The Mexican Caribbean, where Mayan civilization left a strong imprint, offers its natural wealth and history to create tourist programs containing a wide range of options.

Beautiful beaches, excellent dive spots and an environment that is in a perfect state of preservation complement many archeological ruins, all of which are mixed with modern facilities for tourism.

In the region stands out the city of Tulum - a word that means "wall" in the Mayan language, in allusion to the brick wall that surrounds the city on three sides, because the other side faces the sea.

The wall, which has five gates, two lookouts and 5-6-meter-thick walls, is proof of the level of control exerted on those who tried to enter the area at the time.

However, for some experts, the original name was Zama (which means sunrise in the Mayan language), in clear reference to the breathtaking spectacle of sunrise, due to the geographical location of the city.

For nature lovers, the archeological zone of Tulum is one of the most beautiful areas of the Maya Riviera, since it combines the mystery of the ancient civilization that inhabited the zone with the unique beauty of the Caribbean Sea.

The city's spatial orientation following the cardinal points, and the geometric location of its buildings in relation to sunrise are also proof of the Mayas' knowledge of mathematics and astronomy, which was reflected in architecture and the plastic arts.

After watching Tulum's many buildings, one can understand the dazzle felt by Spanish navigators, who compared the region with their faraway Seville, due to its beauty and splendor, as a sentry watching the Caribbean Sea and a beacon to guide ships sailing in the area.

The most important building is the one called "El Castillo" (The Castle), which was built on rocks during different stages of Mayan civilization and is 48 feet above see level, thus being the highest points in the city.

Across from The Castle, there is a platform, which was possibly used for dances. Other buildings complement the urban development of the city, including the Temple of Initial Series, where the oldest artifact documented in Tulum was found.

Going northward is the Temple of the Descending God, which consists of a small platform on which an ornamented temple with the image of a descending god, the main iconoclastic element, was built.

Tulum also benefits from its closeness to Cancun, in addition to the existence of a hotel corridor that begins on the south side of the archeological site and ends at the entrance to the Sian Ka'an Sanctuary, whose buildings are in perfect harmony with nature.