The Ultimate Guide to Coba Ruins & Cenotes
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As I mention in my Tulum guide, exploring the ancient Mayan ruins of the archeological site in Coba, Exploring the ancient Mayan ruins of Coba is a must-do adventure in Mexico!
While other archaeological sites like Chichen Itza offer astounding ancient ruins to explore, the Coba ruins give travelers a chance to venture off-the-beaten path. They’re also a great alternative for those who have a limited amount of time in their itinerary, considering their proximity to both Cancun and Playa del Carmen.
Home to the tallest pyramid in the state of Quintana Roo and second tallest in the Yucatan, there’s more to see than simply moss-covered stone pyramids. Coba is also renowned for its ancient sacbe roads, which led to other Mayan cities like Chichen Itza, and nearby cenotes.
At the end of the day, Coba is an essential stop for those wishing to discover Quintana Roo outside of the more popular cities and towns of Tulum and Playa del Carmen.
Here’s my guide on how to best experience the Coba Mayan ruins and the surrounding Coba cenotes!
How to Visit the Coba Ancient Mayan Ruins
Coba is only a 45-minute leisurely drive from Tulum, making it the perfect day trip.
The best time to visit Coba is early morning, while everyone else is visiting the Tulum ruins and snapping pictures of the most popular cenotes near Tulum. Thankfully, the Coba ruins entrance fee isn’t as steep as some other attractions in Mexico.
Entry will cost you a mere $95 pesos or roughly $4-$5 USD. On arrival, you’ll see a small lake on your right, and you can’t miss the colorful row of local restaurants offering fair-priced Mexican fare on your left.
Tip: Park alongside these restaurants to avoid any parking fees at the Coba entrance.
Getting to the Coba Ruins
There are several ways to get from the Riviera Maya’s larger towns to the Coba Ruins.
ADO buses run between Coba and major towns like Tulum and Cancun on an hourly basis. You can also catch a taxi from just about anywhere in the Riviera Maya, but know that this is the most expensive option by far.
One of the best ways to get to the Coba Ruins is by rental car. Driving distance from Tulum to Coba is just 45 minutes, while Cancun is about an hour and 45 minutes away.
When to Visit the Coba Ruins
From December to April is the best time to visit the Coba Ruins. This is the dry season in the Yucatan and temperatures aren’t quite at their peak.
Try to arrive early in the morning (before 8:00 AM) to beat the crowds!
The Best Way to Explore the Coba Ruins
There are three ways to explore the Coba ruins.
- On foot, walking
- By renting a bicycle or,
- Hiring a tuk-tuk taxi
If you’re walking around the Coba ruins, just know you will tire quickly. To reach the climbable pyramid alone will require at least 1-2 miles of walking (there and back). I visited Coba twice. The first time I walked. The second time I rented a bike (lol).
Rent a bike for ~200 pesos per person and you’ll get to see loads more of the Coba ruins, including all the other small ruins. Using a bike is also a great way to beat the crowd to the main pyramid, especially if you want to take epic photos!
If you’re traveling with family or with a group, two people can share a rickshaw taxi. You can negotiate a little if you’re a big group – like we were. And make sure to ask what their price includes. Our guides were tired and they changed their story of which route was included in the price.
Climbing the Ixmoja Pyramid at Coba
First things first. Can you climb the Coba pyramid? As of March 2025, you cannot climb the pyramid at Coba.
The site barred climbing the pyramid in 2020 due to COVID and still hasn’t allowed visitors to resume climbing since.
We climbed in December 2018 and had heard numerous long-time rumors that 2019 would be the year they would close it off due to accidents. It seems that COVID was the final straw.
Regardless of whether you can climb it or not, the Ixmoja Pyramid and the entire site are still worthy of a visit!
What Else to Visit in Coba Mayan Ruins
Many people just go to the ruins to see Ixmoja – the tallest pyramid.
However, Coba has so many more ruins to see! The Mayan ruins at Coba also display ancient hieroglyphics, residential and religious ruins, exotic flora, ancient writings, a Mayan calendar in stone, a very well-preserved ancient ball court, and more.
Not only that but the ancient Mayan trade routes – or white roads – otherwise known as sacbes, also attract visitors to Coba. These routes used to lead the Mayans in and out of the jungle to other important Mayan cities. You can see a map of the routes that are still preserved today.
“A sacbe, plural sacbeob .. or “white way”, is a raised paved road built by the Maya civilization of pre-Columbian Mesoamerica. Most connect temples, plazas, and groups of structures within ceremonial centers or cities, but some longer roads between cities are also known.” Wiki
Make sure to take the time to visit these amazing ancient discoveries. It helps to have a guide to explain the ruin’s significance along the way, as there are not many signs describing what you’re seeing.
Visiting the Cenotes Near Coba: Cenotes Tamcach-Ha, Choo-Ha, and Multum-Ha
Once you’ve ingested as much about the Coba ruins as possible, it’s time to have a little fun jumping into the Yucatan’s fresh-water sinkholes, otherwise known as cenotes.
There are a handful of cenotes nearby Coba that are convenient for a mid-late afternoon dip.
You will need a car to get there, unless you book a Coba cenotes tour and have transport already figured out.
Cenotes Tamcach-Ha, Choo-Ha, and Multum-Ha are the three cenotes you can visit near Coba.
Each offers mesmerizing examples of underground cenotes, which are completely enclosed caverns with crystal clear (and cold!) water below.
The entrance fee for each is about $100 pesos, or you can visit all three for ~$300.
Best Coba Ruins & Cenotes Tours
If you don’t feel like doing the heavy lifting of figuring out how to get to the Coba Ruins or you just like the sound of hopping on a tour, here are some of the best options.
Coba, Chichen Itza, & Cenotes
- Visit both the Coba and Chichen Itza ruins.
- Cool off in one cenote.
- Lunch in Valladolid.
- Pick up from several locations in the Riviera Maya.
- Budget-friendly!
Discover some of the most impressive ancient Mayan sites on this 12 hour day trip! You’ll visit both the Coba and Chichen Itza ruins with a special stop to cool off at Cenote Chichikan and lunch in Valladolid.
The great thing about this tour option is that they pickup from several different Riviera Maya locations, including Cancun, Tulum, and Playa del Carmen. This is also a less expensive excursion for those on a budget!
Coba, Punta Laguna Nature Reserve, Mayan Family, & Cenotes
- Unique experience!
- Tour the Coba Ruins with a knowledgable guide.
- Float through the serene Punta Laguna Nature Reserve.
- Go ziplining, hiking, and jump in a cenote.
- Have lunch with a local family.
- Pick up from Tulum.
Explore the Coba ruins and the beautiful Punta Laguna Nature Reserve on this 8-hour adventure!
You’ll fit in a tour of the Coba ruins with a knowledgable guide, ziplining, jungle hikes, canoeing on Punta Laguna, jumping in a cenote, and have lunch with a Mayan family.
Although this is a more expensive option, you get SO much bang for your buck! The only draw back is that, while they can pickup from other locations besides Tulum, it’s an added expense.
Responsible Travel Tips for Coba Ruins
You shouldn’t wear any creams or perfumes, so a quick rinse before entering the cenote is a must.
It’s extremely important to abide by these rules. If not, and with the growing number of tourists visiting cenotes every year, the cenotes become polluted and dirty.
Once you see just how sparkling clean this water is, you won’t want to spoil it. Nature at its finest!
As these are deep, underground pools, wearing a life-jacket is recommended and is sometimes even required. While there are ropes hooked to the cenote walls to aid people to stand or rest their feet while swimming, the water is still very deep. So please keep this in mind!
Most people spend between 30-60 minutes at each cenote. The first time we went we only visited Multum-Ha and stayed until closing (around 5 pm).
Where to Stay Near Coba, Mexico
There are a handful of delightful places to stay in Coba, making it ideal to spend the night!
Those who do decide to stay in Coba will be rewarded with early access to both the ruins and the cenotes.
Coba also offers adrenaline junkies the chance to go ziplining, cycling, or hiking. Nearby restaurants offer budget-friendly Mexican cuisine all the way up to fine dining.
Here are the best places to stay in Coba:
Coqui Coqui Coba (Luxury): Coqui Coqui is set off the tranquil waters of the lake in Coba, just a mile or two down the road from the ruins. At first sight, you wouldn’t believe it was a 4-star hotel, but once you notice its unique stone architecture with a walkway bridge, spa, and upscale restaurant, it all makes sense. It’s the perfect hideout from the busier boutique scenes over in Tulum.
Aldea Coba Boutique Hotel (Mid-Range): Aldea Coba offers your mid-range boutique hotel experience, with a modern outdoor pool, bungalows and villas, and natural and jungly-garden vibes, with premium comforts and mealtime options. Bicycles are also provided for guests to explore the village.
Hotel Sacbe (Budget-Friendly): Hotel Sacbe is a popular option for those looking for a traditional hotel experience. Large, comfy beds and rooms with all your basic services and amenities, including dining on-site, terrace, secured parking, and an attached market.
Coba Ruins Travel Guide – Overview
A quick snapshot and take-aways for visiting the Coba Mayan ruins.
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Coba Ruins
- Entrance Price: ~ $65 pesos, free for nationals
- Best Time to Visit: Early morning, before lunch
- Best Mode to Explore: On foot or by bicycle
- Climbable Pyramid: Ixmoja / Nicte-Ha (and some other smaller ones)
- Recommended Time to Visit Coba Ruins: 2-3 hours
Coba Cenotes
- Price: ~ $55 pesos or $165 for all three
- Cenote Names: Cenotes Tamcach-Ha, Choo-Ha, and Multum-Ha
- Best Time to Visit: Early or later afternoon before closing
- How to Get There: By car, taxi, or tour guide
- How Long to Visit: As desired or approx. 30-60 minutes
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Planning a trip to Mexico?
If you’re planning a trip here soon, make sure to check out my Mexico travel guides. If you’re in the Riviera Maya, there are so many more things to explore beyond Coba!
- Tulum Street Art: Exploring the Pueblo’s Muralism Culture
- The Complete Guide to Scuba Diving in Tulum, Mexico
- Floating Down Ancient Mayan Canals in Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve
- Kayaking in Bacalar’s Lagoon of 7 Colors (+ Mini Travel Guide)
- Visiting Calakmul Mayan Ruins: A Journey Into the Jungle
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hi – -Is there any way to find out if we can climb Coba or Ek Balam or if they will be RE-opening? (we are going in July an would like to climb at least one of them) PS – your articles are helping me put together a really good itinerary – so thanks for sharing what you know.
Hey Dean! I just did a quick sifting through Google Answers for both. Seems like as of 3 months ago, Ek Balam was fully open (they didn’t mention if it was still climbable but I’m assuming yes otherwise they would’ve said and considering Mexico’s lax measures). As for Coba, the site is open but the climbable pyramid is not because the way up/down and the platform at the top is too small for social distancing. Thanks for reading my blog 🙂 Hope you have a great time and stay safe!
My husband and son and I are in Mexico right now and planning to go to Coba and the cenotes TOMORROW! Thanks so much for your articles, it is really helpful to be able to access first-hand information like this when traveling on a budget.
One update:
from what I have seen and heard most recently, you cannot climb anymore at Coba or even Ek Balam🙁
And one question:
Do you have to have a life jacket at any of these the cenotes and if so, which ones?
Aw hi Katie!! Thank you for writing and for the update. When my sister was at Coba in December it was closed as well. And yes, they provide life jackets at all of them if I remember correctly! Wearing them is optional and they are free as well so you can just ask if you need one! I hope you have a fabulous time! Thanks again for the updates! xx
I always love visiting ancient places an those Maya ruins look absolutely amazing! Also I wish I could swim in those cenotes there ?
Thanks Lina! Me too, I wish I could relive their history in a flashback haha. Can’t wait to go back and enjoy more cenotes next year!
AH I was supposed to go to Coba when I was in Tulum, but I didn’t have the time. It is so cool how you could walk up it. Great article Bri!
Thanks, girl! I’m sure there will be other opportunities to go! 🙂