Treasures abound at Tulum National Park, an hour south of Playa del Carmen. The water in the sea and in the many cenotes (sinkholes) sparkles like diamonds in the sunlight. A beautifully preserved ancient Mayan city is a gem in the stunning landscape of palm trees and dramatic coastline.
It’s been a place of great significance for centuries, visited by Mayan kings and priests. The natural subterranean structures of the cenotes are magical. First attracted by their clean water, the Mayan people came to regard the sinkholes as sacred sites – gateways between this world and the next. The underground network of caves here on the Yucatán Peninsula is the most extensive in the world.
At the top of 13-metre cliffs, the Mayan city of Tulum stands boldly facing the ocean. It flourished as a trading port between the 13th and 15th centuries, and although it was an exceptionally well-defended settlement, it was eventually abandoned. Now it is busy again, with tourists replacing the thousands of inhabitants it once housed.
In the flora and fauna of Tulum National Park, there’s another whole world to explore. As you walk amongst the chit trees, coconut palms, creeping plants and tropical shrubs, look out for anteaters and turtles, and imagine the thousands of people who have walked these paths before you.
By far the best time to visit is early in the morning as the sun rises over the Caribbean Sea, slowly illuminating the tower of El Castillo in the Mayan city of Tulum. Or, for a different perspective of the cliffs and forests, swim in the glassy waters from the beach and look back to the treasures of the land.
