Going to Riviera Maya next week (staying at the Palladium) and plan to visit the Tulum ruins with family (kids ages 8 and 10). Should we do this on our own via taxi from hotel or do one of the Apple tours? I'd love the flexibility of doing it on our own (and without any cattle call) but want to make sure we'd be able to get back to our hotel. Also, are guides available to hire if you're not with a tour group?

Also, I seem to remember reading that they only take cash there? Pesos I assume? Can anyone provide any details that would allow us to feel comfortable doing this trip on our own?

Thanks very much.

You can do it on your own.

I took the city bus there and back.

You go when you want and come backwhen you want.

Itis a lot of walking around but the children will love climbing up those ruins.
Percy

We rented a car and drove to Tulum - it would be pretty cheap for one day - maybe even less than the cab ride - easy driving too. You don't need the tour buses...just get there on your own and take your time. We split the guid with another couple - I think it was $15 per couple - the guy wanted $30. His name was David - very slight fellow with gorgeous green eyes - if you see him - hire him. He was awesome!! Told us soooo much Mayan history and facts that we never knew. Be sure to bring sunblock...wate...and a hat. Also swimsuits as there is a wonderful slice of beach there for swimming afterwards. It was VERY hot there...and I used an umbrella for the sun which worked out great. Enjoy!

Percy, you can't actually climb around on the ruins at Tulum. They have all of them roped off. There are a couple of them where you can walk up to the ruin and look in a window or small opening, but the majority of them have access denied. Still, the view on the cliffs is gorgeous and the ruins themselves very interesting and worth the trip.

We rented a car and drove to Tulum just last week.
The entry cost was 38 pesos per person (if you're American, it was $1 for 11 pesos last week).
There's a "tractor train" that can take you from near the parking lot up to the ruins (it's about a 3/4 mile walk). If it were just my husband and me, we would have walked. With the 2-year-old, we used the "tractor train". It was 20 pesos per person (no charge for toddler).
There's also a charge if you're using a camcorder (don't know how much since we had a digital camera).
There's a parking fee but can't remember the price...I don't think we paid more than 15 pesos.
You can't climb most of the ruins.
We didn't use a guide but they are out front so you can hire one if you choose.
We were with our 2-year-old and frankly he walked around just fine. We carried him when we walked up the cliff (the breeze was heaven). It was all very easy so you'll be fine with your 2 kids. We did Tulum in a little over an hour.

Tulum is an incredible sight. Definately bring a bathing suit since the beach is right there(and is incredible as well). But the best advice I can pass on is to arrive as soon as it opens(even a few minutes early). To see Tulum before the crowds arrive is very special.

Much good advice regarding Tulum here. It is too bad that the site has become so overrun with tour buses that they can no longer allow climbing.
I would also recommend that you also visit Coba on this trip--they are inland past Tulum. This is one of the largest sites of Mayan ruins in a jungle setting--and not so overrun by the buses of tourists. Here, you can still climb the ruins.