Mayan Ruins of Tulum at Sunrise
The Mayan ruins of Tulum are located on the Caribbean coast of the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico.
I went for a visit during the day like everyone else, and was very impressed. This is mainly due to the fact that they are located on cliffs overlooking the sea.
But during the day, there are hundreds of other tourists milling about. Not a very relaxing or moving experience at a beautiful ancient site like this. Wouldn’t it be much nicer to have the whole site to yourself?
While I’m not going to say exactly how I did it, because I don’t want to feel responsible for others that may try, I also managed to sneak into the site before sunrise the next day. There was security posted at the main entrance and patrolling the area even at 4am.
I later found out from hostel employees that other people have tried, and they all get caught… 
Tulum Ruins & Pyramid
Alone at an Ancient City
Anyway, sneaking into the Tulum ruins was great entertainment. It was part surreal beauty and part pumping adrenalin! I had to hide from the guards on patrol while at the same time setting up my tripod and camera for different early morning photos. Of course I needed to try and relax every once in a while to enjoy the view too!
While I understand why authorities don’t want a bunch of drunk kids climbing all over the ruins at night and wrecking them, I don’t fit that profile. I was just there to make some nice photos, and peacefully take in the scenery by myself at this fantastic location.
So if your intentions are harmless, and you’re smart enough to do it safely, I say why not? The Mayan ruins of Tulum have been there since 1200 AD, a few people climbing them isn’t going to wreck em’. Thousands of people climbing them every day? Maybe a little. But a few people a week? Hardly. The whole place is made of stone! Nature’s elements are far more destructive.
Main Pyramid at Tulum
Protection from Sheeple
Most of the pyramids get closed off to climbing once mainstream tourism takes over the area anyway. When thousands of overweight German & American tourists start climbing up the stairs on all fours every week, they have to makes rules against climbing to avoid structural damage when those same tourists slip & roll back down the stairs. Oh, and to help prevent the lawsuits too. 
If giant herds of people weren’t visiting each year, they’d have no reason to do this. All these temples were once open to climbing before they became popular tourist attractions. When 50 people a week climb it’s no problem. When 10,000 people a week climb, it’s time to shut it down. There are plenty of sites that don’t see as much tourism where you can still climb all the temples.
But that’s fine, I completely understand. Someday I’ll be a middle-aged and overweight traveler too, needing protection from myself. But until that day comes…
Even at a well traveled tourist site like Tulum, you can still create a little bit of adventure. 
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Mission accomplished, but careful you don't blow your travel budeget by getting arrested in Mexico. Congrats on going deeper!
Wow Matt great shots and adventure!
I brought a couple hundred pesos with me in case I needed to bribe a guard if I got caught.
Matt, your blog is as funny and interesting as your pictures are beautiful. You really have a gift. I'm glad you made it through the ruins safely (being the overweight blob that you are) and that you didn't get caught by those observant guards. They clearly just aren't as smart as you!!
I owe it all to my ninja shoes…
I really find that interesting. Been following your blog for a couple days now and I truly like what I see. Keep up the great work!
Very cool. It’s like you had the whole place all to yourself! We visited the Coba ruins nearby, also amazing.
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Wow, that’s awesome. What a great experience that must have been. The pictures are fantastic.
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Thx! It was pretty nice to have the area to myself.
Hahaha, this stuff is way too funny. I will share it.
I don’t think it’s the fear of a lawsuit or someone getting hurt,if you went to chichin itza you are allowed to go to the top and it’s much more dangerous.me thinks the damage is the thing.
It’s a combination of both I’m sure. They only close them to climbing once they become major tourist attractions. The damage isn’t going to get caused by a few people though, it’s because there are thousands of visitors each week. Thousands of people a week climbing them will create damage. Me and a few others who might sneak in occasionally? Hardly.
Having the rules in place is fine with me, I’m all for protecting the sites from the masses. I just count on the fact that most people will follow these rules.
As a side note: I watched the workers at Tulum climb all over the structures to watch the sunset when I was scoping it out the night before… Obviously the structures are not that fragile.
Not sure when you went to Chichen Itza, but you can’t climb most of the ruins there anymore. Reason? Too many people! My suggestion is to skip that site altogether. It’s a zoo.
Wow how sneaky and great pics! I guess it was worth the effort because it looks stunning. Congrats on getting in there
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You know we love your sneaking habit (psstt.. Masaya Volcano!)
And your photos taken during sunrise have been amazing! Motivate us to wake up earlier (and sneak around), huh… I’ll consider it for real! We are changing continent soon (will be in Europe/Africa in 2 weeks), great opportunity to manipulate our sleeping time…
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