On a recent vacation to Mexico, I had the chance to visit the Mayan port city of Tulum. This was my first opportunity to see the ruins of an ancient civilization, and it did not disappoint. We were also lucky enough to have a tour guide of Mayan descent. Marcos, our guide, was fluent in English, Spanish, and a traditional Mayan language. The love he showed for his culture made experiencing Tulum extra special.
The largest temple in Tulum, El Castillo
Obsidian Looking Glass, used by the Mayans to observe the position of the sun leading to the Mayan calendar
Located in the Yucatan peninsula, Tulum is one of the newest Mayan cities, even though construction began as long ago as 580 C.E. Although “Tulum” (meaning wall in the Yucatec language) was not the original name of the city, the colonial title was chosen because it is the only Mayan city that is completely walled in. The city is surrounded by a 3-5 meter high limestone barrier on three sides and an oceanside cliff on the fourth. At its pinnacle, the city was a thriving port and marketplace. It was also home to many Mayan royals, hence the need for a wall to protect those in power. As food became harder to obtain, Tulum was no longer permanently inhabited around the time the Spanish arrived. Nevertheless, Marcos explained that the city’s temples were still visited and maintained as it became an important pilgrimage site for area natives. This explains why most of the buildings left standing have religious significance to the culture.
Temple in Tulum, Templo de los Frescos
Part of the wall enclosing Tulum, looking over the Caribbean Sea – Evidence of the blue and red paint that once covered the wall can still be seen on the limestone.
Marcos had a wealth of knowledge and was able to answer the group’s questions in both English and Spanish. He explained that he was very tall for someone with Mayan ancestry, even though he barely cleared my shoulders. Having Marcos as our navigator allowed my imagination to transport me back to a time when this beautiful city flourished. His passion for explaining his culture added another layer to the visit, which we felt lucky to experience.
Marcos, our tour guide
While watching our volunteer docents in action here at the Museum, I have become more aware of how a good tour guide can inspire, excite, and change the perspective of even the most casual and unacquainted visitor. Similarly, Marcos’ ability to switch between three languages while educating us on his ancestors fascinating way of life is something I’ll never forget. He is truly a master of his craft. Returning home a week later to witness Woodson Art Museum Artist in Residence Yuyi Morales expressing a similar passion for her culture (also in more than one language) reminded me that you don’t have to travel thousands of miles to experience new culture.
Artist in Residence Yuyi Morales, explaining her work during a recent gallery walk at the Woodson Art Museum
Culture is what makes visiting any part of the world so exciting, and this day trip to Tulum made the vacation much more enjoyable. The Mayan’s interesting way of life is just one of the reasons this part of Mexico is so popular. When the time comes to plan another trip to the Yucatan Peninsula or elsewhere in the world, my visit to Tulum will motivate me even more to explore the unique cultures our planet has to offer. Having a great tour guide always helps…
Panoramic of the city, overlooking the Caribbean Sea
