Tulum was a walled city the Maya empire located in the State of Quintana Roo in southeastern Mexico, the Caribbean coast. It is now a major tourist attraction of the Riviera Maya and beside it is the modern town of the same name, Tulum.

Photography by joiseyshowaa

The city is south of Tulum Playa del Carmen, surrounded by dense jungle where they highlight the bougainvillea. With 10,000 inhabitants, its surface is divided into three parts: the Maya ruins, the area of hotels and people. The ruins, which can be accessed by bus from Cancún, are among the best preserved of Yucatan and almost literally hanging over the cliffs of the coast. Those staying in Tulum, you can navigate a bike safely, or enjoy beautiful white sand beaches and underground pools.

The city received the name of the ancient Maya Zama (meaning dawn or morning in Maya) and the present, Tulum (meaning in Maya fence or wall, this name seems to have been used to refer to the city when it was already in ruins) refers to the wall that surrounded it, constituted an important strong for his defense. For the many records in murals and other works found in the buildings of the city, is that Tulum was an important center of worship for the so-called «descending god.

Photography by Alaskan Dude

Although inscriptions have been found dating from 564 most of the buildings seen today were built in the post classic period of Mayan civilization, between 1200 and 1450. The city was still inhabited in the early years of Spanish colonialism but by the end of the sixteenth century were no longer residents.

Until the early twentieth century some nearby villages used to visit the site to bring gifts but the continued flow of tourists made the practice obsolete. Some frescoes found inside buildings suggest some Mixtec influence in the community.

The archaeological site is very compact, especially compared to other Mayan sites, is located on a promontory on the shores of the Caribbean Sea and is one of the best preserved Mayan sites and is surrounded by major tourist development sites and Riviera Maya that stretches from Cancun in the north to Tulum in the south. For these reasons, Tulum is the third most visited archaeological site in Mexico, behind only Teotihuacan and Chichen Itza.

Chichén Itzá (Yucatán)

Chichen Itza, the sacred Mayan city, is one of the main archaeological sites vestige of one of the most important pre-Columbian civilizations: the Maya. It is located in Yucatan, Mexico.
The archaeological site of Chichén Itzá is the heritage of the Mexican nation and property of the Federation. The maintenance of the monuments and the administration of the area are faculty of the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH).

The archaeological zone of Chichén Itzá was inscribed on the List of World Heritage by UNESCO in 1988. On July 7, 2007, was recognized as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, a private initiative without the support of UNESCO, but with the recognition of millions of voters around the world.

The architects were Toltecs who had arrived in Yucatan in the late X. They left behind their version of warriors, eagles, snakes and introduced the worship of Quetzalcoaltl. They made their capital at Chichén Itzá.

The oldest buildings date back to Chichén 432. Chichen was the religious center of the branch of the Maya Itza. The place was occupied and abandoned several times, but always remained a place of pilgrimage.

If you are visiting Cancun or the Riviera Maya does not miss this visit. The agencies will offer it as a trip but you can also rent a car and move it yourself. This approximately 2 hours from Cancun and 2 hours from Riviera Maya, definitely a good trip.

Building of Chichen Itza:
 
The Castle is an impressive pyramid that dominates the area. Near the pyramid is the complex of the Temple of the Warriors. Hundreds of feathered warriors representing columns that held the roof. The cenote is within walking distance. Other buildings of note are the Astronomical Observatory, or the Platform of the Eagles.

Photography by Esparta

Good trip to Mexico!