We set out early from Cancun to Tulum. It took us about three hours by car to arrive at the Mayan Ruins in Tulum. This was in part due to our family stopping to eat some delicious tacos on the way. There is always time for tacos!
When we arrived we found parking near the entry of the road leading to the entrance to the ruins and beach. It was a sweltering July day and the long walk to the entrance was felt greatly. We bought drinks from the vendors near the entrance as our nephew and his wife told us they do not sell drinks inside. Hot days require hydration! Locals enter free. Non-locals and tourists pay a nominal amount. However, they may not be able to run a foreign credit card, so be sure to carry some small change with you for the entry fee.
After a short walk we viewed amazing ruins. The Pyramid El Castillo stands out among the first seen ruins.
One of these is affectionately called the Iquana House. We were fortunate to see one of the magnificient iquanas perched in their house. Head up as though a deity or emperor. We enjoyed iguanas up close throughout our stay in Cancun. This included our day trip to Isla Mujeres which will be covered in the next blog post. They are confident creatures that do not mind spending time near people.
We soon saw the apparently simple yet complex Temple of the Frescoes. An unassuming two story building it came with a single window in the upper level and a wall of windows on the main level. A closer look reveals intricate engravings in the stone.
We continued to walk further just beyond the ruins. We viewed the Tulum Beach as seen in our prior Instagram video post titled, Living Beaches Are Good For Us’. Although we were unable to access the beach due to the excess seaweed and rough waters, we could see the beach was bountiful with wildlife. Sea turtles emerge from the waters to lay their eggs on the beaches in Tulum. These areas are closed off during this time as well. This gives the turtles peace and space while they are busy bringing in the next generation of baby sea turtles.
Templo Dios Del Viento or The Gods of Wind Temple can be seen in the distance in the top right behind my sis. This was a protection point for the Tulum Bay.
We didn’t take photos at the cenotes. However, they were a welcome cold relief after drenching in sweat at the ruins. They are only minutes away. This is why we wore swimwear while touring the ruins. Fortunately, Patty brought water shoes. The rocky entry into the cenotes can be slippery. Once in the water, there are sitting areas to enjoy a relaxed cool down. If you are up to it, the fish provide a pleasurable pedicure. Simply stay in place after removing your swim fins or water shoes. Avid swimmers can swim throughout the cenote to discover more areas. Many cenote places offer life jackets included in the entry fee. Please be sure to use the showers to wash away chemicals before entering the cenotes and after for your own clean comfort. When cooled down, we walked along the paths to explore more.
As always for those who made it to the end, here is a video of the Tulum Beach! Put this place on your must visit list today!!
Living Beaches Are Good For Us
A short video of Tulum and Playa Del Carmen
https://www.instagram.com/reel/ClaV5nUAJUz/?igshid=N2UxaWxkejE5dDZi
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