Coba Mayan Ruin Videos:
Visiting the Coba Ruins in Yucatan
Are the Coba Ruins worth visiting?
In a word, yes. Coba is a testament to Mayan engineering and architecture. When Coba was booming, the population size rivaled that of Chichen Itza with nearly 55,000 inhabitants living in Coba between 600 AD and 900 AD. The tallest pyramid temple at Coba is Ixmoja which, at 138 feet, is slightly shorter than the tallest Yucatan pyramid in Calakmul (which we reviewed here [link]). It goes without saying that Ixmoja is taller than Chichen Itza’s El Castillo.
But the thing that makes Coba famous is the same thing that helps you achieve a slick win in Settlers of Catan, the longest road. There have been over 50 sacbeob (white stone roads) uncovered by archaeologists, which allowed the entire area to be properly mapped. If you climbed to the top of Ixmoja, you will see why this would have been a difficult feat as, without the roads on the ground, the only thing you could see would be the tops of ruins peeking above the tree canopy. You will also want to see the Conjunto Pinturas, also known as the paintings complex. There are several structures including a temple, altars, and dwellings all of which are richly painted.
Getting to the Coba Ruins
The ruins can be accessed from Tulum, Playa del Carmen, and Valladolid making some of the easiest ruins to reach in Yucatan. The drive from Cancun will take you just over 2 hours. You can take a Colectivo (taxi van) from any of the major cities, but if you are traveling from anywhere outside of Tulum, you will need to change vans.
Coba Overview:
Coba is a significant Mayan archaeological site located on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. The ancient city was built between two lagoons, surrounded by dense jungle, and served as an important trading and religious center. The ruins of Coba are believed to have been inhabited from about 600-900 AD and were abandoned by the end of the 10th century.
One of the unique features of Coba is its network of stone roads, known as sacbeob, which connected the city to other Mayan settlements in the region. The longest sacbe stretches over 60 miles and is believed to have connected Coba to the ancient city of Yaxuna.
At the heart of the Coba archaeological site is the Nohoch Mul pyramid, which stands at over 138 feet tall and is the tallest Mayan structure in the Yucatan Peninsula. Visitors can climb to the top of the pyramid to take in breathtaking views of the surrounding jungle.
Other notable structures at Coba include the ball court, the Observatory, and the Temple of the Frescoes, which features well-preserved murals and stucco decorations. Visitors can also explore the nearby Macanxoc Lagoon and participate in traditional Mayan ceremonies.
Overall, the Coba Ruins offer a unique and fascinating glimpse into the ancient Mayan civilization and are a must-visit destination for history and archaeology enthusiasts visiting the Yucatan Peninsula.
Map Of The Ruins At Coba:
Here Are Some Highly Rated Coba Touring Options:
- Coba Ruins Day Trip from Playa del Carmen
- Merchant:Viator
- Description:Leave the beaches of Playa del Carmen and discover Coba, an ancient Mayan city in the jungle. Explore this large archeological site, scamper up the tallest pyramid on the Yucatan Peninsula and admire panoramic views. Plus, learn the history and culture of
- Price: $129.00
- Viator Exclusive: Coba Ruins Early Access Tour with an Archaeologist from Playa del Carmen
- Merchant:Viator
- Description:Beat the crush of crowds and explore Coba in peace on this early morning tour with an archaeologist guide — a Viator Exclusive that can't be booked anywhere else! Stroll through the ruins of the ancient Mayan city, one of Mexico’s largest settlements
- Price: $54.00
- Viator Exclusive: Coba Ruins Early Access Tour with an Archaeologist and Cenote Swim from Cancun
- Merchant:Viator
- Description:Discover the ancient city of Coba, without the crush of crowds, on this early morning tour with an archaeologist guide — a Viator Exclusive that can't be booked anywhere else! Explore in relative tranquility one of Mexico's most famous Mayan sites, one
- Price: $75.71
- Maya Adventure from Cancun: Coba Ruins, Traditional Village and Cenote Swim
- Merchant:Viator
- Description:Experience the old and the new of Maya culture, with a dash of adventure, on this full-day tour from Cancun. Wander the ruins of Coba, an ancient Maya city, and huff your way to the top of Nohoch Mul, the second-tallest pyramid on the Yucatán Peninsula.
- Price: $138.99
- Private Chichen Itza and Coba Ruins with Lunch and Cenote Ik Kil Swim from Cancun
- Merchant:Viator
- Description:Enjoy a day trip to two must-see pyramids: Chichen Itza and Coba. This unique full-day tour will give you the chance to see two very important archaeological zones in Yucatan. Lunch plus a visit to breathtaking Ik Kil cenote is also included, as well as p
- Price: $130.00
- Cancun Super Saver: Tulum and Coba Ruins Including Cenote Swim and Lunch
- Merchant:Viator
- Description:Reveal the mysteries of ancient Mayan civilization with this Cancun Super Saver, a full-day adventure to Tulum and Coba combining two best-selling tours at a discounted price. On your visit to the archaeological site of Tulum, unravel the history of the p
- Price: $98.99
- Coba Ruins with Cenote and Lunch from Tulum
- Merchant:Viator
- Description:Enjoy a day trip to Coba Ruins from Tulum in which you'll learn the history of the area, explore the site and get on a mountain bike to ride to Nohoch-Mul pyramid. Adventurous clients will climb all 120 steep steps and enjoy the jungle views from the top.
- Price: $150.00
- Tulum and Coba Ruins Full-Day Tour from Cancun
- Merchant:Viator
- Description:Visit two of the most important Maya archaeological sites in one full day: Coba and Tulum. Admire the stunning backdrop of the Caribbean Sea while exploring the temples and pyramids of Tulum with a certified guide, then head to Coba to climb to the top of
- Price: $115.00
- Coba Tulum and Cenote Tankach-Ha with Lunch
- Merchant:Viator
- Description:Seize a full day by visiting the three most know places: Tulum and Coba Ruins, the Cenote Tankach-Ha and enjoy a Lunch Buffet. Visit these two unique archaeological sites in their own way: Tulum is the only archaeological site with access to the beach in
- Price: $89.00
- Coba and Tulum Ruins Tour
- Merchant:Viator
- Description:On this tour you will visit the most popular archaeological sites in the Riviera Maya, where you will learn more about the culture and traditions. Both visits have certified guides to resolve all doubts generated during the visit. In Coba you may climb on
- Price: $87.50
- Coba Ruins, Tulum and Cenote Tankach-Ha from Playa del Carmen
- Merchant:Viator
- Description:Enjoy a full-day seeing three amazing and famous places in the Yucatan Peninsula: Tulum and Coba Ruins plus the Cenote Tankach-Ha. Tulum is the only archaeological site with access to the beach while Coba has the tallest pyramid in the Mayan region and yo
- Price: $89.00
- Coba Private Tour from the Riviera Maya
- Merchant:Viator
- Description:See the city where archaeologists found on a stelae dated 623 BC, a characteristic of the Mayan Cities that were connected by roads called Sacbe. You'll have the opportunity to see two ball games, an observatory and one of the highest pyramids built in Qu
- Price: $90.90
- Mayan Unknown: Coba Private Tour from Cancun
- Merchant:Viator
- Description:Spend the day immersed in Maya culture during this 7 to 9-hour tour to Coba, a cenote, and a traditional village. Accompanied by a private driver, explore one of the most important Maya archaeological sites: the jungle-shrouded ruins of the ancient city
- Price: $92.90
- Coba Mayan Treasures Tour
- Merchant:Viator
- Description:Enjoy a tour visiting a Mayan Community and learning all about their culture and traditions. You will also visit the Coba Ruins and admire this amazing archaeological site.
- Price: $110.00
- Coba and Tulum Ruins Tour Plus Cenote Visit and Playa del Carmen
- Merchant:Viator
- Description:Visit two of the most important Maya archaeological sites on this full-day tour: Coba and Tulum. Admire the backdrop of the Caribbean Sea while exploring the temples and pyramids of Tulum with a certified guide, then head to Coba to climb to the top ofÂ
- Price: $100.00
- Chichen Itza, Cenote Ik Kil and Coba Ruins from Cancun
- Merchant:Viator
- Description:Visit Chichen Itza, Coba and Ik Kil Cenote on this tour in the Mayan Riviera. See amazing archaeological sites and views while learning of the history of these places.
- Price: $125.00
- Chichen Itza, Ik Kil Cenote and Coba from Playa del Carmen
- Merchant:Viator
- Description:Visit Chichen Itza, Coba and Ik Kil Cenote. Visit great archaeological sites and learn all about the history of these places. Included on your tour is a professional guide and transport.
- Price: $110.00
- Private Chichen Itza, Coba, and Ik-Kil Cenote Day Tour
- Merchant:Viator
- Description:Enjoy a unique opportunity to visit three of the Yucatan's major tourist attractions in one day on this private tour. First see Chichen Itza, one of the New 7 Wonders of the World, with an expert guide. Swim in the crystal waters of one of the Mexico's mo
- Price: $130.00
- Coba, Tulum, and Cenote Tour from Playa del Carmen
- Merchant:Viator
- Description:This 12-hour guided tour takes you to the two most significant archaeological sites on the Riviera Maya such as the seaside city of Tulum, where ancient ruins overlook the Pacific from a majestic cliff, and the inland capita of Coba, where you can climb t
- Price: $90.00
- Coba, Tulum, Cenote and Playa Paraiso from Cancun
- Merchant:Viator
- Description:Discover the two prime archaeological ruins of the Maya Riviera, the ancient cities of Tulum and Coba. Climb the tallest Mayan pyramid in the Yucatan. Take a refreshing dip in Cenote Cho-Ha. Finally, relax on Playa Paraiso, one of Maya Riviera's most pri
- Price: $105.00
- Mayan Inland Expedition from Tulum: Punta Laguna and Coba Ruins
- Merchant:Viator
- Description:Enjoy a full-day tour exploring some of the most amazing inland attractions in Tulum. Visit Punta Laguna, is a nature reserve managed and protected by a Mayan community that offers eco-touristic activities in a very diverse and beautiful setting of mature
- Price: $130.00
- Coba, Tulum, Cenote and Mayan Village Day Trip with Lunch
- Merchant:Viator
- Description:Spend the day immersed in Maya culture during this 12-hour tour to Coba, Tulum, and a traditional village. Accompanied by a professional guide, explore two of the most important Maya archaeological sites: the jungle-shrouded Coba and the beachfront Tulum.
- Price: $104.99
- Private Tour of Chichen Itza, Coba and Tulum with Lunch and Cenote Swim
- Merchant:Viator
- Description:See three of the Yucatan's most popular archaeological sites in one day during this private tour with a driver and guide. During the 12-hour adventure, visit the ancient Maya ruins of Chichen Itza, Coba, and Tulum. Cool off by swimming in a 'cenote'; a
- Price: $150.00
- Coba and Cenote Swim with Lunch from Cancun
- Merchant:Viator
- Description:From your Cancun hotel, be transported to Coba, the center of the Mayans' ancient roadway system, and climb the tallest Mesoamerican pyramid in the Yucatan, with views in all directions. Afterwards, enjoy a delicious regional lunch at a real Mayan village
- Price: $153.36
- Coba Sunset Tour with Mayan Villages or Ziplining Plus Show and Dinner
- Merchant:Viator
- Description:This daylong, small-group tour is like a "Choose Your Own Adventure" book: visit the Mayan city of Coba by bicycle, explore the ancient ruins, and climb up a pyramid for panoramic views. Then, choose to zipline and swim in a "cenote" (underwater cave) or
- Price: $129.00
