Lydia Schrandt is a writer, editor, and award-winning photographer currently based in Houston. She’s a contributor for USA TODAY 10Best and serves as the first chair of the Editors Council of the Society of American Travel Writers. Her work has appeared in Draft, Time Out Beijing, Travel+, USA TODAY, San Francisco Chronicle, and others.
Lydia Schrandt is a writer, editor, and award-winning photographer currently based in Houston. She’s a contributor for USA TODAY 10Best and serves as the first chair of the Editors Council of the Society of American Travel Writers. Her work has appeared in Draft, Time Out Beijing, Travel+, USA TODAY, San Francisco Chronicle, and others.
Hi, I'm Lydia!Lydia Schrandt is a writer, editor, and award-winning photographer currently based in Houston. She’s a contributor for USA TODAY 10Best and serves as the first chair of the Editors Council of the Society of American Travel Writers. Her work has appeared in Draft, Time Out Beijing, Travel+, USA TODAY, San Francisco Chronicle, and others.
Hi, I'm Lydia!Lydia Schrandt is a writer, editor, and award-winning photographer currently based in Houston. She’s a contributor for USA TODAY 10Best and serves as the first chair of the Editors Council of the Society of American Travel Writers. Her work has appeared in Draft, Time Out Beijing, Travel+, USA TODAY, San Francisco Chronicle, and others.
With its backdrop of white sand and turquoise-blue ocean, few archaeological sites are as dramatically situated as Tulum. The clifftop ruins offer both striking views and intriguing insight into ancient Mayan culture. Here are some ways to visit.
The Riviera Maya is an ideal destination for adventure travelers, who can combine their visit to the ruins of Tulum with an adrenaline-fueled afternoon. See Tulum, then rappel into the Takbelum cenote, zipline through the Mexican jungle canopy, test your mettle while Skycycling, or explore the dark recesses of an underground cave.
If you’re having a hard time tearing yourself away from the turquoise water, fear not: Many Tulum tours combine a visit to the walled city with a variety of aquatic activities, such as reef snorkeling, cenote swimming, or even exploring a hidden underground river.
Make the most of your vacation budget by combining tours of two notable Mayan ruins—Tulum and Coba—with a buffet lunch and a refreshing swim in one of the Yucatan Peninsula’s famous underground cenotes. Alternately, get early access to both Chichen Itza and Tulum, both must-see attractions in the area. Bundling these tours gives you more bang for your buck.
While it’s possible to visit Tulum on your own, there’s nothing quite like the help of an archaeologist guide to bring the ancient Mayan ruins to life. Options might include early access to the site before the crowds arrive or a combo visit to both Tulum and Chichen Itza.
Cross this archaeological site off your bucket list in style by arriving aboard a catamaran sailing from Puerto Aventuras. Sip a drink on deck while taking in the views, go for a snorkel above a colorful coral reef, and indulge in an onboard buffet lunch to refuel after your adventure.
