Cobá Trip Report
Cobá Review and Photos: Cobá is a very large site of Mayan ruins located about 55 miles east of Chichen Itza and about 25 miles from Tulum and the Caribbean shores. The tallest one is Nohoch Mul (“big mound”) and is 138 feet tall - compare that to the 79 foot high Castillo at Chitzen Itza.
On December 19, we hired a private van and a great tour guide/driver - Reyes, through Playa.Info and went to Cobá. It is about 1 hour 45 minutes from Playa.
As you can see, the best way to get around is bicycles!
It is hot and a long way between areas of interest at Coba, so make sure you rent a bike.
There are 4 lakes nearby and the grounds surround two lagoons - complete with alligators. These lakes are believed to have given the city its name, which means "Waters stirred by wind".
The sacbes (“white roads” in Mayan) are located throughout the ruins and make walking or even better bike riding an easy way to get around the ruins.
There are 50 square miles to explore here. There are an estimated 6,500 structures – most of them still covered by the jungle.
It would take over a week to see everything, but you can hit the highlights of the cleared and restored buildings in about half a day.
There are several large temple pyramids. The tallest one is Nohoch Mul (“big mound”) and is 138 feet tall - compare that to the 79 foot high Castillo at Chitzen Itza.
The climb is worth the view from the top.
Pace yourself going up. There is a little shady room at the top with a few bats.
Success! We made it and it is hot on top!
That's Janean way down there by the trees. Can you see her?
Here is a zoom in of the shot above. There she is! Worshipping the Mayan king and entourage at the top! It is a long way up.
What goes up... must come down!
Our private van driver Reyes is heading down with our group. Reyes is the one closest to the top.
The heat and climb didn't bother Reyes!
And also at the bottom, all is well with Buddha Devin.
But the rest of us needed a rest and some water.
There are 2 very nice restored ball courts at Coba.
Sacbes run from Coba to other Mayan sites like Chitzen Itza. Some of the sacbes even go from Coba to the coast.
An estimated 50,000+ people lived in Coba at is prime. The site was inhabited as early as the 1st century AD, but was built and occupied from 600-900 AD.
The city was an important trading center for coastal and inland cities. Coba was never found by the Spanish and was covered by jungle until the 1890s, when it was rediscovered.
Not much was known or explored at Coba until the 1970s. Achaeologists began excavations in 1972. Much of the area is still covered by the jungle.
We paid 50 pesos each to enter and rented bicycles. We skipped the tour guide.
The bikes are highly recommended at Coba. It is a fun and quick way to see the ruins. They are really spread out. And you'll need the energy if you climb the pyramid.
There is also an option to hire a bicycle driver for up to 2 people - you don't even have to peddle if you don't want to. The bike rental is 30 pesos per bike or 100 pesos for a bike driver for 2 people.
There is a small pueblo of about 1200 people near the ruins, with some restaurants and small shops selling local crafts. There were also locals dressed in Mayan attire playing the Mayan ball game in the parking lot when we arrived.
Coba was Janean's favorite Mayan site. She loved the bikes and the freedom of the open sacbe roads here!
