Maya Coba ruins tour with pyramid, ceremony and cenote swim

Hidden deep in the Yucatan jungle lies the ancient Maya city of Coba. On this cultural trip, you'll tour its ruins and discover the enigmatic Maya heritage, see a great pyramid, meet local villagers and swim in a sacred cenote. Valentina, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘Coba was once a huge city, home to about 50,000 people at its height. Coba means “ruffled waters” because the city was located on two breezy lagoons. It's not as well known as Chichen Itza, so it tends to be quieter and more intimate to move around.'

We arrive early at Coba so that you can explore the site in the cooler hours and avoid the crowds. It's one of the more recently excavated sites in the Yucatan and was once one of the Maya's most important cities. Highlights include the Great Nohoch Mul Pyramid, that stands at more than 40 metres high, and stelae that show the powerful female leaders of ancient Coba. Valentina adds, ‘Coba's main pyramid is the biggest in the region. It's the hub of ancient paved “white roads” that fan out through the site. There are more than 50 of these roads in and around Coba. They were used for trade and communication.'

Next up is a visit to a Maya community, where villagers still live without running water or electricity. You'll meet some of the locals and find out more about their lives and traditions. Experience a Maya ceremony before enjoying a traditional lunch in a nearby restaurant. Finish off the day with a refreshing swim in a nearby cenote.