Atop a sheer cliff, high above the shimmering blue waters of the Mexican Caribbean, towers Tulum, the largest of Quintana Roo's coastal archeological sites. This post-Classic Maya city, occupied after 1200 A.D. boasts aver sixty well-preserved structure of great historical and cultural importance.

 

TULUM, Maya for "wall", is protected by three massive wall and a 40-foot (12 m) cliff with a sandy cove at its base. From this beach, the seafaring inhabitants of Tulum launched fishing and trade boats establishing Tulum as the principal port on the coast, and as the eastern gateway to the Maya civilization which opened trade routes to the north and into central Mexico.

Perched at the cliff's edge and dominating the turquoise waters is the Castle, the largest and the most impressive structure. 

 

It is crowned by a two room temple, finished with serpent columns and the distinctive winged descending god, which archeologists believe was Tulum's most important deity. Exactly what this god represented continues to be a mystery. The view from the top is berth taking of the sweeping sea to the east and the dense jungle to the west.

To the north of the Castle stands the Temple of the "Descending God" which is built upon an older structure. 

 

Notice the figure of the winged god that appears above the entrance. This building also contains wall paintings of the Sun, Rain, and Corn gods.

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West of the Castle is the temple of frescoes which contains murals preserved.

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