We sat in the boat for about an hour, crossing two lagoons and following canals. It sounded fantastic, but it was too expensive for a single person. Get directly to a boat to explore Sian Kaan. See you in Sian Kaan my wonder friends!!! There is no place alike anywhere in the Riviera Maya. Ready for sailing the Caribbean my fellow buccaneer brothers? Its also a quicker trip, as going to Sian Kaan via Muyil is a very doable DIY trip that can be accomplished in a half day. this article about the best snorkeling in Tulum. We took the time to climb the rickety watchtower built alongside the boardwalk for a first view of the lagoon. The 1200 pesos per person (around 25 USD) is non-negotiable. In the end, I would say that if youre in the Riviera Maya already, a visit to the wonderful Sian Kaan Biosphere Reserve is a total Must-Do. Sometimes, people spot crocodiles during their cruise. In this blog post, Im capturing how we made our independent visit to Sian Kaan a success. If you have a snorkelling mask, bringing this is a good idea as the views underwater are interesting; Sunscreen, hat and all the other protective gear: its likely to be a hot day and even if the sky is overcast you will feel the sun whilst on the water. Inland jungle, Mayan ruins, wetlands, freshwater lagoon, mangrove forests, Mayan-carved canals, and float down said canals, youll find this all from the Muyil access point to Sian Kaan. Make sure you seek information from official sources (e.g. Thanks for spotting that this isnt phrased very clearly! I know things sometimes look easier than they actually are for parents. The clever built of the Mayan canals includes a soft current taking you down the canal effortlessly. So I enjoyed the beach, cleaned it a bit and decided to come back the week after with my friends. What this means is that as a solo traveler in Mexico you would pay $6000 Mexican Pesos ( price june 2020) to do the tour. Trying to give you tips and recommendations to travel smarter in Mexico! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Entry points to Sian Kaan Biosphere Reserve, Steps for visiting Sian Kaan independently, Boat tour in the Sian Kaan Biosphere Reserve, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Car rental & border crossing in Central America, Calakmul secret Maya site in the Yucatn jungle. Why? var stg = new Object(); stg.crt="8234238211340";stg.version="1.04"; stg.id=stg.name="adgshp-1879485682"; stg.width="200px"; stg.height="339px";stg.ReferenceKey="K2BpUCVx7exXPTM/RXAMVg=="; stg.Layout="SquareCalendar"; stg.Language="en-us";stg.Cid="1881071"; stg.City="5954"; stg.DestinationName="Cancun, Mexico";stg.OverideConf=false; new AgdSherpa(stg).initialize();
. Its always a pleasure to read that the articles are helpful. Again, the colours were amazing. I hope you have enjoyed this article about the Sian Kaan Biosphere Reserve. But when I read on Cassies guide of the Mexican Ruins that its a well-kept secret and a magical place, I think that maybe we should have included it in the itinerary. One boatman hangs around at the entrance, approaching tourists and collecting the money. By car Simply take Highway 307 south to the ruins of Muyil, which youll be able to easily recognize and will be on theleft side of the road. The better option would be to visit from Muyil or, as we did, by catching a boat just near Tulums entrance. The excitement of seeing a dolphin dad and mom roaming freely in the wild with its babies is one of my most cherished travel experiences of 2017. Who in their right mind would want to imprison these majestic animals? Its also super refreshing, after that short but sweaty trek through the hot & humid jungle! Sian Kaan reserve covers a big area. You wont have to worry about the driving, you can choose to get 1 day tour or multi-day tour, youll have a wonderful day booking a Sian Kaan Tour. Most of Sian Kaan biosphere is protected land and not inhabited, so if you want to stay there you will need to visit Punta Allen which is a small town within the Biosphere. Also, it was totally worth it. Although we only saw their noses going out of the water, I was very excited to see manatees. The jungle trail starts behind the main structure of Muyil Archaeological Site, El Castillo. From Punta Allen, you will be able to book a Sian Kaan boat tour for the next day so you can see the reserve. From the endpoint where you exit the water, a boardwalk through the marsh takes you back to the trade post and the boat. Full-day tours leaving from Tulum takes you through the jungle in a Jeep convoy or by boat all the way to Punta Allen. I also saw a full-day kayak tour around Sian Kaan which could have been a good option to get closer to nature and spot more wildlife. The canal is lined with mangroves and the water is very clear. Sian Kaan boat tours only go from Punta Allen, so you must go here and speak to the boat captains directly to organize your boat tour. We had a fabulous time exploring Sian Kaan Reserve. There is only 4 restaurants and they have no electricity from 2 pm until 7 pm each day, then again from 2 am until 7 am, so you will need to bring a book! A year later, Sian Kaan was declared a World Heritage Site by theUNESCOand it remains the largest protected area in theMexican Caribbean. Because they know how bad the road is and that its very likely you will either get the car filthy driving through the mud, or you will have a flat tire. Sian Kaan Tours are not cheap. This place will allow you to rest on the way and enjoy activities in the lagoon. But you do need to pass through Tulum bioshere to get there. s.src = u + '?v=' + (+new Date()); There is free parking at the Muyil ruins. Buy a ticket from the ticket counter (not on the bus) and ask for a ticket to Muyil (Chunyaxch). When in doubt, always ask your guide in order to avoid problems. We recommend to start with visiting the Mayan ruis (allow 20-30 minutes exploring), then walk all the way to the laguna though el sendero mirador laguna (20-minutes) enjoying the lush jungle scenery. After all, what other place in Mexico allows you to see dolphins, crocodiles, turtles, rays and manatees in the wild? It is a busy place with resorts and tourist attractions all the way from Cancun to Tulum. Prices of the tour start at 130 USD per person including transport, lunch, guided boat tour, and snorkel gear rental. You can even spot remains of ancient trading posts! There are usually many seats available. Visit the Muyil ruins then walk along a boardwalk in a jungle marsh, climb up an observation tower, and continue along the boardwalk to the boat docks. Playas On the way, you will see that there are several virgin beacheswhere you can stop. Driving to Sian Kaan is considered going off-road, so you will be breaking your contract going there. During the boat tour on the Sian Kaan lagoon, we spent most of our time watching the birds. They are fascinating animals. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
, Klook.com Drive slow, take your time, and youll be fine. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Posted on Last updated: February 15, 2022, Sand Dunes in Vietnam: Mui Ne Travel Guide, Nomads of the Ocean: the Bajo People of Wakatobi, Indonesia. Be sure to bring biodegradable sun-screen since the sunlight is extremely strong and the boat provides with minimum cover for it (thats why our wildlife spotter guide is dressed like a Pirate Ninja in the photo above). This takes approximately1 hour(maybe 2 hours, if you take it really slow). I know it was in the morning, maybe somewhere around 9 am but thats a rough guess. 4 Spectacular Dive sites in the Mergui Archipelago, Diving in Cabo San Lucas Marine Park The 4 best dive sites, Edzna Ruins (Campeche): Complete guide 2022, Calakmul Mayan Ruin, the ultimate guide 2022, Everything You Need to Know About Renting a Car in Mexico, Uxmal Yucatan Most impressive mayan site 1 hour from Mrida, 4 archeological sites near Mrida to explore, SISAL Yucatan The perfect destination for a gateway weekend, A Guide to Explore the Cenotes in and Around Tulum. Visibility is beyond incredible in the Sian Kaan and youre guaranteed to see at least most of the Riviera Mayas big five: crocodiles (in the mangroves), dolphins, turtles, rays and manatees ! Sian Kaan Tours can be booked once you are in the Riviera Maya. Youll be interested in this article about the best snorkeling in Tulum! If you are on a budget, you can choose just to enjoy the beach and have a look at the stunning shades of the lagoon from the pontoon. We left our boat near a boardwalk that took us through the mangrove to reach another pontoon. The tour was leaving from the pontoon opposite to his campsite which was very easy and quick to access from Tulum. We explored the ruins of a Mayan trade post, but quickly our guide pointed to the narrow canal next to the ruins. We stopped at a small supermarket on the main road just before reaching the Muyil ruins. Drive up Highway 307 until you reach Muyil (the Mayan name Chunyaxch is used widely as well). Take The Bus To Sian Kaan from Tulum To Punta Allen. We sat on ourlife jacket and thats it. Can you imagine snorkeling in these waters? To access the reservation at any of the five entrances you must go to the information booth and pay about50 pesos(approximately $ 5 or 4). Information Center About 10 kilometers from the entrance of the reserve is the visitor center. The cost of the boat is pretty steep compared to other entry fees and activities, but our day was still a lot cheaper compared to what we would have paid for a tour. Youll find here more info on how to explore the reserve and find Sian Kaan tours. We would first explore the lagoon by boat to search for wildlife. Yo-Ho! The inland facing section is a freshwater labyrinth of lagoons connected by Mayan built canals used for transport of supplies. The cost for the one-way ticket from Tulum to Muyilis $28 pesos. However, we quickly realised that hanging around Tulum with the tourist crowd was not how we had imagined ending our trip. s.type = 'text/javascript'; s.src = u;
The Muyil Archaeological Site is small, but I enjoyed visiting it. It is more expensive, but you are sure to have safe transport. var s = d.createElement(sc),
I spend most of my weekends in national parks or underwater. Also, did I mention how crystal clear the water is? We recommend this option if you have the time to explore. When you buy our tour, you can be sure that your money helps not only preserving the rich ecosystems but also the local economy of Sian Kaan. Logistically its much easier to get to Muyil on your own.

Indeed, Sian Kaan is protected from mass tourism to benefit the ecosystem and the local economy. Hello happy travellers! Tulum has two great attractions, one being the Tulum Ruins and one is the UNESCO World Heritage Site Sian Kaan, still not very known, but when visiting Tulum or the Riviera Maya, you should not miss to do a tour with Visit Sian Kaan tours.

The front of the boat was a bit bumpy when the boat was going faster, but we were very comfortable at the back and never had to hold tight. Interested to know how to get there? Luckily this time nobody puked on top of my luggage! If you like to go to the reserve with your bicycle, from Tulum Pueblo to the entrance of the reserve it is a 55-minute journey, passing through the hotel zone. Entry to the site is 50 pesos per person. There are Mayan Ruins here and there to add a nice local touch. By bus The buses from Tulum to Muyil come frequently, about every 30-60 minutes, so you can go to Muyil by bus at virtually anytime. However these take the best part of the day, meaning you have to spend two nights in Punta Allen if you want to have a full day to explore. Most of the reviews I read would not recommend going that far if it is not on a tour. There, you can watch wildlife and snorkel on the reef. p = d.getElementsByTagName(sc)[0];
It is recommended to spend 2 to 3 days to enjoy it fully, knowing that the boat tour is the thing you shouldt miss out. , Thanks so much Eloise!! It you skip the floating, youll be back earlier, but it is a really enjoyable experience that I recommend. Once inside the reserve, youll follow a wooden boardwalk built in the marsh. If your accommodation is on the right side of Tulum and you can avoid the town centre traffic, it may be less than 20 minutes. (function (d, sc, u) {
The Jeep or kayak tours I have found go from USD$130 to USD$185. The tour I did with Bambi is similar to the Visit Sian Kaan tours, but you cannot directly book online with them. Add it to your Pinterest board: Hi Eloise loving your Yucatn articles! var s = d.createElement(sc), p = d.getElementsByTagName(sc)[0]; We got to see a variety of, sometimes surprising, vegetation. You can park the car there. We spent a few days in Tulum when we visited the Yucatan Peninsula for two weeks. shared minivans, going from Tulum to Punta Allen. Buy a ticket from the ticket counter (not on the bus) and ask for a ticket to Muyil (Chunyaxch). "script",
The resorts seemed so far away! The first time I went there, I was by myself. The Muyil access point to Sian Kaan is also much more cost-effective compared to Punta Allen. Every weekend is an adventure: you don't always have to go far to travel! Before yourent the car, make sure they have no clause in the contract telling you that you cant go off-road in the car. always check national park website alerts) and follow their advice. One of the potential day trips Id earmarked, but not really investigated was visiting the Sian Kaan Biosphere Reserve. This is a full-day tour so bear in mind that youll end up returning to your hotel at around 16:00. But honestly, you would only have a sneak peek of the beauty of Sian Kaan. When it comes to impressive beach-front settings, Zamas Hotel in Tulum Beach definitely wins the prize: have you ever imagined waking up to the sounds of the waves in your wonderful private cabin?

There are so many things to do in Cancun and the Riviera Maya that it can become a nightmare investigating, choosing the best experiences in Cancun that suit your time, your budget and your tastes! We wandered around the ruins for 30 minutes before leaving the site and entering the jungle trail leading to the boat dock. This is a selection of the best sellers tours and excurtions in Cancun and the Riviera Maya, from 1 day activity to several day trips. We were in pure and endless nature. s.type = "text/javascript";
If you dont have a car, buses from Tulum to Muyil are plenty and they take an hour at most (depending where in Tulum you get on). I read they would charge $600 pesos per person at Muyil boat dock for a couple of hours on the ship. I created Journey Wonders to help you achieve your own dreams of travel and to give you the best tips of things to do and see in the worlds best destinations of wonders.
The outline of the tour is standard and so is the price. One even made a special effort to show us quickly his body and tail. Bambi had many stories to tell about Mayan history. Have you ever been to Sian Kaan? The site includes tropical rainforest, mangroves and lagoons. Possibly the most astonishing part of the Yucatan peninsula. Thank you for your kind words. Search directly on the Tulum directory to find everything you need in Tulum. You catch it close to the ADO station in Tulum. I did not like all these busy beaches and resorts everywhere. Have fun in Tulum! The lagoons and canals are unique and our friendly guide knew everything about birds and other wildlife in the area. The Sian Kaan Biosphere Reserve has got two entry points, depending on which section of the protected area you want to see. It is signposted Sendero Mirador Laguna. Chichen Itza: is it worth going to Mexicos most touristy place? We could get closeand even go inside. The entry point to the ocean side is Punta Allen, a sleepy fishermens village at the end of Highway 15 from Tulum. Visiting the ocean side of Sian Kan looks like an amazing thing to do, but because of time constraints we did not manage it. Journey Wonders 2021. What were some of your favorite activities? Count me in! check the weather to make sure it will get dry! If you dont do the Sian Kaan boat tour, there really isnt much point in visiting. Hi, it was 1200 for both of us so indeed around 25 dollar per person. Well, I guess I was lucky to find Sian Kaan reserve then! Youll cruise around the lagoon and into narrow canals that are just barely wider than the boat itself. Its easy to find. There is no need to reserve a ticket in advance. (function(d, sc, u) {
The car park is not huge and does fill up. The depth of the water varies around 1 1.5 metres. It kind of reminded me of the bumpy ride to reach the Palenque Mayan Ruins a few weeks ago! Thing to know if you are solo travelers or 2 people: Community tours Sian Kaan have fixed prices for renting a boat for the tour, and negotiation is hard, The price is per boat, not per person. The drive from Tulum to Muyil to us about 30 minutes from our hotel on the wrong side of Tulum. Hope you enjoy your visit! Tour operators taking you to Sian Kaan from Tulum are plenty, but since we had a rental car and recent poor experience with tours in the Yucatn, we were set on visiting Sian Kaan independently. Enjoy this article and remember that Mother Nature is always the best when it comes to designing the wonders of this world. The 1/2 day trip with Bambi looks amazing. Sian Kaan is a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the Riviera Maya in the Yucatn. Before calling Brisbane home, I lived in Sydney, Istanbul, England, and France. Binoculars: birdlife in the lagoons is excellent and binoculars are essential if you want to watch the birds. I finally felt a relief to leave the buildings behind for a pristine biosphere reserve. Simply head tothe main ADO bus station in Tulum (onAvenida Tulum between Alfa and Jupiter). The Sian Kaan Biosphere Reserve is one of Mexicos most impressive natural wonders. It is a good idea to rent a car and drive to Sian Kaan but make sure your car is good and the road is accessible and in a good state. Sian Kaan Biosphere Reserve is a unique natural attraction to visit in Mexico. As we had a car and I had met Bambi before, it was easier for us to go directly with him. We spotted some birdsand appreciated the calm and the refreshing feeling. There is no need to hurry there are several boats and the likelihood of having to wait is small. Visitors who rely on any information from this website do so at their own risk. I guess to be that lucky, you need to go there early in the day as crocodiles are active at night. If you are staying in Tulum, you can catch the bus, colectivo, from Tulum to Punta Allen in Sian Kaan. Your final option, and most sensible option is to do a Sian Kaan excursion with a reputable tour agency. Yes, I found Sian Kaan Reserve by luck. Zamas Hotel is located a few KM away from Tulum Town so be ready to haggle for taxi prices or just rent some bicycles for easy movement. If you wish to book your Sian Kaan tour online before starting your trip, have a look at this full-day tour* and this half-day tour* from Cancun, Playa del Carmen or Tulum. Come prepared. He even did a bilingual tour so we could improve our Spanish a bit! On Google maps, this looks like an easy drive, but based on local advice we decided against it. I will receive a commission if you make a purchase using this link but this does not affect the price you pay. I took my snorkelling mask to explore below the water surface. Make sure you bring your own mask and snorkel to be able to view the fish and other critters that live amongst the mangroves. .Here are the websites you can use to book your trip, get inspired with the best things to do in your destinations and travel smarter. Once you enter the ruins, there is no opportunity to buy food or drinks; Bathing suit and towel: you will have the opportunity to swim in the Mayan canals, so come prepared. Well keep that in mind . It was easy to reach: I followed the road with all the resorts, all the way to the reserve gate. Would you like to do the same? s.src = u + '?v=' + (+new Date());
Although this was surely the more difficult way to go as competition is big, but in the end this is our commitment towards preserving Sian Kaan! I live in Brisbane (Australia), but you won't often find me in the city. Commissions and advertising help me maintain this website and create more content. You will not experience as much marine life as on the ocean side (no dolphins, turtles, etc. We did not putMuyil ruinson our itinerary as we already visited several Mayan ruins (Coba, Chichen Itza and Tulum). But from my point of view, the boat ride shouldnt be a problem for a kid who loves being outside and who behaves. We appreciated a lot the change of atmosphere. What time of day does the tour leave the pontoon? All opinions are my own. Be sure to pack some nausea pills because the bumpy van ride to reach the docks is not for the faint hearted my wonder friends. Dont forget to subscribe in order to get more awesome updates and tips straight to your e-mail! Tour groups to Sian Kaan are limited and often require you to book a few days in advance to secure a spot. We recommend that yougo very early or in the eveningas the sun is very strong in the afternoon. The lagoon and the river are calm and flat. We walked back to the car the same way we came, stopping again at the Muyil ruins for some photos in the evening light. Same price for you and a small pocket money commission for this website of yours. Welcome and I hope you enjoy the journey! Hello my wonder friends, ImRaphael Alexander Zoren. Read this article for all you need to know about Sian Kaan and beyond! You can book a tour from Tulum, or drive and directly deal with the guides/boat drivers in the park. From the thick Yucatan jungle, freshwater marshes extend out through lagoons and even Mayan-built canals, all the way to a thriving barrier reef in the Carribean Sea. There are signs for Muyil and a small parking lot that always seems to have spaces available. Planning a trip to Tulum?Check out my article on the best accommodation in Tulum and Playa del Carmen. We paid $5,500 pesos for five people for our half-day tour with Bambi. In Maya, Sian Kaan meansOrigin of the Sky. We had a boat to ourselves and a friendly, knowledgeable guide. Its about a five-minute walk (or 1-minute drive) down a small dirt road, where there is a secure parking lot ($50-pesos), about a two-minute walk from the boat dock. However, I also encourage you to buy local and help small businesses when possible. By bicycle, getting to Punta Allen is a long time, we advise you not to go far and enjoy the virgin beaches that surround the reserve. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. We always had in mind to be a self-sustaining local tourism project, self-promoting our tours without the dependence of the market power of big tour agencies. I have read a few reviews on the road conditions to reach it. The lagoon had incredible shades of blue. From my point of view, the biggest danger is the sun! I started with the Cenote dive article before I arrived at Sin Kaan. It is said that its diverse wildlife is the main reason why the Sian Kaan Biosphere Reserve is a UNESCO World Heritage Siteand it isnt hard to see why: Sian Kaan is home to over 300 species of birds, 400 species of fish, 100 mammals and 40 amphibians. Youll have the opportunity to float down an ancient Mayan canal! Animal diversity in Sian Kaan is excellent. p.parentNode.insertBefore(s,p);
I loved the authenticity. (I wasnt sure because 25 usd would be a bit less in pesos) thank you . We saw pink spatulas, pelicans, cormorants, eagles, herons, aigrets, white ibis A paradise for bird lovers. The best part? s.async = true; Trust me when I say that it is totally worth it: white sand beaches with pristine Caribbean water? Facilities and services in Muyil and Sian Kan are limited to non-existent, so if you are visiting Sian Kaan independently, make sure to pack the following essentials. In June and July, Bambi told us the scenery is even better with the orchid flowers going out of the mangrove. The boardwalk leads straight to the dock where the boats depart. Share your thoughts and let me know what you think! A sublime area of natural beauty, Sian Kaan Tulum is home to thousands of species of flora and fauna, which is why the region became a designated Biosphere Reserve in 1986. Although we didnt see any of the cats that allegedly roam the jungle, I enjoyed spotting the variety of birds. Its quiet and pretty (in a cute way). The freshwater side of Sian Kaan is much easier to reach and makes a perfect day trip from Tulum or other locations on the Riviera Maya. From the majestic Mayan pyramids (check out my Pyramid Guide of Wonders) to pristine beaches and cenotes, the Riviera Maya has absolutely everything to marvel you. document,