Coba Ruins Self-Guided Walking Tour

Welcome to the Coba Ruins Tour

Discover the Coba Ruins, among the most intact ancient Mayan sites in existence! As you explore with the help of this narrated, self-guided walking tour, you’ll unearth the history of this fascinating place, from the remnants of ancient artwork to the court where Mayans once played a ritualistic ball game and beyond.

Preview the Tour

Your Coba Ruins tour begins at the site’s entrance. As you enter and get your first look around, you’ll hear the story of how the astonishingly advanced Mayan civilization rose and fell. You’ll also hear some little-known facts about the unique trees found in these ruins and the importance they once held in Mayan society.

The first major landmark you’ll see is a ball court. Unlike similar courts found at other sites, this one was likely used to depict a struggle between dark and light for ceremonial purposes. Pretty high stakes for a ball game!

It’ll be hard to miss the next stop: the imposing La Iglesia Pyramid. A close look will reveal some residue from the paint which once coated this entire pyramid. A little farther down the path is the Crossroads Pyramid, which presents an unexpected twist on the usual Mayan architectural style.

You’ll notice a surprisingly-intact network of ancient roads crisscrossing the site as you walk. These white stone roads were actually hugely crucial to Mayan cities and had a lot to say about life over a thousand years ago.

You’ll also encounter the Stelae—a type of large, rectangular stone with detailed designs carved into them. On your tour, you’ll uncover their meaning and why the Mayans created them in the first place.

The Pyramid of the Painted Lintel is your next major landmark. Bright colors once adorned this impressive limestone structure, and you can still find traces of those colors today.

As you pass a second ball court, you’ll learn all about the religious beliefs and practices of the ancient Mayans, as well as the infamous calendar by which they tracked the passage of years. 

Finally, on the Coba Ruins tour, you’ll find yourself at the foot of the Nohoch Mul Pyramid, the second-largest Mayan pyramid in the entire world. Your tour concludes here.

Starting Point Address: Carretera Federal Tulum 307, 77793 Coba, Q.R., Mexico