203 kilometers (2 hours and 24 minutes)
It is the largest and most important archaeological site in the area. Chichen Itza was a major focal point in the Northern Maya Lowlands from the Late Classic (c.AD 600 – 900) to the Post Classic period (c. AD 900 – 1200). The site exhibits a multitude of architectural styles.
Chichen Itza was one the largest Maya cities and it was likely to have been one of the mythical great cities. The city may have had the most diverse population in the Maya world, a factor that could have contributed to the variety of architectural styles at the site.
The three best known complexes at this site are the Great North Platform, which includes the monuments of El Castillo (large pyramid structure), Temple of Warriors and the Great Ball Court.
Chichen Itza is one of the most visited archaeological sites In Mexcio; an estimated 1.2 million tourists visit the ruins every year.
48 kilometers (40 minutes)
This site is a Pre-Columbian Maya walled city serving as a major port for Coba. The ruins are situated on 12-meter tall cliffs, along the coast. It was one of the last cities inhabited and built by the Mayas.
Tulum holds the honor of being the most picturesque archaeological site in the Riviera Maya and the only one to have been built overlooking the ocean. A visit here offers spectacular views of the Riviera Maya beaches, Caribbean Sea and surrounding coastal region.
An expansive walkway extends out around the ruins and a staircase nearby leads down to the beach where you can swim and sunbathe.
There is not much shade at the ruins and you cannot purchase drinks so it could be a good idea to take some water and an umbrella with you.
91 kilometers (1 hour and 26 min)
Coba is located around two lagoons. A series of elevated stone and plaster roads radiate from the central site to various smaller sites near and far. Some of these causeways go east, the longest runs over 100 kilometers westward to the site of Yaxuna.
The site contains several large temple pyraminds, the tallest, in what is known as the Nohoch Mul group of structures, rising 42 metres. Ixmoja is the tallest pyramid on the Yucatan peninsula.
One of the main attraction of Coba is the Ancient Pyramid which unlike Chichen Itza’s Kukuklan Pyramid, is still open for the public to climb its 130 steps up to the top of the site.