The ruins of the ancient Mayan city of Tulum overlook the blue waters of the Caribbean. The ruins were built at a time when the Mayan civilization was declining, around the year 1200. The Tulum ruins have been described as less elegant than those of earlier Mayan cities. But the lack of architectural refinement has not discouraged the hordes of tourists who arrive by tour bus daily. The Mayan reverence for the sea is reflected in Tulum’s most worshipped deity, the Diving god (aka the Bee god), who is depicted as an upside-down figure carved above the doorways of buildings.
In Tulum, El Castillo is the largest building, towering on a cliff above the ocean. Two other important buildings are The Temple of the Frescoes and The Temple of the Descending God. Murals in the Temple of the Frescoes still reveal flecks of the original red stucco with which much of the old city was formerly painted. Tulum’s structures were built for strength, as a fortress against invaders and the forces of nature. Tulum’s beaches are a huge draw as well, and part of the city’s charm is its complete lack of large resort hotels. The town has several restaurants, and other amenities such as shops and atm machines.
