Major city · Mexico
CobaCobá
Go for one day from Tulum or Valladolid: ruins open at 08:00, M$100 entry cash, 2 km (1.2 mi)+ of trails, climb Nohoch Mul before 10:00.Go for one day from Tulum or Valladolid: ruins open at 8:00 AM, M$100 entry cash, 2 km (1.2 mi)+ of trails, climb Nohoch Mul before 10:00 AM.Go for one day from Tulum or Valladolid: ruins open at 08:00, M$100 entry cash, 1.2 mi (2 km)+ of trails, climb Nohoch Mul before 10:00.Go for one day from Tulum or Valladolid: ruins open at 8:00 AM, M$100 entry cash, 1.2 mi (2 km)+ of trails, climb Nohoch Mul before 10:00 AM.
Coba is a Maya ruin city in the Quintana Roo jungle, 44 km northwest of Tulum and about 90 km east of Chichen Itza. It peaked around 500–900 AD with a road network (sacbeob) and the 42 m Nohoch Mul pyramid, the tallest Maya structure in the Yucatan. Most travellers see it as a half-day trip; the site is large, hot and lightly developed, with three cenotes about 3 km away.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- MXN
- Best months
- Nov–Apr
- avoid Jun–Oct (heat, humidity, rain)
- Airports
- CUN · TQO
- Nights
- 0–1
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Mexico ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Mexico's National Migration Institute (INM) or your nearest Mexican consulate; keep proof of your entry (stamp or digital record) until you leave.
- Mexico ↗Security advice differs by state: some governments advise against travel to parts of several states. Check your own government's advice for each region on your route.
- Mexico ↗Do not drink tap water; use bottled or filtered water and ice from reliable places.
- Mexico ↗Foreign visitors to Quintana Roo (Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Bacalar, Holbox) pay the state VISITAX online at visitax.gob.mx only; lookalike sites add fees.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Coba911 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Coba, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Mexican peso (MXN, $).Mexico-wide
- SIM or eSIMTelcel has the widest coverage; AT&T and Movistar are cheaper in cities.Mexico-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; garrafón (20-litre jugs) and filtered water in hotels.Mexico-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurants: 10–15%; check the bill for an included 'servicio'.Mexico-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 127 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Mexico-wide
- SafetyThe ruins and pueblo are calm and well-policed; the real risks are heat, dehydration, uneven trails and cash-only entry.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPut paper in the bin, not the toilet, in most places; public toilets charge MXN 5–10 (≈ under US$1).Mexico-wide
- Emergency numbers911 All emergencies · 078 Tourist assistance (Angel Verde / 078)
- Sundays & holidaysMost museums and many archaeological sites close on Mondays; banks close on public holidays.Mexico-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportCUN Cancún International (About 3 h by road via Highway 307 to Tulum, then inland; ADO bus about 3 h).
- Getting aroundThe site is walk, bike or rickshaw only.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeM$40–70
- Beerbottle at a restaurant / can at a shopM$50–90M$25–40
- Museum or sight ticketRuins entryCash only; free for Mexican citizens on Sundays and national holidays.M$100
- Budget bedHostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per personMX$300 (≈ US$17)
- Mid-range bedSimple hotel double room, a night, per roomMX$1,400 (≈ US$80)
- High-end bedSimple hotel double room, a night, per roomMX$2,500 (≈ US$140)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget MX$700 (≈ US$40) · Mid MX$1,300 (≈ US$75) · High MX$2,500 (≈ US$140)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- CUN Cancún International (About 3 h by road via Highway 307 to Tulum, then inland; ADO bus about 3 h) · TQO Tulum Felipe Carrillo Puerto International (Closest airport; about 1 h by road)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Feb
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Mar
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Apr
Best
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
May
not flagged
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Jun
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Jul
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Oct
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Nov
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Best: Nov–Apr. Avoid: Jun–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest May (35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)), coolest Jan (19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C) low), wettest Sep (15 rain days), driest Mar (3). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Coba: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
5 rd
Feb
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
4 rd
Mar
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
3 rd
Apr
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
4 rd
May
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
7 rd
Jun
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13 rd
Sep
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15 rd
Oct
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
8 rd
Dec
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
6 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The site is walk, bike or rickshaw only. The entrance to Nohoch Mul is over 2 km from the gate; bicycles rent for about M$80 and bicycle rickshaws with a driver are available. Trails are unpaved and uneven. Between towns, ADO buses and colectivos run on Highway 307; a car is easiest for combining ruins and cenotes.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1 h
ADO bus or colectivo on Highway 307, or car
Ruins, beach and cenotes; the usual base for a Coba day trip.
Door to door: About 1–1.5 h
Car or bus via Highway 307 and the interior road
Colonial town with cenotes and Chichen Itza nearby.
Cenotes Multum-Ha, Tankach-Ha and Choo-Ha
goDoor to door: About 15–20 min
Car, taxi or bike from Coba pueblo
Three cenotes about 3 km (1.9 mi) from the ruins; about M$130 each, shower required.Three cenotes about 1.9 mi (3 km) from the ruins; about M$130 each, shower required.
Chichen Itza
cautionDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Car via Highway 180
A long day from Coba; better as an overnight in Valladolid.
Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve
overnightDoor to door: About 1.5–2 h
Car to the reserve entrance south of Tulum
Tours start early; sleep in Tulum the night before.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Coba pueblo
Small hotels and guesthouses within walking distance of the ruins; the practical base for one night.
Near the lake
A few upscale stays on the lagoon side; quieter, need a car or taxi to the site.
Tulum or Valladolid
Most travellers sleep here and visit Coba as a day trip; Tulum about 45 min, Valladolid about 1 h.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- M$600–1,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- M$1,000–1,800 excl. bed
- High
- M$1,800+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Simple hotel double room1 × 1 night × MX$1,400 | MX$1,400 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × MX$1,300 | MX$2,600 |
| Ruins entry, per person2 × MX$100 · Cash only | MX$200 |
| Cenote entry, each2 × MX$130 | MX$260 |
| Bicycle rental at the ruins2 × MX$80 | MX$160 |
| ADO bus Tulum–Coba, one way2 × MX$61 | MX$122 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × MX$250 | MX$500 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | MX$524 |
| Trip total≈ MX$2,883 per person per day, bed included | MX$5,766≈ US$350 |
2026 estimate in pesos; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | M$40–70 |
| Simple local meal (El Bocadillo and pueblo restaurants) | M$120–250 |
| Beer: bottle at a restaurant / can at a shop | M$50–90 / M$25–40 |
| Ruins entryCash only; free for Mexican citizens on Sundays and national holidays. | M$100 |
| Evening special visit | M$225 |
| Cenote entry | M$130 each |
| Bicycle rental at the ruins | M$80 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Entry is cash only (M$100); ATMs and exchange offices are on the square in front of the entrance.
- Climbing Nohoch Mul was banned for years and INAH allowed it again in 2025; rules can change, so check at the gate.
- Heat and humidity are high year-round: carry water, a hat, mosquito repellent and sturdy shoes.
- Crocodiles live in the lake by the site; stay on the road and paths.
- Cenotes require a shower before swimming and charge about M$130 each.
Emergency numbers
- All emergencies
- 911
- Tourist assistance (Angel Verde / 078)
- 078
Pocket card
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CobaCobá
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- All emergencies911
- Tourist assistance078
Embassy
No embassy in Coba; the US consular agency is in Playa del Carmen, most embassies are in Mexico City (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- ADO bus Tulum → Coba: about M$61, about 1 h
- ADO bus Playa del Carmen → Coba: about 2 h
- ADO bus Cancún → Coba: about 3 h
- Ruins entry: M$100 cash only
Say or show
- Disculpe — Excuse me / Sorry (dees-KOOL-peh)
- Gracias — Thank you (GRAH-syahs)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (KWAN-toh KWES-tah)
- ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta? — Can I pay by card? (PWEH-doh pah-GAR kon tar-HEH-tah)
- ¿Dónde está el baño? — Where is the toilet? (DON-deh es-TAH el BAH-nyoh)
- Tengo una reservación — I have a reservation (TEN-goh OO-nah reh-ser-vah-SYON)
Entry is cash only; carry small pesos.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Coba. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Apr · avoid Jun–Oct (heat, humidity, rain) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for CUN and TQO: last ADO departures field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: entrance and lake, Grupo Coba, Grupo Nohoch Mul, Grupo las Pinturas.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (ruins, Nohoch Mul climb status, three cenotes) and eat pages with last orders.
- Heat and cash-only arrival fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialINAH — Coba archaeological site
- officialQuintana Roo tourism
- secondaryWikivoyage: Coba, revision 5323460 (CC BY-SA 4.0)