Can You Still Climb Tulum?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,

By “climbing the ruins” what folks mean is that you can climb one pyramid at Coba (the highest in the region) and at Ek Balam. The rest are off limits, just like all the structures at Tulum and Chichen Itza.

Back in the day you could climb all the structures at all the sites

.

Can you still climb Coba 2021?

Can You Still Climb the Coba Ruins in 2021? Let’s get the big bummer out of the way. Unfortunately,

due to COVID-19, you can no longer climb Nohoch Mul, the main pyramid of the Coba Ruins

. When I visited in 2018, it was rumored that access up the pyramid would be closing soon.

What Mayan ruins can you still climb?

Yes,

Coba is the only Mayan pyramid you can still climb and tour

. The pyramid is 42 meters (138 feet) tall with 120 stone steps that can get pretty steep towards the top.

Can you still climb Coba 2022?

Unfortunately,

due to COVID-19, the Coba ruins have been closed off to climbers

. The Ixmoja pyramid at the Coba ruins (part of the Nohoch Mul group) is very steep and is impossible to socially distance on.

Can you go inside Mayan temples?


No, unfortunately you can’t enter the pyramids

. over a year ago. only outside, they are actually fenced in.

How far are the Mayan ruins from Tulum?

From Tulum Town

There are many ways to visit the ruins from Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Akumal or Tulum town. The ruins are around

2.5 miles

from Tulum town center, 45 minutes from Playa or about 1.5 hours from Cancun. Here are some great options for visiting the ruins.

Why can’t you climb the pyramids?

Climbing the pyramids is also banned because

it’s exceedingly dangerous

, and typically anyone caught scaling the pyramids face up to three years in an Egyptian jail. This wasn’t Ciesielski’s first climbing stunt.

Is it illegal to climb Chichen Itza?

Unfortunately for visitors,

no, Chichen Itza Pyramid is not allowed to climb

. Luckily for all the locals and culture lovers, the main Mayan Building of Chichen Itza can’t be climbed. In this way, we contribute to preserving this sacred site.

Who was kukulkan?

Kukulkan, also spelled K’uk’ulkan, /kuːkʊlˈkɑːn/ (“Plumed Serpent”, “amazing Serpent”) is the name of

a Mesoamerican serpent deity that was worshipped by the Yucatec Maya people of the Yucatán Peninsula before the Spanish Conquest of the Yucatán

.

Is Coba open to tourists?

Coba ruins Mexico are

open daily, but if possible we suggest visiting during the week

. The weekends seem to be busier as more local tourists are traveling on the weekend. We also suggest bringing cash, especially if you are parking. This is the coba ruins admission price in 2021.

Is Coba ruins Open 2022?

They don’t allow you to climb the large pyramid, it is

closed to climbing until 2022

. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Incredible Mayan ruins–a must-see if you’re in the area.

How long is the ride from Cancun to Tulum?

The drive from Cancun to Tulum is

just under two hours

, along a single highway: Mexico Highway 307, which is the main tourist corridor that connects Cancun all the way down the coast to the capital city of Chetumal, which sits on the border of Belize.

Is Coba ruins worth visiting?

The Coba Ruins are by no means the most famous or most popular ruins on the Yucatan, but

they are the most awesome to explore

, especially the site called Nohoch Mul, the great pyramid. A visit to the Coba Ruins is a lesson in history, an incredible demonstration in nature, and an intense workout.

What should I wear to Coba?

  • Bring lots of light-colored, light-weight clothing.
  • Wear long sleeved shirts and long pants: you will be cooler that way.
  • Wear a hat with a brim at all times.
  • Wear sunblock–get SPF 30 or more, but find a light gel product, rather than a heavy cream.

Can you climb the pyramids at Teotihuacan?


Climbing the pyramids is one of the best things to do when you’re visiting Teotihuacan

. Normally, you can go all the way to the top to the tallest, the Pyramid of the Sun, and to a platform about halfway up the second tallest, the Pyramid of the Moon.

Which is better to visit Tulum or Chichen Itza?


If you are okay with crowds, then you should be fine at Chichen Itza

. By virtue of being a UNESCO site and a World Wonder, Chichen Itza is pretty crowded throughout the year. Especially more so during the equinoxes. If you wish to explore Mayan ruins in some peace, then Tulum is a better option.

Can you walk up El Castillo?

Can you climb El Castillo? El Castillo, the largest and most famous pyramid at Chichen Itza,

cannot be climbed

. However, Nohoch Mul, the largest pyramid in the Yucatan Peninsula, can be climbed at the nearby Coba ruins.

How much does it cost to see the Mayan ruins?

When you arrive at the ruins, tickets are sold at the entrance. The entrance fee is

65 pesos (about $3.50)

. If you bring a video camera, you’ll have to pay an extra 30 pesos. If you purchase one of the many Tulum bus tour packages, your Tulum ruins entrance fee should be included.

Is Cancun better than Tulum?

To sum it up, both Cancun and Tulum have great white sand beaches and turquoise water. However, Cancun has undoubtedly the bluest water of the entire Riviera Maya and for that reason,

if you want to swim in incredibly blue water, the hotel zone in Cancun has the better beaches

.

Can you swim in Tulum beach?

Tulum is an absolute gem; a bohemian beach town full of ancient ruins, sea turtles you can snorkel with, and

giant underwater caves you can swim in

, and one of the top beaches in Mexico calls Tulum home.

Why is Tulum famous?

Tulum has very rapidly gone from a sleepy fishing town to a popular vacation destination. A big part of that popularity comes from the

stunning natural beauty found all along the coastline, where azure blue Caribbean seas gently lap up amazing white sand beaches

.

Why is it illegal to climb the Mayan temple?

The pyramid of Kukulkán — also known as “El Castillo” — is the most famous Maya monument in Yucatán, and arguably in the entire Maya world. In 2008, Mexico’s Institute for History and Anthropology (INAH) prohibited all tourists from climbing the structure

citing concerns regarding its preservation

.

Are you allowed to touch the pyramids?


Yes, you can

. But it’s not as exciting as getting inside the tombs at the Valley of the Kings. Most guides will tell you that you need to pay extra to get inside the pyramids, but it’s only partially true. There is one pyramid that’s included in your ticket price.

Were the pyramids topped with gold?

During Egypt’s Old Kingdom, pyramidia were generally made of diorite, granite, or fine limestone, then covered in gold or electrum; during the Middle Kingdom and through the end of the pyramid-building era, they were built from granite.

Why is Chichen Itza closed?

Federal authorities have decided to close the Chichén Itzá Maya ruin site in neighboring Yucatan state April 1-4

to avoid the spread of the coronavirus

. The sprawling temple complex is Mexico’s second-most-visited archaeological site, and it usually draws about 1.8 million visitors a year.

Can you climb the pyramids?

The short answer is no –

you are not legally allowed to climb the 4,500-year-old Great Pyramid of Giza

. In fact, there are reportedly strict rules against scaling pyramids, and you can even be sent to prison for three years. The entire site is out of bounds after 5pm, with guards patrolling the area.

What was inside Aztec pyramids?

Each pyramid, like many Mesoamerican pyramids, was built on

a core of debris kept in place by retaining walls

. After that, the walls were faced with adobe bricks and covered with limestone.

Timothy Chehowski
Author
Timothy Chehowski
Timothy Chehowski is a travel writer and photographer with over 10 years of experience exploring the world. He has visited over 50 countries and has a passion for discovering off-the-beaten-path destinations and hidden gems. Juan's writing and photography have been featured in various travel publications.