You’re thinking about visiting the Coba Ruins in Mexico, but want to know a little bit more about what you are getting into?
We had such a hard time finding information before our trip to the Coba Ruins in Mexico. So, we have taken the time to put together everything you need to know! Especially that, yes, you can still climb the pyramid in Coba!
This post will take you through the 13 things you need to know when visiting the Coba Ruins in Mexico, including what to expect, how to climb the pyramid, why you need to ride in a Mayan taxi and some of the best tours that will pick you up directly from your hotel.
1. Can You Still Climb the Pyramid at Coba?
YES, as of 2020! You can still climb the pyramid at Coba, which is why we highly recommend a visit to Coba (and sooner rather than later)!
You must jump on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity (to climb the pyramid) before it is gone. It is very likely that in the upcoming years, Mexico will stop allowing visitors to climb the pyramid, similar to what happened with the pyramid at Chichen Itza.
2. Climbing the Pyramid at Coba
Coming in at a whopping 138 feet (42 meters) high, this is the tallest Mayan pyramid in all of Mexico and the second tallest pyramid in the Mayan world. Named Ixmoja (or the Nohoch Mul pyramid), the name translates from Mayan to “the great mound.” To date, it is still uncertain what the purpose of this giant pyramid is, but many roads lead to it.
If you decide to take on the task of climbing this giant pyramid in Coba, be prepared to climb 120 steps. In addition, each step is about 12-14 inches in height, which is almost double the height of a regular step. Once arriving at the top, you will not be disappointed with the stunning view of the whole jungle.
Going up is definitely the easy part! This is our warning to be careful. The steps are slippery even in the driest conditions, simply because of the number of people that have climbed on the steps over the years, making them quite slippery.
Tips For Climbing the Pyramid at Coba:
The main point we would like to get across to you is to take your time. There is no rush! Please also ensure that you have proper footwear or something with good tread.
Tips For Going Up
- Don’t look down. Focus on the steps ahead and what you are doing.
- Try to avoid the steps that are really shinny because they are more slippery.
- The steps on the outside edges of the pyramid are less used and are easier to climb.
- Do not climb the pyramid with something in your hand; you will want your hands free, especially if you do slip.
- There is a rope in the middle that is there to help you on your way up.
Tips For Coming Down
There are a few techniques that can be used when coming down the pyramid. We would not advise walking down the steps like you would a regular set of stairs. Below are a few of the techniques that we saw and used when going down the pyramid:
- Sit down on your butt and lower yourself down one step at a time. Yes, think like a child learning how to use stairs 🙂
- If you’re standing, turn your body sideways and step down one step at a time.
- Use the “S” technique – walk in a zigzag motion going down the pyramid. This ensures your whole foot is on the step and gives you the best stability.
3. History of Coba, Mexico
Experiencing the city of Coba now is drastically different than what it once was. Today, this ancient Mayan site is hidden deep in the middle of the Mexican jungle. When entering, it seems like you’re walking into a lost world that has just been discovered. Archeologists have estimated that there are over 6,500 Mayan structures at Coba, but many have yet to be located or even excavated. To date, only 10% of this archaeological site has been uncovered.
During its prime, Coba was the heart of a Mayan metropolis, with over 55,000 people living there during the 8th century. It is believed the Mayans began to settle in this area as early as 2000 BC. Coba became popular due to its thriving agriculture, making it one of the best cities to live in at the time. It’s hard to truly understand the sheer size of Coba because it is covered by jungle now; however, it is comparable in size to Chichen Itza. The demise of Coba came with the rise of Chichen Itza – Mayans began to migrate to the sacred city, and Coba started to decline in popularity.
While the Coba Ruins in Mexico may not be as famous as other Mayan Ruins like Tulum or Chichen Itza, they definitely have some incredible historic features, like their sacbeob (white roads). These ancient white roads were built to connect different temples and areas of the city. Coba was different; their sacbeob were highways connecting Coba to different Mayan towns. These ancient roads were made out of white stone that would reflect into the moonlight, serving as a way for people to see where they were going when travelling at night.
Read More
Can You Climb Chichen Itza? 15 Things You Must Know
4. Arriving to the Coba Ruins Mexico
When you arrive at the ruins of Coba, you will be greeted with some stands and small shops selling all kinds of authentic, handmade crafts and souvenirs. There are also a few small restaurants serving ice-cold beer, water, and Gatorade. We recommend getting a refreshment here as there is no place to buy water once you enter Coba. Also, if you drive to Coba yourself, there is a small parking fee of 60 MXN pesos.
5. Entrance Fee
There is an entrance fee in order to enter the Coba Ruins – 100 MXN pesos (~$6 USD).
6. Hours of Operation
The Coba Ruins are open seven days a week, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm with the last admission to the ruins at 4:30 pm.
7. Tips for Visiting the Coba Ruins Mexico
Below are a few things that we found helpful when visiting Coba.
- Arrive early – we recommend arriving early, not only because there could be a lot of tourists, but also because of the heat. It gets extremely hot in the afternoon, and you do not want to be climbing the pyramid or walking around the jungle in those conditions.
- Bring a drink – there are no places to buy water or snacks once you enter Coba, so make sure you have a full water bottle before you enter – either bring your own or purchase one before you enter!
- Dress in light clothes – again, it is very hot! You do not want to overheat as you climb the pyramid or walk around.
- Wear comfortable/practical shoes – You will be doing some walking and, of course, climbing the pyramid.
- Rent a bike or take a Mayan Taxi to the main area where the pyramid is located.
8. Mayan Taxi
This is the fun part of the Coba experience – we definitely recommend taking a Mayan Taxi. A Mayan Taxi, also known as a “bicitaxi,” is a bicycle with two wheels at the front and one at the back. This bike also has a seat at the front (for two people), and the driver sits at the back.
To get to the actual pyramid, it is approximately a 5-10 minute bike ride or a 30-minute walk, so a Mayan Taxi is well worth it! Especially since it only costs about 150 pesos (~$7 USD) round trip and is a lot more fun than walking! Also – we were a little skeptical if our taxi was going to wait for us to climb the pyramid, but low-and-behold, he was sitting under the tree in the shade, waiting for us to come back!
9. What to Visit in Coba
There are many archaeological sites to visit within the Mayan ruins. These are some that we recommend checking out while you’re there!
Nohuch Mul Pyramid
The main structure in Coba and one of the main reasons why so many people visit this Mayan site. This is what we’ve been talking about climbing!
Templo de la Iglesia (Temple of the Church)
This is one of the first structures when you enter Coba. This is the second-largest Mayan pyramid in Coba, standing at 65 feet (20 meters) in height. Unfortunately, you are no longer allowed to climb this specific pyramid.
Juego de Pelota
Better known as the ball courts, this large rectangular field is hard to miss. Most ball courts are the focal point of Mayan sites and symbolize the city’s wealth and power.
Templo Las Pinturas
This is the smallest of the pyramids in Coba, but Las Pinturas Temple has a lot to offer. This temple is known for its many frescoes and murals, and you can see actual paintings on the top of the temple.
Sacbeob
The ancient white roads that were built to connect different temples, areas of the city, and other cities themselves.
Coba Ruins Mexico Map
10. Where are the Coba Ruins in Mexico Located?
Located in the Quintana Roo state of Mexico, these ruins are easily accessible to visitors from many popular tourist destinations in the Yucatan Peninsula.
Riviera Maya
Coba is about 65 miles (104 km) from the Riviera Maya. This trip by car will take you about one hour and 20 minutes.
Playa del Carmen
Coba is approximately 68 miles (109 km) from Playa del Carmen. This trip by car will take you about one hour and 25 minutes.
Tulum
Coba is roughly 30 miles (47 km) from Tulum, another popular Mayan ruin site. This trip will take you approximately 45 minutes by car.
Cancun
Cancun is approximately 83 miles (132 km) from Coba. This trip by car will take you about two hours and 10 minutes.
Cozumel Cruise Terminal
Coba is about 77 miles (124 km) from the cruise terminal in Cozumel. It will take you roughly two hours and 40 minutes by car (this time includes the 75-minute ferry ride from Cozumel to Playa del Carmen).
11. Getting to Coba Ruins Mexico
Coba is a very easy day trip from most of the popular tourist destinations in the Yucatan Peninsula. Some of our recommendations for getting to Coba are below:
Rent a Car
If you decide to rent a car, it is relatively easy to drive to Coba. Take the main highway (Mexico 307) towards Tulum. Once you arrive in Tulum, turn onto Highway 109 towards Coba. You will eventually get to a roundabout and take the third exit towards Coba. There will be signage to help you along the way!
Take a Taxi
There is always the option to take a taxi where you want to go, but it could become quite pricey!
Take the Bus
You can take the ADO Bus from one of the popular tourist destinations such as Tulum, Playa del Carmen or Cancun to get to Coba.
Take a Group or Private Tour
Truthfully, this is probably your best option! A private tour may be a bit more costly, but for either a group or private tour, you will be in an air-conditioned bus and not have to worry about anything! You will arrive at Coba, walk in, and explore. Also, most tours to Coba are combined with visiting Tulum or a cenote, so you are getting a bonus added to your trip.
12. Coba Mayan Ruins Tours
There are so many ways to see the different Mayan Ruins and Archaeological Sites. We have gone ahead and put together a list of some of the most popular tours in the area.
Coba and Zip Line Edventure Archaeological Tour
This tour offers everything you could ask for in a Mexican excursion with zip lines, rock climbing, rappelling, and cenotes, in addition to visiting a Mayan Ruin (Coba). Included in this tour is a visit to Coba with your Mayan Taxi and entrance fee, lunch, six-passenger ATV, snorkel equipment, and wetsuit. This tour departs from Playa del Carmen and will pick up in Cancun for an additional $50-70 USD.
Price: $205 USD
Coba, Cenote & Lunch from Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya and Cancun
This tour is a great way to experience Coba, as well as getting to swim in a Cenote. You will first go to Coba, with time to climb the pyramid. From there, you’ll enjoy swimming in a cenote, followed by a buffet lunch and transportation back to your hotel.
Price: $82 USD
Discover Coba & Tulum
We did a similar excursion to this, and it was a perfect way to explore two different archaeological sites (Tulum & Coba) in addition to being served a traditional Mayan lunch, complete with swimming in a cenote.
Price: from $87 USD (not including admission to the cenote, our Mayan taxi at Coba and admission to the Tulum ruins ~$32 USD)
*These prices are as of 2024 and may change over time.
Read More
23 Informative Tulum Travel Tips
29 Instagrammable Spots in Tulum
13. What’s Near the Coba Ruins Mexico?
Cenotes
A visit to Coba isn’t complete without visiting a nearby cenote. Whether you are part of a tour or visiting on your own, we highly recommend visiting one of these nearby cenotes.
- Tamcach-Ha
- Choo-Ha
- Multum-Ha
All of these cenotes are located within a 10-minute drive from Coba and only cost around 55 MXN pesos ($2.50 USD) to enter.
Restaurants
After a busy day climbing and swimming, if you are looking for a place to eat, there are a few restaurants in the area:
Hotels
If you are looking to stay in Coba, there are a few popular hotels nearby:
Things to Know Before Visiting the Coba Ruins Mexico
- It’s easy to drive to Coba, but we recommend a packaged tour
- Wear comfortable clothing and appropriate footwear
- Take the Mayan Taxi – not only is it fun, but it will help you save your energy for the climb
- Climb the pyramid, but save time for exploring this remarkable Mayan city
- Go swimming in a cenote to cool down afterwards
We hope you found this post helpful! Let us know in the comments if we missed anything!
