Tulum by Land and Sea

See the best of Tulum by land and by sea on this exciting tour from Playa Del Carmen.

After meeting your guide on the pier, you will board your air-conditioned transportation for the 45-minute drive to the famous Tulum ruins. During the trip you will be entertained with facts about present and past life there in Quintana Roo, including demographics, ethnic groups, and gastronomy. This will set the stage for your immersion in the Mayan world.

Once in Tulum, you will have about a 10-15 minute walk from the parking area to the entrance of the site. For approximately 1 hour, you will be tantalized with facts and tales of the ancient and modern Mayan life. Your guide will discuss the culture as it was during the times of Tulum, while you examine the inscriptions and murals on the temples that describe the decoration, rich iconography and its meaning to the Mayan. You will visit the outside of the castle, situated on a 40-foot bluff; the Temple of the Frescos, known for its detailed carved figures, the Temple of the Descending God, the House of the Chultun and the House of the Columns.

You will then board a shuttle for the trip down to the beach, where you will wade out and board a small motorboat for an approximately 50-minute ride along the coast to see the ruins from the sea. After this, you will return to the cruise pier.

Guests on ships docked in Calica have the option to be dropped off in Playa Del Carmen after the tour for sightseeing and shopping. Guests choosing to do so must arrange and pay for their own transportation back to the pier in Calica, which is approximately 10 to 15 minutes from Playa Del Carmen.

Please Note: Guests wishing to use a video camera at the ruins will need to pay a $5 US fee at the main gate to Tulum. No tripods or professional video equipment are permitted.