posted by Donna-Lee on Jul 17
Riviera Maya: Tulum, Mexico is 2010 Travellers Choice in the Top 10 Beach and Sun Destinations, Romance Destinations and Relaxation and Spa Destinations, in the Caribbean and Mexico. This award winning area is located on the breath-taking Caribbean coast of Mexico, a 50 minute drive South of Cancun and the Riviera Maya, on the Yucatan Peninsula.
Tulum is the site of a Pre-Columbian Maya served as a major port for Cobá. One of the best-preserved coastal Maya sites, Tulum is a popular site for tourists. Tulum’s greatest attraction is its location. It stands on a bluff facing the rising sun looking out on views of the Caribbean that are nothing less than spectacular. In Maya, Tulum means “Wall”, and the city was christened thus because it is a walled city; one of the very few the ancients ever built. When visitors arrive at Tulum’s ancient pre-hispanic site they are able to see the buildings that in its time were the city’s main center (ceremonial and political), monumentally encircled by the Mayan world’s best known wall. This site is impressive! You may be able to feel the energy of an amazing civilization as you tour the area.
The most famous Mayan temple city, Chichen Itza served as the political and economic center of the Mayan civilization. The Kukulkan Pyramid (El Castillo) itself was the last, and arguably the greatest, of all Mayan temples. The Maya believed that on the Equinoxes, their god Kukulkan came down from the heavens to speak directly to their priests. This natural phenomenon of light and shadow is a unique experience that attracts visitors from all parts of the world. Unquestionably, the ancient Maya created a wonder of the world in the great Pyramid of Kukulkan In 2007, Chichen Itza’s KuKulkan Pyramid was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World after a worldwide vote.
This ancient Mayan region offers relaxation and romance, adventure, historical, ecological and geographical interests as well as gorgeous Yucatan beaches.
Two very popular destinations for visitors are Xcaret (pronounced sh-cah-ret) and,Xel-Ha (pronounced shell-ha) which are beautiful natural parks with inlets and cenotes for swimming and snorkelling, as well as swimming with dolphins in natural aquariums for an unforgettable experience .
Xcaret Cenote
Known as ”nature’s sacred paradise”, Xcaret is one of the world’s most famous eco-archaeological parks. Here, you will find archaeological ruins, a dolphin show, a display of horses and riders working together, a farm with tropical birds, butterflies, bat caves and a stunning beach. You can go also snorkeling in the famous caves and the well known underground river.
Xcaret Underground River
With its 53 activities to enjoy, Xcaret is an experience for all your senses. This ecological park was once one of the most important Mayan ports.
Xcaret Plus is a new experience that provides an array of services with one ticket. One major benefit is the preferential access to the exclusive Plus Area, created only for those visitors who purchase the Xcaret Plus ticket. There you’ll find all the facilities you need including towels, snorkel gear, life vests and lockers available at any time of the day. You will also have access to our lockable bags to store your things while you travel down the river. Your Plus Admission will allow you to enjoy the park attractions and the main advantages it has over the Basic admission is that you’ll also get a buffet lunch included with juice and coffee, as well as a 10% discount on all water activities! Without a doubt, this is your opportunity to spend a perfect day just having lots of fun.
The amazing Xcaret Show is the most renowned attraction in this park, featuring 300 artists on stage that will fascinate you with the best selection of music, regional dances and Mexican folklore. When the sun sets the sound of pre-Hispanic drums starts and a line of Mayan warriors and priests guard the way to the theater, this will let you know it is show time. Get ready to experience an extraordinary feast of color and learn about the different episodes of Mexico’s rich history, including a stunning recreation of the famous Ball Game.
Xel Ha is an eco-archaeological site that arose with the Maya Civilization settled on the eastern coastline of the State of Quintana Roo, Mexico. Xel Ha is located in the Riviera Maya, south of Playa del Carmen. The name is the combination of the roots xel that means ”spring” and ha’ that means ”water”. Xel Ha is the largest natural open sea aquarium in the world, which offers a myriad of land and water activities, ecological attractions, world-class restaurants, and countless more unimaginable experiences, a place to enjoy the biological parade of the Riviera Maya.
The Yucatan peninsula is renowned for water activities in the Caribbean sea as well as the natural freshwater pools called Cenotes, which are underwater caves and caverns to swim in, snorkel or scuba exploration.
One of the most beautiful is the Gran Cenote, just 4 km. from Tulum hotel zone on the road to Cobá, Its clear water allows swimmers and divers to see the underwater cave formations and the small fish that live there.
Cenote Calaveras is located about one km before the Gran Cenote, down an unmarked path into the jungle. Its three holes form the skull shape which gave the cenote its name. Visitors love to jump into the water from the ground above.
Farther up on the highway to Cancún and Playa del Carmen is Cenote Dos Ojos, (about 10 minutes north of Akumal whose two holes make an excellent place to swim or dive. Cenote Cristal and Cenote Escondido are both located south of Tulum, on the road to Carrillo Puerto and Chetumal, just five minutes from Tulum pueblo. Admission prices include both cenotes.
Ancient Mayan ruins are scattered throughout the Yucatan Peninsula. Tulum is the best preserved Mayan coastal site. The Cobá ruins are located about 45 minutes from Tulum along a quiet highway through the jungle and are well worth visiting by either car or bus.
The Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, one of Mexico’s largest parks, covers more than 1 million acres of coastal jungle or about 20 percent of the state of Quintana Roo’s land. This virgin wilderness is home and sanctuary to innumerable species of tropical flora and fauna, of which, the jaguar found here is counted as one of the many protected species.
As eventful and exhilarating as the encounters with the native wildlife are, archaeologically, more than two dozen ancient Mayan sites have been discovered here in various states of ruin. Evidence of habitation dates back at least 2,000 years but most sites uncovered belong to the post-Classic Period, around 1200 AD.
This vast complex, Mexico’s donation to the world nature inventory administered by the UN, contains just about everything the area has to offer the nature buff. Services are meager and activity access is highly restricted. Punta Allen, a small fishing town 60 km. into the biosphere is the only settlement in this northern sector. There are a couple of modest accommodation facilities just before the entry.
The Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve is located about 2 hours south of Cancun, just south of Tulum on the road to Punta Allen.
Tulum certainly is an impressive vacation spot in Mexico for whatever you are looking for whether it be a romantic anniversary celebration, an adventure vacation, simply a beach destination , an archeological experience or just a fabulous family vacation.
There are several All Inclusive Palace Resorts in the Tulum area. You can save substantially with our Palace Resorts Timeshare Rental. We suggest the Adults Only Aventura Spa Palace or Aventura Cove Palace for family vacations with children. Xpu Ha resort is perfect for couples or families interested in ecotourism as the resort has several animal displays and tours.~Playacar Palace is another small boutique hotel withing walking distance of the quaint market area of Playa del Carmen and the ferry dock to Cozumel.
