MAYAN RUINS OF TULUM

The Mayan ruins of Tulum are the third most-visited historical site in all of Mexico-for a good reason. Tulum enjoys a spectacular cliff-side location, looking out over the majestic Caribbean Sea, which sparkles in vibrant shades of aqua and turquoise. It is, in fact, the only known archaeological site located by the sea.

Tulum was occupied by the Mayan people until the Spanish conquest of the Yucatan Peninsula, but was fully abandoned by the end of the 16 th century. Until the late 20th century, local Mayans continued to visit the temples to pray, but today, the restored ruins are used primarily for tourism purposes.