How to Tell Tulum’s Seaside Temples Apart

At the Tulum ruins, several small stone buildings share the same blue Caribbean backdrop. Four details make it easier to remember which is which. Look for a tall staircase, a base with rounded corners, a figure over a doorway and a face that wraps around a corner.

Which temple is El Castillo at Tulum?

El Castillo is the tallest building on the site. It rises above the rocky bluff with a broad staircase and a temple at the top. Start with one wide view that includes the staircase and the cliff. When you consult the site map, use the sea as your eastern edge. That keeps the plan oriented even when the walking path turns inland.

How do I recognize the Temple of the Wind?

Look across the cove for a little square temple set on a much softer outline. Its base has rounded corners, which are easier to see if you look below the doorway. This pairing helps you pick the temple out in photographs, too. Include the rock below the platform in the frame to show where the building meets the coast.

Where is the carving of the Descending God?

At the Temple of the Descending God, look for a niche above the entrance. It holds the figure poised headfirst, the source of the modern name. There’s a wrinkle for anyone trying to identify it from a photograph alone. El Castillo also has a descending figure in a niche. Check the outline of the entire building against the map before naming your picture.

What can I see outside the Temple of the Frescoes?

Look at the corners of the two-story building. The large modeled faces extend around the edges, so a diagonal view from the marked path shows their shape especially well. The temple takes its name from its interior paintings. The corner masks give you a different detail you can study from outside.