Located along the coast of the Caribbean Sea, travelers looking to take in some ancient Mayan history in Mexico can head to the ancient city of Tulum.
Meaning, "wall," Tulum's ruins are famous for their sturdy stone walls that surround the houses and temples inside. Observant travelers will see that the wall still retains a faint pink hue to them, a remnant from the time when these walls were painted blood red in hopes of scaring off possible invaders.
Although many of Tulum's structures are similar to other Mayan ruins from the Yucatan Peninsula, the ruins also feature many buildings that were once used for body preparation for those who had perished. Denoted by two x's in the architecture, these rooms offer some intriguing glimpses into the culture's history.
Tulum's original name is "Zama," which means, "sunrise," and travelers who wake up at dawn won't be disappointed. Travelers who can make the trek to the ruins in the early morning will find the vistas at the break of light to be all the more spectacular from this walled, cliffside city.
The many levels of Tulum
Posted on Monday, March 26th, 2012
