Cobá is an ancient (600 to 900 AD) and impressive Mayan commercial capital, sitting in the jungle. It has numerous sacbeobs (white roads) that connect it with other Mayan sites. After a guided tour of the Coba Group, we will take bikes to explore the rest of this huge site. The main attraction, the Nohoch Mul (giant mound), is the second highest pyramid on the peninsula. Since the pandemic, it is no longer possible to climb. After the group of paintings, we went to the Macanxoc group, which has a set of about twenty stelae. The most interesting might be Stele 1, with 313 hieroglyphs on all four sides, which refers to the oldest recorded date in the Mayan Long Count calendar system, dating back to the time of creation and ending in 2012.

Swimming in a refreshing cenote

The Otoch Ma’ax Yetel Kooh Nature Reserve (home of the spider monkey and panther) is 58 km from Valladolid. This reserve is known for its large population of spider monkeys and a smaller group of howler monkeys. Jungle trekking Upon arrival, we will begin a pleasant hike through the jungle. A local guide will help us find the monkeys. As we move forward in the afternoon, we will most likely encounter the spider monkey.

After a Mayan ceremony, we will rappel down to a cenote to observe Xibalbá, where the gods of the underworld live. The next stop is a zip line over a lake (for beginners). To finish we will take a quiet canoe ride on the lake.