Which Mayan ruins

[samnbill]

We're going on Carnival Pride Feb 8. I'm undecided on Coba in Cozumel or Xunantunich in Beliçe. I like the idea of the tall Coba pyramid but wonder if the rest of the ruins are as magnificent as Xunantunich seems to be.

[tropicbird]

Coba is very spread out. Several small groups of ruins sprinkled across a large area of jungle. Most visitors ride bikes or pedicabs to get between the groups. This makes for a different experience than the ruins where everything is generally in one location. Coba has 2 ball courts 2 large pyramids, and dozens of smaller structures. Most are still surrounded by jungle. There are very few remaining engravings or stucco left at Coba, although there are generally more stelae than at other sites (but most of these are significantly weathered).

 

My understanding of Xunantunich is that it is more of a condensed, single site and the ruins there have more (original or reconstructed) stucco and "decoration".

[JohninDC]

With the transportation factored in (ferry from Coz and then a bus to Coba) you will have only a short time at the ruins. My guess is that you'll get to spend more time at the ruins in Belize.

[tropicbird]

Good point. It is an hour and twenty minutes to Coba from Playa del Carmen on a good day.