Those who choose Tulum for its Maya history encounter it in different contexts: the Museo de la Costa Oriental explores the history of the Mexican Caribbean, while the visible structures of the Zona Arqueológica Tulum represent a specific period of settlement. Protected coastal landscapes and culturally significant cenotes add to this picture, but are situated in different areas.

Maya History at the Museum

The Museo de la Costa Oriental in Tulum takes visitors on a chronological journey from the first inhabitants to today’s Maya communities. The tour explores maritime trade and the significance of the Zona Arqueológica de Tulum. More than 300 exhibits and interactive resources present the history and culture of the region, with a particular focus on the Maya civilization.

In the Sala de Inmersión, a dynamic virtual experience presents landscapes featuring the terrestrial and aquatic flora and fauna of Quintana Roo, as well as archaeological sites in the region. The exhibition content may evolve. The museum therefore presents historical contexts alongside depictions of Quintana Roo’s natural and cultural landscapes.

Architecture and Archaeological Structures

One of the museum’s themes is the Costa Oriental architectural style. It developed during the Postclassic period, between 1000 and 1550 AD, and found its most significant expression in Tulum. Its defining features include a horizontal design and small platforms or large bases with lintels, cornices, and friezes decorated with geometric figures. Columns and murals are also common.

The buildings visible today in the Zona Arqueológica Tulum date from the Middle and Late Postclassic periods of the pre-Hispanic settlement of the Yucatán Peninsula, that is, from 1250 to 1550. The archaeological site lies south of Cancún, right next to the town of Tulum and within Parque Nacional Tulum. El Castillo is its tallest structure. It makes use of the cliff edge; from there, visitors can look out over the Caribbean Sea and the mainland.

Another structure is the two-story Templo de los Frescos. Its exceptionally high-quality murals depict supernatural deities of the underworld. The temple is regarded as one of the most significant examples of Maya mural painting. Together with El Castillo, it illustrates two different aspects of the site: its striking location on the cliff edge and its preserved artwork.

Protected Coastal Landscapes

Parque Nacional Tulum covers 664 hectares and extends mostly along the coast, from the northern part of the town of Tulum to the Casa Cenote area. Mangroves, beaches, and cenotes are part of this protected coastal landscape. The park is the only terrestrial protected area in the Cancún–Tulum corridor and surrounds the walled archaeological site. White sea turtles and loggerhead turtles nest on its beaches; they are protected by the Mexican federal government.

The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sian Ka'an is also near Tulum. This protected area covers 528,148 hectares. Its interconnected marine, coastal, and terrestrial ecosystems include tropical forests, palm savannas, wetlands, lagoons, extensive mangroves, sandy beaches, and dunes. They also include parts of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef and seagrass meadows. The cenotes in the area between Tulum and Cobá are in turn associated with Maya traditions, ceremonies, and legends.

When planning your trip, it is worth keeping these locations distinct: the museum is in Tulum, and the archaeological site is right next to the town. The national park and Sian Ka'an shape the surrounding area; the cenotes’ cultural connection refers to the wider area between Tulum and Cobá. This makes it easy to distinguish the focus areas of cultural history, architecture, and landscape.

Discover more destinations: Puerto Aventuras, Chunyaxché, Vigía Chico, Cancún, Estero Franco, Blanca Flor, Felipe Carrillo Puerto, Xul-Ha.

For the regional travel overview: Quintana Roo.