Seeing Coba — Part Eight

The Nohoch Mul Pyramid — Ixmoja

You are at the orange dot

The Nohoch Mul pyramid, named “Ixmoja”, is the second tallest structure in the Yucatan at 42m (138’) high. The tallest pyramid is located in Calakmul and is 45m high. However, Calakmul is located far away from any tourist cities, and requires a multi-day dedicated trip to visit the site. Fewer than a dozen people a day visit Calakmul. If you are visiting the Maya Riviera and staying in Cancun, Cozumel, or Tulum this is your best option if you want to climb a Maya pyramid.

For comparison, the pyramid at Chichen Itza is only 98ft high (33m). Since tourists are no longer allowed to climb the pyramid at Chichen Itza, the Ixmoja is the only pyramid in the area that you can climb.

Personal photo: Nohoch Mul Pyramid, Main plaza, Site of Coba, Yucatan Region, Quintana Roo, Mexico

You are walking from the Xai’be into the open area at the base of the Nohoch Mul pyramid

The area in the red circle is the cleared area at the base of the pyramid. The rest of the complex, while mapped, is unexcavated and unrestored.