Mexico’s Mayan Riviera or Riviera Maya lies on the western edge of the Caribbean Sea. It was part of the Mayan Empire until the civilization fell in 900AD. I explored the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Tulum and Chichen Itza, including watching the sunrise over the Pyramid Kukulcan, peering over the Great Palace at the Caribbean Sea, and meeting a friendly iguana who was soaking up the sun in Tulum.
Pyramid Kukulcan in Chichen Itza, Mexico
Hoop on the Great Ball Court in Chichen Itza, Mexico
Guard at the entrance to the Great Ball Court in Chichen Itza
The Great Ball Court in Chichen Itza, Mexico
The Temple of the Jaguar in Chichen Itza, Mexico
Looking up the Step Pyramid of the Temple of Kukulcan in Chichen Itza
The Temple of the Warriors in Chichen Itza
The step pyramid of the Temple of Kukulcán, or El Castillo, in Chichen Itza
Temple of the Jaguar in Chichen Itza
Looking up the stairs of the Temple of Kukulcan in Chichen Itza
Group of the Thousand Columns in Chichen Itza
Inscriptions on the wall of the Temple of the Jaguars in Chichen Itza
Inscriptions on the wall of the Great Ball Court in Chichen Itza
Sign designating Chichen Itza as a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Sunset off the beach in Cancun, Mexico
Resident of Tulum, Mexico – Black Spiny Tailed Iguana
Pathway leading into Tulum, Mexico
God of the Wind Temple in Tulum
Temple of the Descending God in Tulum, Mexico
The Castle in Tulum, Mexico
Pathway to the Castle in Tulum, Mexico
Looking down into the Mayan Ruins of Tulum
Beach at the Mayan Ruins of Tulum, Mexico
Temple of the Frescos in Tulum
The Great Platform in Tulum
The Great Palace or the House of the Columns in Tulum
Temple of the Frescos in Tulum
The House of the Columns, or the Great Palace, in Tulum
Inscriptions on the Temple of the Jaguar in Chichen Itza, Mexico
Looking through the buildings in Tulum
View of El Templo del Dios Viento from the other side of the beach in Tulum
Mayan Ruins in Tulum, Mexico
Looking down Tulum Beach, Mexico
Looking up at the windows of the Castle in Tulum
A pink flower inside Tulum
Temple of the Descending God in Tulum