Tulum, Mexico

As per the Mexican government, having learned lessons from other countries and sites where people have ruined these ancient buildings, all attractions have been roped off and people are restricted from touching just about ANYHTING! I can understand this... but because of this, the site just didn't hold the same awe as the smaller Xunantunich in Belize. The whole place had a more theme parkish feel... especially since they opened up the beach below it and all kinds of people were walking around in bathing suits... dripping! They even have some stinkin' rule against professional camera equipment. So... they don't let you film... they even threatened to take away my little tripod when I set it up with my tiny little camera just so we could take a few pics together! I got one shot!!!!! All pics of Bethany and I together had to be taken with my palm sized camera sitting on a rock! Stupid government rules!


However... I found this city amazing in its design, architecture and size. It's layout is fantastic, bordered on 3 sides by a VERY thick jungle that is also swampy/marshy making it almost impassable. The city separates itself from the jungle with 18 ft thick walls that are anywhere from 9 to 15 ft tall and have lookout/watch towers on all corners. The fourth side of the city is butted up against a 39 ft cliff that leads to the ocean. Talk about well protected!... Now these people knew about desirable property locations!

Just south of Cancun, Tulum is probably the second largest Mayan tourist attraction next to the Chichen Itza. Tulum was the last of the great Mayan cities to survive. It was still active for 70 years after the Spanish began settling Mexico. First described by Spanish explorers in 1518 and then lost and not found again until 1843.