Coba is one of the many sets of ruins in Mexico and the only one that you’re allowed to climb. It’s about a 35-minute ride from Tulum and passes through a small village and a couple of cenotes as well. I don’t remember the exact directions but as soon as you come to the stoplight in Tulum after the Tulum ruins you turn right, it is well marked.
When you arrive at the ruins there is one small parking lot. If it is full as plenty of parking on the street and you can walk in it just depends on how busy it is. Aren’t you park to go to the entrancing or you can purchase admission. I don’t remember how much it is but I’ve seemed to think it was 10 or $15 per person. After entering the park people will bombard you trying to guide services, rent bicycles, and pedicab tours. It is is a little over a mile through the jungle to the main pyramid and there many smaller ruins on the way.
I would highly recommend that you rent bikes or take a pedicab, especially if it’s hot. We take the pedicab; I believe it’s $25 plus a tip. It’s a fun way to get around, and the drivers are very informative. They also stop at points of interest along the way. When we took our grandson, we got two of them and, of course, had to race. I won!!
When you arrive at the ruins there is one small parking lot. If it is full as plenty of parking on the street and you can walk in it just depends on how busy it is. Aren’t you park to go to the entrancing or you can purchase admission. I don’t remember how much it is but I’ve seemed to think it was 10 or $15 per person. After entering the park people will bombard you trying to guide services, rent bicycles, and pedicab tours. It is is a little over a mile through the jungle to the main pyramid and there many smaller ruins on the way.
Located on the left side of the road, shortly before you get back to Tulum, is Grand Cenote. This cenote has one large and one smaller pool of water with several rock overhangs and interesting underwater formations. Since we had had an issue with our underwater camera, we asked about buying a disposable underwater one. While they did not sell them we were able to hire a photographer, which was one of the services they offered. The cost of this was, I believe, about $50 for about an hour and included all photos on a disc. The photographer took many great photos, and it was money well spent.
After the photos we continued swimming and snorkeling until the park closed at 5PM.
On the way out we noticed a peacock in a large cage. My wife decided to attempt to communicate with it by mimicking its sounds. It was quite funny, earning her the name the peacock whisperer😁😁.
After a long and enjoyable day we returned to our resort for a relaxing evening. This is a great day trip from most points on the Mayan Riviera and would highly recommend it! Whether you choose Gran Cenote or another one it makes a wonderful way to spend the day after being hot and tired from the ruins.