The main buildings in Coba Mayan ruins are: El Castillo Complex and The Church/Las Pinturas.
The Castillo Complex
 This is by far the biggest cluster or group of buildings at Coba and it includes the pyramid of Nohoch Mul which is, at 42 meters, the tallest pyramid in the Yucatan. From this complex, five main white roads (or ''sacbes'') radiated to the rest of the peninsula and to remote trading posts.
The pyramid has 120 steps to the top. From there, the view is stunning: an outline of the entire archeological site (large ruins areas are still under excavation and buried by the lush vegetation), the dense jungle spreading to the horizon and a spectacular view of the surrounding lakes. The bird watching is excellent and well worth the climb to the top.
The Temple-pyramid has seven levels with rounded corners and an architectural style closer to Tikal's than to the Maya ruins in Yucatan, including Chichen Itza and Uxmal. For those interested in Maya civilization, the beautiful and mysterious Coba is a must.
The Church/ Las Pinturas
 The Church is a pyramid over 20 meters high and is, after the Temple of Nohoch Mul, the biggest in Coba. The stairs to the summit are steep and crumbling and the climb is prohibited until restoration is completed.
From the top (when it was still permitted), there is a phenomenal view of Lake Macanox, embedded in the dark green jungle. The monument gets its name from the pilgrimage that villagers from the surrounding communities made to Coba with their offerings.
Las Pinturas complex is notable for the pyramid (smallest in Coba) and the mural that once covered its walls, of which remnants of the rich paintings can still be seen. |
