When To Visit The Tulum Ruins?

Welcom to Tulum

Take a deep breath in… the fresh air, the sultry scent of fragrant incense, the intense sweetness of tropical flowers as well as fauna…exhale slowly. You are in Tulum. The attraction in Tulum as well as the main reason why it has become such an extraordinary destination on the Yucatan Peninsula lies not only in the history and culture of its neighboring Mayan ruinage of the same name, but in the powerful pull that the city and the ocean have over those who come to visit.

Take a deep breath in… The humid air, the scent of fragrant incense, the intense sweetness of tropical flora and fauna…exhale slowly. You are in Tulum. The magic to Tulum is the primary reason why it has become such an extraordinary destination on the Yucatan Peninsula lies not only in the history and culture of its neighboring Mayan ruin that bear the same name, but also in the energizing pull the city and the ocean have over the people who visit.

Then, a Bit Of History

Tulum was the final great city built and inhabited during the time of the Mayan people between the thirteenth and fifteenth centuries. Tulum was a place of prayer to the Great Descending God whose image adorns the temples in the area. Tulum was also of major importance to trade through the sea, most specifically for the trading of obsidian. Tribes from all over Mexico as well as various other Central American countries would travel to trade here. It’s said that the great wall that surrounds the city was built to guard it from jealous traders and pirates who wanted to take over the city for themselves.

Tulum Today

The site is still home to a variety of structures, spread out over groomed lawns and cliffs along the ocean. The structures on the site are the result of an evolution in architectural styles that show the progress of the area over years. If you’re looking for a relaxing vacation or a chance to immerse yourself in deep Mexican culture or Mayan historical past, Tulum is an epic tourist destination. Here is our guide for making the most of your trip to Tulum. We hope you enjoy!

Where are the Tulum Ruins?

The Tulum ruins are located on the eastern part of the Yucatan Peninsula, in the Mexican state of Quintana in the state of Quintana. They are situated in the middle of Riviera Maya region on the Caribbean Sea. Tulum is approximately 45 minutes to the south to Playa del Carmen and 90 minutes south of Cancun by car.

The Tulum ruin remains are just a minute ride from the nearby Tulum Pueblo, a town Tulum Pueblo frequently called “Tulum” as well in which many travelers opt to stay during their visit to the region.

When To Visit The Tulum Ruins

The tropical climate in Tulum is fairly easily predicted and is easy to make plans around. There’s not much of a temperature variation throughout the year (the average temperature lingers around 83 degrees F) there’s a rainy storm season that the majority of travelers need to pay attention to.

The Tulum Ruins are open from between 8:00 AM and 5:00 pm every day of the week. As it is a popular tourist attraction, the ruins do get filled with visitors of around 2,000 each day. The most ideal time of the time to go and visit the Mayan ruin is in the early morning around the opening time. This is usually the best period to go exploring with fewer crowds.

January until April

Excellent weather, but also the biggest influx of tourist. If you’re not a people person, consider this.

May to October

The hottest, and the most rainy months of the year but still plenty of sunshine. Also, this is season for hurricanes, so keep an eye on the forecasts. The fewer people visiting, you can typically expect discounts at hotels, resorts, and tour operators during this time.

November to December

The winter months in the autumn are believed by many as the most ideal time visiting Tulum. The season of hurricanes has finished by now, and the humidity is lower. It can be a bit “chilly” in the evenings.

January to April

Great weather and ideal for hiking, but it also has the most influx of visitors. If you’re not a social person think about this.

May until October

The hottest, and the most rainy months of the calendar, however, there’s still plenty of sunshine. Also, this is the season of hurricanes so keep an eye on the weather forecasts. The influx of tourists is lower, which means you will typically see lower prices at hotels, resorts, and tour companies in this period.

November to December

The months of autumn and winter are thought by many to be the most enjoyable times when you can visit Tulum. The hurricane season is over by now and the humidity is low. The weather can be “chilly” in the evenings.

How To Access Tulum Ruins

From Tulum Town

There are many options to visit the ruins by way of Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Akumal or Tulum town. The ruins are located about 2.5 miles from Tulum Town Center, about 45 minutes away from Playa or 1.5 minutes from Cancun. Here are some suggestions to explore the Ruins.

By Car

Renting a car is the best scenario if you plan on exploring the area in a little. Starting from the Cancun International Airport, rent an automobile and drive down the only southbound highway. You’ll pass Playa del Carmen, Akumal and more. Around 90 minutes later, you’ll be in Tulum Town. If you are planning to stay the night in town, ensure that you know if your hotel is located in Zona Hotelera (hotel zone) or Centro (town center) in the event that your turn off will be on two sides of the highway. The signs for the ruins are plentiful.

Visit a Museum

There are a number of fantastic tours to take you to the Tulum Ruins from Cancun, Playa del Carmen or Tulum center. A lot of tours include visits to cenotes, as well as other enjoyable activities during the day.

By bicycle

Another popular option is to cycle to the ruins of the area from local hotels. Exploring the area by bicycle is often recommended by locals as it gives you the chance to travel about at your own pace. You can hire a bike for around $8 US for a day at any location in Tulum town and then explore at your leisure.

If you are staying by the beach, the bike rides can be much longer therefore make sure you check the distances with your hotel.
It is not possible to ride in the Tulum Ruins site, however, bicycle racks are located outside the gates.
In the summer, the bike ride can be too hot. Save your energy for walking through the ruins.

Taxi

If you’re interested in taking a taxi towards Tulum Ruins, you can do so by taking a taxi. Tulum Ruins, they’re all over Tulum, Cancun & Playa del Carmen and can bring you directly to the ruin. Make sure you discuss prices prior to taking the ride so you don’t pay too much. Taxis are available from Cancun and Playa del Carmen to Tulum are convenient , but very expensive. Taxis in Tulum are an easy option to reach the ruin, which is about 2.5 miles away from Tulum the town’s center. Flag them down on the road or have your hotel call one to you.

Tips For Visiting Tulum

The Inside Info

There’s plenty you can do and see in Tulum. Here are some useful tips to make the most out of your visit to the ancient ruins.

Dress in cool, comfortable clothing

The wrong attire to the wreckage can be a disaster to your entire experience (pun intended). Wear loose-fitting and lightweight clothing that feels comfortable. You are likely to sweat as you walk around the ruins in the hot Mexican sun. Wear comfortable sneakers that will allow you to stroll around the site. Some visitors come in their swimsuits as they go straight to the beach following their visit to the ruins.

Bring plenty of water

You are likely to visit the ruins during the time that the temperatures around Tulum are near or at their highest. The climate is on the Yucatan Peninsula is extremely humid and can drain your body of moisture. Carry a large bottle of water with you to sip when you visit the ruins to keep you well-hydrated during the scorching heat. There isn’t much shade from the sun’s rays surrounding the ruins.

Bring Your Swimsuit

The beach is part of the remains and entry to the site will allow you to swim in the sea. Travelers in the know wear swimsuits and plunge into the cooling waters after exploring the ruin. It generally takes between 45 to 90 minutes to view the ruin. Add a swim in the water to your excursion can extend your experience and make it more worthwhile.

Tickets can only be purchased from the Information Booth

Upon arrival to the Tulum Mayan ruin You may come across individuals selling tickets away from the website. Beware of scams as the tickets you purchase are not authentic passes to enter the Tulum ruin. You should only purchase your tickets at the site’s gate.

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Tulum is an amazing location in the Mexican Caribbean whose magic lies not just in the story of the ruins but also in the power the city and sea have over visitors who visit. Here’s our guide for the best of Tulum!