Tulum 

Bring some shoes, the rock is pocketed with a lot of little sharpies. I did several things bare foot and switched to my tennies. The climbing was fun and unexpected, lots of 7's thru 10's. You can highball above the beach or jump from fairly good heithts to the soft cancun style sand, and water at high tide. Not a destination but if you in playa or tulume needing a fix, this is it.

There is a nice 15' arete that overhangs around 20 degrees that is about 60 feet past the stairs in a alcove, goes at about V-4 and is fun. If you are doing a Yucatan trip, bring your shoes and chalk bag and spend a day at Tulum. The beach has larger waves than most of the resort beaches too. But beware the humidity (80%) and the temps (90-95).

I brought my shoes...sad to say the day would have been better spent slugging beers on the beach.

But don't let my spoiled attitude ruin your expectations of Tulum...have fun - it's a beautiful area - but don't expect too much from the climbing.

James, sorry it dident work for you. Tulume isnt a "destination" climbina area. For me, just a cool place to get my acrophobia fix so I could get thru a week of drunken beach combing. allen

Thanks for all the beta, we made of point of stopping by the area during our visit last week. Unfortunately, once we started scaling the rock (great rock!) a lifeguard blew his little whistle and told us to get down. He explained that it's a federal park, so if we get hurt, he gets in trouble. Fair enough. Thought you all would like to know.

We were just in Tulum this past week. We had the same issue as Sylvie did - no climbing on the rocks. There is a sign posted now as well.

If you climb here use caution not to break some of the delicate holds. Make it quick before the crowds start to gather and the life guards catch wind of what's happening. They will try to shut you down. If you can keep it stealth you may be able to get in a few routes :)

Tips: Bring cooler with supply's as it is a nice place to chill for the day. Climbing shoes or crocks for the water climbs.

Sorry to ruin it for you there fella.

Whoah, chill matey. So there are some overzealous bureaucrats enforcing nonexistent rules--that's hardly surprising. In fact, that's pretty much the norm anywhere the first time the "authorities" encounter climbing. But climbing and bouldering on national park land in Mexico is far from illegal--in fact, it's quite common. La Parque Nacional del Potrero Chico, del Canyon de la Huasteca, del Barranco del Cobre, and many, many more. It just means that now (unfortunately) you have to engage the local bureaucrats. That's a real bugger, especially for such a small area. Buenas suerte!

Climbed here years ago with shoes/chalk (Boreal Aces, that's how long ago). I thought it was a really fun diversion, especially pulling over the top to find the occasional iguana bobbing at you. Now that I am doing underwater cave exploration in the area, I plan to revisit.

Tulum has a huge number of buildings that have columns and intricate carvings. The Temple of the Frescoes is one of the most famous structures in the city, as are the Temple of the Diving God as well as the Castillo Pyramid.
Tulum ruins

Unfortunately, the rules are being enforced vigorously at the cliffs below the ruins. It's too bad as it's a harmless activity. I was booted a few weeks ago. There is some smaller stuff (all I have found so far) both north and south of the ruins, especially south. It does not compare with the ruins stuff, but it's ok.
I will keep looking as I am living here now.

It is a shame that they are clamping down on climbing at Tulum. The Tulum Ruins are definitely still worth exploring though and there are some spectacular views.

You used to be able to climb the steps of the main pyramid at Chichen Itza , but this was stopped due to safety concerns and the potential damage to the architecture. I imagine it must be a similar way of thinking at Tulum.