Beaches and Ancient Majesty in Mexico

Mexico provides some fantastic beach resorts on the beautiful Caribbean, but Tulum gives the visitor sea, sand, sun and history all in one outstanding location..

Tulum’s greatest attraction is its position.  It stands on a bluff facing the rising sun looking out on views of the Caribbean that are nothing less than spectacular.   Some maintain that, in the ancient Mayan tongue, Tulum means “Wall” (it’s certainly one of the very few walled cities the Maya ever built) while other research suggests it was called Zama or “Dawn”.  Either is spectacularly appropriate given the location.

Tulum was a major link in the Maya’s extensive trade network as both sea and land routes converged here.   Artefacts found in the site come from Central Mexico to Central America and every place in between: copper from the Mexican highlands, ceramics from the Yucatán and jade and obsidian from Guatemala.  Tulum, like so many Maya cities before it, was abandoned around 1518 when the Spaniards conquered the Yucatan.

The archaeological site is relatively compact compared with many other sites in the vicinity and is one of the best-preserved coastal Maya sites.  Tulum’s architecture resembles that of the nearby Chichen Itza, just on a much smaller scale.  The square at the centre of the city was probably once used for rituals or ceremonies and is flanked by the Castillo (The Castle) to the West with commanding views of the ocean and coast for miles in both directions.   The temple of the Descending God is another interesting structure with a façade of a figure sculpted head down.  Tulum appears to have been an important site for the worship of the Diving or Descending god.

A convenient base just five minutes away from the ruins of Tulum and not too far from the larger Mayan site of Chichen Itza is the Dreams Tulum Hotel, located on one of the most unique beaches in the Riviera Maya.   It’s surrounded by lush tropical acres and sugary white sand.  This excellent five star all inclusive hotel is ideal for singles, couples and families of any ages, boasting a range of gourmet restaurants, countless daytime activities, luxurious facilities and amenities and wonderful night time entertainment.

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