Chichen Itza vs Coba - 2nd try

[winesfine]

I don't know what happened to the first post, but it is blank ... go figure

Anyways, the question was has anyone been to both of these Mayan ruins. I've booked a trip to Chichen Itza, but have been told that Coba is better as you are still able to climb on the ruins, etc.

We are staying at an all inclusive so I don't have the ships clocks to be conscious of (sigh, I'm gonna miss my cruise this year).

Thanks for any feedback you can provide.

[BSQ]

I've been to both. I like Chichen Itza better. There are more structures and they are reconstructed more. Although I've climbed every structure at Chichen Itza, I've also been there when you could not climb anything. For me, not being able to climb the structures is not a deal breaker, and doesn't take away from my enjoyment of the history of the sites.

The only one I've climbed at Coba is the largest pyramid It's not as ornate as the largest pyramid at CI, but it is taller and the view is spectacular.

CI gives you Mayan and Toltec history. Coba I believe is purely Mayan. Coba is more spread out so you'll do more walking, or rent a pedicab. Cob a is a shorter drive. My first trip to Coba we were the only people walking around. It was us and some very large wild boars. They have made it very tourist friendly over the years.

You might check out the trip advisor Cancun forum. There are a few folks over there that can give some comparisons between the two sites.

[Kletina]

Originally Posted by winesfine

I don't know what happened to the first post, but it is blank ... go figure

Anyways, the question was has anyone been to both of these Mayan ruins. I've booked a trip to Chichen Itza, but have been told that Coba is better as you are still able to climb on the ruins, etc.

We are staying at an all inclusive so I don't have the ships clocks to be conscious of (sigh, I'm gonna miss my cruise this year).

Thanks for any feedback you can provide.

for your first visit to a Mayan archeological site, ChichenItza is a better choice, over there you can see more temples and imagine better the way of life of this old civilization, enjoy your first visit to ChicheItza, then you can go to Coba or Tulum as these sites are closer to Cancun and Playa Del Carmen and you can go on your own and hire a guide at the site.

[H2Otstr]

I have been to both and Chichen Itza is much larger, structural wise, than Coba. Coba was more spread out. Did a lot of walking before we came to the ruins. Seemed small after going to Chichen Itza and seeing it first. Also there are some really nice markets on the outside of the entrance to Chitza Itza. You can go out there and barter for better prices.

[hova]

I've been to both Chichen Itza and Coba (as well at Tulum and Xuntunatich). I would say that Chichen Itza is the best choice of any of them. A lot of different type of ruins, some restored some not. You can't go wrong with this choice!

hova

[Daycare Provider]

Originally Posted by winesfine

I don't know what happened to the first post, but it is blank ... go figure

Anyways, the question was has anyone been to both of these Mayan ruins. I've booked a trip to Chichen Itza, but have been told that Coba is better as you are still able to climb on the ruins, etc.

We are staying at an all inclusive so I don't have the ships clocks to be conscious of (sigh, I'm gonna miss my cruise this year).

Thanks for any feedback you can provide.

When are you headed to Playa del Carmen area??? Wea re doing an all-inclusive in September....We are doing the CI tour through a private guide as well....if you go before me...please post a review or e-mail is sunbitch2005@yahoo.com

Angela from California

[SpokaneDan]

Just returned from Carnival's Coba excursion last week, and I have been to Chechen Itza (?spell) in '90s. There's no question that artitectual beauty, restoration/preservation are much better at Chechen Itza. Its place on the New 7 Wonders of the World list is justified. Coba is in much worse condition, climbing the main Pyramid is intersting (and physical demanding), btw Coba, located inland is only a few degree north of equator; therefore, a furnace. I'd say Chechen Itza is like Yellow Stone National Park, while Coba is akin to a Wyoming State Park.

[Wahlflower]

You should probably go over to tripadvisor.com which is for vacations/hotels/etc.

Originally Posted by winesfine

I don't know what happened to the first post, but it is blank ... go figure

Anyways, the question was has anyone been to both of these Mayan ruins. I've booked a trip to Chichen Itza, but have been told that Coba is better as you are still able to climb on the ruins, etc.

We are staying at an all inclusive so I don't have the ships clocks to be conscious of (sigh, I'm gonna miss my cruise this year).

Thanks for any feedback you can provide.

[Roswell_IcePrincess]

I've been to both. Chichen Itza is more beautiful but to be able to climb the pyramid in Coba was worth it. You are above the trees and can see for miles. Coba is huge and in the jungle, not as excavated as Chichen Itza so you get a feel of what the ruins looked like when they were discovered. Part of Coba you can either ride a bike or guides take you on a rickshaw (pulled a cart with you in it while guide was on the bike) because it it so big. Coba was way less crowded.

[pdmlynek]

Originally Posted by SpokaneDan

Just returned from Carnival's Coba excursion last week, and I have been to Chechen Itza (?spell) in '90s. There's no question that artitectual beauty, restoration/preservation are much better at Chechen Itza. Its place on the New 7 Wonders of the World list is justified. Coba is in much worse condition, climbing the main Pyramid is intersting (and physical demanding), btw Coba, located inland is only a few degree north of equator; therefore, a furnace. I'd say Chechen Itza is like Yellow Stone National Park, while Coba is akin to a Wyoming State Park.

I agree with ‘Dan that Chichen Itza is a world class, and that Coba is a secondary site. Chichen Itza is more developed, more touristy, more well know, more reconsolidated, etc. It is simply the most (or second) most famous Mayan site.

But Coba should not be dismissed. For many people Coba might be preferred. Coba is not in “worse shape”. Coba simply has not been excavated and consolidated (i.e., reconstructed by archeologists) as other sites. It is overgrown. If you or your kids like Indiana Jones type adventure in real ruins, then Coba is definitely much more suitable than Chichen Itza. Kids can run around a lot more in Coba than in Chichen Itza. You can climb more structures than in Chichen Itza.

Coba is not “only a few degree north of equator”. Coba is 20° 29’ north of the equator, which is essentially the same as Chichen Itza, which is at 20°41’N. (A bus from Cancun is NOT going to drive you thousands of miles to within a few degrees of equator someplace in South America for a day trip). But Dan is correct that Coba can be hot. Both of the sites are very hot. But, if you are worried about the heat, then Coba is definitely preferred, because in Coba you almost always are walking under a jungle canopy, whereas in Chichen Itza, most of the time you are walking in the grassy plazas with the sun beating down at you.