Great Mound

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Nohoch Mul at Cobá is the highest Mayan pyramid in the Yucatán Peninsula, 137 feet high, and I thought I read the 3^rd highest in all of the Mayan world. I missed out on it last December which I seriously regretted because it has been rumored for years that the authorities were going to close off the pyramid to climbing. That is thankfully not the case and yesterday I climbed the pyramid - along with dozens of other tourists - for one of the best views over the endless jungle.

$US ≈ 19 Mexican pesos ($M)

Valladolid

Been to Valladolid both of my previous trips to Mexico. Town isn't much but it's in a great location for easy trips to many cenotes and ruins.

Accommodation and food Third trip, third place to stay this time Hostel 230 a few blocks from the bus station on the way out of town. Paid $M175 for my own room with private bathroom, good WiFi, and a fan. AC would have run $M350. Breakfast is included and very different from any in Mexico because the place is run by a very nice Chinese family. They also do a lunch buffet which is popular with the locals. Had lunch and dinner at one of the places in the food court near the main square.

Transport Buses run mostly to Yucatán and Quintana Roo, have to change in Mérida for Campeche and presumably anything further like Mexico City.

Cenote Ik Kil There is a small garage near the bus terminal running frequent colectivos to Chichen Itza and Ik Kil ($M35) and share taxis to the very cool cenotes at Dzitnup. Takes ~40 min to Ik Kil, bit more to Chichen. Caught a 2^nd class bus back to town for $M29.

Cobá Very easy to stop here on a bus trip between Valladolid and Tulum or Playa del Carmen. I left Valladolid by bus ~9:30am ($M49) and got dropped a ways from the ruins ~11am. Paid the $M70 entrance fee and left my carry-on bag with the baño attendant for a $M10 "tip." Headed straight for Nohoch Mul, a brisk 20 minute walk from the entrance. There are bikes for hire if pressed for time as the ruins are spread out but only Nohoch Mul can be climbed. Got back into town with just enough time for a quick comida before catching a Playa del Carmen bus ($M88) ~1:15pm taking almost 2 hours. Better and less rushed would have been to leave Valladolid at 8:30am.

Playa del Carmen

Like last trip, I'll spend the last few days in Playa. Too hot to do much of anything except lounge at the beach and watch the Boston Celtics dismantle the Cleveland Cavaliers and the despised LeBron James. Muy importante: cannot buy alcohol in stores - including ¡cervezas! - after 5pm on Sundays. ¡Que lástima!

Accommodation and food Staying at Izsla Hostel again, $M200 for AC dorm, WiFi, and breakfast with real brewed coffee which is no surprise since the place is run by Argentines who would mercifully not even think of serving horrid Nescafe. Plenty of cheap eats near the colectivo staging area around 20 Avenida & Calle 2.

Transport Only transport of importance to me is the ADO bus to the airport in Cancun for $M190 and leaving every 20-30 min from the centrally located bus terminal.

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Photos

Nohoch Mul
The Great Mound

At the Top of Nohoch Mul
For descent, many opt for the trasero slide.

View From the Top of Nohoch Mul
Just jungle for miles with only the top of a smaller pyramid poking thru the canopy.

Celtics Forward Marcus Morris Defending LeBron James
Eastern Conference Finals game 1 dominated by Boston. One of LeBron James worst playoff games ever.