The Forgotten City - Exploring The Mayan Ruins Of Coba

Some of the most popular activities in Cancun arethis steep stone temple is the second-tallest
visits to the sites of ancient Mayan ruins. While manystructure in Coba. About a mile down the main road,
visitors are aware of the world-famous Chichen Itzayou will encounter one of the Mayan kingdom's
and plenty of tours visit nearby Tulum, archeologistsgreatest temples. Towering above the jungle at 136
and those in the know often recommend a forgottenfeet, Nohoch Mul is certainly a sight to behold. Once
Mayan city. Deep in the Mexican jungle rests the cityyou reach the top of the stone steps, however, you
of Coba, an expansive complex of stone structureswill be granted an even more impressive view of the
and winding roads. Due to its remote location, Cobasurrounding jungle and Coba's nearby lagoons.
wasn't explored by archeologists until the 1920s andAnother favorite site along Coba's winding paths is
remains mostly unexcavated. However, realizing thethe Conjunto Las Picturas (Temple of the Paintings),
cultural value of the site, the local governmenta multilevel pyramid once crowned with colorful
constructed a modern road to the site in the 1970smurals - remnants of which can still be detected. If
and tours have grown in popularity ever since.you also visit Chichen Itza or Tulum while in Cancun,
Though known for its stone pyramids, the area ofCoba will stand out for reasons other than its
Coba was populated and used for agriculturalimpressive architecture. As Coba has only been
purposes as far back as 600 BC. By the 1st centuryaccessible by modern roads for 30 years, the city
AD, Coba began to show signs of its eventualhasn't received the attention paid to other Mayan
prominence in the Mayan Kingdom, sustaining a sizablesites. As a result, development in and around the site
population in a more concentrated area. Much like thehas been kept to a minimum. For the most part, the
other great Mayan cities of Mexico, the majority ofstructures in Coba have been left in their original
development took place between the 6th and 10thstate, many still uncovered. For the tourist, this
centuries - including the construction of the templesmeans that the site maintains the ancient allure that
and pyramids that can be seen today. It is believedgreeted the first archeologists nearly a century ago.
that Coba's population numbered at least 50,000Furthermore, with the Mexican jungle encroaching
during this time - certainly no small number for anupon the city from all angles, Coba is bound to feel
ancient city. Following the initial decline of the Mayanas exotic as any place you have ever visited. Most
civilization, new temples were constructed in Coba asvisitors to Coba experience the site as a day trip
late as the 14th century, with many inhabitantsfrom the resorts of Cancun. While there are fewer
remaining as late as the arrival of the Spanishtours to the site than either Chichen Itza or Tulum, it
conquistadores. One of the first things you will noticeshouldn't be difficult to find reliable transportation to
when you arrive in Coba is the series of ancientthe ruins through your resort. Buses generally leave
stone roads known as sacbeob. In addition tofor Coba in the early morning, as the site is open
supporting the belief that Coba was a large anddaily from 8 am to 5 pm. When you arrive, you can
influential city during its peak, these roads are theview the site with the help of a tour guide, stroll at
finest example of the Mayan mode of transportationyour own pace or rent a bicycle and cruise the
anywhere in Mexico. While most of the stones haveancient roads of the city. When you've had your
since been misplaced, the well-defined paths areshare of Coba and the vibrant surrounding jungle,
unmistakable. Some of these roads lead to thecheck out the modest gift stalls or grab a snack at
Caribbean coast - approximately 25 miles to the eastone of the rustic cafes. If you want to explore the
- while the longest pathway is connected to theremnants of the Mayan kingdom, there are plenty of
smaller Mayan site of Yaxuna over 60 miles to thefascinating sites within a short ride of Cancun.
west. Within the city itself, these same roadsHowever, you don't want to forget about the great
connect the temples and other structures within ancity of the jungle - the always exotic and captivating
ancient model of the urban grid system. The firstCoba.
structure you will notice along the sacbeob is theJustin Burch writes articles about Travel in Cancun for
pyramid known as La Iglesia. Standing over 65 feet,the Marriott Resorts.