Coba is a large ruined city of the Pre-Columbian Maya civilization, located in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico. It is located about 90 km east of the Maya site of Chichen Itza, about 40 km west of the Caribbean Sea, and 44 km northwest of the site of Tulum, with which it is connected by a modern road. Coba is located around two lagoons. Coba is estimated to have had some 50,000 inhabitants (and possibly significantly more) at its peak of civilization, and the built up area extends over some 80 km².

In Coba it is possible to climb (at your own risk) the tallest (42m) Mayan pyramid (Nohoch Mul pyramid). From the top the view is stunning and it is possible to detect, far away another pyramid belonging to the same site (look carefully above Sheede’s head in the above picture). Also, in Coba you can find two ball courts with very interesting details. According to the local guides, the game was ‘win or die’, the loosers were up to be painted in blue and sacrificed.

The area is still immersed in the jungle and the work of archeologists is far to be considered done. Coba is a very fascinating city of mystery. In the picture below you can see how hard is the work of the archeologists studying the Mayan cities. Coba is still characterized by piles of rocks literally fused with the vegetation.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 27th, 2011 at 4:51 am While Dave was in Travels, Culture, Cities. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.