The Mayan ruins of the Coba pyramid in the Yucatan Peninsula.

©Madrugada Verde/Shutterstock

Cobá Ruins

Top choice in Cobá

Cobá's ruins include the tallest pyramid in Quintana Roo (the second tallest in all the Yucatán) and the thick jungle setting makes you feel like you’re in an Indiana Jones flick. Many of the ruins are yet to be excavated; for now they are mysterious piles of root- and vine-covered rubble. Walk along ancient sacbés (ceremonial limestone avenues or paths between great Maya cities), climb up ancient mounds and ascend Nohoch Mul for a spectacular view of the surrounding jungle.

If walking to the various sites is too taxing, you can rent a bike (M$80) or hire a peditaxi (M$125 to M$180).

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https://www.inah.gob.mx/

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Nearby Cobá attractions

1. Grupo Cobá

0.1 MILES

The most prominent structure in the Grupo Cobá is La Iglesia (the Church). It's an enormous pyramid; if you were allowed to climb it, you could see the…

2. Crocodile-Viewing Deck

0.28 MILES

A good and safe spot to try to spot crocodiles.

3. Juego de Pelota

0.55 MILES

An impressive ball court, one of several in the ruins. Don't miss the relief of a jaguar and the skull-like carving in the center of the court.

4. Grupo de las Pinturas

0.56 MILES

The temple at Grupo de las Pinturas (Paintings Group) bears traces of glyphs and frescoes above its door and remnants of richly colored plaster inside…

5. Xaibé

0.72 MILES

This is a tidy, semicircular stepped building, almost fully restored. Its name means 'the Crossroads,' as it marks the juncture of four separate sacbés …

6. Templo 10

0.76 MILES

Here you can see an exquisitely carved stela (AD 730) depicting a ruler standing imperiously over two captives.

7. Grupo Nohoch Mul

0.81 MILES

Nohoch Mul (Big Mound) is also known as the Great Pyramid (which sounds a lot better than Big Mound). It reaches a height of 42m, making it the second…

8. Grupo Macanxoc

1.17 MILES

Grupo Macanxoc is notable for its numerous restored stelae, some of which are believed to depict reliefs of royal women who are thought to have come from…

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