Tulum

Chichen Itza is doubtless a more important archeological site, with the carvings and ball court and size and everything, but I really recommend getting to Tulum if you get a chance. It is beautiful.

Tulum is unique in being right on the sea. There is a wooden staircase you can take town to the beach. The view of the coast is great, but also turning around and looking away from the sea gives a gorgeous panorama. The Chichen Itza site is pretty flat, whereas Tulum is a bit hillier. I don't remember doing any really steep climbing, so it was not awful in that way, but it was definitely more picturesque because of that.

It was also significantly less crowded, even though we went fairly late in the day. The area we drove through seemed much less populated than either Chichen Itza or Playa Del Carmen, and it had a more peaceful feeling.

Another way it is different is the moisture. The vegetation is more lush, and the air is cooler. One thing Helaman pointed out is that you have many more representations of the rain god, Chaac, at Chichen Itza than at Tulum, because there was always a need for rain, and a real concern that they might not get it. Tulum was well-watered.

And of course, as I had mentioned earlier, Tulum is where you can still see painting. It is not completely without carving, but nothing like Chichen Itza.

Ultimately, I would hate to choose, so I am really glad we were able to do both, and that worked very well with Helaman Tours.