Mayan Ruins of Coba Mexico : The Ultimate Travel Guide
Visiting the Mayan Ruins of Coba? Check out our Coba Mayan Ruins Visitor's Guide which provides you with all the information about how to visit this ancient city.
MEXICO
From the best things to see at the Coba Mayan Ruins to the tiniest details about tickets, opening hours, and logistics, we cover everything in this Ultimate Coba Travel Guide.
Coba is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered by travel enthusiasts. Located in the Yucatan Peninsula, this ancient Mayan City offers a unique experience for history buffs and adventure seekers alike.
As you wander through the lush jungle, you'll stumble upon the impressive Coba Mayan Ruins, a stunning archaeological site that showcases the architectural brilliance of the Mayan Civilization.
Climb the towering Nohoch Mul Pyramid for a breathtaking view of the surrounding landscape, or rent a bike to explore the vast complex at your own pace.
The nearby Cenote Tankach-Ha provides a refreshing break from the tropical heat, with its crystal-clear waters inviting you to take a dip. Immerse yourself in the rich history and natural beauty of Coba, and you'll surely be captivated by its charm.
Before you have second thoughts, let us tell you that visiting the Mayan Ruins of Coba is definitely worth it, it is one of the most captivating archaeological sites of the ancient Mayan Civilization
The towering Nohoch Mul Pyramid is the most dramatic we have seen.
Steeped in history, mystery, and surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty, a visit to Coba Archeological Site is a journey back in time, offering a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of the Mayan people. Join us as we embark on an adventure to unravel the secrets of this enigmatic site.
Coba isn’t easy to get to unless you rent a car or can afford to splash out on a taxi. If you are on a budget then Coba Mayan ruins can be a little trickier to access than the other Mayan ruins in Mexico.
Here’s a rough idea of how long a drive to Coba takes from some of the major cities.
Cancun to Coba – 2 hours
Playa del Carmen to Coba – 1.30 hours
Valladolid to Coba – 1 hour
Merida to Coba – 3 hours
Tulum to Coba - 1 hour
How To Get To The Mayan Ruins In Coba
Getting To Coba Ruins By Car
Renting a car and driving to Coba is a great way to explore the ruins at your own pace. Driving gives you the flexibility and freedom that no other means of transport can ever give. You can also add in stops at other attractions in the area.
Parking is available at the Coba ruins and costs around 60MXN.
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Getting To Coba Ruins By Public Transport
Option 1:
Take an ADO bus before 07:30 from Cancun and change at Tulum or at 09:00 from Playa Del Carmen. To get back, the bus leaves at 13.00.
Option 2:
Take a Colectivo from Cancun to Playa del Carmen where you will need to then take a second Colectivo from Playa del Carmen to Tulum (it's a lot easier than it sounds).
When you arrive in Tulum take either another Colectivo from Tulum to Coba or take the ADO bus at 10:10. The first colectivo leaves after 09.00 or as soon as they have at least 3 people wanting to go to Coba.
Getting back to Tulum from Coba Ruins can be tricky if you arrived by Colectivo as there is no way of knowing when they will be there. I would advise getting the 13.00 ADO bus or taking a taxi back.
Option 3:
Take either a Colectivo or the ADO bus to Tulum and then take a taxi to Coba for around 200 pesos.
The ADO bus leaves at 10:10 from its terminal and returns at 13.00. You can also take a Colectivo which will pick you up a few blocks away on the same road. These start at 09.00 as soon as there is a minimum of 3 people. To return, we would recommend the 13.00 or 15.00 ADO coach.
Finding the place where the Colectivo picks you up can be tricky, we recommend finding it the day before and be aware that the Coba Colectivo isn’t a van it’s a large car that looks more like a taxi.
How To Get To Coba From Tulum
Getting To Coba Ruins With A Guided Tour
Not sure if you need to do a Coba Ruins Guided Tour or if you should go it alone? We're not going to lie, Coba Ruins can be a little tricky to get to, so many people choose to do a Coba Ruins Tour to save stress. Guided Tours are the best and the most convenient way to visit the Coba Ruins from Cancun or Playa del Carmen.
However, with a little planning, it is possible to see Coba Ruins without doing a Guided Tour. We've done both ways, and if we're honest, we prefer the Guided Tour of Coba Ruins especially if we don't have a car and with young children, it's simply easier than using public transport can be a pain.
You do not have to worry about transportation and tickets. Additionally, a knowledgeable tour guide will take you on an immersive trip of the history and culture of this ancient Mayan city.
Some of these tours also include Tulum Ruins, Mayan Village tours, cenote swims, reef snorkelling and traditional lunches.
The Best Guided Tours For Coba Ruins
Reserve now and pay later with 24 hours notice for a full refund. All tours include pick up and drop off in air conditioned vehicles.
On this highly recommended full-day guided tour from Riviera Maya, you’ll visit the Coba and Tulum Ruins, visit a cenote, experience Mayan traditions including an introduction to Mayan Bee Melipona honey and enjoy a buffet lunch.
This bestselling (and so affordable!) Coba day trip includes a guided tour of the ruins and a refreshing swim in a cenote.
This full-day tour is for adventure enthusists! Visit both the Tulum and Coba Ruins and then head to the Parque Tankah adventure park featuring cenotes, zip-lines, lagoons, snorkeling, canoes, cliff jumps and more.
About The Archeological Zone Of Coba Ruins
Coba, meaning "waters stirred by the wind," served as a prominent city-state during the peak of Mayan civilization, believed to have been inhabited as early as 100 BC. Unlike other famous Mayan sites like Chichen Itza or Tulum, Coba remained hidden in the dense jungle, largely untouched by modern civilization until relatively recent times.
As you step foot into the archaeological site, you are immediately transported to a world shrouded in mystery. The towering pyramids, intricate stone carvings, and expansive network of ancient roads known as sacbeob (white roads) whisper tales of a once-thriving metropolis, now reclaimed by nature's embrace.
Navigating through the sprawling ruins of Coba is an adventure in itself. The site spans over 80 square kilometers, making it one of the largest Mayan cities ever discovered. While much of the site remains unexcavated, visitors can marvel at the well-preserved structures that have emerged from the jungle's grasp.
Among the notable structures is the towering Nohoch Mul pyramid, standing at an impressive 42 meters tall, making it one of the tallest Mayan pyramids in the Yucatán region. Ascending its steep steps offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the surrounding jungle canopy, a sight that leaves one in awe of the ingenuity and architectural prowess of the ancient Mayans.
Aside from the pyramid, Coba boasts an array of other notable structures, including the Ball Court, where Mayans once engaged in ritualistic ball games, and the Group of Paintings, adorned with intricate stucco decorations depicting Mayan deities and mythological scenes.
Once you arrive at Coba you have different options for your exploration of the expansive site:
1.) Rent a bike for 60 pesos
2.) Rent a bici-taxi
3.) Walk
You also have the option of hiring a guide to show you around the site when you arrive.
On a bike, it will take around 1.5 hours to cover the site and about 2.5 if you are on foot. The journey is mostly under the shade of the jungle and if you go early in the morning it is a very nice commute.
Sacbeob - White Road perfect for cycling
Inside the Coba Ruins, there are three main sites open to the public all connected by sacbéob (Mayan ceremonial “white roads”). It it a beautiful ride / walk in between sites. There’s plenty of maps around to help you navigate to the most important sites in the complex.
The three main areas in Coba Ruins are:
• Coba Group
• Nohoch Mul Structures (where the main pyramid is located)
• Macanxoc Group
The highlight for us was getting to climb up the Nohoch Mul Pyramid. Standing at 138 feet tall, the 120 steps to climb may not look that difficult but do issue caution and hold on to the rope in the middle. The view from the top over the jungle is magical!
Here are some of the main attractions at the Coba Archeological Zone that you must definitely check out.
Best Things To Do At Coba Archeological Site
Nohoch Mul Pyramid
This structure was most likely used by the Mayans for religious purposes, including making offerings and sacrifices to the gods. The Nohoch Mul Pyramid is located over a mile from the entrance.
Climbing the Nohoch Mul pyramid was a big highlight for us when visiting Coba Mexico ruins, as it’s one of the few Mayan pyramids in Mexico where climbing is still allowed. It offers a pretty unique and exhilarating experience, along with stunning views from the top. The steps are shockingly steep and quite slick from centuries of erosion from footsteps, rain, and wind, so there is a thick rope you should hold on to while climbing.
Although climbing the Nohoch Mul Pyramid was stopped in the wake of Covid, as of December 2023, you can still climb the Nohoch Mul Pyramid.
However, it’s always a good idea to check for the most current information before your visit. Policies regarding climbing the pyramids can change due to various factors like preservation efforts or safety concerns.
Coba Group
Right near the entrance, you’ll find this grouping of structures, which includes an iglesia (church), the second tallest building at the site at 72 feet tall, and one of two impressive ball courts found in the complex.
These courts were used to play pok-a-tok, a game where the players could only use their hips, thighs, and knees to aim a hard rubber ball through a hoop, perched high atop a wall. It’s believed that pok-a-tok was played for more than just entertainment purposes and was, in a way, an extension of the Mayans’ religion—in fact, historians speculate that the captain of the losing team was often beheaded as a sacrifice to the gods.
Coba Stelae
These flat stone monuments with carvings, some having legible historical data, provide us a small glimpse into the life of the Mayans, including how they dressed and prepared for religious ceremonies and the role that men and women played in society. Most protected under thatch roof palapas.
Coba Archeological Ruins Opening Hours
The Archeological Ruins of Coba are open from 08:00 to 17:00 every day. Last entrance 16:00.
Early morning (08:00-09:30) or late afternoon (15:00-17:00) are good times to explore Coba ruins without the crowds. 10:00 – 14:00 is usually busy.
Coba Ruins Tickets And Prices
Admission tickets for the Coba Archeological Zone cost 100MXN per person.
You can buy your tickets at the Coba Ruins box office. Be sure to have cash on you because the box office does not accept dollars or cards!
Bike rental 65 MXN; Bici-taxies 250MXN for 2 hours Highly recommended.
You can book a guide on arrival.
Best Guided Tours Of The Mayan Ruins Of Coba
Guided tours are a great way to see the best of the ruins at Coba, Mexico. Tours usually cover round-trip transportation and include the services of a local guide which is fantastic when exploring an archeological site as rich and complex as Coba.
Here are a few great guided tours of Coba ruins:
Reserve now and pay later with 24 hours notice for a full refund. All tours include pick up and drop off in air conditioned vehicles.
On this highly recommended full-day guided tour from Riviera Maya, you’ll visit the Coba and Tulum Ruins, visit a cenote, experience Mayan traditions including an introduction to Mayan Bee Melipona honey and enjoy a buffet lunch.
This bestselling (and so affordable!) Coba day trip includes a guided tour of the ruins and a refreshing swim in a cenote.
This full-day tour is for adventure enthusists! Visit both the Coba and Tulum Ruins and then head to the Parque Tankah adventure park featuring cenotes, zip-lines, lagoons, snorkeling, canoes, cliff jumps and more.
Best Time to Visit Coba Ruins
The winter months, November to February, are the best months to visit the Coba ruins or anywhere else Yucatan Peninsular.
Temperatures are lower and the weather is dry. Rains and hurricanes are over. It is the perfect time to be out exploring.
However, remember that December and January are the busiest months in Coba. If you’re planning to visit Coba during this time, be sure to make your bookings in advance.
If you can be flexible with the dates, we highly recommend visiting in the shoulder months of November and February when crowds are fewer and accommodation and tours are more affordable.
Coba Ruins Travel Tips
Visit early at 08:00 or late after 14:00 to avoid crowds and the sun.
Most areas at Coba are delighfully shaded however, open areas will be unbearably hot during the day, including the Nohoch Mul Pyramid. Bring a hat, sunscreen, and lots of water with you.
If you’re exploring the Coba Ruins on foot, allow at least three hours to explore the complex or, if you’re renting a bicycle or getting a bici-taxi, you could likely see it all in about two or so hours
The ticket counter accepts only cash. Even restaurants and bars deal only in cash. Good to have some pesos with you for tips etc.
Coba Mayan Ruins Travel FAQ
Are Coba Mayan ruins worth visiting?
Yes, the Mayan ruins at Coba aredefinitely worth a visit, it is one of the most captivating archaeological sites of the ancient Mayan Civilization
The towering Nohoch Mul Pyramid is the most dramatic we have seen.
Steeped in history, mystery, and surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty, a visit to Coba Archeological Site is a journey back in time, offering a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of the Mayan people. Join us as we embark on an adventure to unravel the secrets of this enigmatic site., are absolutely worth visiting.
What is the Coba entrance fee?
Currently, the Coba Ruins entry fee is 100MXN.
What are the Coba ruins opening hours?
The Coba Ruins opening hours are from 08.00 - 17.00 (Last entrance 16.00)
Where are the Coba Ruins located?
The Coba Mayan City is located 47 km (29 miles) from Tulum in the Yucatan Peninsula.
What’s the best time to visit Coba?
The best time to visit Coba Ruins is early in the morning, soon after the attraction opens at 08.00. If you arrive mid-day, you can expect this Mayan site to get quite crowded. Make sure you arrive before the other tourists arrive if you want a more relaxed experience!
Can you climb Coba Ruins 2024?
Yes, climbing the Nohoch Mul Pyramid at Coba is still possible!
Is Coba worth visiting?
Yes, absolutely! We honestly liked the ruins of Coba (Mexico) more than the Tulum Ruins and other Mayan ruins.
How old are the Coba Ruins?
The Mayan Ruins of Coba were built between 500 and 900 AD
Where To Stay In Tulum
Tulum has an array of great hotels and luxury resorts where you can stay. Of course it depends on your budget, logically the hotels in the hotel zone along the beach are much more expensive than, for example, apartments in Tulum Pueblo.
You could also try glamping at Our Habitas where you stay in a luxury tent with aircon in the jungle situated along the beach.
There are many luxury boutique hotels along the coast of Tulum, usually hotels near the beach in Tulum are expensive. You can find more affordable apartments in Tulum town and if you go to Tulum in low season you can get great deals! Sometimes it even is 50% cheaper than during the peak season.
Glamping at Our Habitas
Famous luxury hotels and resorts in the Tulum beach area are Papaya Playa Project, Ahau Tulum, La Valise and Azulik.
Note: This post contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we get paid a small commission at no extra cost to you.
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