Coba and Tulum Ruins, Mexico

 

An hour bus ride from Tulum, Coba ruins is a gorgeous Mayan site spread over a large area on the edge of a lagoon and surrounded by jungle. It takes about three hours to walk the site with many structures connected by paths through the jungle. Bikes are on hand to make the journey faster. This was my favourite ruin to date, exceeding both Chichen Itza and Ek Balam in size, experience and mystic.

Most of the structures have been partially excavated so while you can see the structures, trees and their roots wrap the walls of the ruins. This is the final year it will be possible to climb to the top of the main pyramid.

Bus: 120 Pesos return to Tulum

Entrance: 60 Pesos

Tulum Ruins

Set on the ocean this would be the perfect picturesque archaeological site if it were not for the hoards of tourists. Early rises are rewarded with a tranquil experience before the site is flooded with visitors by about 930.