Touring This Stunning Mayan City by the Sea

​By GERRY and PAMELA BARKER
North Palm Beach Life
December 18, 2018

COZUMEL_The next stop for Carnival Victory was Cozumel, an island in the Yucatan region of Mexico and a premier destination for diving and snorkeling. But our interest is learning more about the Mayans, who lived and flourished here more than a 1,000 years ago.

We're excited to make a return visit to one of the Mayans' greatest cities -- Tulum, sitting on a 40-foot cliff overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Our tour -- the "Ancient City of Tulum" -- begins with a 35-minute ferry boat ride to Playa del Carmen on the coast.  Our guide, Jorge, meets us on the pier and we board a bus for the one-hour ride to Tulum.

A major trading center, this fortress by the sea, whose Mayan name was "Zama" (meaning "dawn"), can trace its roots back to 600 AD. Join us as we explore what this ancient people accomplished.

On the pier at Playa del Carmen,
​with our yellow  ferry boat docked.

​After a walk from the shopping area, we head into the ruins at Tulum. Watch your head!


Photos by North Palm Beach Life

At its height, the walled-city of Tulum was the hub of a vast trading network
that brought highly-valued obsidian to the Mayans who lived there.

The large structure in the middle is El Castillo (The Castle)

Tulum fronts 40-foot cliffs that offer eye-popping views of the Caribbean Sea

We take our towels and spend some time on the gorgeous
Tulum beach.

The God of Winds Temple on a nearby bluff

View of ruins near the sea

Time to leave ... a lemur waved goodbye!

The shopping area delights the senses with colorful images and fanciful art

Pam finds where Elvis has been hiding

This is Frosty's, where you can get a great authentic Mexican meal for $8. And a Coke with real sugar. Sweet!

As the sun sets over a Playa del Carmen beach, we wait for the ferry back to Cozumel and Carnival Victory

Hats off to the Mayans and
​their amazing accomplishments!