Ascent to Nohoch Mul Reopens with New Stairway in Cobá

After six years of being closed to the public, the new stairway to Nohoch Mul was inaugurated this weekend.

Nohoch Mul is the monumental pre-Hispanic structure in the Cobá archaeological zone whose name in Mayan means “great mound.”

Standing at 42 meters high, it is the tallest structure in the northern Mayan region.

Built of wood by artisans from the community of Noh Bec, the stairway once again allows visitors to safely ascend and descend the monument.

The measure also aims to protect the original stone steps, which suffered natural wear and significant erosion from heavy tourist traffic prior to 2019, when climbing to the top was prohibited.

The Ministry of Culture reported that the installation was approved by the INAH Archaeology Council and responds to a longstanding demand from tourists and local ejidatarios (members of a communal landholdings —ejidos— in Mexico), who had requested an alternative that would preserve the site while still allowing visitors to experience it.

The new access also offers privileged views of the Mayan rainforest and a richer cultural and environmental experience for those exploring the ancient city.

During the inauguration, Minister of Culture Claudia Curiel de Icaza also inaugurated the new Service Unit at the archaeological site.

*^{During the inauguration of the new stairway to Nohoch Mul, Minister of Culture Claudia Curiel de Icaza also inaugurated the new Service Unit at the archaeological site. Photo: X @ccurieldeicaza}*

Both projects represented an investment of nearly five million pesos (US$274,613) as part of the Archaeological Sites Improvement Program (Promeza), linked to the development of the Mayan Train.

Officials emphasized that reopening access to Nohoch Mul will diversify Cobá’s tourist offerings while ensuring the preservation of one of the most emblematic monuments of Mayan heritage.