| If you want to accustom yourself with Tulum, don’t | | | | against invaders from both the land and sea. |
| dive into history books. It’s a place larger than any | | | | The next day, we headed to the south of Tulum |
| book can ever characterize or illustrate. To know | | | | Pueblo where the famous cenotes can be found. |
| Tulum well is to roam around the whole place and find | | | | Cenotes are sinkhole with exposed rocky edges |
| the secret pathways to its old soul. | | | | containing groundwater which have provided |
| On Friday afternoon, I met a guide and tour organizer. | | | | freshwater to the land inhabitants. Cenotes, particularly |
| He informed me that Tulúm is a Yucatec Mayan | | | | in Quintana Roo often provide access to extensive |
| word for fence or wall. These walls surrounding the | | | | underwater cave systems. With this, scuba divers |
| place allowed Tulum fort to be protected because it | | | | were curiously interested to explore the said caves. |
| serves as a defense against incursion. Tulum was | | | | Moreover, both landscapes and seawaters seen in |
| protected on one side by steep limestone sea cliffs | | | | Tulum are extremely varied and frequently very |
| and on the landward side by a wall that averaged | | | | beautiful. The highlands are sunny, warm by day but |
| about three to five meters in height. The wall also was | | | | pleasantly cool and invigorating at night. Tulum's white |
| about eight meters thick and 400 meters long on the | | | | limestone beaches and sapphire blue Caribbean |
| side parallel to the sea. The part of the wall that ran | | | | waters are perfect for sunbathing, swimming and |
| the width of the site was slightly shorter and only | | | | snorkeling. |
| about 170 meters on both sides. | | | | The Tulum ruins carry the history of the Mayan people |
| The tour guide also added that there are five narrow | | | | and most structures were actually constructed during |
| gateways in the wall with two each on the north and | | | | the Post-Classic Era between 1200 and 1450. Today, |
| south sides and one on the west. Entrance is via one | | | | parts of the Mayan ruins of Tulum have been restored |
| of the original five tunnels through the wall. The chief | | | | for tourism purposes. Businesses in Tulum are |
| structure of Tulum, El Castillo sits on a high point of the | | | | improving with the increase number of tourist that |
| site, facing the ocean. It is hypothesized that one of the | | | | visited everyday. |
| purposes of El Castillo was to act as a lighthouse and | | | | Finally, if you’re seeking for an adventure, I |
| guidance system for boats. On the Northwest and | | | | recommend Tulum as part of your travel destination |
| Southwest corners, there are small structures that | | | | and stay in one of eco-chic Tulum hotels. You will |
| have been identified as watch towers presenting again | | | | discover the affluent history of Mayan civilization and |
| how well defended the city would have been. | | | | explore the natural beauty of Tulum. |
| Therefore, Tulum served as a point of defense | | | | |