The Mayans participated in the commercial circuit that spanned from central Mexico to Honduras, navigating coasts, bays, coves and inlets, as well as rivers, lagoons and estuaries.

As their boats - canoes - did not withstand the turbulence of the open sea, they tried to stay close to the coast or in shallow waters as a protection measure.

In this commercial circuit, Tulum was an important coastal port that linked maritime and land trade.
Five or six hundred years ago you would find large canoes propelled by rowers with loads of cotton, honey, salt, obsidian blades, jade ornaments, layers of feathers, grinding stones, among other products.

You would see docks where merchandise that came in commercial traffic was loaded and unloaded.