When you think of ancient Mayan ruins on the Yucatan peninsula, your first thought is probably: Chichen Itza! While it is undoubtedly the most well known of the Mayan ruins — it is one of the 7 Wonders of the World! — there is another ruins site that is gaining popularity in the area.
Here’s what you need to know about visiting the Coba ruins in Quintana Roo, Mexico!
How to Get to the Coba Ruins
Coba is fairly easy to reach if you are staying in Cancun, Playa del Carmen or Tulum. Because they are tourist hubs, there are many tour operators offering half or full day tours of the Coba ruins.
Or you can rent a car and explore the ruins yourself — which is what we decided to do!
From Tulum, the drive was just over an hour… or it should have been but we stopped to swim in a few cenotes and eat some tacos! Yep, the ‘road to Coba’ from Tulum has a few fun stops along the way. Is it just me or does Quintana Roo have the best tacos in the world?!
Public transportation is also widely available to the Coba ruins — simply head to the ADO bus station and you’ll find information on the direct routes to Coba with tickets under $10!
Visiting the Coba Ruins
Visiting the Coba RuinsIf you are looking to avoid the crowds (and the midday heat!), plan to arrive either early in the morning or late in the afternoon. The ruins open every day at 8am and close at 5pm and you’ll want to spend a few hours there to see all the sites.
When you arrive, there is a large parking lot where you’ll find ample parking (for a small fee) and a short walk to the ticket office and entrance area. After you purchase your tickets (about $6), you can enter the archeological site and begin exploring!
The Coba ruins are set in the dense jungle and are still largely unexcavated with a lot of mystery surrounding their history. There are a few ways to get around the site: on foot, by bike rental or by pedi-cab. We chose to explore on foot and enjoyed getting a little lost in the maze of ruins (and even saw a snake!).
The main attraction is Nohoc Mul, or the Great Pyramid of Coba. Unlike Chichen Itza, visitors are allowed to climb this ancient Mayan ruin. At 130 feet, this pyramid sits high above the tree tops providing stunning panoramic views of the lush jungle below.
We made it to the top of the great pyramid right before closing time which meant we were able to enjoy it without the crowds!
Know Before You Go
- Make sure to have pesos on hand for the parking fee, entrance tickets, bike rentals (optional!) or any drinks / food you may want to buy. It gets hot out so having water is crucial — I usually travel with a collapsable water bottle like this one.
- Wear good walking shoes with grip as the stairs on the pyramid are steep and can be slippery.
- The heat is real in Mexico! To avoid getting a sunburn, bring sunscreen and a sun hat.
- If you are bringing a camera, make sure to leave your tripod at home (as a permit is required for tripods)!
- The Coba ruins are close to several cenotes so bring a swimsuit, towel and change of clothes in case you decide to stop by for a swim (a great way to cool down after climbing the great pyramid!)
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Is the Coba Pyramid climable by an amputee wearing a prosthesis and using a walker?
Hmmm… I would compare it to a very steep staircase (just made of large stone blocks!), if that helps!