Description
COBA AND TULUM—A DYNAMIC DUO OF TOURS
Offered through our archeological partner in Playa del Carmen, you’ll have the unique opportunity to explore the best of two ancient worlds, take a dip in a cenote, and enjoy a lovely lakeside lunch.
TWO ANCIENT CITIES. ONE DAY. COUNTLESS MEMORIES.
The Coba-Tulum Combo is the single best way to explore two significant Mayan cities responsible for developing the all-important trade routes between international partners and the Maya. Coba, one of the oldest and largest Mayan cities in the Yucatan, was the focal point for internal trade routes. Tulum, the only Mayan city located on the shores of the Caribbean Sea, was the point of incoming and outgoing goods. These distinctly different cities will give you a deeper appreciation of how the Maya impacted commerce, culture and trade in the region.
GET FIRST DIGS AT COBA
Your early jump on the day begins at the ferry terminal in Playa del Carmen, where you will meet up with your INAH-certified guides—all of whom are of Mayan descent and experts in its culture and history. This provides you with incomparable insight into the Mayan civilization.
This early start also means that your group is among the very first to arrive at this archeological marvel. The tour allows ample time for you to explore; as with most things in Mexico, there’s no rush. Leisurely stroll along shaded jungle paths and absorb the energy of these ancient civilization with every step.
Throughout your Coba Ruins experience, you will be supplied with interesting facts about the Mayan dwellings, pyramids, temples, roads, watch towers and ball courts.
But your tour is not limited to just archaeology. Exotic birds and butterflies are in abundance, compliments of the dense jungle that surrounds the ruins. Guides reference and explain indigenous trees and vegetation that remain important to the Mayas: environmentally, medicinally and spiritually.
For many people, the pinnacle of the Coba Ruin portion of the tour is climbing Nohoch Mul, the tallest Mayan pyramid on the Yucatan Peninsula. This 42- meter/138-foot climb is rewarded by breathtaking views of the jungle and lakes that surround Coba.
ANOTHER TASTE OF THE YUCATAN AWAITS
Your included lunch will be as unique as the Coba ruins themselves. You will be shuttled to a typical family-run Yucatan restaurant on the shores of Lake Coba and then treated to a tasty menu featuring authentic recipes passed down from generation to generation. Choose from a number of traditional dishes—Poc Chuc and Pork Pibil are always crowd pleasers--served with homemade masa (corn) tortillas, which can be hard to come by in a typical restaurant. If you are looking for a great photo opportunity during lunch, keeps your eyes open for the resident crocodile that cruises Coba Lake.
A CENOTE-WORTHY STOP
Plunge into the world of cenotes in a big way on your next stop: Gran Cenote. The Yucatan is famed for its vast number of cenotes, which were thought to be entries into the underworld and therefore used for spiritual rituals. In contemporary Yucatan, cenotes are referred to as subterrain river systems, opening into lengthy caverns and caves. Gran Cenote is truly awe-inspiring with its stalactites and stalagmites towering above and below the surface of the water. You’ll also note the crystal-clear water—a result of being filtered naturally through abundant limestone. Snorkeling in this epic habitat will give you an unforgettable memory that can only be experienced first-hand. You may continue to snorkel or swim for as long as the group enjoys it.
THE RUINS OF TULUM
Your next and final stop is Tulum, the only ancient Maya city situated on the shores of the Caribbean. The ruins are impressive enough, but they are perched atop a small cliff, against a backdrop of that famed sparkling blue water. Take a moment to soak in the view, and then prepare to be awed by the ruins of Tulum.
You will be guided through this ancient city by a certified expert in Mayan history, and he or she will share their insight into the lifestyle, architecture, and religious practices of this remarkable place and the people who lived here.
TOUR DETAILS
Duration: 9 hours
Tour type: Shared or private
Price: $126 (adults); $114 (children < 12 yrs)
Private prices: $110-$390 usd per person, depending on group size
When: Thursdays
