Before you go

Your trip to Cobá.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

Cobá – Quintana Roo Destination Tulum and Cobá about 295 km from Chetumal

How to get there

Aeropuerto Internacional de Tulum Felipe Carrillo Puerto (TQO) Tulum · 70 km
Parada de ônibus de Cobá 1 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

From Tulum it is about 45 km, roughly 45 minutes by car, along the road that passes the Gran Cenote. There are regular buses and colectivos with few departures, and organized tours from Tulum, Playa del Carmen and Cancún. From Valladolid it is about 60 km.

How many days

One day: the archaeological zone in the morning and the cenotes in the afternoon. Staying in the village allows you to reach the ruins at opening time.

When to go

From December to April it is usually drier and cooler in the jungle. From May to October there is more rain and more mosquitoes.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

It helps, because public transport is scarce. Within the archaeological zone distances are large and you can rent a bicycle or a tricycle with a driver.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Cobá

Morning
Archaeological site
Enter at opening, rent a bicycle and follow the stone causeways to the Cobá group, the ballcourt and the Nohoch Mul pyramid.
Afternoon
Cobá cenotes
In the afternoon, go to the cenotes Choo-Ha, Tamcach-Ha and Multun-Ha, south of the village, and descend into the freshwater caves.
Late afternoon
Cobá lagoon
At late afternoon, walk along the shore of the Cobá lagoon, next to the village, where crocodiles and birds live.
Evening
Dinner in the village
Dine at one of the village restaurants, with Yucatecan dishes like cochinita pibil, before returning to Tulum.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

Can you climb the Cobá pyramid?

Climbing the Nohoch Mul pyramid is usually prohibited. Check at the entrance to the archaeological zone.

Do you need a bicycle in Cobá?

It helps a lot. The building groups are up to 2 km apart; you can rent a bicycle or a tricycle with a driver at the entrance.

Is Cobá far from Tulum?

About 45 km, roughly 45 minutes by car.

Are the Cobá cenotes open-air or cave cenotes?

They are cave cenotes, underground, with wooden stairs down to the freshwater.

Back to Cobá