The Maya civilization was incredibly advanced. We all learned about their refined alphabet and cutting edge knowledge of astronomy and mathematics as kids in school. Well, I visited the ruins of Tulum over New Years, and was struck by how much I didn’t know.

They were master traders and incredible artists. Politics and urban lifestyles were prolific and intertwined between hundreds of cities. Many of their ancient books were intentionally destroyed by the Spanish. Wouldn’t you like to know the contents of those texts? The Mayans were even one of the few civilizations to create a number zero.
Tulum was the last city the Mayans built. As Spaniards made a home for themselves in Mexico, many of the original inhabitants of the Yucatán Peninsula died of the old world diseases the new comers brought with them.

Eventually the numbers of the Maya dwindled and Tulum was abandoned.

I know, I know. Stories of mass casualties caused by disease isn’t the kind of uplifting content most of you are looking for, but it always pays to remember humanity’s past.

Take a virtual tour with me. You may be surprised by how tourist activities can thrive atop a location with such a sad historic end.

If we learn anything from history, it’s that the giant lizards can survive.