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Tulum Archaeaological Site
The Tulum archaeological site, situated as it is on a craggy cliffside overlooking the sparkling turquoise-blue Caribbean shores of the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico, is one of the most spectacular archaeological sites to visit simply because of its unique natural setting.
The site is confined by a tall stone wall to the north, south and west, while to the east lie the cliffs and access to coves that acted as its port and landing area for boats. Tulum's temples are spread out along a grid of streets that run north-south. These temples and structures include the two-story, pillared Temple of the Frescoes (Structure 16), the colonnaded Palace (Structure 21), and the imposing Castillo or Castle (Structure 1) - Tulum's ceremonial center which commands the cliffside itself.
The site is open from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. daily during the summer and from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. during the winter season. As the entrance to the site is fairly distant from the ruins themselves, a shuttle train is available to transport visitors between the parking area and the site.
The site attracts large numbers of visitors often brought in by bus from Cancun and other resort areas along the Riviera Maya. If you're touring the area on your own, it's a good idea to schedule your visit as early in the morning as possible to avoid the large tour crowds.
Muyil Archaeological Site
Muyil, or "Chunyaxché", is a small site that lies only 24 kilometers east of Tulum just off the Felipe Carrillo Puerto highway, near the banks of the Muyil Lagoon.
Muyil was at its height in the Late Postclassic era, between A.D. 1250 and 1531 and is believed to be an important link in the trade route between the coastal area and the interior of the peninsula. Many of the structures in this group are crumbling, unreconstructed ruins interspersed in the jungle-like vegetation, connected by small paths. Trees and bushes sprout out of the ruins themselves. Of note is the Castillo (Castle) and the platformed structure denominated Temple No. 8.
The site is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Although there are washrooms, there are no other facilities at the site, so bring your own water and snacks. Visitors are few and the site can often be toured in peace and solitude.
