Climb the Ancient Ruins of Coba

Coba is not like any other ancient Mayan city. Rather than a single settlement, it is composed of many. Stone and white roads connect everything to the central—and huge—pyramid. Visiting Coba, you’ll truly see a place like no other.

How Coba got to be Coba

It is a fact of life nobody can live without water, but this wasn’t a problem for the settlers that were established here. The whole area is between two lagoons: Macamxoc and the appropriately named Coba. Once small settlements had popped up all around the coasts, a huge city developed in the center, seizing economic and political power, and voilà—Coba was born.

The White Brick Road

As in other Mayan settlements, Coba has sacbes (roads), and a lot of them. 50 have been discovered so far, though only 16 are open to the public. Interestingly, visitors walk on these same roads, effectively following the steps of ancient Mayans.

And their coloring is truly poetic—and extremely clever. Mayans transported their commerce exclusively on foot. That means unavoidable night travel. The sacbes’ white color reflected the moonlight, providing actual lighted roads.

Where the roads begin

Every road in Coba begins at the main pyramid, Nohoch Mul. At 137 ft. high, it is the highest in all Yucatan. If you’re willing to climb the 120 steps to the top, you’ll be rewarded with an amazing view, from where you’ll even be able to see parts of Coba not open to the public.

With all of this and the other structures and artifacts, this place has to offer, you’ll be surprised to know Coba is still largely unexplored.

More than One Way to See Coba

Coba is big enough to offer tourists alternatives to walking. Rent a bicycle for a small fee and visit the place on two wheels. Or, if you’ve forgotten how to ride one, rent a bicitaxi—and get chauffeured around like a true Mayan royal.