White baches, nature reserves and ruins with sea views: sights in and around Tulum

The former fishing village of Tulum Pueblo has been transformed into a lively little town: There are shops and markets, shops, banks and bike hire - the necessary infrastructure for a comfortable stay. There is also accommodation to suit every taste, from backpacker hostels to luxury resorts. Finally, Tulum Pueblo is also a nightlife hotspot, not to mention the many restaurants and taco spots that fulfil every gastronomic desire. In summer 2024, Tulum will also be connected to the "Tren Maya", a new railway line that will connect Yucatán with its beaches, natural parks and Mayan sites on a 1,500-kilometre circular route.

Kilometres of dream beaches with fine white sand - this is what characterises the "Zona Hotelera" of Tulum Playa. Hotel and bungalow complexes are lined up along the coastal road, but there are also eco-resorts, yoga retreats and many bars, boutiques and mini supermarkets. Many stretches of beach belong to hotel complexes and beach clubs, but in between there are always access points to the public beaches, such as the ten-kilometre-long Playa Paraiso, rightly named as such and repeatedly voted one of the most beautiful beaches in Mexico in surveys. Chilling out on the sand or sporting activities in the sea? Both are possible here, and the wind not only cools you down on hot days, but also provides perfect kitesurfing conditions. Why not try riding the waves? A course at one of the kitesurfing schools can be booked quickly.

The Yucatán Peninsula is dotted with hundreds of cenotes - limestone caves filled with water, whose ceilings have collapsed so that the sunlight that falls on them creates almost magical reflections and plays of light on the water and the craggy walls. The natural pools, which served the Maya as both sacred sites and sources of drinking water, attract swimmers and snorkellers with their cool, crystal-clear water. The Gran Cenote near Tulum is just one of several of these magical places in the area. If you don't have any equipment, you can hire snorkels and flippers on the spot.

Six kilometres from Tulum is the Sian Ka'an National Park, which was designated a UNESCO biosphere reserve in 1986 and is also a World Heritage Site. The protected area can only be reached via controlled and paid access points. The Muyil trail takes you into the jungle-like part of this natural paradise with its mangrove forests, a freshwater lagoon, Mayan ruins and a canal once dug by the Maya. From the starting point at Punta Allen, you can reach the part of the park by the sea, where you can take boat trips to see pelicans and cormorants, dolphins, turtles and, if you're lucky, even manatees. If you opt for a guided tour, you can also hire equipment here and go diving yourself in between.

A trip to Tulum is not complete without a visit to Cozumel. The island, which lies 20 kilometres off the coast, can be reached from Tulum first by bus to the port town of Playa del Carmen, then on a 45-minute ferry ride. Cozumel is another natural paradise, but also a diving paradise that offers crystal-clear underwater visibility. The beaches in the west of the island, south of the main town of San Miguel, are particularly suitable - here you are one of the closest to the second largest barrier reef in the world, which stretches from Yucatán to Honduras. The rugged east coast with its cliffs and strong currents is more of a destination for surfers and kitesurfers. A highlight of the island trip can literally be experienced at the southern tip: here, in the Punta Sur Eco Beach Park nature reserve, the Faro Celerain lighthouse watches over Cozumel. The magnificent view over the island and the ocean is only separated from the 130 steps up to the platform ...