Explore Tulum, the only major Maya city built on the coast, where ancient limestone buildings perched on 12-meter cliffs overlook the turquoise Caribbean Sea in one of Mexico's most photogenic archaeological settings. Discover El Castillo, the site's iconic clifftop temple that served as a lighthouse guiding Maya traders navigating coastal waters, and explore the Temple of the Frescoes with its intricate murals depicting Maya gods and astronomical observations that guided agricultural and ceremonial cycles. Walk through the compact walled city that served as a major port for trade in jade, obsidian, and other precious goods that connected Maya civilization to distant regions, while learning about the sophisticated maritime culture that enabled the Maya to become master seafarers as well as jungle dwellers. Relax on the beautiful beach below the ruins where iguanas bask in the sun and sea turtles nest in season, experiencing the same stunning coastline that attracted Maya settlers over a thousand years ago and continues to draw visitors seeking the perfect combination of cultural heritage and natural beauty that makes the Riviera Maya one of the world's most desirable destinations.