Live the authentic Mayan life in these towns near Tulum

The Magical Town of Tulum is a must-see and the best example of Mayan charm thanks to its ruins located on the edge of the Caribbean Sea. It is also the only archaeological site that sits on the edge of a cliff. This is one of the best and most beautiful beaches in the Riviera Maya and probably the most photographed. Here are some towns near Tulum for a quick half-day trip.

Towns near Tulum: Tankah

Tankah Bay combines exclusivity with rusticity and is seven miles north of Tulum, directly south of Soliman Bay. Many beautiful vacation homes are in this scenic area, which contrasts with the carefree “anything goes” atmosphere of the Mexican Caribbean. White sand beaches and a peaceful, shallow bay scatter along the South Tankah shoreline. The turtle nesting season lasts from May to December. If you walk along one of these beaches at night, you might see a mother turtle coming ashore to bury her eggs in the sand.

Towns near Tulum: Chunyaxché

Chunyaxché, an ancient Mayan city, is between the road leading to Tulum, the Caribbean Sea, and Lake Muyil. Because it is simpler to say and spell, Chunyaxché is also Muyil. Sian Ka’an, which loosely translates to “portal of heaven” or “a place where heaven begins,” encompasses the entire site. Chunyaxché has comparatively few visitors. This, despite being part of the Tulum municipality and close to many of Mexico’s most popular beach towns. It is simple to traverse the jungle in the Chunyaxché and overlook how close you are to the activity of the Mayan Riviera.

Francisco Uh May

There is not much of Francisco Uh May visible when you go over the three speed bumps that identify this tiny Mayan community 17 miles from Tulum. For travelers passing through, the art and craft shops are conveniently situated on Coba Road, but the real depth of this place lies a few blocks off the highway and merits a short detour into the village. In the village’s modest homes and palapas, artisans create all of the dream catchers, wood sculptures, woven baskets, and lamps. As simple as the buildings may appear, this is a genuine community free of outside influences and unspoiled by tourists.