Transport to and from hotels
The transport did not turn up at the confirmed time, but was one hour late. The guide said it had been rescheduled and he was surprised we had not been told. The excursion was advertised as being in English, but because most guests were French-speaking the guide spent more time speaking French than English. Some information was given in French only and not translated. The guide was not well organised, and wasn't always clear in his instructions. The driver was helpful. "Snacks" were poor.
Historic ruins, beaches and swimming in underground caves make this an action-packed morning of discovery. A guided tour of Tulum is followed by a visit to a traditional Maya community. What's more, you'll get to take a dip in a cenote, too. Benito, one of our local guides, says, "most of Tulum dates from the two centuries before Spanish colonisation, so it's a final snapshot of a doomed civilisation. Among the many things you'll learn is the symbolism behind the deities carved into the temples."
First up, explore the remains of the Maya city of Tulum. Your expert guide will show you temples of the Frescoes, the Descending God, the Winds and more. And then there's El Castillo pyramid, whose clifftop location overlooking the Caribbean saw it double as a lighthouse. Nowadays, it's made for Instagram – it's the most photographed location in the Riviera Maya. Gustavo, another of our local guides, says, ‘Tulum is that perfect balance between culture and nature – just look at all the iguanas you'll see lazing around. The ancient Maya appreciated this, and each area represented one of the elements – earth, water, wind and fire.'
Then we'll take some time to look around a Maya village and meet some members of the community. We'll find out about the traditions and customs of the village, before finishing up with a swim in a cenote. These freshwater sinkholes were sacred to the ancient Maya. A bit of snorkelling in this hallowed cavern is the ideal way to round off your experience.
