Tulum, which means "wall" in the Mayan language, is located directly on a large bluff overlooking the Gulf of Mexico.

During it's golden age, Tulum was a major sea port and trading area for the Mayan civilization.

Unfortunately for the Mayans, the Spaniards conquered the Yucatan Peninsula during the early 1500's. They also brought with them common diseases from Europe that effectively wiped out the Mayan population. So Tulum like other ancient Mayan cities, was eventually abandoned.

Within the walled city of Tulum there used to be many homes created out of wood from palm trees. But now only the political, educational and religious stone buildings still stand.