What Tulum actually is
Tulum is three places at once: a Maya archaeological site perched on a cliff over the Caribbean, a beach road lined with boutique hotels and beach clubs, and a down-to-earth pueblo (town) a few kilometres inland where most people actually eat and sleep affordably.
The ruins
Tulum is the only major Maya site built on the coast, and the setting — limestone temples above turquoise water — is the reason to come. Arrive at opening time: it gets hot and crowded fast, and there is little shade.
Cenotes nearby
Some of the region’s best cenotes — Gran Cenote, Dos Ojos, Cenote Calavera — are within a short drive. They are the natural counterpoint to the beach and a welcome escape from the midday heat.