Do you wish to go to the most effective Mayan Ruins close to Tulum, Mexico? You’ve landed on the precise weblog since you’re about to find all the good historical websites to take a look at — together with the Tulum Mayan Ruins, situated proper in Tulum.
For vacationers who wish to see extra historical ruins situated simply exterior of city, the simplest manner is to hire a automobile and drive or take a tour. No matter the way you go, with a gaggle tour or by yourself, no go to to Tulum is full with out seeing a few of the Mayan Ruins.
Ready to see the Mayan Ruins you will need to add to your Tulum itinerary? Let’s get to the listing!
5 Best Mayan Ruins Near Tulum Mexico
1. Tulum Ruins
The Tulum Ruins are situated in Tulum itself, so you will need to test them out whereas touring to Tulum, Mexico. These ruins are situated proper on Tulum Beach, not removed from most of the greatest resorts in Tulum within the Tulum Hotel Zone.
Compared to different Mayan Ruins within the Yucatan Peninsula, Tulum Ruins is on the smaller aspect. However, many think about it some of the stunning ruins due to this beachfront location.
Inside, you’ll see the Wind Temple, Temple of the Descending God, El Castillo (The Castle) and Temple of the Frescoes. There’s a roped-off pathway right here, and if you happen to observe it, you gained’t miss something.
You can see your complete Tulum Ruins in about 1-2 hours, however you’ll wish to arrive early as a result of there’s no shade and it will get very, very popular. The Tulum Ruins opens at 8am, which is the most effective time to go to.
One of the good issues in regards to the Tulum Ruins web site is you possibly can entry the seaside proper from it. There’s a staircase from the ruins to the seaside cove under, so you possibly can stroll down and soar within the sea after your go to. It is named Playa Ruinas, or Tulum Ruins Beach. (The final time we had been there the seaside had washed away.)
The Tulum Ruins Entry price is simply $80 pesos, or about $4 USD). You can tour it by yourself or rent one of many guides on the entrance gate to have an expert take you round.
2. Chichen Itza
One of the Seven Wonders of the World, Chichen Itza Ruins in all probability doesn’t want a prolonged introduction! It is without doubt one of the most-visited Mexico ruins and sees a median of two million guests every year.
To get to Chichen Itza from Tulum, you possibly can drive your rental automobile when you’ve got one, or take the bus from Tulum to Chichen Itza. The drive takes about 2.5 hours in regular site visitors. You may also be part of a tour to Chichen Itza.
While some ruins are enjoyable to discover and not using a information, Chichen Itza is certainly a terrific place to rent a information. You can rent one on the entrance if you happen to aren’t going by tour, and a information will price about $50+ USD.
It is without doubt one of the greatest locations in Mexico to find out about Mayan tradition and symbolism. At Chichen Itza, there are a number of massive Mayan pyramids to see, like El Castillo (The Castle) and the Temple of the Warriors, and smaller buildings, like The Observatory and The Nunnery
At about 4 sq. miles (10 km2), Chichen Itza is a big web site. If you wish to see all of it, plan to be there for a minimum of three hours. In complete, there are 20 teams of buildings, every with a number of issues to see.
3. Coba
Want to climb some Mayan Ruins within the Yucatan Peninsula? Then you will need to head to Coba. This historical web site is situated deep within the jungle, about one hour from Tulum in regular site visitors.
Coba Mayan Ruins has the tallest pyramid that you may climb within the Yucatan. It stands 137-feet-tall (42 m), and known as Nohoch Mul Pyramid (AKA Ixmoja). There are 120 steps to the highest of it, and the views of the encircling jungle from the highest are spectacular.
Located throughout the Nohoch Mul Group of buildings, Ixmoja is one in every of a number of issues to see on this space of Coba. There are additionally different teams of buildings all through Coba within the Chumuc Mul Group, Coba Group, and Macanxoc Group.
If it feels like a big web site, you’re proper! Many guests hire a motorbike on the entrance gate to see all of it in a day. Bike leases are about $5 USD for 2 hours. You may also stroll round Coba, or rent a taxi bike on the entrance for a motorbike tour.
4. Ek Balam
Meaning “black jaguar” in Maya, Ek Balam has a lovely jaguar temple that you simply gained’t wish to miss. The temple is situated atop the highest of the Great Acropolis, which is the tallest pyramid at Ek Balam Ruins.
After climbing to the highest, you’ll have spectacular views of your complete Ek Balam web site and the jungle under. Though it could be a scary climb for some, it’s definitely worth the effort to see the jaguar temple and take within the views.
To get to Ek Balam from Tulum, the quickest manner is by driving your rental automobile. The drive takes about 1.5 hours in regular site visitors. You can take public transportation, however your journey time will possible double as a result of there are not any direct buses.
If you’re going by rental automobile, think about making this a day journey. After heading to Ek Balam Ruins, go go to the close by city of Valladolid, Mexico. This is without doubt one of the pueblos magicos, which implies “magic towns.”
Valladolid is an enthralling, colourful, colonial city, and quick turning into among the finest issues to do in Yucatan. Walk round, eat lunch and also you go for a swim in one of many Valladolid cenotes (jungle swimming pools), like Cenote Zaci and Cenote San Lorenzo Oxman.
5. Uxmal
Though situated 5 hours by automobile from Tulum, Uxmal is the second-most vital Mayan web site within the Yucatan (second to Chichen Itza), so it made this listing. For tradition trravlers and historical past buffs who’re really fascinated by the Maya, you will need to go to Uxmal (pronounced oosh-mall).
Like Chichen Itza Ruins, Uxmal Mayan Ruins can also be a UNESCO World Heritage Sitel. Unlike Chichen Itza, it’s just about by no means crowded! In brief, Uxmal affords a lot of the identical majesty and historical past of Chichen Itza — however with smaller crowds.
Travelers who wish to see Mayan structure and expertise Mayan historical past in an genuine manner ought to go for Uxmal. As you enter, you’ll see El Adivino (The Pyramid of the Magician), which is the tallest Uxmal pyramid.
Just subsequent to it, there’s the Great Pyramid of Uxmal which you’ll climb; you possibly can’t climb El Adivino Pyramid. You may also climb the opposite buildings at Uxmal, just like the House of the Birds, Nunnery Quadrangle, and House of the Turtles.
While exploring, pay attention to the intricate stone carvings on these buildings, often known as the “Puuc” esthetic. You’ll additionally see it at different ruins close to Uxmal, like Kabah Ruins and Sayil Ruins, each on what’s known as Ruta Puuc (Puuc Route).
Conclusion: Best Mayan Ruins Near Tulum
There’s no scarcity of Mayan Ruins to take a look at within the Tulum space, or in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. In truth, some would possibly say there are literally too many choices.
If you’re overwhelmed, listed below are the cliff’s notes in a bulleted listing that can assist you determine the place you wish to go when you’re visiting Tulum, Mexico.
- Closest Ruins to Tulum: Tulum Ruins, which are literally situated inside Tulum metropolis limits.
- Must-Visit Ruins: Chichen Itza, one of many New Seven Wonders of the World.
- Mayan Ruins You Can Climb: Coba’s Ixmoja Pyamid, the tallest pyramid you possibly can climb in Yucatan.
- Off the Beaten Track Ruins: Ek Balam, situated between Tulum and the favored Valladolid pueblo magico
No matter which of those websites you select, it’s an unforgettable expertise to go to historical Mayan Ruins in Mexico. Which locations on the listing caught your eye? Which ones made your Mexico bucket listing? Let us know within the feedback down under!
Guest Author: Shelley is a former Miami journal editor who ditched the workplace for the world. She settled down in Mexico full-time in 2018 and owns a number of Mexico journey web sites, in addition to TravelBlogging101.com to assist folks lastly begin the journey weblog they’ve at all times needed to.
Read Next: