Voladores

Just outside the entrance to the Tulum ruins you can oftentimes catch a group of five costumed men performing flying and dancing stunts atop a tall pole. The performance and the men are loosely known as "Voladores," and they're recreating a pre-historic ritual most often associated with the Totonac Indians of central Mexico. According to some travelers, that's all you need to know. The show is technically free, but do not stop to watch the performance or take photos unless you're prepared to be solicited for a "donation." In layman's terms, it's a tourist trap.

"If you try to take a picture, even before the performance starts, there will be someone chasing you down looking for a donation. I might have given one had they actually been doing something when I snapped the photo," says one disgruntled writer on Virtual Tourist.

On the other hand, the Voladores routine is an extremely acrobatic and unique spectacle and worth coming off a few U.S. dollars. The performances do not happen on a structured schedule, but you can expect to spot one around the peak times to visit the ruins.