The ethnic Maya are well-known for their achievements in certain areas of human knowledge, most of which have been incorporated into the cultural baggage that represents the most successful achievements of the Mesoamerican region.

As a consequence of their astronomical observations they were able to perfection the calendars of the Sun, the Moon and Venus with incredible precision.

They also developed the concept of the mathematical zero, developed a thousand years later in Europe, and created a complicated form of hieroglyphic writing, which has until now been only partially deciphered.

In general terms, the Maya area is divided into three regions:
the southern zone includes the coastal regions of the Pacific and up to the highlands of El Salvador, Guatemala and the Mexican state of Chiapas, where the soil is fertile and supports coniferous vegetation.

The central region covers the north-eastern part of Honduras, Belize and the Guatemalan region of Paten, the forest of Chiapas, the south of Campeche and Quintana Roo, as well as Chontalpa, in the Mexican state of Tabasco; the topography includes hills and plains, irrigated by important rivers and lagoons that provide life to the tropical jungles.

And finally, the northern region, which is made up mostly of the Yucatan Peninsula, and is characterized by its limestone plains, poor topsoil that supports monte chico vegetation, and water that runs below the surface forming large wells, known locally as "Cenotes."

Constructed on the banks of five lakes, in the heart of a forest with incredibly high, fine-wood trees, in the state of Quintana Roo, is Cobá, the most important and extensive city/state in the north of the Yucatan Peninsula.

The inhabitants of this grand urban sprawl developed the most impressive network of highways in the pre-Hispanic world. So far, a total of 40 highways have been discovered, with lengths varying between a few meters and a hundred kilometers, in some cases, with a width of up to 20 meters, and height of up to four meters.

In the urban zone of Coba, the sacbéob are truly wondrous feats of road engineering that are made up of split-level walkways, roundabouts and constructions that indicate crossroads.

Cuzamil - place of the swallows, in the Maya language, is the place from where the stars appeared, protected by the waters of the Caribbean Sea, the stars coloring the waters a turquoise blue so as to rival the color of the heavens.

This is also the religious center in which Ixchel, the Goddess of Fertility, was born, and lies just 18 kilometers from the eastern coast of the Yucatan peninsula.

Cozumel, the largest inhabited island of Mexico, was discovered in 1518 by the " Conquistadores," who had to fight the local indigenous tribes to gain its possession. It later became a pirate refuge.

With an area of 48 kilometers in length and 16 in width, this island is a strategic stopping off point for cruise ships that venture across the Caribbean; the island also houses important archeological ruins, whilst at the same time, offers the world the thousand-year-old architecture of San Gervasio and El Cedral, two of the colossal ruins, which are among the most visited of the zone.

From as far back as the 1950s, this place has been a great tourist centre and is considered to be one of the most important scuba-diving locations due to the fact that the coral reefs are protected by Mexico's Navy reservists.

Furthermore, on the western coast of the island there are around 25 coral reefs in the national Marine Park, among which are Palancar, Santa Rosa, Colombia, San Francisco, Chankanaab, Paraíso and La Herradura, with their heads of coral, caves and cliffs that are home to abundant marine life, among which are the moray eels, giant moray eels and stone bass, along with an endless stream of smaller fish, such as the angels, candiles, sergeant and roncos.

Bordered by coral reefs, the island is known the world over as one of the world's best diving locations among the experienced divers who visit the island year after year.

Approximately 25% of the total area of Quintana Roo is under one scheme or another to protect the ecological heritage of the area, with the aim of safeguarding the natural resources and the impressive biological diversity of the State.

The ecological reserves of the area are: The Protected area of Flora and Fauna - Uaymil, The Biosphere reserve of Sian Ka'an, the Biosphere Reserve of Banco Chinchorro, the special Biosphere reserve of the Island of Contoy, the National Park of Tulum, the National Coral Reef Park of Cozumel and the National Marine Park of the western coast of the Isla Mujeres.

In addition, there are the Punta Cancun and Nizuc; the Evaluation Unit and the Nature Park of the Lagoon of Chankanaab, a protected area of water-based Flora and Fauna in the Colombia Lagoon, an area subject to ecological conservation, the Manatee sanctuary of the Bay of Chetumal, the private Reserve of El Eden and the Reserve of U Yumil C Eh (The spot belonging to the man of the deer who monitors the biodiversity of the zone, San Felipe Bacalar, the Urban Park of Kabah).

The Maya Riviera is a thin strip of land along the coast, extending 130 kilometers from Cancun to Tulum, and is blessed with beautiful beaches, natural parks and tourist centres.

The great Maya coral reef lies off the coast here, and there are also other attractions such as the natural wells "Cenotes," caves, coves and archeological zones.

The majority of the developed areas are located around Playa del Carmen, the head of the municipal and one of the Mexican cities with the largest growth rates.

Heading south from Cancun, the most interesting points along the Riviera are Puerto Morelos, Punta Bete, Playa del Carmen, Xcaret, Puerto Aventuras, Xpu-Há, Akumal Xel-há and Tulum.

Each one of these locations has its own particular atmosphere and marketplace, with other attractions to suit all tastes. Solitude, luxury or the return to nature you've been seeking.

The Riviera Maya is becoming more and more popular. Over the last few years the number of visitors has increased, as has the amount of hotel construction. There are great opportunities for investment in the different tourist centres that stretch the whole length of the coast.

Chinchorro offers another unique experience: it is a boat cemetery, the leftovers from shipwrecks brought on by the coral reef throughout the last few centuries, and a magnet to scuba divers who love to explore the mysterious remains. You can arrive to Banco Chinchorro by a short boat trip from Mahahual or Xcalak.

Protected by the Great Maya Coral Reef, the Maya Coast is a great attraction for the world's best scuba divers.

The area still has unexplored coral reefs, but it is also an Olympus for the lovers of sea fishing, with trips on the high sea in search of the elusive marlin, along with the capture of tarpon and shad, in the coastal lagoons.

About the place and its name: Tulum is one of the best-known architectural sites registered and recognized throughout the western world. The Spanish chronicler, Juan Díaz wrote about the site in 1518, when he narrated having seen a city "as large as Sevilla" with a tower, which was undoubtedly the Castle of Tulum, and which at that time was still occupied by the inhabitants of this municipal independence.

Sources from the XVI Century designate the site with the name "Zamá," possibly a reference to the Maya word for "morning" or "sunrise," which is quite believable given that the site is located on the highest part of the eastern coast, at which point contemplation over the sunrise is indeed a special experience.

The name of Tulum thus appears to be relatively recent. Translated into Spanish as muralla (wall) or palizada (fenced enclosure), it clearly refers to the wall which is in fact still standing. This name seems to have been designated to the city when it was finally laid in ruins, and it is precisely with this name that it is referred to in the 19th Century, when Stephens and Catherwood "rediscovered" it completely abandoned, just before the War of the Casts.

Location and access routes: Tulum is located 128 kms. to the south of Cancun and is easily accessible by Federal Highway #180, which is a modern, four-lane highway on the Cancun - Playa del Carmen stretch, and two-lane on the return trip from Playa del Carmen to Cancun.

From Cancun, there are a number of travel agents which organize guided visits, as well as local coach companies that offer a regular service between these two points.

The Mayas developed a highly intense network of maritime trade, sailing across the marvellous Caribbean in their crossings: pre-Hispanic ports and cities lined the whole length of the coast.

The most famous cities nowadays are Cancun, Xelhá, Tancáh, El Meco, Xcaret and Playa del Carmen, among others. The most important, regarding size and the high density of the population, is Tulum, whose location above the ever-changing green of the sea produces an effect of great beauty.

The site of Tulum is strategic for its defense: on one side is the cliff that drops down to the sea, whilst on the other side is a stretch of marshland covered in mangroves.