ADVENTURES A local s guide to Coba Ruins Loco Gringo Travel Itineraries S U M M E R 2 0 1 8
Explore Coba Ruins EXPLORE A MAYAN CITY IN ITS PRIMAL STATE Cobá has the tallest pyramid of all the Mayan ruins in the Yucatan and only a small amount of the site's buildings excavated. At the height of its population in 400 to 1100 A.D., nearly 50,000 people lived within Coba. These facts are not readily known by visitors to the area making Coba an exclusive ruin site.
The site is located on and around 5 lagoons With 3 cenotes close by; the water source for the Mayan settlement. As a major commercial trade center, imports coming into Tulum were trekked to Coba and further distributed to surrounding Mayan cities. The elaborate system of limestone roads called 'sacbes' (pronounced soc beys) that wind through the site points to the distribution of goods to the surrounding areas. There are 50 documented sacbes that range in width from 10 to 30 ft wide up to a length of 62 miles. As more visitors seek a deeper understanding of Mayan history, Coba is becoming a more popular ruins site that people want to visit and explore. The site is enormous, so one of the easiest and fun ways to get around are with Mexican tricycles chauffeured by local drivers. These tricycles are affectionately called 'Mayan Limos' and are a wonderful option for those not looking forward to a long walk. If a personal chauffeur is not on your agenda, rent a bike so you can cover all corners of this Mayan settlement. We love to walk the site, but understand that this is not the best option for all visitors. The entire site is 80 square kilometers but visitors only have access to a small portion of the buildings. Shade and lagoons create an authentic and cooler experience while checking out Nohoch Mul and the Templo de Iglesia, the two most popular pyramids at Coba. P A G E 2
INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT COBA The main pyramid, Nohoch Mul meaning 'large hill', is 42 meters tall (138 feet), the highest in the Yucatan peninsula. The Templo de la Iglesia, 'Temple of the Church', is a close second in height, with a great view of Lake Macanxoc at the top. Coba was built in 100 BC, but encountered most of its activity and its highest population between 400 to 1 100 A.D. Only a small percentage of the structures in Coba are restored or uncovered with an estimated 6,000 structures to be part of this 80 square km site. Discovered in the late 1800s, Coba remained a mystery until the later 1920s due to its remote location. In 1973 a road was built to the site, which opened up public access. A number of stele (large stone stabs) are found within Coba decorated with drawings and glyphs. One stele is dated November 30, 780 AD. Transportation of goods along the sacbes was done by foot, even though the Mayans had knowledge of, and an understanding about the wheel. Coba saw major construction in the settlement in the middle and late Classic period, about 500 to 900. Hieroglyphic inscriptions date from the 7th century. Coba had a lot of power with the Mayan communities, which is why it is considered an important site. This power was because of the control over agriculture, trading routes, and more importantly water resources. P A G E 3
After 600 AD, the development of Chichén ltza changed the political influences in the Yucatän peninsula and began eroding the dominance of Coba. Once an influential powerhouse, Coba focused on maintaining its spiritual and religious contributions after 1000 A.D. Coba was abandoned in 1550 when the Spanish conquered the area. Mexican National Institute of Anthropology & History began archeological excavations in 1972 directed by Carlos Navarrete but most of the building remain buried in the jungle and natural debris. Explore Cobá 3 Ways Do it Yourself Go with Friends Take a Tour P A G E 4
EXPLORE ROAD TRIP This is what these itineraries will do for you: LocoGringo takes the mystery out of local travel with their Loco Gringo Adventure travel itineraries for visitors. These itineraries are helpful guides that let you explore and understand the Riviera Maya, Yucatan, and Mexico. We have crafted three options for your adventure, Do It Yourself (DIY), Go with Friends or Take a Tour. 1. Outline why the cultural, sustainable or local adventure should be on your list of road trips. 2. Provide three exploring options DIY Adventure instructions (Do It Yourself), Go with a group or arrange a guided tour with local guides. 3. Offer inside tips for the journey to and from the highlighted area or destination. Part of the fun is the road trip so let our insights and experience guide you. Explore, have fun and learn about the Riviera Maya and Yucatan! You ll fall in love! P A G E 5
"THERE ARE NO FOREIGN LANDS. IT IS THE TRAVELER ONLY WHO IS FOREIGN." No matter which Loco Gringo Adventure option you choose, Coba is a day tour that will have you back to your original destination in less than 8 hours. If stopping off in local villages is part of your adventure, this will be your full 8 hour day, but it can be done in less time. Located close to Tulum, Tulum visitors can make the trip shorter. If you are in Playa del Carmen or north of Playa, the day will take longer. This trip is far less overwhelming than Chichen Itza. This INAH (Instituto Nacional de Antropología y Historia) site is less, but fun time is way more! P A G E 6
DO IT YOURSELF Find your own way to Cobal. This Do It Yourself Coba tour is easy and does not require an overly adventurous spirit. The highways to Coba are newly paved and a dream to navigate with only two highways to follow. Our suggestions are based on departures from the Riviera Maya. If you wish to make the AOO bus for your Cobo tour, buses leave Playa del Carmen, Cancun, and Tulum in the mornings. We suggest choosing your best departure time one day in advance at the local bus station. The bus departs from Coba at 1:30 pm or 3:30 pm from the local restaurant El Bocadita. The walk from the Coba pueblo bus stop to the ruins is only 500 meters. 1. Book your vehicle and get ready The night before you leave reserve your rental car, buy drinks, snacks and fill up your gas tank. The recommended departure time is 8:00 am to avoid the tropical heat at this site. It is possible to leave later, but the heat of the midday sun can be too much for some. Get some pesos as American dollars, credit cards and Euros are not widely accepted in the small Mayan pueblos or the area around Coba. Reliable ATM s are located in Playa del Carmen and Tulum. Local currency will make your trip a lot easier! 2. It is time for a road trip Have breakfast where you are staying or look for an open taco stand outside Puerto Aventuras, in Tulum. Stopping on the Tulum beach for breakfast is a great way to take in the morning. If you are get up and go kind of person, there are a few restaurants outside of a ruins that offer an early breakfast. The drive from Cancun is 3hrs, from Playa del Carmen 2hrs, and from Tulum 1hr. Slip in a morning adventure meal if you are up for it! To get to Coba, head south to Tulum and take the road to Coba just as you are entering the Tulum pueblo. This road is identified by the following landmarks: Super San Francisco Supermarket, the 7-11 and a big green road sign that points the way to Coba. P A G E 7
Tip: If you forgot to pick up enough water and snacks, this is where you want to stop. Any of the stores mentioned have a great selection. 3. Mayan Pueblos On the Coba road, the local name for this highway, you will drive through three Mayan pueblos and pass lots of local artisan shops. These are great places to stop on your trip back! Watch out for the speed bumps in each of these small towns. In Spanish they are called "topes" and they are not small bumps. After 45 minutes you will reach a roundabout that has three exits. Take the exit to Coba and drive a few minutes to the Coba pueblo. When you enter the pueblo of Coba, you will see lots of little restaurants and the lagoon. The ruins are to the left of the three-way intersection at the lagoon, with secure, parking available. Parking is about 40 pesos. 4. Have breakfast or get a road start on your Coba tour If you skipped breakfast in Tulum or Puerto Aventuras, we love the breakfast served at the restaurant located at the three-way intersection before we enter the ruins. Their 'horchata' (natural rice and cinnamon drink) is one of the best we have had, and their eggs are delicious. Overlooking the lagoon and Malecon while updating your Coba information is a nice way to start the day. 5. Entering the Coba Ruins Take some water, a snack, sunscreen, hat and your Coba information and it is off to the entrance. If you are not a big walker, consider hiring a tricycle with a personal chauffeur or rent a bike and pedal yourself around the site. Bike rental is 35 pesos, a chauffeured tricycle is 70 pesos per hour. INAH (Instituto Nacional de Antropologia e Historia) certified guides can be hired to join you on your adventure for 500 pesos. We are walkers and love the walk through the ruins. There are little paths that lead to the lagoon and into the jungle but only accessible by foot. So take your pick! P A G E 8
6. Climb the Nohoch Mul pyramid Unlike other Mayan ruin sites, the pyramid at Coba, the highest Mayan structure in the Yucatan, is still open for climbing. The steps up to the viewing platform are a challenge, but the view is worth it! Take your camera or smartphone so you can document your achievement with incredible photos. 7. Coba cenotes We are big fans of the cenotes that surround Coba on the outskirts of the village and ruins. Once you have completed your tour, hop in the car, drive around the lagoon to the west and follow the signs for the three cenotes. Entrance tickets are best purchased at the first cenote, which will give you access to all three. Your tickets must be shown at each cenote so hold onto them! These cenotes have small entrances but large cavern areas, so don't let the entrance deceive you. Each cenote has a spiral staircase to either a limestone floor or a man-made platform. The waters are crystal clear and the formations are quite spectacular. Even if you have seen other cenotes, these are worth investigating, if not a great place to swim. 8. Drive back at your pace Once you are done with your Coba tour of the ruins, local cenotes and a bite to eat, you can make your way back to your original destination. If you have been on our DIY Chichen Itza tour, these stops may sound familiar. Pick a new option that you missed last time and experience more on this DIY tour. The proximity of Coba to your original destination lets you wander back and investigate the area on a deeper level. P A G E 9
SUGGESTIONS Your trip back will take you to any of these stops: Shopping on the Coba Road to visit local artisans specifically Alfredo Gonzalez Castillo on the outskirts of the Francisco Uh May pueblo. Stop by the Tulum beach for a swim and a juice (no drinks for the driver). We suggest stopping in at Que Fresco at Zamas as it is closer to the highway and the beach is easy to access. Two great stores are located across from Zamas, Mixik and Shalom. Stop in the Tulum pueblo to the south of the Coba Road for a stretch and walk down the main street. Check out Mixik, our friend Saws Mexican Alt Store or Charlie's Restaurant for a coffee. Charlie's has some interesting decor that just might inspire you! ZAMA'S QUE FRESCO Pop into Akumal and have a snack on the beach at the Lol Ha Beach Bar or Buena Vida. If you have your snorkeling gear with you, seek out the turtles in the Bay. Experience the Xpu Ha beach just south of Puerto Aventuras. Great views, a beach restaurant and great swimming if you want to take a dip. Take xpu Ha EXIT 4. Check out Pamuul if you are heading to Playa del Carmen. This is a quiet beachfront area with a great ocean view, restaurant and someone to share your travels with. AKUMAL BAY Once you hit your final destination, your DIY adventure is officially over! Share your photos on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter so everyone can experience your personally designed Coba adventure! #locogringoknows P A G E 1 0
ITINERARY #2 GO WITH FRIENDS This is a great way to save money and travel with friends. The GO with Friends Loco Gringo Adventure combines a private van with our DIY Coba itinerary. This option is where you are driven under your rules! The driver is not a tour guide but will get where you need to go in a comfortable air-conditioned van for 12! If you feel that this is YOUR option but do not have enough Riviera Maya friends to take advantage of the savings and convenience, no worries, we have you covered. You can find LocoGringo friends on the LocoGringo Facebook Fan Page. Post on our fan page when you are thinking of traveling and see who is up to sharing the ride and the cost! LocoGringo also has a very active online forum so sign up and post a thread stating dates, costs and departure city. If you have multiple city pickups, no worries, the driver will coordinate the appropriate pickups and timing. P A G E 1 1
FINDING FRIENDS 1. Use LocoGringo social networks to share your Loco Gringo Adventure Outline the dates, your name, where you are staying, and where you are going! Find out from each willing traveler where they are staying (hotel and city) and obtain their personal email details so you can all plan together. Direct them to this page so they can see for themselves what the day will bring. Costs will vary depending on the number of people you rally for the adventure. Private vans with a driver range from $280 USD to $350 USD depending on the number of hours you choose to travel. 2. Book your private van in advance and get ready Reserve your private van through our people and they will arrange a seamless pickup. We love the drivers that take us around the Riviera Maya so we thought you would enjoy the same. Bring your own drinks, snacks, and pesos, which you can buy the night before. Start your first pickup between 7:00 to 8:00 am to avoid the midday heat. If your group wishes to leave later, know you have that flexibility. Tip: American dollars, credit cards, and Euros are not widely accepted on this road trip so visit an ATM and get some local currency to make your trip a lot easier! If you forgot, Tulum hos reliable ATM machines in town. 3. It is time for a road trip Have breakfast, where you are staying or look for open taco stands outside Puerto Aventuras, in Tulum, or take in the stunning view of the Tulum beach over breakfast. If you are a get-up and go kind of person, there are a few restaurants outside of the ruins that offer an early breakfast. The drive from Cancun is 3 hrs, from Playa del Carmen 2 hrs, and from Tulum I hr. Slip in a morning adventure if you are up for it! To get to Cobb, head south to Tulum and take the road to Coba just as you are entering the Tulum pueblo. This road is identified by the following landmarks; Super San Francisco Supermarket, the 7-11 and a big green road sign that points the way to Coba. Tip: If you forgot to pick up enough water and snacks, this is where you want to stop at any of the stores mentioned have a great selection. P A G E 1 2
4. Mayan pueblos On the Coba road, you will drive through three Mayan pueblos and pass lots of local artisan shops. These are great places to stop on your trip back! Watch out for the speed bumps in each of these small towns. In Spanish they are called "topes" and they are not small bumps. After 45 minutes you will reach a roundabout that has three exits. Take the exit to Coba and drive a few minutes to the Coba ruins site. When you enter the pueblo of Coba, you will see lots of little restaurants and the lagoon. The ruins are to the left of the three-way intersection that IS at the lagoon, with secure parking available. 5. Have breakfast or get a head start on your Coba tour We love to have breakfast at the restaurant located at the three-way intersection before we enter the ruins. Their 'horchata' (rice drink with cinnamon) is one of the best we have had, and their eggs are delicious. Overlooking the lagoon and malecon while updating your Coba information a nice way to start the day. 6. Entering the Coba Ruins Take some water, a snack, sunscreen, hat and your Coba information and it is off to the entrance. If you are not a big walker, consider hiring a tricycle with a personal chauffeur or rent a bike and pedal yourself around the site. Bike rental is 35 pesos, a chauffeured tricycle is 70 pesos per hour. INAH (Instituto Nacional de Antropologfa e Historia) certified guides can be hired to join you on your adventure for 500 pesos. We are walkers and love the walk through the ruins. There are little paths that lead to the lagoon and into the jungle but only accessible by foot. So take your pick! P A G E 1 3
7. Climb the Nohoch Mul pyramid Unlike other Mayan ruin sites, the pyramid at Cobb, the highest Mayan structure in the Yucatan, is still open for climbing. The steps up to the viewing platform are a challenge, but the view is worth it! Take your camera or smartphone so you can document your achievement with incredible photos. 8. Coba cenotes We are big fans of the cenotes that surround Coba on the outskirts of the village and ruins. Once you have completed your tour, hop in the car, drive around the lagoon to the west and follow the signs for the three cenotes. Entrance tickets are best purchased at the first cenote, which will give you access to all three. Your tickets must be shown at each cenote so hold onto them! These cenotes have small entrances but large cavern areas, so don't let the entrance deceive you. Each cenote has a spiral staircase to either a limestone floor or a man-made platform. The waters are crystal clear and the formations are quite spectacular. Even if you have seen other cenotes, these are worth investigating, if not a great place to swim. 9. Drive back at your pace Once you are done with your Coba tour of the ruins, local cenotes and a bite to eat, you can make your way back to your original destination. If you have been on our DIY Chichen ltza tour, these stops may sound familiar. Pick a new option that you missed last time and experience more on this DIY tour. The proximity of Coba to your original destination lets you wander back and investigate the area on a deeper level. P A G E 1 4
SUGGESTIONS Your trip back will take you to any of these stops: Shopping on the Coba Road to visit local artisans specifically Alfredo Gonzalez Castillo on the outskirts Of the Francisco Uh May pueblo Stop by the Tulum beach for a swim and a juice (no drinks for the driver). We suggest stopping in at Que Fresco at Zamas as it is closer to the highway. The beach is easy to access. Two great stores are located across from Zamas, Mixik and Shalom. Stop in the Tulum pueblo to the south of the Coba Road for a stretch and walk down the main street. Check out Mixik, our friend Sally's Mexican Art Store or Charlie's Restaurant for a coffee. Charlie's has some interesting decor that just might inspire you! CHARLIE'S Pop into Akumal and have a snack on the beach at the Lol Ha Beach Bar or Buena Vlda. If you have your snorkeling gear with you, seek out the turtles in the Bay. Experience the Xpu Ha beach just south of Puerto Aventuras. Great views, a beach restaurant and great swimming if you want to take a dip. Take Xpu Ha EXIT 4. Check out Pamuul if you are heading to Playa del Carmen. This is a quiet beachfront area with a great ocean view, restaurant and someone to share your travels with. Once you hit your destination, your Coba adventure is officially over! Thank your driver and show him some love by tipping him. LA BUENA VIDA P A G E 1 5
BOOK A TOUR P A G E 1 6 We understand that you may not be up for a Do It Yourself adventure. The Guided Tour option makes your adventure less stressful, easy and convenient. This adventure is a tour, with a driver, a guide, food and more! We love what YucaTreks does and they offer an awesome excursion. We picked YucaTreks for a few reasons. Mitch and his group of guides are just like us. He has lived in the area for over 15 years, is originally from Canada and is an explorer. He loves to find cool and interesting things to do. Yucatrek tours are effortless, provide valuable historical facts and are fun. There is nothing to plan or think about. Mitch looks after it all. You will enjoy his tour groups because they are small, intimate and designed for people like you who are looking for a more personal experience.
YucaTreks offers you the following benefits: Unique and off the beaten track experiences Local guides are trained in Mayan history and are registered INAH guides Spend a day with passionate people who love what they do and want to share their local insights. Create interesting tour stops that are cultural and local. They know the secret spots. They love to have fun! Your day will look like this: Your Day will look like this: Guided tour of Coba with your group being one of the first to enter the ruins. Swimming stop at a local cenote Lunch at a local family owned Yucatecan restaurant on the shore of Laguna Coba Local shopping stops on the Coba road (honey store is included) Coba tours are completed every' Thursday unless you have a large group. Large groups can book the van with YucaTreks and have a private tour with all the frills mentioned. How great is that! Price is $110 USD per person for this all day tour. It is a little bit more than doing this on your own but the service and the adventure are worth it! Deluxe air-conditioned transportation, professional bilingual guide, entrance fees to ruins and cenote, guided tour of the archaeological site, water, and soft drinks throughout the day, snacks, and lunch. Pickups are scheduled through YucaTreks directly with a specific time allocated to you or your group. Contact YucaTreks directly to reserve your tour. P A G E 1 7
The very best vacations are individual journeys and each is uniquely suited to the person who chooses it. That s why our local team invests so much time and energy in researching and reporting the real Riviera Maya and Yucatan. It s personal. What you see on Loco Gringo are vacation accommodations we have personally checked out. The adventures you ll read, we ve lived. The restaurants? Our favorites. reservations@locogringo.com tel. +1 512-853-9676 We share what we know. And we share what we love.