This month I visited the Coba Mayan Ruins, which are approximately a two and a half hour drive from Villa del Palmar Cancun. I booked a tour with the Activities Office at the resort that departed from the resort around 8:30 am and returned around 4 pm.
Upon arrival in Coba, our tour guide led us through the ruins of Coba while narrating the sites’ history. I immediately noticed that the ruins here looked different from other Mayan cities as there were many ruins next to each other in one site, unlike many other locations were the ruins are more spread out. I learned that ‘Coba’ means ‘waters stirred by the wind,’ which is a fitting name for these ruins since they are surrounded by two large lagoons-the Coba Lagoon and the Macamxoc Lagoon. Currently, only three out of the estimated 6,000 structures that exist at this site are open for public viewing as this site is still largely unexcavated due to the fact that its geographical location made it difficult for people to get to for so long.
After the tour guide gave us a history of the ruins, we had time to walk around the site on our own for two hours. I choose to walk to the Nohoch Mul Pyramid, which the tallest pyramid in the Yucatan Peninsula. From the entry of the site, you have the option to rent and ride a bike or walk to the pyramid. I chose to walk, which took approximately 35 minutes. Hiking up the Nohoch Mul Pyramid was a great workout as it contains 120 steps leading up to the top and the middle of the pyramid is lined with a rope to aid you in climbing. Once I reached the top, I had hiked 137 feet up, which is the height of Nohoch Mul. Below is a photo of the pyramid before I hiked up it.
The view from up top of Nohoch Mul was incredible. I could see out into the jungle and it was amazing to look down and see the pyramid from another perspective. Below is a photo of me on top of Nohoch Mul.
Here is a photo looking down the pyramid prior to my descent back down.
Visiting Coba is a must for anyone looking to see gorgeous Teotihuacan (inspired by Central Mexico) architecture, learn more about the Mayan culture and hike up the tallest pyramid in the Yucatan!
If you have a vacation experience that you would like to share with us, please respond in the comments section below this blog or email it to me at bblanscet@resortcom.com.
Best Regards,
Brittany Blanscet
Member Marketing Manager
