Tulum Things to Do Tips by leffe3

beaches Beaches Review

Staying in Tulum is as much about incorporating the beach as it is a trip to visit the ruins. The coast south (the Zona Hotelera) is fairly well developed as far as tourist infrastructure but is about discretion! Tulum has not tried in any shape or form to be a mini Cancun. It is more about cabanas style than concrete blocks. And as this bit of coast is a series of rocky coves and small bays, the hotels tend to merge with the landscape (with one or two notable exceptions - but even these are not concrete monstrosities).
White sands, azure seas and as it is fairly rocky, not bad for snorkelling.

Reserva de la Biosfera Sian Ka'an Sian Ka an Biosphere Reserve Review

5000 sq kms of tropical jungle, marsh, mangrove and islands, Sian Ka'an (Where the Sky Begins) is a World Heritage Site and well worth a visit. You can do it yourself as the road form Tulum to Punta Allen runs through it, but it best appreciated on an organised day trip as this involves a boat trip through the swamps, lunch on the beach and rubber-tyre aided 'swim' (the currents are so fast you don't have to work very hard!) down a crocodile infested creek (fear not - the boats block the water junctions once ensuring the creek is croc-free!).

One of the best places to organise a trip is at Cabanas de Ana y Jose, the last hotel on the stretch of beach prior to the Reserva.

Directions: Trips start from Ana y Jose, the hotel closest to the Reserve (and furthest south along the coast from the ruins)

Ruinas Tulum Ruins Review

Not surprisingly, the ruins are the main attraction in Tulum. Settled around 900-1200, the City of Dawn is a smallish settlement without any major pyramid or sights - mainly as it is the result of the Mayan civilisation in decline. In many ways it resembles more of a fortress than any of the other major sites - it is surrounded on 3 sides by thick walls (the 4th side being the natural defence of the sea). It's its location that makes it a major attraction, but the ruins themselves are still worth 2-3 hours pottering around (and you can always go to the beach once you have finished!)