Tulum Archaeological Zone is located 37 miles south of Playa del Carmen and 81 miles from Cancun. Tulum once inhabited by the ancient Maya civilization may have been formerly known by the name “Zama” also, that means city of Dawn. But Tulum is also the Mayan word for “Wall”, and the walls surrounding the Tulum served as a defense against invasion. From the numerous depictions in the murals of Tulum, it seems to have been an important site for the worship of the Descending God.
Through investigations, it has been determined that Tulum was occupied by the late Post classic period, around A.D. 1200. Tulum continued to be occupied until contact with the Spaniards in the early 16th century but the site was abandoned completely by the end of the 16th century.
Tulum has the typical architecture of Maya sites all along the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula. Tulum was built on a cliff overlooking to the Caribbean Sea. It is this huge wall that makes Tulum one the most well known fortified sites of the ancient Maya civilization.
A large number of cenotes or sinkholes are located in the Tulum area and cave systems. Near the northern side of the wall in Tulum there’s a small cenote or sinkhole that is the one which would have provided Tulum City with fresh water.
Coastal and land routes converged at Tulum what indicates  by the amount of artifacts found in or site near Tulum that the ancient Maya civilization had commercial trading with areas all over Central Mexico and Central America.
Tulum is now a tourist destination divided into three main areas: the archaeological site, the town or the hotel zone. Tulum is a favorite hideaway for laid back tourism who prefers to be more in contact with nature than the luxurious style of Cancun. In Tulum you’ll find a few private homes, several rustic cabins for rent per day, some small eateries and small stores and dive shops.
The clear turquoise water right of Tulum is great for swimming and snorkeling; the locals are expert divers and know the area very well.