If you do not plan to join a tour to visit Sian Kaan, then driving to Punta Allen may not be the best option for you. var s = d.createElement(sc), p = d.getElementsByTagName(sc)[0]; Share your thoughts and let me know what you think! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The water is crystal clear, so you can easily spot fish swimming around. We appreciated a lot the change of atmosphere. When in doubt, always ask your guide in order to avoid problems. I spend most of my weekends in national parks or underwater. Our floating adventure started at the pontoon. s.type = "text/javascript";
shared minivans, going from Tulum to Punta Allen. If you opt to bypass the ruins and go directly to the boats, then drive or walk south on HWY 307 just past both the Muyil ruins entrance and bus stop until you get to a dirt road on your left (East side of the road) at mile marker 205. The boat tour into the Sian Kaan lagoon costs$1,000 pesos per person. Possibly the most astonishing part of the Yucatan peninsula. The content published on this website may be out of date, and things may have changed since my last visit. The outline of the tour is standard and so is the price. The entry point to the ocean side is Punta Allen, a sleepy fishermens village at the end of Highway 15 from Tulum. this article about the best snorkeling in Tulum. I have read a few reviews on the road conditions to reach it. 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! 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. You can make a booking for this and more properties via ourBooking.com Affiliate Link of Wonders! Search directly on the Tulum directory to find everything you need in Tulum. By far, it is the best place in all of the Riviera Maya for wildlife watching and also for snorkeling in preserved coral reefs. There are usually many seats available. You have to buy an entry ticket (50 pesos per person). Drive slow, take your time, and youll be fine. 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. 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. You are travelling and trying activities at your own risk. We left our boat near a boardwalk that took us through the mangrove to reach another pontoon. You catch it close to the ADO station in Tulum. Would you like to? document,
Youll have the opportunity to float down an ancient Mayan canal! I guess to be that lucky, you need to go there early in the day as crocodiles are active at night. What were some of your favorite activities? I had a few hours to kill in Tulum. But it also means that maybe no one will show up. You can book a tour from Tulum, or drive and directly deal with the guides/boat drivers in the park. Journey Wonders 2021. If you dont do the Sian Kaan boat tour, there really isnt much point in visiting. It is located 2 hours south of Cancun near the small town of Tulum. Note that youll have to leave your bag in the boat when you float down the river during your Sian Kaan tour. Interested to know how to get there? We sat on ourlife jacket and thats it. It is signposted Sendero Mirador Laguna. Brilliant post thanks so much for sharing Did you guys pay 1200 pesos for the two of you or just one? ), but its still a very beautiful natural environment. His mates are at the dock, manning the boats and taking tourists on the tour. Take the boat tour on the laguna, highlight of a trip to Sian Kaan via Muyil. The Muyil Archaeological Site is small, but I enjoyed visiting it. Well, I guess I was lucky to find Sian Kaan reserve then! They described it as a long and not very enjoyable drive: three to four hours for 35 miles! })(document, 'script', '//cf.bstatic.com/static/affiliate_base/js/flexiproduct.js'); This website contains affiliate links, often indicated by *. The drive from Tulum to Muyil to us about 30 minutes from our hotel on the wrong side of Tulum. The 1/2 day trip with Bambi looks amazing. Welcome and I hope you enjoy the journey! In total there were less than 50 people visiting the same places that we did and when you consider that the line to buy Chichen-Itzas tickets can sometimes take more than 20 minutes you will see how 50 people is nothing in comparison. | Wisteria on Trellis Framework by Mediavine. Full-day tours leaving from Tulum takes you through the jungle in a Jeep convoy or by boat all the way to Punta Allen. You can park the car there. There is a level of trust involved as we paid the money for the tour to the man at the ruins, who phoned another man at the dock giving a loose description and vague timing of when we were coming. Come prepared.
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. I live in Brisbane (Australia), but you won't often find me in the city. , Thanks so much Eloise!! Disclaimer: This article was brought to you in collaboration with Karma Trails and Zamas Hotel. And is the boat ride suitable to an easy going two year old who loves the water and birds? There is no place alike anywhere in the Riviera Maya. 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. Yes, I found Sian Kaan Reserve by luck. Visiting the ocean side of Sian Kan looks like an amazing thing to do, but because of time constraints we did not manage it. The clever built of the Mayan canals includes a soft current taking you down the canal effortlessly. (function(d, sc, u) {
The easiest and most convenient way to explore the Sian Kaan Biosphere Reserve is to hire a tour from any point of the Riviera Maya. If you visit the ocean side, chances of seeing dolphins and turtles are good. Add it to your Pinterest board: Hi Eloise loving your Yucatn articles! We wandered around the ruins for 30 minutes before leaving the site and entering the jungle trail leading to the boat dock. It sounded fantastic, but it was too expensive for a single person. kiteboarding extreme control tulum I enjoyed his company. Hope you enjoy your visit! However, I also encourage you to buy local and help small businesses when possible. Hello my wonder friends, ImRaphael Alexander Zoren. Avoid this option during the rainy season (from march to may) as the raoad can get totally washed out! We explored the ruins of a Mayan trade post, but quickly our guide pointed to the narrow canal next to the ruins. );
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Its also super refreshing, after that short but sweaty trek through the hot & humid jungle! check the weather to make sure it will get dry! (function (d, sc, u) {
I tried asking for a deal for the two of us, but no success. Thanks for spotting that this isnt phrased very clearly! The boardwalk leads straight to the dock where the boats depart. Then, you just let the current take you back to the boat, slowly, as you enjoy the views on the beautiful mangrove and try to spot some wildlife. Playas On the way, you will see that there are several virgin beacheswhere you can stop. 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. })(
There is free parking at the Muyil ruins. Luckily this time nobody puked on top of my luggage! He even did a bilingual tour so we could improve our Spanish a bit! Dont expect your guide to speak a foreign language Spanish it is. Also, did I mention how crystal clear the water is? 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. One boatman hangs around at the entrance, approaching tourists and collecting the money. We spent a few days in Tulum when we visited the Yucatan Peninsula for two weeks. During the boat tour on the Sian Kaan lagoon, we spent most of our time watching the birds. Bambi had many stories to tell about Mayan history. Stop imagining, you can actually do it! But from my point of view, the boat ride shouldnt be a problem for a kid who loves being outside and who behaves. But you do need to pass through Tulum bioshere to get there. Apart from seeing the ruins, this will also give you access to a nice jungle trail to the boat docks. Sian Kaan Biosphere Reserve is a unique natural attraction to visit in Mexico. 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. Booking.com
The depth of the water varies around 1 1.5 metres. We saw pink spatulas, pelicans, cormorants, eagles, herons, aigrets, white ibis A paradise for bird lovers. Food: bring plenty of water as well as your lunch and snacks. Buy a ticket from the ticket counter (not on the bus) and ask for a ticket to Muyil (Chunyaxch). 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? As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. We recommend this option if you have the time to explore. Check out my article on the best accommodation in Tulum and Playa del Carmen. Trying to give you tips and recommendations to travel smarter in Mexico! A lifejacket is provided to float down the canal with. We paid $5,500 pesos for five people for our half-day tour with Bambi. 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. s.type = 'text/javascript'; The lagoon had incredible shades of blue. Logistically its much easier to get to Muyil on your own. Sian Kaan Reserve is in Tulum, on the Mexican Riviera Maya, approximately 2 hours south of Cancun. 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. 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. TIPS: Book the tour in the morning because you have a better chance of seeing dolphins and other wildlife, snorkeling with turtles and go to a virgin beach in the morning.
The ticket booth of the Muyil ruins is where you will be approached by a boatman asking if you want to go on a boat tour of the biosphere reserve. 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. Bring your mosquito repelent! I cannot remember at what time we left, it was a little while ago. The 1200 pesos per person (around 25 USD) is non-negotiable. bring water to hydrate yourself, sunscreen and insect repellent, and a hat or a cap. s.type = 'text/javascript';
There are signs for Muyil and a small parking lot that always seems to have spaces available. All Rights Reserved.
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. There, you can watch wildlife and snorkel on the reef. The best part? I did not like all these busy beaches and resorts everywhere. This part of the parkattracted me more with the wetlands, the mangrove forest, and the canals. In this blog post, Im capturing how we made our independent visit to Sian Kaan a success. Although we only saw their noses going out of the water, I was very excited to see manatees. Why? Youll be interested in this article about the best snorkeling in Tulum! Have fun in Tulum! 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? 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. But -unless youre in the area for a long time, its recommended to book ahead to avoid any disappointment or miscommunication issues. All opinions are my own. I paid a small fee that supports the conservation of the park and left the car a few kilometres further, at Bambis camping. p.parentNode.insertBefore(s,p); Also, swimming is forbidden in most wildlife watching areas except for the designated ones. The maximum people you can have on the boat is 6, so you can wait for people you might be able to join to fill up a boat. "https://affiliate.klook.com/widget/fetch-iframe-init.js"
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. The canal is lined with mangroves and the water is very clear. If you do decide to visit Sian Kaan without a tour then you will need to get yourself to Punta Allen. s.async = true;
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. The Jeep or kayak tours I have found go from USD$130 to USD$185. Most of the reviews I read would not recommend going that far if it is not on a tour. In Maya, Sian Kaan meansOrigin of the Sky. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), The best cenotes in Tulum for snorkeling with a map of all Tulum cenotes. The road conditions are allegedly extremely bad (parts of the road seem to be washed away) and the road is inaccessible without a 4WD. After all, what other place in Mexico allows you to see dolphins, crocodiles, turtles, rays and manatees in the wild? This is why its often referred to as the Tulum nature reserve, but this isnt strictly true as Sian Kaan National Park is past Tulum, as you can see on Google Sian Kaan map. Your final option, and most sensible option is to do a Sian Kaan excursion with a reputable tour agency. s.async = true; Do you like snorkeling? 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. However, the boat tour I found with Bambi lasted half a day, whichperfectly fit our timetables. Thank you for your kind words. You will not experience as much marine life as on the ocean side (no dolphins, turtles, etc. Get directly to a boat to explore Sian Kaan. This is non-negotiable and no discount is given for groups of two or more. Its easy to find. 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. p.parentNode.insertBefore(s,p);
If you want to do the tour I did, go and meet Bambi at the campground in Sian Kaan. In June and July, Bambi told us the scenery is even better with the orchid flowers going out of the mangrove. This is where the floating starts. 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 ! Visitors who rely on any information from this website do so at their own risk. I finally felt a relief to leave the buildings behind for a pristine biosphere reserve.
Sometimes, people spot crocodiles during their cruise. .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. These variations of blue may be my highlight of the trip. 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. I know things sometimes look easier than they actually are for parents. Entry to the site is 50 pesos per person. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); I'm an adventure lover, and I like to share my travel experiences and tips to help others plan their big and small trips. It even came with a net over the bed so there was no need to worry about mosquitos! When I got my binoculars out and asked about the birds he got super enthusiastic. We all loved the boat trip in the mangrove labyrinth to get to the Mayan canal. Make sure you select the belongings youll travel with to Sia Kaan so youre not stressed about leaving them alone for a few minutes. 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. Can you imagine snorkeling in these waters? In 2012 I left my old life behind to start a new life of travel and I havent looked back ever since. Take The Bus To Sian Kaan from Tulum To Punta Allen. 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. We took the time to climb the rickety watchtower built alongside the boardwalk for a first view of the lagoon. I did not go there so I wont write more about it. Dont forget to subscribe in order to get more awesome updates and tips straight to your e-mail! The cost for the one-way ticket from Tulum to Muyilis $28 pesos. Chichen Itza: is it worth going to Mexicos most touristy place? Same price for you and a small pocket money commission for this website of yours. Yo-Ho! As we had a car and I had met Bambi before, it was easier for us to go directly with him. 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. 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. No crowds at all!!! 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. Hello happy travellers! Then came the best part. Its nearly two-hours long. })(document, 'script', '//cf.bstatic.com/static/affiliate_base/js/flexiproduct.js');
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Part of the 34 UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Mexico, the Sian Kaan Biological Reserve consist of5,280 square kilometers of pure nature and yes, it is truly wonderful my friends.
From the endpoint where you exit the water, a boardwalk through the marsh takes you back to the trade post and the boat. Prices of the tour start at 130 USD per person including transport, lunch, guided boat tour, and snorkel gear rental. For your question regarding your kid, first let me tell you that Im not a parent. But youll need to double check with the organiser if they have an age limit as they may not have life jackets for small kids. The excursion to Sian Kaan was a full, active day involving a boat ride on the lagoons and floating in an old Mayan boat channel. Information Center About 10 kilometers from the entrance of the reserve is the visitor center. 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.
Well keep that in mind . 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. 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. You dont get to see the ocean when accessing Sian Kaan from Muyil, but you get to float in the Mayan canals and see lots of birdlife instead. As you leave Tulum behind you, Bambis camping is on the left (fee), and the lagoon/pontoon is on the right just after the campsite. TIPS: do not tell the rental car company where you are going. So I enjoyed the beach, cleaned it a bit and decided to come back the week after with my friends. We are a dynamic French/Mexican couple sharing our travel experiences in Mexico!
Rent A Car And Drive Yourself To Sian Kaan. For the Sian Kaan ocean side, Id consider an organised tour. Sian Kaan Mexico, Quintana Roo, is just south ofTulum. s.src = u + '?v=' + (+new Date());
You can even spot remains of ancient trading posts! Plan to visit in the morning to avoid having to park away from the ruins on the main road. 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.
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