PXL_20250415_202639521

Sat, 14 Feb 2026 07:49:22 +0100

Tulum was one of the most significant Maya cities of the 13th and 14th centuries, serving as an essential stop on the Maya trade routes and exploiting the maritime riches of the eastern coast. At its peak, it was the nexus between the maritime and terrestrial commercial dynamics of the Maya world and Ancient Mexico. Some of the sites that developed along the coast include: Tulum or Zamá, Xelhá, Xcaret, San Gervasio, Xaman-Há, San Miguel, El Rey, Isla Mujeres, Cutz-Mil (Cozumel), and El Meco. The Temple of the Winds and El Castillo in Tulum served as guides for navigators through the reef to avoid grounding their ships loaded with goods. Between the beach and the ancient city walls, there is a variety of high-end products such as ceramics, slate, and other seashells that are not native to Tulum's immediate surroundings. This area and the reef in front of it were likely destinations for high-level imports from Guatemala.