Archaeologists say that Coba was the largest of all ancient Mayan cities. Within this site there are thought to be over 6,500 structures spread out over 50 square kilometres. During its heyday, around 750 AD, as many as 50,000 Maya may have inhabited the ancestral city of Coba. Although an easy drive from Cancun and Playa del Carmen, many visitors to the Riviera Maya never hear about it. This may be because the ruins have only been accessible, by a fairly decent road, since the late 1970s.

Rediscovered in 1891 by archaeologist Teobert Maler after hearing rumours of a fabled lost city, Coba was not excavated until 1973. Excavation is still under way, and visitors may see 20 ruins that have not been excavated for every one that has been reconstructed. Pathways have been cleared but most of the tropical jungle remains intact. Visitors will see the restored sections of Coba and at the same appreciate the shady jungle paths and vine-covered pyramids yet to be excavated.

Here archaeologists have found many links to the great Guatemalan city of Tikal, including similar architecture and carvings or stelae. They believe that the royal women of Tikal may have married the Coba royalty and formed a relationship between the Guatemala Maya and those of the Yucatan.

Coba boasts the tallest pyramid of the Mexican Mayan world. 42 meters high with 120 steps, Pyramid Nohoch Mul, is worth the climb since the view from the top is more than spectacular. This site also includes a well restored ball court, and dozens of stelae that have been well preserved.
Tours to Coba