Take a journey back in time to explore the mysterious Coba ruins. Explore its dense jungles, climb its towering ancient pyramid structure, and uncover its hidden treasures along the “White Roads” – all while learning about the history that has shaped this remarkable archeological site. Immerse yourself in this once-powerful ancient city by discovering what remains of the magnificent architecture and carefully preserved artifacts from centuries past surrounded by dense jungle. This complete guide will give you all the information needed for an unforgettable experience so you can venture into these ancient Coba ruins with confidence.
Coba was once an incredibly important city in the ancient Mayan world that hosted tens of thousands of citizens at its peak and traded with civilizations all along the Riviera Maya and as far as Honduras. This is one of the few archaeological sites on the Yucatan Peninsula where you can include a climb of the pyramids, combined with its remote nature you can feel like you’ve stumbled upon something unique to the area. Explore the ancient Mayan Coba ruins during your stay on the Yucatan Peninsula. Missing the ability to climb at Chichen Itza you could still climb here the last time we visited.
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How to Get to the Coba Ruins
This under-the-radar site is just under an hour from Tulum. It is an easy day trip from many different locations in the state of Quintana Roo. There are two main ways to get to Coba, either by rental car or public transportation. Staying elsewhere on the Yucatan Peninsula? There is no direct public transportation from Cancun or Playa del Carmen. So you will have to plan a stop in Tulum and then to the Coba Mayan ruins. Many tour buses will also take you here if you have not rented your own car but it is nowhere near as crowded as the larger sites such as Chichen Itza and Teotihuacan outside of Mexico City.
You can walk from the parking lot or rent a bicycle. It is a 2-mile hike round trip from the parking lot to the main pyramid. You could also rent a tuk-tuk-style bike taxi from 180 MXN. Operating hours are seven days a week from 8 AM to 5 PM and they stop letting in visitors at approximately 3 PM.
The entrance fee is cheaper than other spots at 80 MXN and a small parking fee of 60 MXN. You could easily spend 2 – 3 hours here and would be well spent not just exploring the ruins by foot but paying a small bike rental fee (approx 60 MXN) to explore the 16 pathways that are maintained throughout the site.
Climbing the Largest Pyramid at the Coba Ruins
Ixmoja Pyramid is the tallest pyramid in the Nohoch Mul group of ruins. The climb to the top is steep but relatively easy. Coming down on your butt or kind of like a crab while holding on to the rope is much more intimidating. Those steps that didn’t look so bad from the ground are suddenly incredibly steep. The stone steps are also slippery! Holding on to that rope can start to feel like zip lining if you don’t go nice and slow. So take your time! Tourists climb up and down on all fours so their hands are frequently touching the stones leaving behind natural oils. That along with natural wear from constant use makes for very slick steps. Views are worth it though. Please note there are no barriers at the top so do not take that backward-facing selfie without being very aware of your space from the edge.
What to See at Coba Ruins
You can enjoy ancient hieroglyphic inscriptions, a Mayan calendar stone, and an ancient ball court along with a breathtaking climb to the top of the tallest pyramid for a view of the forest canopy. Early morning is a great time to visit as you avoid the heat of the day and can watch the sun rise over this slice of Mayan civilization.
But the most interesting thing to me were the sacbes or “White Roads.” Coba served as the center point for a collection of stone causeways. There were 50 of these routes to other small villages and Mayan cities, named the White Roads probably due to being built with limestone that reflected the moonlight. 16 are still maintained and there is one that heads toward Tulum and another that heads toward Chichén Itzá. These reminded me of Rome’s Appian Way. One of the best things you can do is rent a bike in order to explore these roads.
Cenotes Nearby Coba Ruins
After all that climbing and biking you may want to cool down with a visit to one of the nearby Coba cenotes. Cenote Choo-Ha, Cenote Tankach-Ha, or Cenote Multun-Ha are all just under 4 miles from the ruins. Driving from Tulum on the main road, Hwy Quintana Roo 109 you will head past Coba ruins for about another 10 minutes until you see the sign for the cenotes. You will need to shower before entering to wash off any sunscreen or makeup from the day. These cenotes are fresh water and it is important to take the appropriate measures to keep them from getting increasingly polluted. The entrance fee for each is around 55 MXN
Traveling to ancient sites like Coba is an opportunity to explore centuries of Mayan culture and history. With our ultimate guide to Coba, you’ll be able to discover all there is to see and do in this beautiful region – from pyramids and cenotes to lush jungle trails. So start planning your perfect trip to the ancient Mayan ruins of Coba today!
Up for more adventure in the Yucatan read our detailed guide on Chichen Itza. Or if you are flying from Cancun to Mexico City consider a day trip to Teotihuacan.
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