If adventure is what you crave, there are few places that can deliver a healthy dose better than Mexico’s Riviera Maya which includes the island of Cozumel. The Coba Mayan Encounter has been crafted specifically for travelers looking for a trip out of the ordinary, and it delivers a ton of history, no shortage of entrancing views and more thrills than you can shake a stick at.
Most tours begin with a cleansing ceremony conducted by a shaman just as it has been for thousands of years. When you are ready, hike the rainforest, experiencing the sights, smells and sounds that have the ancient Mayans themselves lived through. Walk the same ground as they did as you ascend the ancient Nohoch Muul temple. Nohoch Muul is the tallest Mayan pyramid in the Yucatan Peninsula and one of the few visitors are still allowed to climb. The view of the jungle from the top is stupendous, and there is a poignancy when you realize that the structure was built almost two thousand years ago. The track is perpetually slippery and muddy, a result of the constant humidity of the area. Where the jungle ends, huge cenotes begin. These giant sinkholes can be dry or filled with crystal clear water. Abseil down their sheer sides over 55 feet into the depths of caves, and then swim in the pleasantly warm waters. Your companions will be bats and fish.
There are ziplines and there are Coba Adventure ziplines. You may have flown through the air in a dozen places around the world but few of them would have allowed you to catch sight of crocodiles lazing in the water just below you. If you still have the energy, canoe down the waters and see the Mayan jungles for a whole new perspective that makes them seem even more beautiful. Besides the howler monkeys and birdlife, you might also catch sight of animals in the darkness just beyond the treeline, silently keeping an eye on you as you float past.
No Coba Mayan adventure is complete without the opportunity to experience the traditional food and drink, all prepared by locals using authentic techniques. Mayan cuisine features locally-sourced meat and vegetables and is presented with soup, boiled vegetables and cooked chicken. It is served with handmade maize tortillas, rice and beans.
Avoid traveling to Riviera Maya in the rainy season which lasts from May to December. Not only will tracks be washed out but a lot of the activities and even some archaeological sites may be temporarily shut. July and August are popular among both national and international sightseers, and the Easter holiday period becomes very busy with Mexican families. The mid-December to January months are best for smaller crowds and access to all the sites and activities.