Tulum is an archaeological site on Riviera Maya. It is located on 12-meter (39 ft) cliffs overlooking the brilliant turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea. The buildings that you will be able to see here, date from the Post-Classic period, around 1200 to 1500 A.D., which is also the time of city the arrival of the Spaniards to Tulum. According to some, ruins of Tulum are not so impressive such as Chichen Itza and Uxmal. However, I would not agree with those people because the complete impression; the ruins, the location, the cliffs, the sea; really leaves you speechless. Like many Mexican places and archeological sites, Tulum also has a very specific and unusual name. It actually means wall and refers to the fact that Tulum was a walled city, protected on one side by a wall of about 12 feet in height steep and on the other by cliffs facing the sea. At the time it was built and many years later, it served as a trading port.
You must be asking yourself why would I even consider going to this place but do not get confused by those who thinks that there is nothing to see. In Temple of the Frescoes there are original Mayan frescoes that are in blue-green and outlined in black. These brilliant frescoes are really breathtaking, you won’t believe how amazing they are until you see it yourself. They are depicting Mayan gods and religious motifs. Except from the frescoes, there is so called El Castillo, or the Castle, which is the tallest building of the Tulum. Its function has never been fully discovered, but many believe that it has functioned as a navigational aid directing Mayan craft through the break in the reef to the beach. After the exploration of the ruins you should definitely take a swim on the beach, first of all because it is one of the most beautiful beaches along the Mayan Riviera, and second of all it will be something that you’d really need. It is important to mention that Tulum is not only the archeological site, but it is the town as well. It is located 4 km south of the ruins and here you have many options for accommodation here, from luxury boutique hotels to rustic cabanas. Despite this fact, most tourists visit Tulum ad a day trip from Cancun and there is also the tour that includes visit to Tulum and Xel-Ha. My advice is that if you can choose when and how to get to the ruins, to go in the morning before the tour buses arrive, since it is a relatively small site and can get really crowded. And do not forget to bring along the bathing suit, you will need a refreshing swim after visiting the Tukum. On the site there are local tour guides available to give you a tour of the ruins, and they are licensed and really help you to understand the Mayan culture.
Continuing your tour of Teotihuacan, you will have the opportunity once more to enjoy in the view of the Avenue of the Dead and eventually you will come to the Pyramid of the Moon. It is located at the far north end of the Avenue of the Dead. At this point I have to give you some information about the history of Teotihuacan. It was abandoned around the year 800, and this year is considered to be the end of the Mesoamerica’s Classic period. Till nowadays, the reason for the fall is not known, but there are some presumptions that there was a prolonged drought or an epidemic. Other claim that there was a conflict with another group or an internal conflict: some of the buildings show evidence of destruction by fire, as opposed to merely being abandoned, like many of the Mayan archaeological sites.
Now, after you have learned something you can enjoy in the Pyramid of the Moon. The Pyramid of the Moon, at the northern end of the Street of the Dead, was probably completed around 250 A.D. Recent excavations near the base of the pyramid staircase have uncovered the tomb of a male skeleton with numerous grave goods of obsidian and greenstone, as well as sacrificial animals. One of the most significant tombs yet discovered at Teotihuacan, it might indicate that even more important tombs lie buried at the heart of the pyramid. It is the second largest structure in the city, the Pyramid of the Moon rises to 140 feet (43 metres) and measures 426 by 511 feet (130 by 156 metres) at its base. This pyramid is very similar to that of the Sun, but with an additional platform-temple jutting out on the south. This exhibits the talud-tablero architectural motif that is typical of Teotihuacán culture: on each body or tier of a stepped pyramid is a rectangular frontal panel (tablero) supported by a sloping batter (talud). The tablero is surrounded by a kind of projecting frame, and the recessed portion of the panel usually bears a polychrome mural applied to the stuccoed surface. The best way to finish your tour is to enjoy in the view from the top of the Pyramid of the Moon. I hope that I have helped you and intrigued you, and that you will visit Teotihuacan to see all this yourself.
Next stop on your tour is the Avenue of the Dead. It is the main axis of the city. It stretches to the north from the Citadel all the way to the Temple of the Moon. You will see the “Edificios Superpuestos”, where excavations have unearthed living quarters below the present level, which were filled in with rubble in order to build the second stage. On either side of the Avenue of the Dead are residential palace compounds (probably occupied by noble families). Each is a square, 200 feet on a side, and is surrounded by a wall. The pedestrian would have seen only the high walls facing the streets, pierced by inconspicuous doors.
Then we come to the famous Pyramid of the Sun. It is one of ancient Mexico’s largest structures, with nearly 200 feet of heights and 700 feet wide. It was constructed in two phases. The first construction stage, around 100 A.D., brought the pyramid to nearly the size it is today. The second round of construction resulted in its completed size, making it the third largest pyramid in the world behind the Great Pyramid of Cholula and The Great Pyramid. The Pyramid was built on top of a cave which was discovered in 1970. This cave is over 100 yards long and ends in the shape of a four-leaf clover, with four chambers. According to many beliefs, in ancient Mexico, the caves actually were passageways to the underworld. If you can plan your visit to Teotihuacan, try to come there on the days of the fall and spring equinox. Then Teotihuacan is crowded with people who are dressed in white and climb to the top of the Pyramid of the Sun. On the top they are receiving the special energy of the site. If 250 stairs is not much for you, you should definitely climb up and at least enjoy in the magnificent view.
When you get enough of the Pyramid of the Sun, move on to the Quetzalpapalotl Palace. It is situated on the way to the Pyramid of the Moon. It is assumed that this was the residence of Teotihuacan’s ruler. Next you will see the Patio of the Quetzalpapalotl Palace. The name Quetzalpapalotl is Nahuatl for the “Quetzal butterfly” and it was applied to this building because of carved images like this one which appear on the columns surrounding the courtyard shown above. Some of these images are thought to represent the quetzal bird, which was revered by pre-European peoples living throughout Central America. Some of the images show a creature which is a combination of the quetzal and a butterfly, hence the name. The pillars that surround it are made of stone blocks carved with images of birds. Some of them are shown in profile and others are facing forward. Going on you will come to the Patio of the Jaguars. It is placed behind the Quetzalpapalotl Palace and it is a rectangular patio surrounded by rooms with jaguar murals. The jaguars that are pictured here are holding conch shells in their mouths. The figure in the five-pointed stars above the jaguars is the rain and maize god Tlaloc, probably the most powerful god in ancient central America. From this palace you can enter the subterranean Temple of the Plumed Conch Shells which has murals of shells, perhaps outfitted as musical instruments, together with birds spouting water, painted in green, blue, yellow and red.
If you have time for a day trip and if you are ready to leave the Mexico City, go 25 miles northward and visit Teotihuacan. It is a large archaeological site that is widely known for its large pyramids dedicated to the sun and the moon. But that is not all that you can see here, it also contains unique murals and carvings and several museums through which you can explore the city’s fascinating history.
Also known as the ˝city of the gods˝, Teotihuacan was a huge urban center with a population of 200,000, making Teotihuacan one of the largest cities in the world, from 200 BC up to 800 AD. To the Aztecs Teotihuacan is a sacred site despite the fact that it had been abandoned long before their time. The interesting thing is that no one was able to discover which ethnic group or the language was spoken by the inhabitants of Teotihuacan, so they are called “Teotihuacanos.”
There is one important tip for all those who decide to come and see Teotihuacan. There are five entrances and if you want to do a full tour of the site, enter at entrance 1 at the south end of the site. However, if you want a shortened tour, begin at entrance 2, it is a level where the Pyramid of the Sun is situated. Entering on the entrance 2 is a great option if you are time limited or you are not interested in all that Teotihuacan can show you.
In the following text I will try to lead you through Teotihuacan and introduce you some of the most popular things there and what you really have to see if you ever get the chance to go there. So, during this tour bear in mind that these are the things that really took my breath away and I hope that it will do the same to you.
First stop on your tour of Teotihuacan is the Citadel and the Temple of Quetzalcoatl. The Citadel actually was the center of the city of Teotihuacan. However, you would not tell that today since it is on the southernmost point of the area open to visitors. During your visit you should keep in mind that the really city actually extended over 12 square miles. What hides behind the name of Citadel today is a large open space with temples surrounding it that was probably used for ceremonies, in the past. In order to see the Temple of Quetzalcoatl, you should walk across the square and climb the steps on the opposite side. The façade of the building is decorated with alternating heads of the serpent and another figure, sometimes called Tlaloc, and there are also decorations of snails and shells that symbolize the water. The Temple of Quetzalcoatl is dated to the second phase of Teotihuacán, Miccaotli. Along the balustrades of its frontal stairway and undulating along the talud-tablero bodies of each stage of this stepped pyramid are sculptured representations of Quetzalcóatl, the Feathered Serpent. Alternating with the Feathered Serpents on the tableros are heads of another monster that can be identified with the Fire Serpent — bearer of the Sun on its diurnal journey across the sky.
The Yucatan Peninsula is on of the worlds most famous archaeological sites. It is filled with the enchanting colonial cities, romantic haciendas and resorts. This area is a real cultural heritage, however, most of the visitors are attracted by the beautiful beaches, distinct cuisine and amazing Mayan ruins. These ruins can be found throughput the whole area and most visitors come to the Yucatan Peninsula in order to admire and explore these remainings of one of the greatest civilization in the world.
I will do my best to present you some of the most popular architectural sites I have had the opportunity to see during my stay in the Yucatan Peninsula. To begin with Chichen Itza. The name of this site actually means “the edge of the well of the Itzaes”. For ages this was the political, religious and military center of the North of the Yucatan Peninsula. It is divided into “old” and “new” Chichen due to the fact that it has been abandoned in the history, so two different cultures has been building it. Some of the most visited buildings are the Castillo, or “Castle,”which is dedicated to Kukulkan. It is especially interesting on the fall and spring equinox the sun strikes the side of the building making a play of light and shadow which appears as a snake along the steps of the building. Another interesting site is Temple of the Warriors, where hundreds of columns surround a massive temple structure carved with reliefs. And another thing I would like to point out is the Great Ballcourt which is the largest in Mesoamerica. The acoustics of the ballcourt are remarkable: a whisper from one end can be clearly heard at the other.
Another famous Mayan ruin is Mayapan, or in translation Mayan flag. In the history, this was the most important place after the fall of Chichen Itza. It is considered the last great Mayan stronghold. On the zone that covers 4 square km there are nearly 4000 structures, mostly residential buildings. Some of the constructions there contain mural paintings from the Mayan time. Here, in Mayapan there is also Castillo, but this one is actually replica of the one in Chichen Itza.
Uxmal - Mexico
The most important site of the Puuc region is Uxmal. There are two interpretations of the name of this place and they are “Three harvests” or “Three times built”. According to the legend, dwarf outwitted the king, became the new ruler and magically constructed the buildings of Uxmal and that is how the city was founded. On the site dominates the Pyramid of the Dwarf, this pyramid is also known as the Pyramid of the Magician.
Furthermore, we come to the site which original name is unknown, so it was called El Rey, meaning the king, due to the stone sculpture that was found on-site. This stone can be seen on exhibit in the Cancun Archaeology Museum. This site has 47 ancient structures that formed center of the small trade and fishing village.
Mayan Ruins continued – 35 miles south of Cancun there is a leading commercial port known as Xcaret, or “Little inlet”. This is an eco-park that encloses a small Mayan archaeological zone. On the northern part of Cozumel island there is the largest of 30 Maya sites found on this island, known as San Gervasio. In the past it was economical and political center of the island, and what is more interesting it was the sanctuary of the Mayan moon goddess Ixchel. It is assumed that the entire Mayan world may have come to worship her.
Coba, or Ruffled water, which is what its name means, was built around four lakes. More than 6000 structures have been covered there and it is assumed that only few have been left uncovered. To the tourists the most interesting thing in Coba and mostly the reason of their visit is the Nohuch Mul Pyramid. This is the tallest pyramid in the area with 120 steps, and if you are not afraid of heights, climb up and enjoy the breathtaking view.
Coba in Mexico
Another interesting site is Xel-Ha. This name actually means “where the water is born” when you know that fact it won’t be surprising to hear that it is a water park with ruins on-site. Unfortunately, archaeological zone is only partially excavated. In the past, people use to come here to honor a variety of gods. Xel-ha was one of several key ports of the Maya city of Coba and it was likely used as a point of intercultural exchange between the Maya and other sea-navigating peoples.
I have decided to leave the best for the end. Something that really took my breath away and something I couldn’t wait to see is the Tulum. It is located on 12-meter (39 ft) cliffs overlooking the brilliant turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea.
The Tulum means wall and refers to the fact that Tulum was a walled city, protected on one side by a wall of about 12 feet in height steep and on the other by cliffs facing the sea. In Temple of the Frescoes there are original Mayan frescoes that are in blue-green and outlined in black. These brilliant frescoes are really breathtaking, you won’t believe how amazing they are until you see it yourself. They are depicting Mayan gods and religious motifs. Except from the frescoes, there is so called El Castillo, or the Castle, which is the tallest building of the Tulum. Its function has never been fully discovered, but many believe that it has functioned as a navigational aid.
I hope that I have managed to satisfy your appetite for knowledge about some of the most important Mayan ruins on the Yucatan Peninsula and that my experiences have induced you to come to Mexico and see all these miracles by yourself.
Oaxaca is the capital and largest city of the Mexican state of the same name. It is situated in the Central Valleys region of the state, in the foothills of the Sierra Madre at the base of the Cerro del Fortín extending to the banks of the Atoyac River. It is at 1500 m above sea level and has a mild climate year-round. Its popularity, Oaxaca owns to splendid architecture, brilliant handicrafts and amazing archeological sites. It is the type of the city that mostly relies on the tourism because of the large number of colonial-era structures and archeological sites such as Monte Alban and Mitla. Due to all that, this city is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. It has been inhabited in prehistoric times and the first Europeans to arrive in the area were Dominican friars who came to convert the native people to Catholicism.
All around the city, there are different building all decorated with the colonial architecture, and every one beautiful in its own way. The most outstanding architectural masterpiece is Santo Domingo church. It is a jewel in the crown of Dominican architecture, built between 1550 and 1619. The opulent baroque interior of Santo Domingo church contrasts with its sedate exterior, making it really special. A short distance from Oaxaca city there are several archaeological sites located. The most distinguished is Monte Alban. It is the capital of the Zapotec people from 500 B.C. to 800 A.D. Located on the mountain-top; it offers impressive views of the valley below. The monumental center of Monte Albán is the Main Plaza. It is delimited by large platforms accessible from the plaza via monumental staircases. One characteristic of Monte Albán is the large number of carved stone monuments one encounters throughout the plaza. Another important site is the site of Mitla. It is located in the Eastern arm of the Oaxaca valley and five main groups of buildings remain including the Grupo de las Columnas and the Grupo de Iglesia. The walls are decorated with distinctive geometric mosaics that characterize Mitla’s buildings and traces of paintwork and some artifacts are still retained.
Oaxacan handicrafts are known all over the world and some of the most sought-after items are Zapotec wool rugs, Black pottery and Wood carvings called “alebrijes”. What is more, it is also known for its distinctive cuisine, you have to try mole, quesillo and tlayudas. Hotels range from small, informal places to luxurious hotels, it all depends how much you want to spend on it. During the year there are several fiestas in Oaxaca, and some of them are Day of the Dead celebrations, Radish Night and The Guelaguetza, dance festival. This folk dance festival is the most popular festival in the state and it is held every July and takes place in an auditorium overlooking the city.
Chitzen Itza is one of many fascinating Mayan archaeological sites in the Yucatan Peninsula. The name of this site actually means “the edge of the well of the Itzaes”. Between 750 and 1200 A.D. it served as the political and economic center of the Mayan civilization. The amazing buildings in Chichen Itza are still standing and they demonstrate the Mayas’ extraordinary commitment to architectural space and composition, as well as their vast astronomical knowledge. As reword for being so unique and able to survive through tough times, it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1988. What is more, it has been selected as one of the New 7 World Wonders. This all tells you that you really have to see this magnificent archeological site. It is located 125 miles from Cancun and 75 miles from Merida. It is good to know that there are several hotels there in case you want to come in Chichen Itza the day before and early start visiting the ruins, which is excellent idea since it can get hot and very crowded, latter during the day.
If I knew that you would not definitely go from Cancun the day I want to visit the site and come here in the hottest part of the day. According to average, one can spend from 3 hours to a full day here, depending how much you are interested in the ancient ruins and how much you were amazed when you saw them. Some will be disappointed when they here that you have to pay the admission fee and what is more there is an extra charge for use of video camera on the site. Another useful advice is to dress in natural fiber clothing that will protect you from sun and of course do not forget to wear comfortable shoes; there is a lot of walking to be done.
If you ever get the chance to go and visit Chichen Itza you should not miss the following features of Chichen Itza.
El Castillo – is known as the most striking building here. It is dedicated to Kukulkan, the Plumed Serpent. I have been lucky, and visited El Castillo on the spring equinox when the side of the building making a play of light and shadow which appears as a snake along the steps of the building. This also happens on the fall equinox.
Temple of the Warriors – here, the hundreds of columns surround a massive temple structure carved with reliefs. These columns are carved on all four sides with figures of feather-bedecked warriors.
Great Ballcourt – this ballcourt at 545 feet in length and 225 feet in width and as such it is the largest known ballcourt in Mesoamerica. What also makes this ballcourt fascinating is the the acoustics of the ballcourt, that are remarkable: a whisper from one end can be clearly heard at the other.
Most tourists visit the Chichen Itza as a day trip from Cancun or Merida, so take this into consideration when planning your time if you’re staying in one of those two places..
If you are a fan of Mexican food and culture, don’t hesitate you share that with your friends. An ideal occasion for that is to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. Do not despare if you cannot be in Mexico on Cinco de Mayo, because you can throw a real Mexican Cinco de Mayo party wherever you are. We will provide you with everything you need to know in order to throw an original Cinco de Mayo fiesta.
First of all you have to set the right mood and inform you friends what kind of party it would be, and the best way to do such a thing is to send out Mexican-themed Cinco de Mayo party invitations. When it comes to the decorating the place, there is no much philosophy, use the colors of the Mexican flag; red, white and green. If you have Mexican handicrafts or papel picado use it, it would definitely add a nice touch. I am sure that you are familiar with the fact that tequila and mescal are traditional Mexican drinks, so it is inevitable to have them prepared for your party. Additionally, you can make margaritas, Cinco de Mayo cocktails or provide some Mexican beer. For those guests who do not drink alcoholic drinks you should prepare some of the refreshing Mexican drinks such as Aqua Fresca, Horchata or a Virgin Pomegranate Sangria. Mexican culture is well-known for distinguished food, so you really have to do your best in this segment of the party. Jalapeño poppers and nachos with guacamole and salsa are some of the favorite appetizers for a Mexican-themed party. If you and your friends are the vegetarians, it does not mean that you should give up. You should serve famous Mexican vegetarian recipes such as 30 Second Chili “Cheese” Dip or Easy Mushroom Fajitas. On the Cinco de Mayo party you can also serve Guacamole that will be very cool and refreshing. But I have to point out the fact that the Cinco de Maya actually celebrations the long relationship between the United States and Mexico. So it is not important whether you are going traditional or hitting the ribs or beer can chicken, fire up the grill and celebrate this great holiday. When I throw the Cinco de Mayo party on my menu you will most likely find Carne Asade and that is a Mexican recipe for marinated, grilled beef served in tortillas. In order to set the tone of your fiesta, play mariachi music or some other Mexican popular music. And the most important thing is to have a piñata. You can either buy it or make it yourself. Don’t forget to have fun and happy Cinco de Mayo!
The City of Puebla is the 4th largest city in Mexico and also one of the oldest cities in the country. Likely for all the tourist, it has preserved its colonial architecture. It is situated in a valley flanked by volcanoes, only 80 miles from Mexico City. Mostly it is visited as a day trip from Mexico City, but trust me, it is worth staying a few days. In the 16th century, the city represented a bastion for Spaniards mid-way. It has changed its name for several times and today it is also known as Puebla de Zaragoza in honor of General Ignacio Zaragoza, who commanded during the battle against French.
Puebla City has a warm, relaxed atmosphere, colorful surroundings and distinct colonial history and that make it a worthwhile destination. Among all the things you can do and see I would sincerely recommend you to go on a walking tour of Puebla’s historical center where you will discover the unique colonial buildings. You can take the Turibus or tranvia for a guided tour or visit the Amparo Museum where you can see a large collection of Prehispanic, Colonial, Modern and Contemporary Mexican art.
To some tourist the visit to Puebla is a one day tour, but if you come to Peubla to spend there several days, you can go on different day trips. One of the most popular day tour form Pueblo is a tour to Cholula. On this tour you can see The Great Pyramid of Cholula, which is the world’s largest pyramid, topped by the Virgen de los Remedios church. Another very visited day tour is called the Africam Safari. Here, on the 500 acres of park wander a wide variety of wild animals, including lions, tigers, giraffes, buffalo, and rhinoceros.
Where ever you go you have to eat, but here it will not only be to satisfy your hunger it would be a real pleasure. Puebla is well-known for its cuisine, and this is known by both Mexicans and foreigners. According to the local story, here originated both mole poblano and chiles en nogad. But you will not only enjoy in the food you eat in the restaurants, because the street food is delicious too, so do not hesitate to try it, especially chalupas which are very popular. Since I have mentioned restaurants here are some that you have to visit. Those are Mi Ciudad, Fonda Santa Clara and La Zanahoria. When it comes to the hotels, those in Puebla’s historical center are more interested and visited. Hotel Colonial is in a former Jesuit monastery, Hotel Royalty is on the Zocalo, great place isn’t it? And a pricey but luxurious Meson Sacristia de Capuchinas. Now, since I have informed you on where to eat and stay, a little part mostly for the ladies, shopping in Puebla. This is a great destination for shopping. Go to a charming handicrafts market, known as Mercado el Parian; than Plazuela de los Sapos that has antiques and flea market, furthermore Mercado La Victoria, which is a let 19th century market that is transformed into a modern shopping mall. Not to forget to tell you that there are also festivities in Puebla and those really worth mentioning are Puebla’s fair, The Chile en Nogada festival and Independence Day.
