Tulum, Mexico Day 1: Mayan Ruins on the Beach

Columbus Day was on Monday, but here in Belize, a different (and completely unrelated) holiday called Pan-American Day is observed, and is also a school holiday. We decided to take advantage of the long weekend and head north to Mexico.

We flew Tropic Air from San Pedro to Corozal, Belize, and had originally intended to take a transfer to Chetumal, Mexico where we would catch an ADO bus north to Tulum. As fate would have it, our friends Cathy and Terra and their son Aiden were on the same transfer bus. They were heading to Playa del Carmen (north of Tulum) and the driver offered to take us all the way to Tulum for only $50 USD. Done!

Liam, Lochlan, Aiden and a big bag of chips on the transfer

Mexico!

There is a strange geographic anomaly along the border between Mexico and Belize, called the 'Free Zone'. Apparently this strip of land was (is?) claimed by both countries, and consequently exists as a political no-mans-land. However, some enterprising capitalist realized that if both countries claim it, neither one is governing it, so he set up a shop and sold all of his wares duty-free. Then another shop opened, and another, and so on, and now it is a legitimate place of commerce where citizens of both nations can purchase cheap goods (mostly from China) and pay no tax or duty. For the traveler, this means clearing out of Belize, driving for several minutes through the no-mans-land, then entering Mexico.

The drive was uneventful and we made it to our hotel with plenty of time for dinner. We found our way to Don Cafeto, where our waiter Lorenzo took a liking to the boys and asked for a portrait with our entire family (currently on Lorenzo's Facebook profile!) Coincidentally, the Mexico vs Panama soccer game was on, and the entire wait staff erupted in cheers when Mexico took the lead with an amazing bicycle kick.

The courtyard and unique pool at the hotel

The next day we rented bicycles and pedaled to the Tulum ruins, one of the last inhabited Mayan settlements. The ruins are enclosed by a wall, situated on a cliff overlooking the Caribbean, and are remarkably well preserved. The setting is absolutely stunning. We hired an English-speaking guide for a tour, which was well worth it--he provided many in-depth explanations of the social structure of the Mayan society, and how the location, design, and ornamentation of the buildings related to their function. We also saw TWO green-headed tree snakes. I managed to get a photo of one of them, and our guide was shocked that we'd seen them--he said we were extremely lucky.

Entrance to the park

In front of the 'Painted Temple', which used to be covered with colorful murals

One of the green headed tree snakes we saw

Travel poster scenery everywhere

Wish Willy--these guys were everywhere

A view of the ruins looking landward

After our guide was finished we spent more time exploring the ruins, then rode our bikes to Playa Paraiso for some lunch and beach time. The beaches near Tulum are amazing--sugar sand, beautiful blue water, palm trees, the whole enchilada. The only downside is that (unlike Belize) almost all the beaches in Mexico are privately owned, so you have to pay the property owners or eat at the resort restaurants to get access. We didn't really mind, but the overall principle of private ownership of beaches wrankled a bit. I got over it quickly.

Amy, clearly having an absolutely miserable time

Look--it's NOT Belekin!!

Beach time!