Tulum

Tulum Mexico can be a fantastic beach vacation destination. Found approximately 80 miles south of Cancun, this Yucatan Peninsula town offers an amazing beach that can rival the best in the Caribbean. Complementing this world-class beach are some of the best-preserved Mayan ruins that you will find along the Central American coast.

A long, white-sand beach that features turquoise Caribbean waters is just one of the things that Tulum is known for. Found along this beach are hotels and resorts that offer palapa-style accommodations. Palapas are essentially thatched-roof cottages, or cabanas, and they are mostly of the upscale variety along Tulum Beach. The cheaper accommodations are found in town.

On Tulum Beach, sunbathing and swimming are among the top activities. Many visitors also treat themselves to things like a beachfront massage or a cold cocktail. It should be noted that topless sunbathing is tolerated on some of the resort beaches. In the Sian Kaan Ecological Reserve, which is found just a few miles south of Tulum Town, you will find more coastal habitats, not to mention savannas and tropical forests. The resident wildlife includes ocelots, pumas, jaguars, and a variety of other fascinating creatures. Day trips to the Sian Kaan Reserve are easy to arrange in Tulum, and they typically revolve around adventure activities such as birding and snorkeling.

Mayan ruins are also nearby. Open daily, the Maya archaeological site in Tulum is a fortress city that sits on a cliff overlooking the Caribbean Sea. There is actually a beach at the base of the ruins, and it is understandably a popular place for tourists to swim and catch some rays. There aren't too many places in the world where you can explore ruins of this quality and then relax on a beach that is also of considerable pedigree.