Cobá is an ancient Mayan archaeological site located in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico, about 27 kilometers northwest (and inland) of the city and archaeological site of Tulum. Along with Chichén Itzá and Tulum, Cobá is one of the most picturesque and popular archaeological sites in the Yucatán Peninsula. A visit to Cobá offers the opportunity to learn about the ancient Mayan civilization and climb one of the tallest pyramids in the area.
The name Cobá is translated from Mayan as “water stirred (or stirred) by the wind.” The site is believed to have been first established between 100 BC. C. and 100 d. C., and it was abandoned around 1550, when the Spanish conquerors arrived for the first time in the Yucatan peninsula. The heyday of the city’s power and influence was during the Classic and Post-Classic period of Mayan history, during which time historians estimate that the site contained around 6,500 temples and was home to some 50,000 inhabitants.
In total, the site is around 30 square miles in size and shrouded in jungle. There is a system of around 45 ceremonial paths, known as sacbé in the Mayan language, that radiate from the main temples. Cobá contains the second tallest temple in the Mayan world and the tallest in Mexico. (Guatemala is home to the tallest Mayan pyramid).
Visiting Coba
When visiting, after purchasing tickets at the site entrance, walk on foot along a jungle-flanked path to the first excavated ruins, consisting of a large pyramid, Grupo Cobá, that visitors can climb, and a ball court. . .
You can then walk, rent a bike, or hire a rickshaw-style contraption with the driver to ride the trails to the main temple, Nohoch Mul, which is around 130 feet tall and 120 steps to the top. Stop along the way to admire “La Iglesia”, the church, a small but charming ruin that resembles a beehive. Around five minutes later, at Nohoch Mul, you will have the opportunity to climb to the top for breathtaking views of the surrounding jungle. This is one of the few pyramids in the area that visitors can still climb, and this may change in the future, as security concerns and concerns about the building’s deterioration may cause authorities to close the pyramid to visitors. .
If you are climbing, be sure to wear proper footwear and be careful as the steps are very narrow and steep and have loose gravel.
Arriving at the ruins of Cobá
Cobá can be visited as a side trip from Tulum, with many visitors visiting both sites in one day. As they are both quite compact, unlike some of the other ruins in the area, this is definitely doable. There are regular buses from Tulum, and the parking lot is located near the entrance to the site. If you have your own vehicle, you can also make a stop at the Gran Cenote for a refreshing swim between your visits to the two archaeological sites, or at the end of the day, as it is conveniently located along the way.
Guides
Local bilingual tour guides are available on site to give you a tour of the archaeological site. Only hire tour guides with an official license: they carry an identification issued by the Secretariat of Tourism of Mexico.
Tips for Visitors
Cobá is an increasingly popular archaeological site, so although it is larger than the Tulum ruins, it can be crowded, especially on the climb to Nohoch Mul. Your best option is to arrive as soon as possible.
As with most outdoor tourist attractions in the Yucatan Peninsula, afternoons can be very hot, so it is advisable to visit them earlier in the day before the temperature gets too hot.
Because it is biking and climbing, wear comfortable, sturdy shoes like hiking boots or sneakers, and bring bug spray, water, and sunscreen.
Original text by Emma Sloley, update and additional text added by Suzanne Barbezat on 07/30/2017
