Roaming Ruins - Tulum and Coba

I visited two major ruins near the town of Tulum. The Tulum ruins are located by the beach, right by the water. It is well kept site and heavily visited by tourists. The image of these ruins against the turquoise sea is awesome and worth the visit alone. The site is relatively small and you can see much of it in no time at all... then head to the beach right next door for some afternoon relaxation.

Cobas is a bit of a contrast. Located about 45km inland these pre-Columbian Maya ruins are far more spread out than those in Tulum. Coba is also by a lagoon and nestled in a forest with trails connecting the various sites and pyramids. Coba is also in of the few places the public can climb a pyramid in the Mayan Riviera. The view from the top is spectacular as you gaze over the canopy of treetops below.

Cancun to Tulum

Tumum

Upon my arrival in Cancun it did not take long to realize this whole city is a made up area for ignorant North American tourists. One of the worst decisions of the trip was wasting three nights here. I now know why people lock themselves up at a resort compound in this part of the Yucatan Peninsula, although they might as well be at any resort anywhere. Mexican soil yes, technically, Mexico?... about as close as a Canadian pavilion at Disney's Epcot is to saying you've been to Canada. The beaches were not worthy of even taking my camera out of my backpack. The only thing keeping me was a few really friendly people at my hostel. Nothing to see here.

Playa del Carmen was not much better, and again, I should have just passed through. Overrun by cruise ship patrons picking up crappy souvenirs and experiencing a caricature of Mexico culture was mildly entertaining. I did have one good night out with some locals. I was invited to tag along on a bit of a nightclub crawl with a group that included a local football player. They took care of my entry and beverages everywhere we went - and introduced me to a local mezcal, a drink that has a tendency to sneak up on you like a smack in the face. I was given props the following day for being able to keep up.

When I arrived in Tulum it was clear this was a bit more Mexico. The Weary Traveller hostel was very social and groups of us would wander local ruins and beaches for the next few days. Chilling in the waves, gathering coconuts off a tree for a drink and a snack, a beach bonfire party with some crazy hippies, and the occasional nightly excursions to the bars or just our own hostel backyard. Tulum was pretty cool.