COBA - A little bit of history

Coba, estimated to have been established in 100 AD,  is located nearby two lagoons -  which is a rare sight in the Yucatan - from the information we gleaned it seems the City was never found by the Spanish who spent their time some miles away destroying Chichen Itza. 

Centuries passed and it was lost from sight - consumed by the jungle - relatively little is known about Coba or its inhabitants.

The area  is huge, about 80 square miles but only a fraction of it has been cleared of jungle. It was first re-discovered in the 1890's but excavations did not start until 1970 - there are thought to be approximately 6,500 structures dating back to perhaps 600 AD.
 
The Maya also built a vast network of elevated stone and plaster roads leading from Coba to surrounding cities.   These roads are marvels of engineering, perfectly straight and in places up to 10 meters wide!  Why? when they had no cars, pack animals or wagons - no-one knows.  The longest of the roads is 52 miles long leading to the derelict town of Yazuma.

There's lots on-line you read about Coba and we want to take you on a tour of the ruins with us so here we go.


Even though it was early by the time we arrived - 9am - tour buses were already beginning to stack up on one side of the carpark.  Over 40 busses will come and go during the course of the day each seating 50 persons plus a a carpark with space for 100 cars.  

Dozens of market stalls surround the edge of the parking lot - they have been open since 8am when the first buses began arriving.

At the edge of the car park is a new zip-line attraction which will zoom you off to the other side of the Coba Lagoon.   It's quite a climb up to the top and on the day we were there was a long queue -we planned to return but never did!!