Must-See: the Ancient Maya City of Tulum (Mexico)
Tulum - one of the last cities built and inhabited by the Maya civilization of Mexico. Today visitors can see the well-perserved buildings and wander about the grounds, imagining what it was like to live there during its heyday, back in the 13th and 15th centuries. If you're headed down to Mexican state of Quintana Roo, on the Caribbean Coast of Mexico, Tulum is a must-see!
Visitors approach the city from the sea
The Templo Dios Del Viento (God of the Winds) guards Tulum's sea entrance
Temple of the Frescos, used as an observatory for tracking the sun's movements
Close-up of the niched figurines of the Maya "diving god" or Venus deity
Red hands: designs known as kab-ul, attributed to Itzamma, lord of the skies and king of all the gods
Pyramid El Castillo (the Castle) from across the green
An important tip for those visiting this amazing place: wear a hat and plenty of sunscreen. It gets incredibly hot with the sun beating down, and there is little shade as you walk around taking in the grandeur. Also, visit as early in the day as possible, before the day becomes too hot. If you're visiting Cancun, this is a great day-trip for you!
Reference sources:
Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tulum
Mundo Maya: http://www.mayadiscovery.com/ing/archaeology/architecture/elements.htm