April 30th, 2010 - There’s Something Amazing Regarding Tulum
If you have never visited Tulum Mexico and you adore wide white powder sand beaches and the azure gin clear waters of the Western Caribbean, then for no other reason you should come. Visiting a number of of the finest beaches in the world is only one of the draws to this magical region. There is genuinely something magical available here. The Mayans felt the magnetic pull from this majestic part of the world and created an observatory on the cliffs above the sapphire waters of this Yucatan paradise as a major harbor and viewpoint for the inland Mayan city of Coba. The locations along the beaches of Tulum are currently home to many Tulum resorts which present an eco-friendly yet luxurious retreat option.
The name Tulum originates from the Mayan word for wall, however, this early Mayan city was also called Zama which means “city of dawn”. Possibly they labeled it that because of the incredible sunrises you can catch sight of from the cliffs and beaches surrounding these well preserved and awe-inspiring ruins containing the most popular ruins of any in Mexico to visit.
Tulum is a long way removed from the mega resorts and hotels of Cancun and even now beyond the booming Playa del Carmen hotels and resorts. The Tulum resorts you discover in this locale are primarily the eco friendly variety and the area is recognized for coining the expression ‘eco-chic’. These are not your typical eco friendly hotels with many offering full service spas and amenities you would not expect in such a unaffected and unspoiled environment.
Yucatan Peninsula travel gives you a wide variety of options as far as style and substance. If you are traveling to the inland locations, you can explore the new 7th Wonder of the World at the ruins of Chichen Itza or stop at historical Merida hotels where colonial elegance meets Mayan history and culture. Playa Del Carmen hotels offer a more characteristic Caribbean holiday experience. The streets are bustling with world class shopping and nightclubs as well as an enthusiastic daily beach setting ideal for people watching and sun worship. Of course Cancun has long been recognized as a major tourist getaway since the late 1970?s and now represents a more modern and conventional large luxury resort experience.
Yucatan hotels vary in both size and style and there’s truly something for everybody. For me it’s the less significant Tulum resorts, Holbox Island hotels and the more off the beaten path places that are still rather undiscovered. Beyond the obvious draw of the white sand and assorted shades of turquoise waters there’s something about being in a pure part of paradise that does make it feel all your own, a magical place to relax and picture what life was like for the Mayans that ruled this area for so many years.
There is a great deal more to this area that we can explore beyond what I’ve written, so we’ll beyond doubt be talking more concerning the Yucatan as we go. One of the things we will touch on soon is the paramount times of the year to visit. You could be surprised to find that several of the best Yucatan travel deals can be found within peak seasons and what you may think is off season can sometimes be the most excellent time of the year for wonderful Playa del Carmen deals or Holbox deals where you can swim with the largest fish in the world, the Whale Shark! Stay tuned for further updates from the homeland of the Maya on the Yucatan Peninsula!
Ron Williams is a freelance travel writer living year round in Tulum, Mexico specializing in information about Merida hotels and life on the Yucatan Peninsula. Feel free to contact Ron directly if you need local tips or information.
