Ancient Wonders & Hidden Waters of Tulum

We arrived at Cancun International Airport in the late morning and picked up the car we had reserved ahead of time with Budget. Having the car made the trip so much easier, it’s about a one-hour drive to Tulum on a smooth highway surrounded by lush jungle.

For our stay, we booked an Airbnb in La Veleta, a charming, up-and-coming neighborhood with leafy streets, colorful murals, and plenty of cafés and restaurants within walking distance.

After settling in, we spent the afternoon strolling toward a nearby beach to stretch our legs and enjoy the Caribbean breeze. On the way, we met a friendly street dog who tagged along for part of our walk, one of those little moments that makes travel special.

We grabbed some groceries at a local shop to stock the Airbnb and wrapped up the day with a laid-back dinner at a neighborhood restaurant, a perfect start to our Tulum getaway.

We woke up early and got ready to visit our first ruin site: the Tulum Mayan Ruins, perched above the stunning Caribbean Sea. Visiting early in the day is a must, as it can get very hot closer to midday.

At the entrance, we noticed many locals trying to offer parking or guided tours, but we had done plenty of research beforehand and decided to explore on our own. We simply paid for site entry and parking at the official spot right at the entrance.

We spent about 45 minutes strolling through the ruins, admiring the ancient structures and soaking in the breathtaking views of the turquoise sea below. After exploring, we caught a bus to the nearby beach area, heading straight to Playa Paraíso, one of the most beautiful beaches in Tulum.

We had lunch at a restaurant called Pancho Villa, right on the beach, and it was excellent. The seafood was fresh and flavorful. Afterward, we jumped into the water to cool off and spent a few hours relaxing on the sand, swimming, and soaking up the sun, a perfect mix of culture and leisure.

Later, we visited Parque de Cenotes Tax-Muul, which is not as popular as some of the other cenote parks, so we only saw one other small tour group. There, we swam in the fresh, clear waters of an underground cenote. The experience of swimming in such a historic and beautiful place was truly special. You can even rent a mask to see the underwater life, which made it even more memorable.

We started another early day and drove about 45 minutes inland to visit the Coba ruins. This site is huge, with dense jungle surrounding dozens of temples and structures, and it felt amazing to explore. One of the highlights was renting cheap bikes at the entrance; it made getting around the vast site much easier and really fun.

The Coba ruins were once a major city of the ancient Maya civilization, flourishing between 600 and 900 AD. The site is famous for its Nohoch Mul pyramid, the tallest in the Yucatán Peninsula, which visitors can still climb to enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding jungle. Walking or biking through the ancient sacbeob (stone roads) and smaller temples gave us a sense of the scale and organization of this historic city.

After spending a few hours exploring Coba, we decided to visit some nearby cenotes, which turned out to be our favorites of the trip:

• Cenote Choo Há

• Cenote Tamcach Há

• Cenote Multum Há

These cenotes were deep underground and very quiet, we practically had them to ourselves. Unlike the more popular cenotes, the rules were relaxed: we could jump from high platforms and decide whether to wear life jackets. Swimming in these hidden, crystal-clear waters surrounded by jungle was truly unforgettable.

We ended the day with typical Coba food at one of the little town’s local restaurants, enjoying traditional flavors and reflecting on an incredible day filled with history, nature, and adventure.

After a few busy days of exploring ruins and cenotes, we decided to take it easy and spend a full day at the beach. We drove to the beach hotel zone, a lively stretch lined with beachfront hotels, bars, and restaurants. Public access to the beach here is limited, so we had to pay a day-use fee, which typically counts toward food and drinks at the restaurant you choose. These fees usually range from 20 to 80 dollars per person, depending on the spot.

We drove toward the far end of the strip and found a great place called El Último Maya. It was affordable, offered good food and drinks, and had comfortable beach chairs right on the sand. We spent the day relaxing by the water, swimming, soaking up the sun, and taking long, peaceful walks along the shore.

In the evening, we headed to Tulum Centro to stroll through the town and enjoy a casual dinner at a local Mexican restaurant. It was the perfect way to wrap up a slower, more relaxed day in Tulum.

We rose early for one of the most anticipated days of our trip: visiting Chichén Itzá. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was once one of the greatest cities of the ancient Maya, thriving between the 7th and 10th centuries. Its most iconic structure, El Castillo (Temple of Kukulcán), is a massive step pyramid built with incredible precision. During the equinoxes, the play of light and shadow creates the illusion of a serpent descending the stairs. The site also includes the Great Ball Court, the Temple of the Warriors, and many other structures that showcase the Maya’s advanced knowledge of astronomy, architecture, and art.

We drove about two hours to reach Chichén Itzá, and as expected, it was busy due to its popularity. Standing before the towering pyramid and intricate stone carvings was awe-inspiring; the sense of history and culture there is powerful. We spent about two hours exploring the site, walking among the ruins and taking in the details of this remarkable ancient city.

Afterward, we headed to the nearby Ik Kil Cenote, famous for its open circular shape surrounded by hanging vines. Jumping into its fresh, cool waters felt incredible after walking under the hot sun at the ruins.

For lunch, we drove to the charming town of Valladolid, a Spanish-style colonial town known for its colorful buildings, cobblestone streets, and rich history. We ate at El Mesón del Marqués, a beautiful historic restaurant serving delicious Spanish-inspired food. We loved the atmosphere and the meal.

Feeling adventurous, we decided to visit another nearby archaeological site called Ek Balam. We were so glad we made the stop because it was amazing. Unlike most other Mayan ruins, Ek Balam still allows visitors to climb the temples. The site was quiet with very few people, and the details on the carved stone facades were astonishing. Climbing the Acropolis and seeing the surrounding jungle from above was one of the highlights of the trip.

After a full day of exploring, we drove back to Tulum and spent the evening relaxing at our Airbnb, tired but happy after one of the most memorable days of our journey.

For our last day in Tulum, we wanted to soak up as much beach time as possible, so we headed early to the hotel beach zone and chose Mia Restaurant and Beach Club. It was the perfect spot to end our trip. We relaxed on comfortable beach beds, sipped refreshing margaritas, savored delicious food, and swam in the warm turquoise waters of the Caribbean. We were especially lucky to find almost no sargasso, a type of seaweed that at certain times of the year can cover much of the coastline and can be both annoying and smelly.

In the afternoon, we returned to our Airbnb to shower and freshen up before heading out for a special farewell dinner. We had reserved a table at Mestixa, a cozy and stylish restaurant in Tulum Centro that blends Asian and Mexican flavors in an exciting way. The dishes were creative, beautifully presented, and absolutely delicious, a perfect culinary finale to our adventure.

The next morning, we packed up, drove back to Cancún, and caught our flight home. It was a memorable journey full of history, culture, incredible food, and breathtaking natural wonders. Tulum and its surroundings left a lasting impression on us, and it’s a trip we will always cherish and never forget.