This is a settlement around two lagoons and has a number of elevated and plastered roads that radiate to all the parts of the city.
While the total area that can be explored is 80 Kms, this city houses a lot of ancient temple pyramids that have sky touching altitudes.
While the bulk of the construction has been attributed to the middle and the classic period, Coba was hugely important in the post classic era also while the new temples were being built and the older ones were being repaired at least till the 14
th
century.
This is the city that has ancient existence and has witnessed many civilizations coming and vanishing, centuries after centuries.
The mystical part is that, those traces are still found here and can be seen in the element of the lives of the people also.
This is one of the cities of the world where you can climb up the 130 steps of the pyramid temple and gain a breathtaking site of the city that no other altitude could show you.
While you wander off into the depths and interiors of the city, you would be shadowed by the canopy of the jungles which are thick and dense and have not been deforested by us humans; Yet!
Coba is a little extensive so if you really wish to explore the entire place, you need to catch hold of a cycle and pedal your way through the city.
Ironically, the Mayan Civilization put huge efforts in making roads and transport, while they never used the wheel.
It still remains a mystery as to why they would waste so much effort for something which had no use for them.
For whatever they did at that time, the Mayans have surely blessed the city with an excellent network of roads and connectors.
Best time to visit Coba ?
A typical Savanna climate is prevalent here with a long dry season which makes this place hot during the summers.
A leisure trip is best avoided in the months of May till August.
Plan your trip in September till April every year to escape the heat and the dryness of the season…
Best things to do in Coba
These are my favorite things to do and beautiful places to visit on your next holiday to Coba.
A jewel of the Mexican Caribbean- the Riviera Maya
Stretching
along the coast of the Caribbean Ocean, which of course is a beauty in itself
, this Riviera Maya lies in the Yucatan Peninsula.
A huge
tourist corridor stands in the place
where the ancient fishing stands and villages used to stand.
There is amazing nightlife, beautiful luxury hotels, and several first class restaurants.
The place also has an expansive Golf course to cater to the needs of active golfers who like to have a game or two of golf while enjoying their holiday.
This pace is still reminiscent of a Mayan Universe where the skies were high and nature was at its best.
This Riviera is the epitome of nature conjoined with the modern amenities of Coba.
A visit to this place is a must if an exciting holiday is what you have planned.
My favorite stuff to do in Coba
The Tulum
Imagine an ancient town built with the blue sparkling waters as the back ground against the hill that it had been built on.
This is Tulum for you.
Acclaimed as the archeological site this Mayan city was built amidst a lush tropical jungle and is unmatchable in terms of beauty.
After you have had your self-discovery in The Castle and visited the Descending God Temple, you can cross through the Frescos temple and a staircase leads you to a peaceful beach.
The temples are perfect examples of the Mayan Art and Architecture and while you pay homage to the local Mayan Deities here, the pristine crystal waters are ready for you, waiting to take you deep down in Snorkeling.
Snorkeling is not an easy sport and here you will be able to find many instructors and teachers who will teach you this sport and make it a lifetime memory for you.
So while you are lost in the ancient heritage of this site, the chill of the waters jolts you back to reality and you know where to begin from.
Again in the Riviera Maya, try the underwater spectacle, a thriving coral reef structure to amaze you to no bounds.
Home to more than 5000 types of marine life, this is again a top destination in the whole of Mexico for Snorkeling.
This area is also called the Great Mayan reef and is very famous for the second largest reef habitation in the world.
The crystal clear waters also make it very easy to spot what is beneath the feet in the wild blue clear waters.
Such transparency of water will surely leave you amazed.
Fun things to do in Coba
Playa Del Carmen
This is one place you need to be seeing for the beach clubs that pamper you to eternity and for the glamorous night spots that will leave you feeling like a teenager again.
This is the entire region’s one stop destination for shopping, polished dining and expressive nightlife.
You can explore the neighboring areas while you are here, and there is quite a lot more to keep you occupied here.
The beach clubs here are awesome in terms of the club facilities that they offer and are stylish enough, just as per your needs.
An extensive service of the food and drinks is a welcome alternative to the public beaches which follow the restrictions.
The
spas here rejuvenate you and you feel relaxed
down to every nerve in your body.
You may also choose to indulge in some aquatic sports if, that is your area on interest.
Locally known as Quinta Avenida, this fifth avenue is the place to talk a long walk in after you have been pampered enough at the beach.
Popular Coba tourist attractions
This area of
Playa Del Carmen is a package of delight
.
Popular Coba tourist attractions
Connecting with the Nature –The Nature Parks
Have a taste of the lagoons, the mangroves and the dense canopy of the forests at the Nature parks here in Coba.
Finding the animals in their natural habitat is a delight and the sights of the beautiful and varied landscapes will leave you in awe of the place.
The most attractive future is the sinkholes in this area.
Appearing naturally at random locations, the sink holes are a phenomenon to witness.
Snorkeling on the surface of the land is a brilliant idea but how about snorkeling in the under rivers which are hidden from the surface.
You may wish to try this out if you are not the types to get spooked easily.
Ever thought what a jaguar looks like standing in front of you?
Well apart from learning about the marine life, you can also see jaguars here and pumas too!
What else to do in Coba ?
Plan a wedding – The beach
What is it that you would give to your loved one to keep her in love with you till eternity?
A brilliant wedding idea!
Just ideal for tying the couple in love, in knots of a marriage, this beach location is ideal for a wedding.
Apart from suiting the budgetary requirements, the facilities here are just great to have a dream wedding.
Try out the awesome hotels and the budget rates of accommodation and you could get all your friends and family right here, at this location, for your wedding.
While you are exchanging your wedding wows, hear the waters of the Caribbean are gushing through the sand.
The air around you is fresh and you need to be holding your beloved’s hand, promising a lifetime of happiness to her, right at this spot.
So plan your trip and make your wedding something that the generations to come would love and recall.
Apart from the weddings this place is also a very popular honeymoon destination.
The concept of luxury is so ever indulgent here and spoils you to the core.
You may want to extend your honeymoon here if you fall in love with this place.
What else to see in Coba ?
Golf – A game to test you
Mexico welcomes you to the ancient Mayan Culture and pampers you just about the way you find it perfect.
The amazing blue oceans coupled with the brilliant green of the jungles and the majestic sprawling golf course ; invite you to come and relax here in the lap of nature.
How does enjoying a game of golf seem to you?
Pretty normal right?
How about enjoying a thrilling game of golf with the waters of the Caribbean right behind you and beach a couple of steps away?
This is a sight that will surely leave you asking for more.
Awarded as the best location in many of the magazines and journals, this golf course is one of its kinds in the world.
The thrills of playing the game here are many.
Apart from the tricks and twists of the golf course, the wind velocity here is not constant.
This makes the game more tricky and challenging.
Also, many international tournaments have been held here.
This means that you may actually be putting the ball in the stride of a world champion and can proudly boast of it.
Enjoy a quick game of golf here and experience the thrill.
Is Coba worth visiting?
The answer is Yes.
Coba is worth visiting.
This is because it is such a magical place
full of beauty and adventours.
Make sure you visit the following stunning place:
Xcaret – where the dead meets the alive
This is a nature park that has been living up to the tradition.
And his site was declared as the masterpiece of the Oral Intangible heritage by the UNESCO.
This is the location which celebrates the day of the Dead.
A festival of global fame, this is the place to be in while this festival is held.
A celebration for four days, the festival is the region’s cuisine offered together the workshops, the offerings and the altars.
This festival follows the ritual of the Hanal Pixan and is a delight to attend.
Xcaret is the spine chilling experience that this ancient city will embed into you.
Popular places to visit in Coba
Explore the Mayan Jungles
There are many activities hidden in the jungles while you are here.
This natural habitat of the various types of foliage and vegetation, the forests here have a charm of their own.
While you can indulge in camping and trekking in the dense forests and the adjoining hills, you may also like some mountain sports like dirt biking and bungee jumping.
Ideal for the display of forest life, this activity will leave you gasping for breath with too much activity happening.
This city does offer the best locations to eat sumptuous meals but any destination is best enjoyed when it is raw.
This is the reason why experiencing the jungle life here is a must.
There are many tour guides and operators who would offer you packages for the trips to the jungles and based upon the package you choose, you can choose the kind of activities you would be interested in.
The Mayan Jungles have their history scattered all over them and while you are enjoying a deep walk into the jungles you may also come across many ruins of the jungle that date back to the Mayan Civilization.
These can be discovered by you in their entirely natural state and you can have some of your archeological bugs at work on these locations.
So, enter the jungle and let it lead you forward.
Things to do in Coba with kids
Aquariums –Xel Ha
There are many types of tropical
fish that exist in the waters in and around Mexico
and along with the finned fish, you can also spot a large variety of sponges, star fish, and anemones that wait for you at the Aquatic parks Of Xel-Ha.
This is the largest natural aquarium in the world and consists of fresh water from the underground rivers which eventually empty themselves into a cove.
Things to do around Coba
Grupo Coba
Just at a hundred meters along the main pathway of the Groupo Coba , you can find the La Iglesia.
This is the most historical and the most famous church of Coba.
Highly revered by the locals this church holds immense importance as far as the rites and rituals are considered.
If you were to climb atop the pyramid you would be able to see the magnificent view of the surrounding lakes and the NoHoch Mul Pyramid .
This place has many cobbled up walkways which you can take to explore the whole area and while you are enjoying the walk, go ahead and pull out your camera.
There is nothing that looks better that this area on a bright clear sunny day.
You may also take the Bicycle ride through the area and find a very well restored ball court in the way.
Must see places in Coba
Grupo de las Pinturas
While you are inside the area , you can reach the Grupo de las Pinturas by a kilometer long walk through the area.
Translated to the paintings Group, the temple here has the traces of many glyphs and huge frescoes hang above its doors with the remnants of plasters inside.
You may also be able to locate the stelae.
The first of these is along the same direction, as you have been walking in, right beneath the palpa.
Here you will find a regal figure standing over two other figures in a towering stature and one of them kneeling with his hands bound behind him.
This is pretty imaginative of a sacrificial scene and you can jog you imagination to run through the scene that might have been culminating when this scene was drafted.
Mexico offers you the delight of a true traveler where in indulging
in the local cuisine you can really have a fun filled holiday.
Along with the modern city culture, Coba also offers you the connect to the ruins and the ancient Mayan civilization which is pretty descriptive and evident in the lifestyles of the people.
The city offers you gracious walkways and rich foliage to keep your eyes green and soothing.
And the shopping arenas are good too!
While the night life on one hand is extensive and will keep you occupied for most of the time, the days are bright and sunny and perfect for the siestas.
Mexico as a whole is a travelers’
delight and so is Coba.
Completely representing, the true life of
Mexico, this city invites you to its warmth
and comfort.
There are many luxurious hotels for the accommodation available at very economical rates.
The spas in the area are more luxurious than the hotels itself.
Indulge in the marine activities while you are here and adapt tot the jungle life.
Both the activities are very different from each other but will keep you occupied.
Coba can let you shop from the national souvenirs and has many places that have been listed as the world’s heritage sites.
A remnant of the ancient Mayan Civilization, Coba is welcoming and warm and so are the people here.
Partly because the people here are villagers who do not understand the complexities of life and partly because tourism is the only flourishing industry here!
So pack your bags and book your trip now!
This is one place you should see for its homogeneity in the diversity.