Tulum

Tulum occupies a unique position in the Caribbean world — where Mayan civilization meets Caribbean water, where ancient ruins overlook turquoise sea, and where a bohemian international culture has created something unlike anywhere else in the region. It is simultaneously one of the most historically significant and most stylistically distinctive destinations in the Caribbean.

The Tulum Archaeological Zone sits dramatically on a cliff above the Caribbean, the only Mayan city built by the sea. Below, the water is a color that seems digitally enhanced — turquoise deepening to navy, crystal clear to the bottom. The surrounding jungle hides hundreds of cenotes — freshwater sinkholes of extraordinary beauty that the Maya considered sacred portals to the underworld.

Modern Tulum has developed a personality all its own — eco-chic hotels, world-class restaurants, yoga retreats and a wellness culture that draws visitors seeking something more intentional than a traditional beach vacation. It is imperfect, increasingly crowded and endlessly magnetic.