For us Mexico wasn’t all tequila and spicy food. We made it to several of the most famous ancient Mayan sites.

Tulum is the most tourist friendly place to go and when we went was beautiful although apparently it is going downhill nowadays.

Tulum

Tulum is on the coast of the Yucatan peninsular.  Its a very well preserved pre- Columbian walled city and a major port so the ruins ruin along the cliffs. Tulum is a busy place but there’s plenty of room to walk around on the pathways and neatly mown grass. The beach is also worth a visit even if you’re not really a beach person. It’s one of the best.

 

Now for the he most famous site-

Chichen Itza

Another pre Columbian city  Chichen Itza is considered the most important. Archeologists are still working here as there is so much to study. El Castillo or the Temple of Kukulcan is a hundred feet high pyramid. It was built between 1050 and 1300 CE ( since it seems that using AD is now not politically correct). Each side has ninety one steps so combined with the temple on top this adds up to three hundred and sixty five – the days in a year.  At sunset on the spring and autumn equinox the sun  casts a shadow in the shape of a snake. There are lots of other things to see here including the Great Ball court .

 

But definitely the best and my favourite-

Coba

 

Coba is not a great distance away but it is in the jungle and feels quite remote. The largest pyramid is Ixmoja or Nohoch Mul meaning, not surprisingly large hill! There are one hundred and twenty steep uneven steps to the top and you are allowed to climb it. I did need to hold on  tight to the rope provided in the middle and it is quite scary but the view from the top of the surrounding jungle is fantastic. Problem was getting down was even harder and I felt very precarious.  The site is large and quite spread out but we hired a bicycle guide for a very reasonable price.  He took us  to the most interesting places and waited for us as we climbed and explored.

Absolutely our best day in Mexico.