The Reopening of the Nohoch Mul stairs in the Archaeological Zone of Cobá focuses on the preservation of the Mayan heritage of northern Quintana Roo, emphasized the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH).
After six years of closure, the structure of 42 meters high Thanks to an intervention that responds to both social needs and international restoration criteria, it is again available for visitor pick-up and drop-off services.
The new staircase, made of wood by ejidatarios of the municipality Noh Becwas designed to ensure the safety and functionality of access to the monument.
The archaeologist Julieta Ramos PachecoField Manager of Promeza in Cobá explained this “The design of the staircase is two meters long, with two gaps of one meter each to facilitate the flow of visitors.”.
The process included a topographical survey of each stage of the Nohoch Mul, allowing specialists to precisely and safely install the modern structure, with preventative consolidation, re-leveling of the stages and micro-probing for anchor placement.
The Minister of Culture of the Mexican Government, Claudia Curiel de Icazapresided over the inauguration this Sunday, December 7, 2025, accompanied by federal and state authorities and representatives of the local community within the framework of the Archaeological Zones Improvement Program (Promeza), linked to the Maya Train Project.
The Director General of the Institute of Culture and Arts of Quintana Roo, Lilian Villanueva Chanemphasized the validity of Mayan traditions in the region and the importance of the local community in preserving the heritage.
Villanueva Chan said: “Here, we Mayans still ask permission to enter a space where there is a culture of our ancestors before we begin sowing or a traditional festival, and that tells us that we are alive.”.
The Director General of the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), Joel Omar Vazquez Herreraprovided historical data about Cobá, pointing out that during its heyday between 200 and 600 AD the city covered an area of 70 square kilometers and approximately accommodated 50,000 inhabitants.
Vázquez Herrera explained that the splendor of Cobá was due to its commercial networks with other Mayan cities such as: Chichen Itza, Ichkabal, Tikal and cities on the Caribbean coast. In addition, he reported that recent epigraphic analyzes carried out as part of Promeza made it possible to determine the date of the city’s founding: May 12, 569 AD
The staircase, made from regional woods such as tzalam, mahogany, parota and sapodilla, offers optimal conditions to withstand intensive use and the climate of the region.
The installation responds to the demands of visitors and ejidatarios who have been calling for the reopening of access since 2019 after closure due to natural wear and tear and heavy tourist traffic that affected the original steps.
The reopening of the Nohoch Mul stairs not only facilitates safe access to the highest pre-Hispanic cellar in the northern Maya area, but also strengthens dialogue and collaboration with the community of CobaPromote the social appropriation of heritage and improve the conditions for its protection and respect.
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