The town of Tulum itself is also a fun spot to stopover, complete with the feel of a very small…read moretown vibe combined with the inevitable touristy element that keeps the town thriving. There are plenty of places to visit and shop in the region, but this is a collection of shops and stores that offer a lot of what a visitor would be looking for: clothing, memorabilia, hand-made local crafts and occasionally entertainment. Want to eat something authentic while posing with a monkey on your shoulder? This is your kind of place. I like heading up to Playa del Carmen for a lot more fun and action when I'm in the area, but depending on where you're staying this is a fun stopover and something you could do while also taking a trip to the ruins at Tulum.

Tulum is a town that contains the archeological Mayan ruins as well as many hotels, restaurants,…read moreetcetera. It is located along the Caribbean coast so has beaches and cenotes. My husband and I vacationed in Tulum in March 2026. We focused on the Mayan ruins. I felt very interested in seeing the many partially standing buildings and walls. Please note that you are not allowed to walk on them or otherwise touch them. We also enjoyed seeing the beautiful shoreline and wildlife. I deducted one star from my review because some of the businesses seemed to have very high prices. We ate at a restaurant and shopped in a few souvenir stores. One particular store tried to charge us hundreds of dollars for a small figurine, so we ended up purchasing an even smaller figurine that cost significantly less.

Tulum was a pre-Columbian, walled Mayan city that is located on a cliff on the Yucatán Peninsula…read moreoverlooking the Caribbean Sea. It was inhabited from the 13th to 15th centuries and played an important role in defense and trade. My husband and I toured the Tulum ruins with a tour guide. The site was walkable, although the weather was very sunny and hot. We saw the structures El Castillo, a castle overlooking the beautiful shore; the Temple of the Frescoes, which has wall murals; the Temple of the Descending God; Casa del Chultun; and many others. The ruins were roped off, so we could see them only from a distance and not touch them, but they still looked impressive and interesting. We also enjoyed seeing wildlife such as iguanas. We have visited other Mayan ruins in Mexico and in Belize, and in comparison, I do recommend visiting Tulum.

Our 2nd time to Tulum Ruins was great! We joined a tour this time and enjoyed it. Our guide was…read moreknowledgeable and very accommodating when questioned. We went on a March weekend and was surprised it was not crowded which was great. I would love to come back during sunset next time - the dramatic scenery, combining ancient ruins with a beautiful beach and the ocean view, will definitely be worth it!

When we visited Mexico, we knew we wanted to explore some Mayan ruins. Since we were staying in…read moreTulum, we visited some bigger ruins (like Coba), but not far from Tulum are the Muyil Ruins. The ruins are about 2 hours south of Cancun, and for us it was a 20 minute drive from Tulum. This is not like any of the bigger ruins that are overflowing with tourists and busses - we didn't see anyone else there for the couple hours that we spent exploring! We drove our rental car there, and the ruins are easy to find, clearly marked along the highway, and also easy to find using Google Maps. We parked near the entrance, and it seems like there is ample parking. There is a counter where you can pay for your admission to the ruins. One of the things I wish they handed out at Mayan Ruins are maps, but the ruins are small enough to explore on your own. The paths around the ruins are well-maintained, and there is signage around the property. I loved the ambiance of Muyil, as we walked around the jungle. The Muyil ruins date back to 300 BC, and it is very interesting to visit. It isn't a far walk to the first set of buildings, only a minute or so from the entrance of the park. The most impressive structure at Muyil is El Castillo. This is not as large as structures at places like Coba or Chichen Itza, but still very interesting. What a difference from the other crowded ruins we have been to. Although you can't climb on any of the bigger structures, it is nice to really absorb the visit without the crowds. The grounds are not very big, so you can cover the area in a short amount of time. However, we had a nice time walking around. It gave us some time to stretch our legs and get some fresh air, enjoy the jungle and ruins. For the kids, they weren't overly interested, but it was just the right length of time for exploring. You won't find bikes or bike taxis here, as it is not so commercialized or large as other ruins. It was very peaceful morning at Muyil. By the time we headed out, there was only one other group there, of a couple tourists that had driven their own car. Much different than other ruins like Coba or Chichen-Itza, where busloads of tourists are brought in. I recommend taking in the solitude, flora and fauna. We meandered around Muyil for a couple hours, even taking the path to the entrance to the lagoon, although the gate was closed. I would love to go back sometime and add a trip to the Sian Ka'an nature reserve. We simply didn't have time to add a Sian Ka'an tour this time. Tips for your visit: ~ Bring bug spray. The ruins are truly in the jungle and there were lots of mosquitoes! ~ I don't think you need sunscreen, as most of the walkways are through the jungle. ~ There are bathrooms by the entrance. ~ We did not see a gift shop or any items to purchase, although there were some shops across the highway, with foods and local crafts. They looked interesting but we didn't have time to stop.

You want off the beaten path? Want to get away from the tourists? Want to experience some amazing…read morethings? Read on. Thiey have Mayan ruins here. They have bats hanging from ceilings in caves and the bats are a few feet away from you. They have moderately poisonous snakes eating live birds a couple feet from you are walking. This is the real jungle and it's all around you. And best of all, and for a hefty fee (CASH ONLY, by the way, so take a lot), you can take a wild speedboat ride to a natural lazy river where you climb into the water and float along, unguided by anything but the natural current, for about thirty minutes, in lovely, briny water, among the mangroves, small fishes, and birds swooping in and out of the marsh around you. It's a surreal, wonderful experience. No rubber inner tubes, no lifeguards, no guides. Just you and the river and the fish and the birds. Very, very few tourists here. I hesitate to even review this place because I want it to remain real forever. Hopefully, only the adventurers will come here.

Climb the pyramid! This ancient Mayan archaeological site…read moreis a wonder! They don't let tourists climb the pyramid in Chtizinitza anymore (Thanks, Justin Bieber!) But you can climb this one! Plus, this one is taller! Arriving here, the parking is quite a ways from the ruins. But for a small charge, you can either rent a bike (it's flat) or pay some guy in a Mayan Limousine (rickshaw) to peddle you out there. We opted for the latter. The guy stopped along the way and pointed out fun facts and things that we'd have otherwise completely missed. Climbing the pyramid was wonderful! The stairs were all kinda helped along by the local authorities with handrails and wooden beams to help make things level and stable. There's some really cool rock carvings of their gods, and be sure to check out the ball court! Still, in the floor are the carvings of the skull and the jaguar! Whoa. These are some of the best preserved ruins I'd seen! Loved it! Watch out for snakes. There was a little tourist shop where you can get magnets, postcards and fun stuff to take home. It was low pressure shopping.

Cobá... this is the Mayan ruins that stands above and beyond all others I have visited including…read moreChichén Itzá and Tulum; simple put, it's special. Within the ground/park, we had a guide for the beginning where we viewed various parts of the ruins including multiple pyramids and some ecological interests and some very interesting games that were played by the Mayans called Pok-ta-Pok; if what was described is true, then the games are interesting but also very disturbing as they sometimes sacrifice the captain of the loosing team (sacrifices are typically by beheading). To get to the highlight of the ruins, it is quite a hike but you can use the numerous tricycle taxis. Our first time back in 2016 we took advantage of the taxi and had a 15 year old kid named Wilbur bring us to Nohoch Mul Pyramid. The more recent visit, we took the longer walk/hike. This pyramid is the largest of the mayan ruins and up until 2021 you could climb to the top; or I should say, you can "TRY" to climb to the top. The pyramid appears to look like a stairway but let me tell you, it is NOT and it is challenging. Instead of a handrail, you have a thick, heavy rope clipped to the stairs, so you are hunched over like an ape to use it. Typical stairway in a home are 7 / 11 (each step is 7 inches high and 11 inches deep); the pyramid is not like this... all are much higher and some are considerably higher than others and they are not uniform so it's hard to get any kind of rhythm. About half way up, you must look into the distance and you'll be pleasantly surprised with a view of the top of the forest canopy. I never continued higher but at the top there is a level, open area to walk (or in some cases, a place to gain your composure and catch your breath as going down is definitely not easier). Coba is an amazing experience by stepping into the same footsteps as this ancient civilization.

What can I say about this place other than how gorgeous the views were when me and my wife were…read morehere, as well as how great the drinks and prices were for the souvenirs. We went on a tour of the island during our cruise and one of the stops was to here to stretch our legs and grab a drink and food. There is a little walkway to a nice little photo area that would have some amazing views of the water behind you. The staff that was there was also insanely friendly and very heavy handed with the drinks they made. We got something call coco-loco which was a cut open coconut filled to the brim with rum and other mixers. It was insanely refreshing! There is a nice covered area to sit and get some tacos or other food but we didn't need to eat so we watched other people while they did. The food smelled heavenly while it passed out and looked equally as amazing. I will be coming back her again if I ever am in Cozumel again for sure!

We stopped here while in Cozumel. This restaurant had a gorgeous setting and looked perfect. The…read morebar had swings for seats. The food was delicious and the service was outstanding. I would recommend this place!

We visited this Cenote after leaving Coba (1-2-20). The guard shack guy told us all about it and…read moregave us a brochure with a map. It was easy to find! We only did the Multun-Ha because we had spent so much time at Coba. This Cenote is a traditional underground pool. The hole/entrance winds down about 100 steps to the bottom dock. You can jump in; it is plenty deep. There are ropes you can sit/hold on to. Take time to just sit in the water and enjoy how SOFT the water feels on your skin. It is super clear too. It is so clear that it appears you can touch but the rocks below are very far down. The next time we visit a Cenote, I will bring goggles and a snorkel so I can look under the water for long periods of time. The rocks below are a wonder to see just like the rocks above. Be sure to make this part of your Coba trip! MOST SINCERELY!!!!

Such a magical place! This was part of a tour package and we are fortunate that our tour guide…read morechose this cenote out of the three possibilities. It was very quiet and hardly anyone but us 12 in the group were there. You take a very narrow spiral stairway down about 75 feet. I was blown away with the energy there. Breathtaking. Beautiful clear blue waters and so refreshing after our bike through the jungle and hike up the ruins. There are 3 areas to get in and ropes in the water so you can hold onto. Life jackets are available. Some people were diving and flipping off a ramp area. Waters are about 70°. I saw a few small black catfish swimming. Words do not describe the beauty. You do need to shower before you get in. There is a shower, changing and restroom area when you arrive. One of the guests said they needed to shower when we got out but our guide said the same water you are showering with is the water from the cenote lol I do not recommend you to rent a car and come here. You need an off road vehicle to get here because the road is made of rock, has holes and is very bumpy.

During my first trip to Cozumel I wanted to visit Mayan ruins. It was a short ride from the port…read more I paid the entry fee and got a lovely guided tour of the ruins that came with a lovely history lesson. It was a lovely walking tour and it wasn't rushed. There was an interesting lesson on every stop. I definitely recommend this tour for everyone visiting the port with a sense of adventure!

We booked the tour through Royal Caribbean while on Grandeur of the Seas. We hadn't been to…read moreChacchoben, and thought it would be a good outing. It was. It is a 50-60 minute drive to get to the ruins. Our motor coach had comfortable seats, seat belts, and cold AC. On the way, Pablo, our tour guide, told us what we would see and a little about the area. Once there, Pablo gave us time to use the bathrooms. Bring change if you want to tip the attendants. The tour of the ruins with the guide was about an hour. Then we had another 30-40 minutes to explore on our own. If you intend to shop, bring cash. The bugs weren't bad, and we were glad since we forgot bug repellent. It was mostly shady, and we didn't need sunscreen. But it was hot at the beginning of September. We did sweat a lot. We brought refillable water bottles, which we used. And our tour guide provided each of us with a can of water, which we needed.

Alright, here's what you need to know about this historic site…read more There are some really interesting things about this site, the longest Mayan Road, the arch for the gate, and some of the buildings are also fantastic. Even if they were rebuilt to some degree, they are pretty cool to checkout. There are plaques around the sites that explain things, but a guide will definitely help you time things better and keep you moving a little better. As far as historic sites go, I would give it a ~7/10, there is some interesting things to see, but limited. As other people have said, this feels like a scam in a couple places. The fact that you have to pay two separate entrance fees, then get solicited for a tour guide and pictures. But that's not too bad all things considered. A few tips, form your own group if you must, but the tour guide is per Group, not per person. Pack your own bug spray. Bring water. One of the entrance fees is cash only, so bring some cash too. As with all historic tours, it doesn't hurt to fact check. There were a few liberties taken with some details.

Chichén Itzá is a blockbuster; San Gervasio is an indie film with more heart…read more When you think of Mayan ruins, you probably picture the soaring temples of Chichén Itzá or the dramatic cliffs of Tulum. Cozumel doesn't have those giants -- but it does have San Gervasio, and if you're stepping off a cruise ship and want history without a full-day bus ride, this is a must-visit. San Gervasio was the island's most important Maya site, dating back to around 300 AD. It wasn't a military fortress or a massive city -- it was a sanctuary dedicated to Ixchel, the Maya goddess of fertility, love, and the moon. Women from across the Maya world would travel here on pilgrimage, offering gifts and prayers to Ixchel. That makes these ruins less about war and kings, and more about family, spirituality, and daily life. The site was rediscovered in the 19th century by explorers and archaeologists cataloguing Cozumel's Maya heritage. Unlike mainland ruins, San Gervasio's structures are smaller, smoother, and more subtle -- but they tell stories just as powerful. What You'll See: * The Temple of the Hands (Las Manitas): named for the tiny red handprints still visible on the walls, believed to have been left by the temple's ancient inhabitants. It's eerie and beautiful at the same time. * Several plazas, temples, and causeways (called sacbeob) connecting the structures. They may not tower over you, but they whisper a quiet history of community and ritual. * Nature everywhere -- iguanas sunbathing on stones, jungle paths that make you feel like you're uncovering something hidden. Walking San Gervasio feels different than bigger ruins. It's intimate, personal, almost contemplative. Instead of being overwhelmed by sheer size, you're struck by the human scale -- families, priests, women on pilgrimage. You can almost imagine what it felt like to arrive here centuries ago, carrying offerings to the goddess. Cozumel doesn't have skyscraper pyramids, but it has temples where women prayed to the moon. San Gervasio may not wow you with towering pyramids, but it delivers something more meaningful: a glimpse into everyday Maya life and their devotion to Ixchel. For cruise passengers, it's the perfect ruin excursion -- accessible, fascinating, and filled with stories etched into stone. If you want to truly touch Cozumel's past, this is where you start. San Gervasio isn't about conquering empires -- it's about connecting to something bigger. Watch out for Mosquitos. Pay the 1.00 for a spray down of off before your tour. Support the local economy.