Coba Ruins self-guided walking audio tour from Cancun
Do this because
- Uncover the secrets of an ancient civilization that has fascinated archaeologists for centuries
- Scale an ancient Mayan pyramid at one of the last remaining sites which allows visitors to climb these stairs
- Walk the ancient streets of a long-lost city
- Learn the secret meanings behind the animal imagery used in ancient Mayan artwork
What to expect
Your walking tour of the Coba Ruins begins, appropriately, at the site’s entrance. As you enter and get your first look at the place, you will hear the story of how this astonishingly advanced civilization rose and fell. You’ll also get to know some of the little-known facts about the unique trees found in these ruins, and what importance they held in ancient Mayan society.
The first major landmark you’ll come to is a ball court. Unlike in other sites, this one was likely used for ceremonial purposes, to depict a struggle between dark and light. Pretty high stakes for a ball game!
It’ll be hard to miss the next stop: La Iglesia Pyramid. If you look closely, you might be able to see some residue from the paint which once coated this entire pyramid. A little farther down the path is the Crossroads Pyramid, an example of an unusual twist on the usual Mayan architecture.
As you walk, you’ll notice the surprisingly-intact network of ancient roads criss-crossing the site. These roads were actually hugely important to Mayan cities, and have a lot to say about life over a thousand years ago.
You’ll also notice a lot of large, rectangular stones with designs on them. These are called Stelae. As you walk, you’ll hear all about the meaning of these, and why the Mayans created them in the first place.
The next major landmark is the Pyramid of the Painted Lintel. This impressive limestone structure was once painted in bright colors, and you can still find traces of those colors if you know where to look.
As you pass the second ball court, which was used for the game in a more traditional way than the first, you’ll learn all about the religious beliefs and practices of the ancient Mayans, as well as the infamous calendar by which they tracked the passage of years.
Finally, you’ll find yourself at the foot of the Nohoch Mul Pyramid, the second largest Mayan pyramid in the entire world. But what’s better than admiring a pyramid like this from the bottom? Climbing to the top! Scale the 120 steps and survey the Coba Ruins from a whole new perspective.
Important to know
Know in advance:
- Entrance tickets to Coba Ruins are not included and must be purchased separately
- This is a self-guided tour, no guide will accompany you. The local operator's app functions as a guide, an audio tour, and a map all in one
- Please arrange for a vehicle before you take the tour. You only need to book one tour per vehicle, not per person
- This tour provides a live GPS map on your smartphone, audio narration, written text explanations, and suggested stops
- After booking the tour you will receive an email from the local operator with the instruction to download the tour, search in your email for the phrase "Set up your self-guided tour now." Follow these instructions to finish setting up the tour while you have Wi-Fi/data. The tour and maps will work off-line, but you will not be able to download it and set-it up without data
- This tour is valid for an entire year - from the moment of booking. You don't need to change the booking if your travel plans change
- The local operator has an all-day support line available via call, chat, or email. Local operator's contacts can be found in the voucher after booking
What’s included
Self-guided tour taken via the app
Static map on your phone
Audio narration
Written text explanations
Unique password (sent by email) for access to app
What’s not included
Entrance fees to paid attractions
Food or drinks
Cancellation policy
Receive a 100% refund if you cancel up to 24 hours before the experience begins.
Booking fee
Good news! No extra fees are applied to this booking.
Pickup points
To see which pickup points are available, check under availability & prices.
Provider
ACTION TOUR GUIDE
Need a hand?
Would you like some help making a booking? Or perhaps you just want to ask a few questions. Whatever the reason, don't hesitate to get in touch.
Opening hours: Our team is available from 10.00 to 18.00 CET
Phone number: +44 121 468 3145
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