Coba

About

Founded around the 1st century BC, the Mayan city of Coba was a regional powerhouse thanks to its agricultural holdings. At its peak around 900 AD, the 80 km² settlement was home to an estimated 50,000 inhabitants. While its importance dwindled following a power struggle with Chichén Itzá, Coba remained in use up until the arrival of the Spanish. Today, the excavated parts of the site have revealed the largest network of roads in the Mayan world. These ancient highways connected Coba with other Mayan cities, and all emanate from the central pyramid. The Ixmoja pyramid, located in the Nohuch Mul temple group, is the tallest in the Northern Yucatan at 42 meters (138 feet) high, and offers amazing views of the entire archaeological site for those who brave its steep set of 120 steps.