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Mayan Ruin Sites of Riviera Maya Tulum Tulum is one of Mexico's most well-known archaeological sites, mostly due to its location. Tulum is located on a cliff 12 meters above the ocean, and was a part of a series of Maya towns, shrines, and forts established along the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula. Although it's small compared to other archeological zones, Tulum is the largest fortified site on the Quintana Roo coast. Tulum meas "wall" in Maya, and is enclosed by a wall of stone 3 to 5 meters high and several meters thick. Within this wall lies 60 well-preserved structures that are rich in Mayan history. In addition, the spectacular ocean views and beaches below make the trip well worth it. Xel Ha This natural water park, located right outside of Playa del Carmen, is a place where the waters from the Caribbean and the waters from the underground rivers of the Yucatan Peninsula converge. This is a protected habitat for regional marine life and offers great snorkeling, hiking, and exploring of the 2 large "cenotes" (freshwater sinkhole). Ruins on the Mainland Chichén Itzá Chichén Itzá, the ancient city whose name means "in the mouth at the Itzáe's Well", was, in its time of grandeur (between 800 and 1200 A.D.), the centre of political, religious and military power in Yucatán, if not all of South-eastern Meso America. In its architecture one can observe a gradual change in style, starting with the Puuc style, also shared with Uxmal and other sites in the Penninsula and cluminating with the so-called Mayan Toltec style, due to the architectural similiarities with Tula, capital of the Ancient Toltecs, and with other sites in Central Mexico, such as Oaxaca and the Gulf Coast. Chichén Itzá was a large city with a great many inhabitants, distributed around the architectural nucleii which we observe as ruins, who had a relatively easy access to the water coming from the various caves and Cenotes of the region. Chichén Itzá is located about 3 hours from Cancun. This excavation site went under restoration in 1923 and yet has many uncovered mounds to support continued exploration for years to come. Roughly 18 structures have been excavated and restored. It is not fully understood as to what the former uses for these building were, however archeologists can hypothesize from the evidence uncovered. Chichén Itzá is a must see for the serious Maya ruin hunter. Coba About 45 minutes west of Tulum, hidden in the jungle next to several large lakes, are the very impressive ruins of Coba. While still relatively close to the Cancun-Tulum corridor, the modern village of Coba still has an "Old Mexico" feel to it. It's a place where Mayan rather than Spanish is considered the first language. Due in large part to its location between Tulum and Chichen Itza and its abundant water supply, at its height, from about 400-800 A.D., Coba was a trading center with a population of over 55,000. While restoration is now an ongoing process, less than 5% of the ancient city has currently been reconstructed. The incredibly large Maya site of Coba covers nearly 50 square km. The ancient city was begun in 600 A.D. with thousands of Mayans having lived there. This is believed to be one of the largest Mayan excavations on the Yucatan Peninsula with roughly 5000 mounds yet to be uncovered. Distances between the structures are long with each group of ruins buried in the middle of thick jungle. The paths of Coba are covered with vines, trees, and flowers, and a feeling of discovery becomes apparent as many of the ruins remain uncovered. Many ancient roads converge at Coba from what once were Maya villages. This indicates that Coba was the largest city of that era. The tallest pyramid of Coba, Nohoch Mul, is a 12 story/42 meter climb. The top has a tremendous view along with a small temple that includes a well-preserved carving of a Descending God. More Mayan Ruins Tours! Reserve Here & Support Our Website! Submit Feedback  Design Your Very Own Custom Mainland Tour! Tired of visiting the sights as part of the "herd?" Not seeing an excursion that exactly fits how you'd like to spend your day on the mainland? No problem! COZUMELINSIDER can custom design a mainland excursion just for you and your group! From US$168  Cancun - Cave Crossing Expedition In Cave Crossing Expedition you will be able to admire the crystal clear waters and all the multicolored fishes of Yal-Ku lagoon and enjoy the beautiful ecological park Kantun-chi with an amazing underground world with cenotes and rivers. Let’s explore a place that was sacred for the ancient Mayan and that nature has gracefully formed and preserved. $110 Adult / Child $ 95  Cancun - Chichen Itza Classic Tour The amazing classic tour to Chichen-Itza! Fun for the entire family! US$77 Adult / US$ 46 Child  Cancun - Chichen Itza Light & Sound Tour Ever wondered what Chichen Itza would look like at night? US$115 Adult / US$ 97 Child  Cancun - Chichen Itza Overnight Deluxe An incredible overnight excursion to Chichen-Itza! US$210 Adult /US$ 81 Child  Cancun - Chichen Itza Tour by Mayaland Don’t miss Chichen Itza, one of the Seven Wonders of the World! US$110 Adult / US$ 84 Child  Cancun - Tulum- Xhelha All Inclusive This family tour is an amazing combination of nature, archaeology and culture. The Tulum-Xel-Há tour takes you to the Mayan Riviera natural wonders. The first stop is the city that is icon of the Maya culture in the Mexican Caribbean and the only built facing the sea. Then, move to the natural aquarium and enjoy the water activities at Xel-Há Natural Park US$139 Adult / US$85 Child  Cancun - Coba - Aktun Chen & Cenote See Coba &the stalagmites and stalactites of thousands of years in Aktun Chen Natural Park. $79 Adult / Child $49  Cozumel - Trip to Discover Mexico, Cozumel Park A unique place to learn more about Mexico's diverse culture & history. The park gathers all the Mexican wonders in one place, including one of the "New 7 Wonders of the World", the pyramid of Kukulkan in Chichen-Itzá. US$20 Adults / US$10 Kids Great Value!  Cozumel Chichen-Itza Mainland Tour Visit the Chichén-Itza ruins on the mainland rivera. This tour originates in Cozumel and travels by ferry to the mainland where you will board a bus which takes you to the ruins site. $114/Adult, $81/Child  Cozumel Tulum / Coba Mainland Tour This is a combination tour where you will visit both mainland Tulum and the newer uncovered Coba ruins sites. The tour originates on the island of Cozumel & travels by ferry to the mainland. $114/Adult, $81/Child  Cozumel Coba Mayan Village Tour This tour visits the ancient Mayan village of Coba on the mainland. The tour originates on the island of Cozumel & travels by ferry to the mainland. $115/Adult, 62/Child  Cozumel Tulum Express Mainland Tour This tour visits the Tulum ruins site on the mainland. The tour originates on the island of Cozumel & travels by ferry to the mainland. $75/Adult, 50/Child  Cozumel Tulum/Xel Ha Mainland Tour This is a combination tour visiting the mainland Tulum ruins site followed by a visit to the Xelha, natural water park, located right outside of Playa del Carmen. $158/Adult, $120/Child  Riviera Maya - Aktun Chen Canopy + Cave + Cenote See Coba &the stalagmites and stalactites of thousands of years in Aktun Chen Natural Park. $64 Adult / Child $64  Riviera Maya - Aktun Chen Royal Swim + Cenote + Cave Swim with dolphins, ride above the jungle canopy and discover an underground magical cenote world in the Riviera Maya! $188 Adult / Child $ 188  Riviera Maya - Aktun Chen Swim Adventure + Canopy + Cenote Snorkel with dolphins, ride above the jungle canopy and discover an underground magical cenote world in the Riviera Maya! $149 Adult / Child $ 149  Riviera Maya - ATV Sunset & Mayan Ceremony Admire the beauty of the jungle and exotic fauna on an ATV and then off to Chaak Tun Park for sunset and learning about the mysticism of the Maya culture including various rituals, spiritual cleanse and meditation time. US$ 96 Adult  Riviera Maya - Cave Crossing Expedition In Cave Crossing Expedition you will be able to admire the crystal clear waters and all the multicolored fishes of Yal-Ku lagoon and enjoy the beautiful ecological park Kantun-chi with an amazing underground world with cenotes and rivers. Let’s explore a place that was sacred for the ancient Mayan and that nature has gracefully formed and preserved. $110 Adult / Child $ 95  Riviera Maya - Chichen Itza Classic Tour An incredible classic tour to Chichen-Itza! Fun for the entire family! US$77 Adult / US$ 46 Child  Riviera Maya - Chichen Itza Light & Sound Tour Ever wondered what Chichen Itza would look like at night? US$115 Adult / US$ 97 Child  Riviera Maya - Chichen Itza Overnight Deluxe An incredible overnight excursion to Chichen-Itza! US$210 Adult / US$ 81 Child  Riviera Maya - Chichen Itza Tour by Mayaland Don’t miss Chichen Itza, one of the Seven Wonders of the World! US$110 Adult / US$ 84 Child  Riviera Maya - Coba - Aktun Chen & Cenote See Coba &the stalagmites and stalactites of thousands of years in Aktun Chen Natural Park. $79 Adult / Child $49  Riviera Maya - Tulum/Xel Ha All Inclusive Tour This is a combination tour visiting the mainland Tulum ruins site followed by a visit to the Xelha, natural water park, located right outside of Playa del Carmen. US$139 Adult / $ 85 Child  Cozumel Xcaret Mainland Waterpark Adventure Excursion to the Xcaret Water Park on the mainland. Located on the coast amonst beautiful lagoons, Xcaret offers a variety of activities as well as a chance to explore subterranean rivers. $120/Adult, $81/Child  Cozumel Xelha Mainland Tour This is a visit to the natural water park, located right outside of Playa del Carmen on the mainland. The location is a place where the waters from the Caribbean and the waters from the underground rivers of the Yucatan Peninsula converge. $140/Adult, $90/Child Cozumel Xelha Mainland Tour Cozumel Tulum/Xel Ha Mainland Tour Cancun - Chichen Itza Classic Tour Design Your Very Own Custom Mainland Tour! Personal Experiences Submit Feedback Hello Cozumel Insider - Just wanted to thank you very much for organizing the tour to Coba and Tulum and the snorkel at Akumel for our family on December 27th. We had a wonderful day and would like our appreciation for our driver and guide to be noted. We understood our tour was for 8 hours and after spending too much time at the sites of the ruins (they are amazing and, with our daughter who is in her 3rd year of archaeology, spent longer than most visiting Coba) our day was running a bit short of time. We thought we would have to forgo our planned snorkel at Akumel, but both our driver and tour guide agreed to put in an hour and a half extra to allow us to swim. We truly appreciated this - Mexico is a beautiful country with many diverse treasures and to have people so eager for us to see and enjoy them made them all that more special!! Thank you!! Julie Bose Family ~ Salmon Arm, BC Canada My husband and I took the mainland tour to Chichinitza from Cozumel. It was a great trip! It turned out we were the only two on the tour, but they didn't cancel. The vans are very nice and clean, water, cokes and munchies were always available, and the guides and driver were very professional and nice. Lunch was served at a restaurant with a white diamond rating and was very good. The tour in Chichinitza was incredible, and the guide had all of the answers for us, and was very knowledgeable. This tour was definitely worth the money and highly recommended to anyone interested in the mainland Mayan ruins. K. McKerracher ~ Flagstaff, AZ USA
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