Hey all, we are going to Cancun for vacation and looking at doing some side trips. Coba looks really interesting but it also looks like a good place for spiders and tarantulas to hang out. Please, anyone who has been there let me know if there is any. I am deathly afraid of those eight legged things, anything else i can handle. But put me and a spider in a room together and only one of us will come out alive (it'll be the one with eight legs!)

Just where in this World do you not find spiders except the Arctic/Antarctica regions?
If you are looking for reinsurance you might wish to stay home.

Stewbear is right. Spiders are everywhere ... just as likely to be in your hotel room as at a ruins site. Where do you live that you don't have spiders?

Most spiders are not aggressive. They will not attack or chase you. And they kill a lot of other insects that are harmful to humans and to agriculture.

I haven't been to Coba, but I would bet money there are spiders there. Also in Cancun! Just relax. You will be fine.

I'm not a fan of insects in general, and have been to Coba. I don't recall even seeing any spiders, or insects of any consequence.

I thought I'd contribute to the discussion a picture of the biggest spider I've seen anywhere on my arm at Tikal last year. Don't click on the link below if you don't want to see it.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/staceyh...7622232779322/

That pic is horrifying!

But, seriously, the spiders in Central America/Yucatan are nothing to worry about. The snakes, on the other hand . . .

I like how you can see the weight of the spider causing its feet to make dents in my skin.

Gee, thanks.

I like spiders. You need to get a leash for that thing hope!

We have been to the Yucatan many times, including Coba. I don't remember seeing any spiders, although I'm sure they are out there. In Coba, you will be walking or biking on gravel paths thru forest. It's well visited with lots of families - you are not in the heart of the Amazon! We did see a huge crocodile in Coba lake by the restaurant. Apparently, the staff feeds the croc table scraps.

Hopefulist, that's a great picture. I had one on my arm not quite that big last year while touring the ruins at Lamanai in Belize. The guide knows where she lives, and she comes out and entertains her 'guests', then she goes back home...

That was a similar case with the gentle giant in my photo, but at Tikal. We saw several tarantulas at Lamanai but just there faces peeking out of burrows.

lou, I recommend that you do not do a night hike. They'll have you shine your flashlight over the grass, and you'll see hundreds of little eyes reflecting back at you. Not good for spider phobes.

it's the police you need to worry about!!! We just returned from Coba, and we love all wildlife, including spiders. I am sure there are many spiders, but good luck finding them!!! Fortunately, the beautiful butterflies are plentiful.

Thanks for all your replies. I most likely will go to Coba because it does look cool. And if I meet up with a spider, well it won't be the first time.

!Hijole es una taratula muy gande! Anyway I think spiders are pretty much unescapable. We used to live in north eastern Montana where 40 below was normal in winter, the eight legged criters were still not deterred, they just moved in to everyone's house about October!