Mayan Archaeological Sites in Yucatán
Archaeological Sites in Oaxaca
Archaeological Sites in Chiapas
Arqueología Campeche
Northern Mexico
Central Mexico
Central Mexico
Mayan Archaeological Sites in Yucatán
Archaeological Sites in Oaxaca
Arqueología Chihuahua
Arqueología Campeche
Northern Mexico
Central Mexico
It was one of the most important city-states of the Mayan empire located between lakes.
It is estimated that there are about 6,500 structures in the area, surrounded by a thick jungle, only 5% of the site has been explored.
The site was inhabited from 100 B.C to 1450 A.D and its peak occurs during the Late Preclassic to the Late Classic from 800 to 1000 A.D. It is one of the few pre-Hispanic settlements to keep its original name.
It was a very large city that spreads for more than 80 square kilometers and grew to 50,000 inhabitants, and possibly significantly more. It became one of the most important Mayan cities in the region.
Must see Buildings
Coba's claim to fame is the largest network of stone causeways in the ancient Mayan world. There were a number of sacbes or white roads that connected the city within an extensive territory. The so-called Sacbé 1 (100 kilometers long), goes from Cobá to Yaxuná, a place near Chichen Itza. The roads were coated with stucco and built over containment walls up to 20 meters wide and 6 meters high.
Coba is divided into groups:
Cobá
Nohoch-Mul Group
This group does not have the largest number of buildings but it has one of the tallest pyramids of the península, 42 meters high (138 feet). The building has two stairways to the front, one that reaches the top and another that reaches a room at a lower level. This building also has the best preserved stele in the site.
Coba Group
It is located at the shore of two lagoons and has 50 buildings, several courtyards, shrines, a ballgame, a large plaza and the second tallest building in Cobá, called "The Church", it is a 25 42 meters (82 feet) high pyramid with nine bodies with rounded corners. In this group there are also eight stelae.
Mecanxoc Group
It includes a wide sacbé, 8 carved steles and several altars. It has 3 buildings of significant height that have not yet been fully explored.
Xaibé
Another important structure is El Xaibé, which is a very peculiar building with four bodies and without a temple on the top. Its function has not yet been determined, although it is believed to be an observatory.
Location
It is located in the municipality of Tulum just over two hours from Cancun and an hour and a half from Playa del Carmen.
Hours
Monday to Sunday from 8:00 to 17:00 hrs.