Exploring the Tulum Ruins – A Relaxing and Historical Day Trip from Cozumel

When we planned our stop in Cozumel, we knew we wanted to spend the day soaking up some history — and the Mayan Ruins were at the top of our list. It was the perfect way to enjoy a slower-paced excursion while still seeing something unforgettable.

Our day started with a ferry ride from Cozumel over to Playa del Carmen on the mainland. From there, we boarded a bus headed toward Tulum, excited to explore the ruins. As with most tours, we made a quick stop at a local gift shop — a chance to stretch our legs, browse souvenirs, and grab a drink before the main event.

By the time we arrived in Tulum, the heat had definitely settled in. It was busy — no surprise, considering how famous these ruins are — and we had a bit of a walk from the parking area to the actual site. Still, once we reached the ruins, it was all worth it. The views were absolutely stunning — perched above the coastline with the Caribbean Sea in the distance, it felt like we had stepped back in time.

Our guide gave us a brief introduction to the history and significance of the site before letting us explore at our own pace, which we really appreciated. It gave us time to take it all in, snap plenty of photos, and imagine what life might have been like for the Mayans here centuries ago.

Tulum was truly beautiful — the perfect mix of history, nature, and relaxation. If you’re ever in Cozumel and looking for a day trip, we highly recommend making the journey. Just don’t forget water, sunscreen, and your camera — you’ll want to remember it.

Once we were on the bus, they dumped us in a gift shop for a bit to shop. When we finally got to Tulum, it was HOT. It was busy and we had a bit of a walk from the parking lot to the actual site of the ruins. Either way, it was beautiful. Not only was the weather nice, my pictures show just how lovely this place was. Luckily our guide only introduced us to a few things and then let us explore on our own.

There was a beach too!

Love these pictures. Far too lazy to watermark.

The beach below was definitely crowded but it was so neat to see a beach at such a historical site.

After we explored the ruins and beach for a bit, I was super stoked about a crazy monkey. I love taking pictures with weird animals. This little guy was no exception.

Why, hello there.

Ummmm… does anyone else see what he is doing?!Lunch!

My first supposedly authentic Mexican taco.
Seriously, we give the Ruins a big thumbs up. If you can get past the large tourist groups, the heat, and the excessive walking… it's pretty sweet!