What to See in Tulum, Mexico: Free Audio Guide

Looking for the best things to do in Tulum? This stunning destination in Quintana Roo, Mexico offers an unforgettable mix of dramatic cliffside Maya ruins, vast underwater cave systems, and ancient archaeological zones. Whether you are planning what to see in Tulum or seeking a flexible way to explore, you can discover its rich history with Neywo’s free audio guide for Tulum, featuring 4 narrated places that play automatically as you reach each spot.

What to see in Tulum: top historical sites and natural wonders

Maya Ruins of Tulum

Perched on towering cliffs about twelve meters—roughly thirty‑nine feet—above the Caribbean Sea, the Maya Ruins of Tulum form one of the last great cities built by the Maya civilization. Originally known as Zamá, meaning ‘dawn’ in the Yucatec Maya language due to its eastern orientation toward the sunrise, the site served as a vital port for the nearby Maya city of Coba. Tulum reached its peak between the thirteenth and fifteenth centuries, and people continued to live here for about seventy years after the Spanish arrived before its final abandonment at the end of the sixteenth century.

Zona Arqueológica Xel Há

Located within Tulum, the Zona Arqueológica Xel Há is an archaeological zone that offers visitors a glimpse into the region’s rich pre-Hispanic heritage.

Sistema Sac Actun

Also known locally as the Gran Cenote, the Sistema Sac Actun is an immense underwater cave system stretching along the Caribbean coast of the Yucatán Peninsula, with passages reaching north and west of Tulum. In 2018, explorers connected it to the nearby Sistema Dos Ojos, briefly making it the longest known underwater cave system on the planet before holding the title of the second longest system as of January 2023. Within its dark waters, archaeologists have discovered the remains of a human female, potentially representing some of the earliest evidence of human habitation in the Americas.

Cobá

Situated on the Yucatán Peninsula in Quintana Roo, Coba is an ancient Maya archaeological site that once formed the hub of the largest network of stone causeways ever built by the Maya. Raised white roads known as sacbeob radiate from the central plaza, with the longest stretching over 100 kilometres westward to Yaxuna. At the heart of the site rises the Nohoch Mul pyramid group, where the tallest temple, Ixmoja, stands about 42 metres high—138 feet—making it one of the loftiest pyramids on the peninsula. At its peak, Coba may have housed around 50,000 people across an 80 square kilometre built-up area, with a history stretching from an early agricultural community in the first century through the Classic and Post‑Classic periods.

Explore Tulum with Neywo

Discover the secrets of the coast with a Tulum audio guide that brings each destination to life. Neywo provides a free walking tour Tulum experience with 4 narrated places. Each story plays as you reach the place, allowing you to explore at your own pace with no group and no schedule. Narration is available in 11 languages, making it easy to dive deep into the history of Mexico. While planning your journey, you can also check out guides for nearby destinations like Cancún and Cozumel.