About 18 centuries ago, the great Maya civilization built a walled city that would become the spiritual and commercial center known as Tulum. To please the gods of earth and water, they built great temples and altars of sacrifice. To please the gods of commerce, they built great lighthouses so that canoes could find their way back home carrying the goods from their trading partners.

Today, Tulum remains a booming spiritual and commercial center. A four-lane highway makes the Mayan city easily accessible.