Cobá is one of the most important Mayan settlements on the Peninsula. Nohoch Mul is the highest pyramid in Quintana Roo, an attic with fantastic views.


Cobá lives under the long shadow Chichen Itza and Tulum, the two most visited archeological sites from Riviera Maya. Despite coming dozens of coaches and tourist vans every day from Riviera Maya, It is a place that you can visit alone leaving the tour schedules.

I recommend you sleep in the town of Cobá, this area deserves a day to know the beautiful surroundings, and so you can enjoy the destination with the calm it deserves. Visit the ruins early in the morning, you will be almost alone in the temple.

coba
coba lagoon
game ball coba

Location of Cobá:

It is located 45 km from Tulum, one of the most attractive coastal towns of the Riviera Maya. The town retains its calm and Mayan essence despite its proximity to Riviera Maya. It is surrounded by five lagoons, the most colorful is the Cobá lagoon, at the foot of the archaeological zone. There are crocodiles in the lagoon, they are not difficult to see.

There are several restaurants near the lagoon and there is cheap lodging in the town. I like to sleep here, this area has many attractions.

Meet the 5 archaeological zones safety pins of Quintana Roo

coba lagoon

How to get to Cobá:

  • tour with agency: From Riviera Maya agencies offer tours, the great bulk of tourists arrive like this.
  • renting car: From Tulum you take the 109 road towards Valladolid, well indicated. Many travelers dare to drive through the tranquil Yucatan Peninsula.
  • collective transport: Cobá has a special situation with the subject of collective transport, yes there is, but not much. From Tulum almost force to go by taxi, complicating a round trip from Tulum. Big bus also arrives from Tulum and Valladolid. Later I leave you schedules and prices to arrive by public transport.
coba

A little history of Coba:

Its strategic location allowed it to develop actively for years and acquire the power of the area.

There is evidence of the settlement of Cobá (chopped water) from 100-300 BC to its decline from 1000 to 1450 AD. C .. Few cities on the peninsula have such a broad chronology, where it always played an important role.

It came to have a network that communicated it with more than 50 internal and external roads to other cities such as Yaxunah or Chichén Itzá. There is evidence of commercial exchange with remote places such as Tikal o Calakmul, or with other cultures such as the Teotihuacan, from the central area of ​​Mexico.

coba ruins
coba
coba archeological zone
coba

Mayan stelae in Coba:

We are facing one of the most important Mayan cities in northeast Mexico. A city with a marked lineage of ruling women, according to the stelae found. The stelae They are fundamental for the information they provide to the whole map of the Mayan civilization.

In the so-called Macanxoc area are some of the most relevant stelae in the Mayan world, such as the 1 wake, with a long count of the largest number found in a wake.

coba ruins
mayan steles coba
Stela 1 Coba

Tour of Cobá:

The different groups of the archaeological zone are linked by pleasant shady paths. Early in the morning we got to see monkeys and beautiful birds.

  • GRUPO COBÁ: past the access, first visit the call Coba Group, it is on the right. Once seen, you will see that in the entrance they offer rent a bicycle or take you in tricitaxi for the enclosure.
  • NOHOCH MUL: what nobody wants to miss is its main pyramid, a 42-meter high building, the most precious attic. Nohoch Mul is one mile from the entrance.
  • GRUPO MACANXOC: On the road to Nohoch Mul, you find the detour to this group, where there are steles. It is the least visited group within the enclosure.
Coba Group
Coba Group, temple of the Churches
nohoch mul coba
Nohoch Mul, Cobá
coba stelae
Macanxoc Group
coba trails

 The Pyramid of Nohoch Mul:

Nohoch Mul It is the tourist star of Coba, one of the most impressive rooftops of the Yucatan Peninsula.

From the top of The 42 meters of Nohoch Mul you can see the lagoon, unmissable views from the best penthouse in the area. All the overgrown hills and mounds that you can see from this fantastic viewpoint are ancient Mayan settlements.

The effort of the climb is worth it, although I warn you that the steep descent usually costs more. Nohoch Mul is the highest structure of the Yucatan Peninsula, not counting Calakmul.

Scale the 9 Mayan pyramids highest in Quintana Roo, Yucatán and Campeche

nohoch mul coba pyramid
nohoch mul coba pyramid

En Cobá You can enjoy a great city with structures, details, ball games, stelae and architectural ensembles of great value and beauty. You will discover it among the fantastic jungle of Yucatan, enjoying nature while walking, cycling or whatever you want.

Explore Coba, the tallest Mayan pyramid in the Caribbean 1

Cobá, archaeological site

LOCATION:Cobá is 47 km from Tulum and 60 from Valladolid.
SCHEDULE AND SERVICES: open from 8 a.m. to 17 p.m. daily. You can pay an extra and enter before sunrise. They do not sell drinks or food inside. There are services at the entrance.
PRICE ENTRY: 70 pesos. For 240 weights you can enter from 5 to 7: 30 in the morning and visit it. PARKING LOT: 30 mxn per car. On Sundays, the INAH entrance is free for Mexicans and permanent residents. Access to the archaeological sites is free every day for children under 13 years of age, students, teachers and seniors with valid credentials.
RENT BIKE: you can tour the enclosure by bike or tricitaxi. From the entrance to the pyramid there are less than 2 kilometers. Rent bike-taxi son unos 150 mxn and a bike 50 mxn per person.
HOW TO GET IN PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION?  Cobá arrives to the collective transport from Playa del Carmen (9, 10: 30) and Valladolid (8: 15, 10: 30, 12, 18 and 19 hours). Taxi up to 4 people Tulum-Cobá over 450 pesos.
WHAT TO BRING? Light and light clothing, hat, insect repellent, sunscreen, closed shoes better to climb the pyramid and some water always goes well.

Good way,

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Sandra Salvadó Training photographer, traveler by vocation and certified tourism guide by the Government of Mexico. We promote natural wonders and contemporary Mayan culture. Great fan of pre-Hispanic history. Author of the blog and co-founder of The Shortest Path Travel, agency that guides you through alternative paths in Mayan lands. Social and sustainable tourism in the Yucatan Peninsula and Chiapas.
I am at your disposal for whatever you need. Let's talk.

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