for example, you can stay at the Hostel Tulum Bed, Bike and Breakfast for $12 USD/night. Of course there are also many places you can stay for $100-500 a night. Some hotels even have 24-hour electricity and Wi-fi.

Tulum, Quintana Roo, Riviera Maya, Mexico

This jumble of signs pointing to the Zona Hotelera along the white sand beaches of Tulum makes an interesting backdrop for a family portrait, although it looks like getting all three children to pose is like herding cats.

Why do some Spanish-speaking countries use "Alto" and some use "Pare" on their Stop signs? At least they all use the same shape and color - unlike Japan which uses an inverted triangle.

Another cloudy and cool day (maybe 68-70 degrees) on the beaches of the Riviera Maya.

Xcacel Beach, Tulum, Quintana Roo, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

Some have said this is one of the most beautiful undeveloped beaches in Mexico.  I haven't personally seen very much of Mexico's 9300 kilometers of coastline but, I have to say that Xcacel (pronounced ish-ka-sell)  is certainly a mighty beautiful beach.

The beach is maintained as a turtle sanctuary to protect habitat.  A "donation" was requested of 10 pesos per person  (about $0.75 USD). On the sign above, the quotation under the name of the sanctuary  translates as: "Only when the last tree has died and the last river been poisoned and the last fish caught will we realize we cannot eat money" - American Indian Wisdom.

We were among the first people to arrive on this early morning and noted that there were no human footprints in the sand but rather these curious tracks crisscrossing and covering everything.

I guess that the tracks belong to the many, many iguanas who call this home and range freely especially after the humans leave and the gate is chained shut every night. This mom and junior were not particularly intimidated by my presence - more annoyed - but they both skittered away at my approach. A regular beach goer I talked with cautioned that if you are eating fruit they will climb your leg to get to it.  Not sure if I believe that but I didn't test the theory.

This one enjoys a nice oceanfront burrow/condo.

Cenotes are sinkholes that fill with groundwater.  The limestone bedrock characteristic of the Yucatan peninsula fosters thousands and thousands of these freshwater delights. This one is a short walk from the beach.

 Some of the more developed/famous cenotes include ziplines, amusements, and all manner of enticements to attract the tourism dollars.  The one just off this beach shown here was maybe 50 feet in diameter and tightly encircled with mangrove/jungle vegetation.

And why is Amy smiling so happily as she stands waist deep in the cenote?

Because as she looks down.......

.....she sees and feels hundreds and hundreds of little fish performing free exfoliation services (nibbling) on her legs!

The sandy path to/from the cenote tracks along through the greenery parallel to Xcacel Beach.

Clear water, clean white sand, a warm breeze, and endless sunshine. 

And here's a 30-second audio/video clip if you'd like a short visit to Xcacel. Sorry it's jerky, I'm not much of a videographer.

Chan Chemuyil, Tulum, Quintana Roo, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

Chan Chemuyil is mostly a US and Canadian expat community located north of Tulum about a half mile west of the spectacular beach at Xcacel. Sized from about 800 square feet up to 1200 square feet, the 200 or so houses sell anywhere from $70K USD up to maybe $160K USD.

This community is known for the bright colors many folks choose to paint their houses.  Small and closely spaced as the houses are, it makes for quite a riot of colors in the neighborhood.

Imagine the reaction seeing this in conservative New England.

They even have their own small police station!

And driving down the highway on the way to this town I got to see the best town name ever:  UXUXUBI -  it's supposedly Mayan for "song of the birds."  (prounounced uush-uush-uubie).  I don't think I've ever seen a word/name with 3 U's and 2 X's before in my life!

Tulum Archaeological Site, Tulum, Quintana Roo, Yucatan Peninsula, 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 to 15th 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. The day of our visit coincided with a full moon.  Unfortunately, the site closes at 5:00pm and the moon didn't rise until 5:30pm.  Try as we might, we were not able to convince the guards to let us stay until moonrise.  We did, however, dawdle enough to be the very last visitors to leave the park for the day. So late that we missed the last tram and had to walk the half mile back to the parking lot.

The view of  "El Castillo" from on land looking toward the sea is as dramatic as the seaside view. The day's final straggling visitors, Amy, Christy, and me, dawdle our way toward the exit as the light turns golden and the shadows grow long with the approaching sunset.

Earlier in the afternoon, this was perhaps the most common sight - people holding up up their cellphones or point-and-shoot cameras to capture a moment.  Didn't see many folks lugging around big, heavy DSLR cameras.

This smaller structure, the "Templo del Dios del Viento," (Temple of the Wind God), is also located close to the cliff edge.

"Estructura 25" contains multiple columns still standing.

The "Templo del Dios Descendente" (Temple of the Descending God), has some interesting off-kilter lines.  Since the mortar and structure is all intact and looks solid, I'm wondering if it was built that way?  Maybe a junior architect-in- training, or the king's son or nephew needed something to do?

"El Castillo."

"Templo de las Pinturas." (Temple of the Frescoes).

Panorama of the cliff top, "El Castillo" is visible at left. (Click on the image to view in full width).

Panorama of much of the site, "El Castillo" is visible at center right. (Click on the image to view in full width).

It was an exceptional late afternoon to visit - perfect temperature, breeze, and golden light - if only we could have stayed to capture the full moon rising against the sea and "El Castillo."  Maybe next time, Amy could arrange a Plymouth Digital Photographers Club Meetup and get special permission, hmmmmmm?...............