COBA

A lack of Epigraphic evidence prevents knowing the name of the settlement in pre-Hispanic time.  It is believed Coba means ‘waters stirred by the wind’, an appropriate Maya name as this settlement is surrounded by two large lagoons.

It is without a doubt the most important settlement in the northeast of the Yucatan peninsula, only comparable in size and impotance to  Chichen Itza, its rival and enemy throughout much of its pre-Hispanic history. 

Investigations in the area allows to know that Coba has a long history of occupation that would have started on 200 to 100 B.c.  From the year 100 A.d., the area of Coba begins to winess remarkable growth becoming one of the largest and most powerful Northern Yucatan towns. 

The city is structured from architectural groups related to their chronology and urban functions; there are residential complexes, such as the Coba group, and others of ceremonial and funerary function such as the Macanxoc group.  They are all open to visit.  At the Coba group (which starts the tour), you cann see a temple of almost 25 meters high belonging to the Early Classic, known locally as the Church; as well as a complex set of palatial and residential buildings that are an excellent example of the sheer size and importance which the city reached in its time.

Within walking distance is the group with one of the tallest buildings in the Maya area, known as the Nohoch Mul ("great mound" in Maya), a huge base of over 30 meters high, on which a temple belonging to a later constructive stage, adds another 12 meters to the structure making it a total height of 42 meters.