Coba is situated 120 miles (193km) south of Cancun, 76 miles (122km) from Playa del Carmen and 40 miles (64km) from Tulum, in the state of Quintana Roo and on the doorstep of Riviera Maya real estate.
The site was thriving from 600 to 900 AD, according to the oldest carved date found (being A.D 632) and once was home to around 45,000 inhabitants.
Coba was an important trading post and link between the big cities, the coast and those further inland, you can walk along the greatest concentration of Mayan roads constructed from stone called sacbe amazingly constructed over 1200 years ago. For unexplained reasons Coba was abandoned soon after 900 AD, never found by the Spanish, the once powerful city was left to be covered in dense jungle until its rediscovery in the 1890s.
Coba translates as ‘ruffled waters’ or ‘waters stirred by the wind’. The city was probably named this as it is situated by four natural lakes. Coba is one of the oldest Mayan settlements on the Yucatan Peninsula, maybe the first Riviera Maya real estate. However, the ruins were not discovered until the late 19th century and excavation did not start until the 1970s. Even today, it is believed that only a small fraction of the many structures in this vast site have been excavated.
Coba is home to the highest pyramid Nohoch Mul in the Yucatan, with an amazing 120 steps and measuring 138 feet (42m) high. Ordinarily, if maintenance is not taking place you can climb to the top, if you have the nerve, and take in the breathtaking view of the surrounding jungle and lakes. You can also see unexcavated pyramid tops poking through the vast greenery, the remoteness and jungle setting adds to the excitement of discovering and exploring new ground.
You will see the ball game pits that hosted the game of ‘pok ta pok’ only Mayan men would play the game in front of an audience and of course the king. Each team consisted of six field players that could pass the ball with any part of their body but not the hands and a captain who would be the one to attempt the shot at the goal by hurling it with some kind of racket through a loop mounted on the wall.
The captain of the winning team would then be beheaded by the captain of the opposing team in a sacrificial offering to the Gods, one of the highest honours.
The best time of day to go and explore Coba is early morning, it’s close to your Riviera Maya real estate and if you arrive at the site by 9am you will almost feel like you are wondering alone with the sounds of the birds and wildlife; you may even see the odd monkey or woodpecker.
The entrance of the site has gift shops, bathrooms and a refreshment stand; there are no refreshments available on the way round so take plenty. Also do not forget your sun cream and hats, comfy shoes and bug spray.
The site of Coba is usually open from 7am through to 6pm, 365 days a year, the entrance fee is around $3 USD, children under 13 years old go free. English speaking guides are available at the entrance costing about $20 USD for 45 minutes and $30 USD for 1.5 hours.
If you plan to walk the site this will take about 1.5 hours, the site is sign posted and the trails are very well maintained. There are options of hiring a bicycle for $2 USD, or a Mayan Limousine, your very own chauffer driven tricycle for two people costing around $7 USD.
You can get to Coba by car; parking is $1 USD and right near the entrance. If you don’t live here in your own piece of Riviera Maya real estate then there are also companies that offer day trips from Cancun and the Riviera Maya to Tulum then on to Coba for real culture vultures, and companies that just offer Coba along with a refreshing dip in one of the many cenotes on the return leg of your journey.
You can also stop on the way back at one of the little Mayan villages and buy handcrafts and Mexican artifacts at a fraction of the prices in Cancun or Playa Del Carmen. You can even see the locals making the goods if you go at a time when they are working.
It’s truly amazing to see the amount of work that goes into a hammock. It’s also a satisfying feeling to know where your money is going if you buy one for your beach front Riviera Maya real estate.
Article by Amy Hughes for Investment Properties Mexico, experts in Riviera Maya real estate and investment property.
Visit the author’s website for more about things to do in the area and Riviera Maya real estate
