Cobá
Cobá, north of Tulum in Quintana Roo, is about a 30 minute ride northwest of Tulum, and well worth visiting, accommodations are available for overnight stays. It was once a stately city which controlled the economy of the entire Maya region. Unlike most archeological sites on the Yucatan Peninsula, Coba is in the middle of the jungle, and a totally different experience. Take some mosquito repellent with you for this one, as the moist jungle environment supports quite on insect population. It prospered between AD 400 to 1100 and in its heyday, 40,000 people lived within its confines. Large temple pyramids still stand above the jungle, one of which is 138 feet tall, the highest in Northern Yucatan. Because Coba is isolated and off the coast, it is not visited as frequently as it should be. Mysterious ancient roads through the jungle radiate out from Cobá leading, it seems, to nowhere in particular. Also bring along some water, as you'll be doing a lot of hiking. What will you see? The highest pyramid on the Yucatan Peninsula, for one thing, (Nohoch Mul). You may see or at least hear, howler monkeys and an incredible variety of jungle birds. The top of the gigantic Temple of the Churches affords a fantastic view of Lake Ma Can Xoc to the east and of Lake Cobo to the southwest. You'll also see many stelae, glyphs, and sculptures, some showing detailed relieves and complicated inscriptions. One stelae is dated November 30, 780 A.D. in Mayan glyphs.