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City by the Sea, Tulúm is a Site to See

One of the destinations we here at The California Native love to travel to is Mexico. On a recent trip to the Yucatan Peninsula, our own Lee Klein visited the archeological site of Tulúm.

Tulúm is the site of a Pre-Columbian Maya walled city which served as a major port for Cobá (large ruined city of the Pre-Columbian Maya civilization). The Maya site, formerly known by the name Zama (meaning City of Dawn), stands on a bluff 12-meters tall, along the east coast of the Yucatán Peninsula on the Caribbean Sea. Tulúm was one of the last cities inhabited and built by the Mayas; reaching it’s peak between the 13th and 15th centuries and surviving about 70 years after the Spanish began occupying Mexico. It appears diseases brought by the Spanish settlers were the cause of Tulúm’s demise. Today Tulúm is one of the best-preserved coastal Maya sites and a popular location for tourists.

You can visit both Tulúm and Cobá on our 7-day Exclusive Yucatan Adventure.

Lee Klein standing by "El Castillo" (The Castle)
Lee Klein standing by “El Castillo” (The Castle)
El Castillo (The Castle), the largest structure of Tulum
El Castillo (The Castle), the largest structure of Tulum
Side view of El Castillo (The Castle) and the Caribbean Sea.
Side view of El Castillo (The Castle) and the Caribbean Sea.
The Palace - the largest residential building in Tulum which was inhabited by the upper echelons (nobles, spiritual leaders) of Maya society.
The Palace – the largest residential building in Tulum which was inhabited by the upper echelons (nobles, spiritual leaders) of Maya society.
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The Ireland Bike Tour Was Incredible!

We appreciate it when our guests share their stories with us and allow us to post them on our blog. Jan Okumura, from Placerville, CA, wrote us this short letter about her recent bicycle adventure in Ireland:

The bike tour was incredible and met my expectation for challenging and beautiful rides. The people in the group were far more interesting than I expected. We cycled through amazingly beautiful country scenery. I loved the challenging rides. I greatly enjoyed the tour guide. It also, turned out to be a fabulous group of people on the bike tour. The weather was great! Our guide Danny was great. He was very helpful and had a delightful sense of humor. He was, also, an extremely knowledgeable person which made for great dinner table conversation. Danny was truly wonderful, I got such a kick out of him. The people in my group and the amount of time that we spent with our guide. The accommodations far exceeded my expectations. The owners of the B&B’s were wonderful. I extended my trip for 5 weeks and fell in love with the Irish people and the country’s amazing geography!

Jan Okumura
Placerville, CA

 

Bicycling through the beautiful Irish countryside.
Bicycling through the beautiful Irish countryside.
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“A New Bucket List”

We appreciate it when our guests share their stories with us and allow us to post them on our blog. Penny Mackrory and Heather Bullen, from Mogale City, South Africa, wrote us this short letter about their recent adventure in the Yucatan:

Hello Dave

We are back from out trip to Mexico and had a wonderful time.  Thank you for your wonderful organisation.  We enjoyed the food, hotels and everything on the itinerary.  The arrangement in Mexico were excellent.  Please thank your team there for all they did to make out team a success. I have now achieved my seven wonders dream and will have to decide on a new bucket list.

Thank you all at the Californian Native

Penny Mackrory and Heather Bullen
Mogale City, South Africa

"El Castillo", Chichen Itza
El Castillo is a Mesoamerican step-pyramid that dominates the center of the Chichen Itza archaeological site in the Mexican state of Yucatán.
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The Hills Are Alive in Costa Rica!

There is nothing like standing at a safe distance while watching glowing-hot boulders being pitched into the night sky.

California Native tour group poses by Costa Rica's Arenal Volcano
California Native tour group poses by Costa Rica’s Arenal Volcano

The Arenal Volcano, situated near the town of La Fortuna, rises nearly 4,200 feet above the surrounding landscape, making it visible from almost anywhere. Arenal is the youngest and most active of all of Costa Rica’s volcanoes. Major eruptions occured in 1968 and 2000, but smaller eruptions happen more frequently–and on some days as frequent as every 15 to 20 minutes. Belting out its thunderous boom, the Arenal is a highlight for visitors touring the country.Costa Rica, located at the center of the America’s along the Pacific Ring of Fire, has five active volcanoes.

The Poas Volcano, located near the crafts-town of Sarchi, rises 8,884 feet above sea-level and is home to an impressive array of flora and fauna. The main crater is 950 feet deep and quite active with steaming geysers and frequent lava eruptions. At Poas, the last significant eruptions occured during the time between 1952 to 1954.

The California Native offers tours of Costa Rica which visit both of these living reminders of the raging powers beneath our feet.