Discover Coba Ruins

Coba is a massive and largely unexplored Mayan city from the Classic and Post Classic periods. It is set near two lagoons close to a modern Mayan village also called Coba.

Coba located 200km south of Cancun, 130 km from Playa del Carmen and 65km from Tulum.

Coba came under acheological scutiny only recently and lacks some of the facilities for the visitor found at sites like Chichen Itza. It is however a wonderful and inspiring site. Until the 1970's the site was almost untouched as it lay deep in the jungle , far away from any roads. As part of the tourist intitiative that started with the construction of the tourist hub in Cancun city, the Mexican government built a road to Coba and cleared the jungle from a section of the site for visitors. Due to the recency of access, Coba ruins is still under active and intensive investigation. At Coba you are essentially witnessing the leading edge of modern archeology. 

Coba is less accessible than Chichen Itza, but because the visitors tend to be more considerate of the archeology, visitors are allowed more direct access to the Mayan ruins. At Coba visitors can still climb the great pyramid of Nohoch Mul, the highest Pyramid in the Quintana Roo. You also have virtually unrestricted access to many other smaller but equally impressive ruins.

At the top of Nohoch Mul you can view a panorama of dense jungle with other pyramids and buildings poking up through the lush green carpet in all directions. As you stand at the top of Nohoch Mul you will have a view similar to that offered to the Mayan Priests over 1500 years ago. Be aware the climb of Nohoch Mul is not a cake walk. There are 124 steps to get to the top. The pyramid rises at a significant angle, so if you have a weak heart or very young children with you the full climb is best avoided. A thick rope down the middle of the pyramid has been provided that can make the climb a little easier. 

Admission:

Admission is 57 pesos for adults, free for children under 12. Parking is 12 pesos

The Longest Caves in Mexico- Rio Secreto

It’s a world of its own, newly discovered in 2007 and is owned by the Mexican government but managed by Rio Secreto. It’s located south of Playa Del Carmen on a 5-minute drive. Rio Secreto derives its name from 'Secret River' but in Spanish and is a nice underworld adventure for all, swimming and hiking under the spectacular underground caves and rivers. Before its use and even now, this cave is untouched and perfectly preserved by the staff including the environment to promote Eco-tourism around the area. They charge a fee of $79.00 US for adults and $39.50 US for children coming with helmets, wetsuits, a bilingual guide, towels, snacks and a locker in addition to the entrance payments. A family will thoroughly enjoy the visit given that even 4-year old kids are allowed. A one-of-its kind semi-sunken river has been explored following the discovery, a 12 kilometer river under the caves and much information still suggest that there are more places to be discovered. While the area itself is amazing, on your road trip, the experience will start right as you head there. Open the car window, lest you spot native animals including birds, snakes and even a jaguar. A trained guide will help you inside the caves but not before a Mayan shaman who will perform a certain ceremony prior to the journey to the underworld, this ceremony ensures safety. It is a truly stunning view inside given the fact that it’s still new and untouched. 

Xcaret Park Experience

Xcaret is a beautiful unending stretch of green Mexican jungle and blue Caribbean, normally characterized by some unique features and unforgettable experiences. Wonderful scarlet macaws sing happily as you smoothly swim in magical Underground River and catching a glimpse of the jaguars and the howling Mexican monkeys and even come face to face with the ancient Mayan culture. That is not all as there in the Mexican Cemetery is where you will spot and you will certainly like all the colors of the rainbow as well as visiting and admiring the Coral Reef Aquarium. The level of hospitality in Mexico is unmatched, at least from the traditional Mexican nightly stage performance. There are lots of great expectations here to experience- nature to culture is among the 40 key attractions that will simply amaze you. Consider the amazing truth that in Xcaret park, not only birds that do fly as humans also do- in the Ritual Ceremony of the Valadores or the flying men. The wildlife in the region is amazing, not to mention the traditions like the incredible adelitas. The Flying Men is a traditional ceremony to honor the sun gods and fertility and just a few days’ stay here will give you all the knowledge about Mexico.

All that about Xcaret is not enough as night will come to life with various forms of entertainment. Age-long rituals and Mayan ball game are just some of the exciting experiences for you in addition to presentations of the lovely and classic live music, folklore and soul from this land. Spanish influence is much evident here too as it transforms the ways of living of people into a lively world. Xcaret is a brand and with Xcaret PLUS comes lots of simply awesome advantages, 

• Admission to park 1 buffet meal.
• 1 beer plus unlimited drinks.
• Snorkel equipment and locker service in the exclusive facilities of the "Plus Area" of Xcaret.
• Donation for the Sea Turtle Conservation Program.

There are lots of other must-see locations in this incredible place. They include among others beaches and natural pools, Jaguar Island, butterfly pavilion, Mayan village, Flamingos, Paradise River Entrance (Raft Ride), theatre, Rotating Scenis Tower and lots of other exciting places. 

The primary reason of the pass fee is to ensure these Mexican treasures are alive. Red macaws are endangered species and Xcaret were entered into the Guinness world records when about 772 of them were born in one location thanks to the facility’s Reproduction Programs spanning 6 years. Plans and regulations to protect turtles’ nesting beaches have also recorded lots of advantages as 13 major nesting spots through the Sea Turtle Conservation Program are cautiously taken care of majorly the central coast of Quintana Roo. These are just some of the strategies of preserving, appreciating, spreading the natural and cultural heritage by Flora, Fauna y Cultura de Mexico.

Trip to Chichen Itza

It’s among those ancient ruins in Mexico worth visiting too. Chichen Itza Ruins is among the “New Seven Wonders of the World” and is UNESCO’s World Heritage Site. It has been well-restored for ages and is also among Yucatan Maya archaeological spots.

It’s very unique comprising 2 different architectural regions- central zone that shows the fusion of highland central Mexican styles and Puuc architectural. It was done in 10^th century in response to the entry of Toltecs. The southern zone from the 7^th century only shows the conventional Puuc Maya style of the Yucatan area. It’s the Chichen Itza’s original structure.

There are 25 huge meter stone representation of the Maya calendar, the spectacular El Castillo and temples among other platforms including the Juego de Pelota on the interesting region of Chichen Itza, the central zone. On the doorway are carvings of Toltec soldier while if you want to know of Chichen Itza, local guides at the site will tell you and even take you to a cenote. The Cenote Sagrado at Chichen Itza may have been sued for official purposes by the ancient Maya administration.

A huge crowd of sight seers normally accumulate over the autumn and spring equinoxes each year to watch the sun. It forms a fantasy of a serpent descending or ascending the steps of the Pyramid of Kukulkan and is replicated again at night by the light and sound show which takes place at the archaeological site.