The Tulum ruins are located on the east coast of the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico. It was originally occupied during the Mayapan era about 1200 AD and was known to be occupied until the Spanish conquest. Tulum was part of the independent state of Ekab which came into being after the fall of the Mayapan.

The main temple cluster is called the Castillo and is located near a cliff by the ocean but facing away from the ocean. At the top of the Castillo is a small two room temple.

Tulum has one secure source of water, a small cenote located near the northeast wall. A protective building was built over the limestone ledge that overhangs the cenote.

Along side the main Castillo is a smaller temple dedicated to one of their gods. The exact name of this deity is unknown, but has become known as the"Diving God" because of the carving of a human figure diving in the face of the temple.

The temple of Frescoes shown on the left, contains many wall paintings drawn in a Mixtec-Maya style. Along the side of the building you can still see several carvings dedicated to the deity Itzamna.

Tulum was originally surrounded by a stone wall for protection from raiding neighbors. This wall was originally 4 to 5 M high and up to 6 M thick and had watch towers at

The location of Tulum provided easy beach access from a narrow sandy beach that was flanked by protective cliffs. It also provided a logical trade route with the eastern part of the Yucatan peninsula and the island of Cozumel.