Table of Content
Welcome to Sian Ka'an
Welcome to Sian Ka’an – the best comes last! Our last day in Mexico turned out to be one of my favourite days as we decided to visit Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve. Sian Ka’an has a national park status since the year of 1986 and is one of 34 UNESCO World Heritage Sites but luckily, mass tourism has not reached the wonderful biosphere reserve till nowadays. The statistic proves it – only 80,000 tourists a year visit Sian Ka’an Reserve.
Sian Ka’an is certainly the wildest place in the Riviera Maya which is home to thousands of species of flora & fauna including more than 300 species of birds, crocodiles, lamentins, dolphins, turtles and many others. The natural wonder of Sian Ka’an encompasses 5280 km² of a protected area which is a must-visit place especially if you are a nature lover.
In Sian Ka’an you can enjoy not only the tropical forests and mangroves, savanna grasslands and coral reef but also some Mayan Ruins. Sian Ka’an is also famous for its pristine and untouched beaches where you can enjoy snorkelling and swimming in preserved coral reefs.
If you decide to visit the protected area it is almost impossible to visit all the sides that Sian Ka’an has to offer. There are hundreds of animals living in the forests, including jaguars, pumas, ocelots and tapirs. On the other hand in the water, you can spot crocodiles, manatees, turtles, and fish.
Just to imagine how big Sian Ka’an actually is: all the different types of landscapes, including the tropical forests, palm savannahs, mangroves and marshes are located in an area bigger than Cozumel Island! But still my favourite part (except swimming in the Mayan canal) about visiting the Bioreserve – there are no crowds at all! Especially during the first two hours after opening…
We travelled to Muyil by car from Tulum and arrived at 8:00 am. It turned out, there is a group of 4 friends who came for the same reason as we did. In front of the Muyil Archaeological site, there were also two local ranges (government employees) waiting for some more visitors to come. The rangers usually arrive here around 8:00 am and the last boat goes out around 4:30 pm.
We waited another 15 minutes. Nobody came. At 8:15 the rangers decided to split into two groups – so we got one ranger and one boat just for ourselves! The whole trip felt like a private tour for only 600 MXN per person. I strongly recommend this Sian Ka’an boat tour especially if you are on a budget and if you want to explore the Biosphere Reserve (almost) by yourself!
Sian Ka’an: How to Get There
There are all in all two Sian Ka’an Access Points: Punta Allen and Muyil. Each access point provides a different experience for its visitors. Punta Allen is for all who want to see the marine side of the biosphere. Muyil, on the other side, offers incredible mangroves and lagoons experience. Muyil is for all people on a budget and those who want to visit Sian Ka’an without an organized tour.
Muyil, Sian Ka’an
Despite the lack of information, at least Myuil is relatively easy to do by yourself. And you will save A LOT OF MONEY by visiting Sian Ka’an from Myuil! Myuil is for all who want to experience some Mayan Ruins, mangroves, lagoons, jungle and Mayan canals. What you won’t find here are turtles, dolphins and other marine life.
Visiting Sian Ka’an from Myuil is possible as a half-day trip and I highly recommend choosing the early morning!
What you can also visit here are the Mayan ruins and ancient city of Muyil including some jungle walks and climbing the observation tower inside the park. Muyil has a couple of nicely-restored temples and pyramids. Muyil is quite small, especially when you compared it to Chichen Itza or Uxmal. The visit will take ca 1 hour.
Punta Allen, Sian Ka’an
Going to Punta Allen is much more difficult and much more expensive! If you decide to visit the biosphere from Punta Allen, probably the better option is to book an overnight trip as it takes way too long to get there.
Punta Allen is for all who want to experience the oceanic side of Sian Ka’an. Punta Allen includes swimming and snorkelling in the sea and boat tours through the saltwater lagoons. From the boat, you will get to see dolphins, turtles, manatees and sometimes crocodiles!
Exploring the Mayan Canals From Muyil
Once you arrive at Muyil, there are two options: you can first visit the ancient city of Muyil and explore Sian Ka’an afterwards, or you can skip the ruins and jump into the boat and explore the lagoons and canals of Sian Ka’an.
We decided to skip the ruins of Muyil as we already visited several other Mayan archaeological sites like Coba, Chichen Itza, Ek Balam, Tulum and Uxmal.
The water of both lagoons is so clear and clean, and the colour is absolutely mesmerizing! Both lagoons are called Chunyaxché. The lagoon’s colour changes from dark blue to turquoise and green depending on the depth of the lagoon. There are two lagoons connected by canals that were cut by the Ancient Mayan more than a thousand years ago. The canals were used by them to transport goods around the area. They are so just barely wider than the boat itself. The canal water is crystal clear, so you can easily spot black fishes swimming around.
The highlight of the trip came after we crossed the second lagoon which was much bigger than the first one. We reached the point at which we could get out of the boat and jump into the shallow water. We got a life jacket but we didn’t have to wear it as normal – we put our legs through, sat in it, jumped into the cool water and floated down ourselves.
The canal is lined with mangroves, the water is super refreshing and the all-round experience is unique! The water is absolutely clear so that you can actually see many fishes swimming around your feet! Of course, I had some mind game in an attempt 😀 I tried not to think about crocodiles and snakes and after the first 5 minutes, it actually worked out well!
Floating down the canal was so peaceful! We were the only people there and the current did the whole job as it took us slowly down the mangrove-lined lazy river which took about 40 minutes. We didn’t need to do too much to keep moving down the canal – it was just relaxing and fun!
Things to Know Before You Go to Sian Ka’an
Getting to Muyil by Car: The Mayan Ruins of Muyil and Sian Ka’an are located on the eastern side of the Yucatan peninsula, about 20 min drive from Tulum (25 km), 1h 15 min by car from Playa del Carmen (90km), and 2h 10min by car from Cancun (155 km).
Opening Times: The boat trip from Muyil is available every day from 8 to 16:30

The Best Cenotes Near Valladolid You Can’t Miss, Mexico
Entrance Fee: The price of the boat ride into the Sian Ka’an lagoon is $600 pesos per person (about 28 €)
Time for Visiting: The boat tour is a half-day trip (ca 3-4h)
Ideal Clothing & Footwear: Be sure to bring biodegradable sunscreen or even better – long sleeve swimming shirt and leggings since the sunlight is extremely strong! Swimming shoes are always recommendable 🙂
When is the Best Time of Year for Visiting Sian Ka’an?: The best time of the day to visit Sian Ka’an is in the early morning. Until 11 a.m., there were almost no people there and the temperature was about 25°. It was absolutely lovely having the lagoons and canals just for ourselves!
During the tour, our guide (ranger) provided us with information about the different mangroves, ecosystems, animals and history of this area. Communication was a bit difficult without Spanish.
You Might Be Interested In
Welcome to Tulum
As you would expect from a major travel destination, Mexico has no shortage of options when it comes to accommodation. As always, I’d suggest you stay somewhere central, to make accessing all the attractions as easy as possible.
Best Luxury Hotels in Tulum Mexico
- Habitas Tulum: This luxury hotel combines sustainability with contemporary design. The hotel offers stylish rooms and suites with eco-friendly amenities and outdoor showers. Guests can relax by the pool, enjoy yoga classes, savor delicious cuisine at the on-site restaurant, and take in breathtaking views of the Caribbean Sea.
- Be Tulum: Situated on the beautiful white sands of Tulum Beach, this luxury hotel offers stylish rooms and suites with modern amenities and ocean views. The hotel boasts a beachfront infinity pool, a spa, a fitness center, and a renowned restaurant serving delicious Mexican and international cuisine.
- Casa Malca: Housed in a beautifully restored mansion, Casa Malca offers luxury accommodations with a blend of contemporary and vintage decor. The hotel features spacious suites, a beachfront pool, a rooftop terrace, and an art gallery showcasing works by renowned artists. Guests can indulge in gourmet dining and relax on the pristine beach.
Best Mid-Range Hotels in Tulum Mexico
- Ahau Tulum: Located on Tulum Beach, Ahau Tulum offers comfortable and eco-friendly accommodations. The hotel features charming cabanas with private terraces and ocean views. Guests can relax on the beach, enjoy yoga classes, savor delicious meals at the beachfront restaurant, and unwind with holistic spa treatments.
- Coco Tulum: This bohemian-chic hotel offers a laid-back atmosphere and beachfront accommodations. The hotel provides rustic cabanas and beach huts with stunning ocean views. Guests can relax in hammocks, enjoy beachside dining, and soak up the relaxed vibe of Tulum’s beautiful coastline.
- La Zebra Colibri Boutique Hotel: Nestled on Tulum Beach, this boutique hotel offers vibrant and stylish rooms with modern amenities. The hotel features a beachfront pool, a restaurant serving Mexican and international cuisine, and a beach club with loungers and umbrellas. Guests can enjoy live music and a lively atmosphere.
Best Hostels in Tulum Mexico
- TuboTulum Hostel: This unique hostel offers a one-of-a-kind experience, with accommodations in repurposed concrete tubes. The hostel provides dormitory and private tube rooms, a communal kitchen, and a lounge area. Guests can enjoy the quirky and eco-friendly ambiance while meeting fellow travelers.
- Chill Inn Hostel Tulum: Located close to Tulum’s main avenue, Chill Inn Hostel offers affordable dormitory and private rooms. The hostel features a communal kitchen, a swimming pool, a bar, and a lounge area. Guests can socialize with fellow travelers and take advantage of the hostel’s convenient location for exploring the area.
- Che Tulum: Situated near Tulum’s main avenue, this welcoming hostel offers affordable dormitory and private rooms. The hostel features a communal kitchen, a courtyard with a pool, and a bar. Guests can enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of the hostel, meet fellow travelers, and explore the nearby shops and restaurants.
Begin your search for the perfect accommodation now while the excitement is still fresh in your mind. Discover stylish and affordable options, and find the best accommodations at the lowest prices:
Explore a wide range of hotels in Mexico here (Booking.com)
Explore a wide range of hotels in Mexico here (Tripadvisor)
Explore a wide range of hotels in Mexico here (Agoda)
Discover affordable hostels in Mexico here (Hostelworld)
Easily compare prices and book hotels in Mexico here (Hotellook)