

The archaeological site is relatively small in stature and is one of the best-preserved coastal Maya sites. Its proximity to the modern tourism developments along the Mexican Caribbean coastline has made it a popular destination for tourists. The Tulum ruins are the third most-visited archaeological site in Mexico.
Several years ago, Tulum village was quiet and tourism outside of the ruins was limited to a few small shops. Now, Tulum village has grown dramatically. There is now a "hotel zone" of boutique hotels on the Tulum beach - approximately 40 small hotels, most of them cabanas built in the traditional Mayan style with thatched palm roofs. The hotel zone is mostly filled with tourists, whereas Tulum village is mostly a Mexican town, with some tourists eating in the restaurants and bars at night.