In Muyil you can tour part of the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve, one of the pleasant surprises that the Riviera Maya holds. Muyil has been covered by the most visited Tulum and Cobá.
Despite being hooked on Riviera Maya, Muyil retains its anonymity, another good reason to visit it. We visited it for the first time at 2008, and during these years they have made considerable improvements in the entrance and vestige services. It was from the places that pleasantly surprised me.
Muyear It combines a beautiful landscape of ruins between exuberant jungle and the beautiful path through the Sian Ka'an Reserve to the Chunyaxché lagoon (name by which Muyil is also known). Both attractions are the perfect combination of culture and nature.
You can add to the Muyil visit a boat trip through Sian Ka'an, where you will discover other Mayan remains and swim in the lagoon between mangrove channels. Muyil can be your surprise on the way.
Discover the best 5 archaeological sites of Quintana Roo
IMPORTANCE OF MUYIL
The excellent location near the lagoon, allowed the ancient Maya to exit to the sea through the channels that flow there, channels that they modified to make them navigable to the Caribbean Sea. This turned to Muyil in the most important city of the more than 20 vestiges located in the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve area.
Muyil was one of the great commercial ports, with networks that took them to Belize. Muyil was undoubtedly linked to Cobá, the most important Mayan city in this area of Quintana Roo.
Its most outstanding building is the Castle with a height of 12 meters, you can climb the temple.
It's nice to walk around and discover the place with the tranquility you'll find in Muyil, away from other more touristy places. You will realize the power of the jungle eating the ancient Mayan structures.
HOW TO GO TO MUYIL
Muyil is located 22 kilometers south of Tulum. The entrance is on federal highway 307.
- HOW TO GO TO MUYIL BY CAR: Take federal highway 307, which runs in a straight line from Cancun-Puerto Morelos-Playa del Carmen-Tulum-Bacalar-Chetumal. It is well signposted, it has no loses. From Tulum it is 20 minutes.
- HOW TO GO TO MUYIL BY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION: From the center of Tulum, in front of the bus station, there are buses heading south. Tell the driver that you get off at Muyil so he can let you know. The archaeological zone is at the foot of the road. The ticket costs about 20 pesos per person, you cannot travel with a large backpack.
- HOW TO GO TO MUYIL BY TAXI: Riviera Maya taxi drivers have official rates. Ask in Tulum, Playa del Carmen or wherever for the official rates and agree on a price with them if you want them to wait for you when you return.
TIPS TO VISIT MUYIL
- WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW: Being close to the Riviera Maya, it is a visited place, but obviously not at the level of Tulum or Cobá. If you go early you will be alone.
- WHAT TO BRING: it is best to go with light and comfortable clothes, better to go with closed shoes and bring water. Bring insect repellent, especially from May to December.
- VISIT TIME: one hour would be enough for the archaeological zone, add another hour if you walk the path of the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve. Obviously if you like to entertain yourself like we do, you can spend a good time touring the place.
THE HIGHLIGHTS OF MUYIL
For us, the fact of being able to enjoy the combination of the archaeological zone with the short walk that takes you into the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve is something very interesting. It is not the most spectacular of the vestiges, but it is a surprising corner.
VERY PRACTICAL INFORMATION
1-Muyil Schedule
Monday to Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 15:00 p.m.
2-Muyil Services
Free parking, toilets and guide service.
3-Very price
65 pesos per person. On Sundays the entrance to the INAH is free for Mexicans and permanent residents. Access to the archaeological zones is free every day for children under 13 years of age, students, teachers and seniors with valid credentials.
TRAVEL THE SIAN KA'AN PATH FROM MUYIL
Inside the vestibule there is a interpretative path which crosses the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve that takes you to the lagoon and helps you with informative signs to know more about the beautiful area.
On this path, you will find a watchtower, which if you dare to climb it, you will have a wonderful view until you see the Caribbean. If you are not afraid of heights, do not miss it. Watch for the animals you can see along the way, like some coati and beautiful birds.
TRAIL PRICE: 70 pesos per person is the payment to the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve.
BOAT EXCURSIONS FROM LA LAGUNA MUYIL
The interpretive trail through the Reserve is taken near the Castillo de Muyil, the tallest building. The 2-kilometre path leads you to the lagoon, where boats depart for the Sian Ka'an Reserve.
PRICES OF THE EXCURSIONS: Excursion between an hour and a half and two hours costs 900 pesos per person. The boats are from 6 people. Wear a hat to protect yourself from the sun and long sleeves, the boats are not roofed (they do not allow it so as not to damage the mangrove with the roof of the boat, it goes through a narrow channel)
WHAT TO BRING TO THE EXCURSION? Wear a hat to protect yourself from the sun and long sleeves, the boats are not roofed (they do not allow it to avoid damaging the mangrove with the roof of the boat, it passes through a narrow channel).
WHAT TO VISIT NEAR MUYIL
There are several cenotes nearby like Cenote Cristal and Escondido, Cenote Heart, Kaan Luum Lagoon.
In addition to archaeological zone of Tulum and beaches like Tankah. Much to enjoy in this area.
Many travelers cross the road from Tulum to Chetumal, passing by Muyil. Now that you know him, I recommend that you take your time to visit this pleasant surprise.
Good way,
- Offers on flights international and national ..
- Find the accommodation with the best offers from Booking.com.
- Stay with airbnb and get 25 € discount.
- Contract activities, tours and excursions organized.
- Rent a car with the indispensable and necessary best discounts.
- Secure your transfers of arrival or departure to the airport.
- Travel safely with IATI and take advantage of 5% off.
If you prefer, you tell us your idea of the trip and together we organize it.
Wow !!!! How much beauty and united history!
I do not think I dared to go up to the watchtower, really! I have dizziness!
Thanks for sharing this post !!!
A hug, Sandra!
Hello! I'm evaluating whether or not to go to this area. How long can it take to visit Muyil and the interpretive trail? A greeting!
Hi Teresa, put in between an hour and a half and two hours. The trail must have about 500 meters, but it is entertaining, and the archaeological zone is small. The views from the watchtower allow you to appreciate Sian Ka'an. Greetings, you have little left
Hello Sandra! I was thinking about doing the Muyil tour with some of the cooperatives in the area, but they charge $ 109 dollars, which, although I'm sure it's a fair price for their time, is much more than the $ 45 pesos of the ticket. However I do not want to miss the visit to the channels by boat. Do you know the price of the boat trip with the local groups that are in the lagoon?
Thanks for the post!
Hello Claudia, I do not know exactly, the last time two and a half years ago they charged 65 dollars per person. A bit expensive to my understanding, that of having Riviera Maya next door I think it makes prices swell too much. You find them right there in the lagoon, I hope you get a good price.
Best regards,
Hello Sandra, very interesting all the information and very nice photos. I am Mexican but I live in Spain and I have a plan to visit my beautiful country in December and I will take my teenagers to know their Mexican half. My concern is the security that I can have to move in a rental car for these places that you recommend since being 4 would be more practical. What do you suggest, we will be like a week in that area and I worry about the safety of my family.
Hello Rocio, what an illusion must the trip make you? Rentar car in the Riviera Maya area is very common among visitors, the area is safe and quiet, except cases of biting by the police in some situations. I leave you two tickets that can help you make the decision to rent or not a car, something I recommend. https://www.elcaminomascorto.es/consejos-conducir-peninsula-yucatan/ And another one that spoke a little about security: https://www.elcaminomascorto.es/seguridad-en-riviera-maya/
I hope you serve, anything else here you find me.
Best regards,
Very good description You just have to update the rates. Federal tax 65 pesos. Sendero already has a cost of 50 pesos. Tomorrow I tell you how much the entrance to the site. Greetings from Playa del Carmen, the heart of the Riviera Maya: D
Hello Joel, thank you very much for the update, I correct it.
Nice to say hello, mate
Hello, excuse Sandra, do you know how I can move from Playa del Carmen to Muyil? Or where are the collective vans or trucks that take me to the place?
Hi Moses. in Playa you should take the 2 street between 15 and 20 avenues, the bus to the last stop in Tulum. From that point of Tulum the vans leave to Felipe Carrillo Puerto who leave you in Muyil, very simple. Back the same.
A pleasure to help you Moses, good way.
Good afternoon Sandra, Thank you very much for the information, we are on our way to this new adventure, very useful all information 😀 greetings
Good, hug, enjoy a lot 🙂
Hello, I see comments with dates that have already passed .. currently you can tell me how much the boat ride through the Muyil channels costs… Thank you
Hello Maria Teresa, that we know the prices remain the same, they vary according to the company. I am trying to provide you with direct contact with a company so that you can check with them directly. I write to you by this means as soon as I know.
regards