The Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve is one of the most coveted natural paradises near the Riviera Maya. Touring the Reserve on your own is a good option for adventurers.
The Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve receives many daily visitors from the Riviera Maya. The Punta Allen fishermen's cooperatives live off the clients that the agencies send on tour.
Tourists are waiting for an adventure day in 4 × 4 with 3 hours boat ride through the mangrove and open sea to see dolphins and turtles in their natural habitat, and with a swim in a natural pool. You don't need a fish or lobster to eat if you pay extra. An adventure where you can drive an 4 × 4 and navigate among Caribbean wildlife.
Sian Ka'an is very attractive for the Riviera Maya tourist, it is one of the best selling tours.
FREE VISIT TO THE SIAN KA'AN BIOSPHERE RESERVE
Despite living on tours, Sian Ka'an welcomes more and more travelers who come by themselves Until the Reserve. It is a good place to enjoy at your leisure, spending the night in one of the hotels of the Sian Ka'an reserve or in a day from the Riviera Maya. If you can choose, I recommend you spend the night in the Reserve.
Many travelers choose visit the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve for free, one of the most captivating coastal natural spots near the busy Riviera Maya.
The road through the Reserve is sandy, unpaved, so not all cars are comfortable to walk on. Watch especially in the rainy season, when constant holes are formed on the road.
HOW TO VISIT THE SIAN KA'AN RESERVE
La Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve it is a place for travel by car. From the entrance near Tulum to Punta Allen, the furthest town, there are 50 kilometers of unpaved roadr. In this section that crosses the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve, you will find different places to stop and enjoy the Reserve. For this reason the car is ideal, to stop where you want How to visit Sian Ka'an?
- ON TOUR WITH AGENCY: en Riviera Maya offer a tour in 4 × 4 through the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve. Look to hire an excursion with boat tours activities through the mangrove or in the open sea to see turtles and dolphins, kayak or snorkel. Only the jeep is somewhat bland the tour.
- BY OWN CAR OR RENT: For those of you who do not like to go on an excursion and want to enjoy this earthly paradise at your leisure, you can go by car. Renting a car in Riviera Maya is very simple. For this excursion, due to the road conditions, especially in the rainy season, it is important to have a comfortable car and good shock absorbers.
- BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT de Tulum to Punta Allen There are combi from Tuesday to Saturday that leave at 4 in the afternoon of the Tulum shark trade union. From Punta Allen they leave towards Tulum at 7 in the morning. The price of the ticket is 200 pesos per person and route. Another way to go is with the van de easy tour that leaves in front of the super Aki of Tulum at 1: 45 in the afternoon. It takes you to the visitor center of the Sian Ka'an Reserve, and from there by boat to Punta Allen. The bad thing about these options is that you miss stopping along the way. Anyway stay in Punta Allen is worth it for lovers of authentic and peaceful places of nature.
- FROM MUYIL: en the archaeological zone of Muyil there is a path that runs a Interpretive trail of 2 kilometers by the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve and reaches the lagoon. Boat excursions depart from this lagoon: between an hour and a half and two hours it costs about 800 pesos per person. The boats are for 6 people. Wear a hat to protect you from the sun and long sleeves, the boats are not covered (they do not allow it to avoid damaging the mangrove with the roof of the boat, you go through a narrow channel). You can swim in the canal and visit a small archaeological site. Good excursion.
- CYCLING: I never did pedaling but it seems like the best way to visit Sian Ka'an, someday 🙂
PLACES TO VISIT WITHIN THE SIAN KA'AN RESERVE
Since you've come here by car, give yourself life on the way. Stop where you think you will have a good view, walk, look at the beach. be curious. There are many wonderful corners within the Reserve without indicating, discover the place. If you do not go with much time I will indicate the most relevant of the road to Punta Allen.
- ENTRY TO THE RESERVE BY TULUM: The entrance arch to the Reserve is located near the town of Tulum: follow the signs that indicate Boca Paila. Right at the entrance where you get your ticket there is a cenote that you can visit.
- VISITORS CENTER: 15 kilometers from the entrance to the Reserve is this center. From here you can rent kayaks and take boat trips. Do not miss the views of the lagoon from the pier and the watchtower.
- Friends of Sian Ka'an: This association is within the Reserve. It is a non-profit organization that works for environmental conservation and sustainable development throughout Quintana Roo.
- PUENTE BOCA PAILA: The fishermen come to the bridge to take their luck. A habitual inhabitant is a crocodile that usually roams the area, so as crystal clear and appetizing as you can see the water, better watch life go by from the bridge. Some have had a scare because of the lizard (crocodile).
- PUNTA ALLEN: es the fishing village at the end of the road, haven of peace next to Riviera Maya, excellent getaway. There are several cheap lodgings to stay, you can also take your tent. Make very cool excursions, from dolphins in the wild, snorkeling and touring the Mayan ruins that dot the Caapechén lagoon. Punta Allen is a peaceful place to stay.
In Punta Allen the local tours leave with one of the cooperatives of the place. EXCURSIONS PRICE: The payment of the excursions is by boat of 6 people, so you can share with other travelers to save. The price for an excursion from 2 to 3 hours by boat from 6 people is about the 3000 pesos.
The tour is a boat ride through lagoons and mangroves to go out to the open sea and see dolphins and turtles in their natural habitat. Pure nature awaits you in Sian Ka'an, the blues fall in love. The boat tour ends in the natural pools of Blanquizal.
Take cash to the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve, almost impossible to pay with a card in Punta Allen, and there is no ATM.
I personally know the contact people we passed you. Like us they are nature guides certified by the Government. Sure you enjoy the destination 🙂
WHERE TO SLEEP WITHIN THE SIAN KA'AN RESERVE
- Punta Allen: In this town you can find several lodges and restaurants to taste the fish and seafood of the Caribbean. Very caribeño and calm the population, of those that there is nothing to do and you only want to swing in your hammock. I like Punta Allen 🙂
- Accommodations on the road: Within the Reserve there are enviable accommodations at the foot of the beach, they are not cheap.
- Camping area: There is an area enabled for your campaign booth. Sleeping in front of the sea in this area is a joy. Get ready to fight mosquitoes and gnats, but it will be worth it. They inform you at the entrance.
On the way you will see the few privileged hotels that we find inside the Reserve. Most high budget, they are a luxury. In Punta Allen town you find cheaper accommodation.
You can look on this link hotel deals in Sian Ka'an.
Booking.comEl Manglex Eco-Hotel te may surprise. It is located in Tulum near the entrance to the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve. BOOK from this link.
WHAT TO BRING TO THE SIAN KAAN BIOSPHERE RESERVE
Bring comfortable and fresh clothes, do not forget your swimsuit, towel and spare change. Sunscreen or better a good hat and long cotton sleeves, and mosquito repellent. A good shoe for the sand and ready. Always carry water with you, in reusable bottles better, so we don't waste so much plastic.
And above all take with you all the garbage you generate.
HOW TO GO TO SIAN KA'AN FROM RIVIERA MAYA
- Section from your hotel to the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve: la federal highway 307 It is the one that runs through the Riviera Maya. All-inclusive hotels are located on this road. Leaving your hotel by car you should go to Tulum Before entering the town, turn towards the coast where indicated Boca Paila. Duration: about 30 minutes from your hotel in Playa del Carmen at the entrance of the Reserve.
- Reserve Section to Punta Allen: la road is sandy, it's not paved, so in good condition, take between hour and a half and two hours from Tulum to Punta Allen. In bad condition, put 5 hours and a little more, no kidding. After the rainy season (June to November), normally the repair in November. As the weather is changing, better ask how the road is. There is no gas station in the Reserve, or in Punta Allen.
VISIT SIAN KA'AN BY RENTAL CAR
We recommend you book your car online months before, especially if you travel in peak times such as Christmas, Easter or summer. They tend to increase prices as the date approaches, just as it happens with airline tickets.
The excursions that go through the Reserve do it all in cars 4 × 4, it gives adventure and the environment favors it a lot. You honestly do not need an 4 × 4 to tour the area, but it does provide comfort and safety on a road that sometimes gets difficult through the holes. Go to the little step and enjoy the road.
Book from this Rentalcars link, a good search engine that compares prices between companies and gives customer opinions
WHERE TO EAT IN THE SIAN KA'AN RESERVE
In Punta Allen there are fish and seafood restaurants. Lunch cost about 180 mxn per person.
On the way to Punta Allen there are lodgings with restaurants open to the public where you can enjoy the beaches. There are not many, it is a matter of being curious, you look, discover when you see a sign indicating accommodation with the open passage.
SCHEDULES AND PRICES SIAN KA'AN 2020 ENTRY
The entrance to the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve opens from 8 to 17 hours. Open every day and the entrance is 68 mxn. Remember that you can sleep inside the Reserve.
WHEN THE SUNSETS IN RIVIERA MAYA
As you do not know the road is better than Arrive with daylight at your hotel. In addition, the roads are poorly lit and driving is complicated.
- In winter time (November to May). During these months the sun sets between 6 and 7 in the afternoon.
- In summer time (April to October). During these months the sun sets between 7 and 9 at night.
I hope you enjoy and organize your excursion with this information. This is one of the many excursions by car what can you do from Riviera Maya. Drive in a prudent manner and respect the signs.
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.
hello, I intend to know the beaches of punta allen that tell me they are like marine pools, in my next visit I will rent an economic car, but as it will be in October it is rainy season and I do not want to risk it, there is some way to get there directly without buying the whole tour so that I get more economical? Thank you
Hi Edgar, the most economical way is in urban transport: from Tulum to Punta Allen there is a daily bus, at 14 hours it leaves the taxi station of Tulum. From Punta Allen he returns to the 5 in the morning. Only one night does not give you the possibility of anything in Punta Allen, you should be two nights. Ask for the road in October, maybe it's not too bad.
Good luck, best regards!
Sandra
ok I'll take it into account, thank you very much ...
Hello Sanda, I want to know if there is a way to cross by boat from Punta Allen to Vigía el Chico or even to Mahahual. I travel by bike and I want to continue the journey in those points.
What a pity, that information I do not know Ricco. It occurs to me that you contact this website that brings together several local cooperatives in the area, to see if they can help you directly: http://mayakaan.travel/index.php?route=common/home
Good luck with that, good way Ricco.
Hello, I go with my family in a rented car, I see that what they recommend most is to go through Muyil, I will go in September. Are the roads dangerous to take any car (small)? And what other entrance to the reserve is recommended and accessible in terms of costs? It is round trip.
Hello Paula, from the Tulum area there are two tickets (same price both) to the Reserve of Sian Ka'an: the one of Boca Paila and the one of Muyil. In Muyil there is a path that runs along an interpretive path of 2 kilometers that reaches the lagoon, from where excursions leave (I do not know the prices). From Boca Paila, as I comment at the entrance, the dirt road offers different places to stop, there is no need to get to Punta Allen either. Really both are good options. I would choose according to the road in September, because the road is safe, but it is very heavy because with so many holes of rains you must go to 10 km.
I hope the answer serves you.
Regards,
Sandra
I hope to visit then, Thank you, Sandra.
Hello greetings from Puebla. I travel to Chetumal, which route I follow to Sian Ka'an, transfer time, I go by car, entrance site and recommended places to stay. The road, area and within the reserve is safe
Hello Ramon, from Chetumal you have 3 hours to Tulum, where you can find the most popular entrance to the Reserve, Boca Paila. It is safe all the way to Punta Allen, no problem. Personally I know the hotel Sol Caribe, it is about 8 km from Punta Allen, it is not cheap, but it is luxury. More economic find in the mere town of Punta Allen.
Good road and greetings to the beautiful Puebla
Hello! I want to go to Punta Allen, I was once in the car but my wife was very damaged by the state of the road, they told me that there is a tour that goes out near tulum that goes by boat to punta allen, you do not have the fact?
I live here in puerto aventuras and we want to go in December, could you tell me where to stay and what is not so expensive and the tour there in punta allen to know the points of interest?
thanks!
Hello Jose, that's right, there is a tour that you go by car only halfway, the rest by boat to Punta Allen. I give you the information of one of the cooperatives that works in Punta Allen: vigia_grande@hotmail.com 9848017554. The Punta allen cooperatives receive the greatest number of tourists from the Riviera Maya agencies, which is why it is sometimes difficult to contact them. They give you the info you are looking for. I can not recommend anything to you personally, as I have camped and once again we stayed at a carito hotel before arriving at Punta Allen. so I think it's not what you're looking for.
I hope it serves you, have a great time! 🙂
Hello! I want to know the reservation, however I rent a small vehicle (chevrolet spark), I would like to know if it is possible to go to the reservation in this vehicle, considering that the road is not in good condition and the vehicle is not 4 × 4.? your help, thanks ...
Hi Luis, until Punta Allen I've seen all kinds of cars arrive, you do not need an 4 × 4, the thing is that travel agencies use this type of vehicle. The rains hurt the sand road a lot, there is a lot of holes, but with patience you arrive.
Regards,
Hello Sandra, we are a family of catalunya we come to punta alen at the end of June, we have already booked the 4 × 4 to go to punta alen, I wanted to know if we can book the boat from here to visit the mangroves and turtles, if you know some telephone or contact to be able to resevar, also it can interest me halfway and take the boat there.
thank you!!!! Your blog is great.
Hi Montse, I give you the information of one of the cooperatives that works in Punta Allen: vigia_grande@hotmail.com Phone: 9848017554. The Punta Allen cooperatives receive the greatest number of tourists from the Riviera Maya agencies, which is why it is sometimes difficult to contact them. They give you the info you are looking for, they do the pick up half way. I hope you serve and they answer you.
Salut i molt bon camí per aquestes terres! 🙂
Hi - Do you know if there is access to the January 1? I would like to go that day from Mahahual
Gracais
Hello Zenaido, yes there is access, sure. In fact once we went on 1 from January to Sian Ka'an. I want to go to meet in July there, it should be very nice Sian Ka'an from the area from Mahahaual.
Very good way,
Good morning,
Thank you very much for the article - very useful! I have 2 questions please:
1. How long will the collective truck take, from Tulum to Punta Allen, please?
2. I suppose that the excursion in the Chunyaxché lagoon is very different from the excursion in the sea of Punta Allen, right? Someone will have a little more detail about that?
Many thanks and regards.
Hi Clem, I'm delighted to be able to help.
1-If the road is good a few 2 long hours it takes.
2-Yes the excursion is different: one is for the lagoons of Sian Ka'an, and the other in the open sea, to see dolphins and turtles in freedom. You can look at the Maya Ka'an company that makes excursions in Chunyaxché lagoon, to have prices and excursions as a reference. Some long excursions take you to the sea. In the mere lagoon, you can enter by Muyil or a little road that is near there, there are also cooperatives of boatmen who make excursions.
Punta Allen has a lot of charm, not much tourism.
Hopefully it will be useful for your trip.
Greetings and good way.
Hello Sandra,
Thank you very much for your prompt response.
I'd love to get to Punta Allen, but I do not want to spend 100 usd per person on a one-day tour, it's too much. What do you know, what would be your recommendation to get there at a reasonable price?
Regards!
Hello Clem,
The truth is that excursions to Punta Allen are expensive. You could ask a taxi driver what he charges for round trip to Punta Allen, or go as you say in the truck that leaves Tulum (this is without a doubt the cheapest option). If you go by truck, I recommend you stay two nights, because otherwise you will not have time for anything because of the timetables of the truck.
In Punta Allen there are several cooperatives that go out on a trip, from 2 to 3 hours by boat from 6. People are on the 2500 pesos to be distributed among 6, if the boat is full. As they fill places with the tourist excursions of the Riviera Maya, they do not bother to look for their lives. It is a somewhat expensive place for this reason.
If you rent a car one day can also be an option, depending on whether you share with others to save money. I know friends who have gone by bicycle.
Without going to Punta Allen, the cheapest option is to get to Laguna Chunyaxché by Muyil and take a boat ride, as we mentioned before. The excursion is beautiful also Clem.
You will tell me what you decided 🙂
Best regards,
Hi, I want to know Punta Allen renting a Jeep. Where should I enter to reach those places that look like swimming pools? They only know each other by excursion or can I meet them on my own?
Thank you very much!
Hello Caroline,
The places you say are the canals of the lagoons, until there you can only arrive by boat. You have several options for this excursion: from the Visitor Center of Sian Ka'an, to 15 kilometers from the entrance, or from Muyil from where you also operate excursions by boat. From Punta Allen I also think, but here it is more expensive because these channels are further away.
You can look at prices with this company that I know operates in the area: http://www.mayakaan.travel/
I hope you solve your doubts.
Good trip 🙂
Hello, I want to go to the reserve to meet and camp but I do not know if camping at some beach in the reserve or camping in Punta Allen, what do you recommend? I would like to camp in some space a little more private, not so much a camping area where there are many shops but something more secluded, but I do not want to risk that it is not very safe or that it is not allowed. Thank you.
Hello Marco, the space that there is camping designated do not believe that there are so many people, saving peaks like Christmas, Easter or long weekend, it is a quiet place in front of the sea. In Punta Allen you will find hotels that offer camping spaces in their facilities and you can use their services. I really find the two options valid and attractive, and not overcrowded.
I would not know if you can camp in an unassigned place, I should find out more to give an answer.
I hope it serves you, I wanted to go camping 🙂
Best regards,
Hello, if I arrive on my own, how much will it cost to rent a tour of the Mayan route to the boat cooperative?
Hello Alejandra, in Punta Allen there are several cooperatives that go out on a trip, from 2 to 3 hours by boat from 6, people are on the 2500 pesos to be distributed among 6 people. They have other tours around the Reserve, but I do not know the prices.
Enjoy a lot,
Hello, good day, do you know if they also come from tulum or just tip allen?
The excursions in the open sea only leave from Punta Allen.
Regards,
Hello! the 2 of April we will be in Tulum and we will stay 5 days, I would like to know this reservation that I already fall in love with just seeing the photos. I saw about the buses that depart to the 14hs and return to the 5am. Yes or should I stay for the night? Or is it preferable to rent a car, likewise I would like to know if I arrive by bus, how can I drive inside the reserve? I really like the idea of knowing the marine side, with the dolphins and turtles. I appreciate your advice! Thank you
Hello Rocio,
If you go by bus, yes or yes you should stay to sleep. From Punta Allen, the fishermen of the town have different tourist cooperatives and make excursions through the Reserve, like going to see dolphins and turtles. If you are going to rent a car and drive through the Reserve, the advantage is that you can stop along the way wherever you want to see different interesting points in these 60 kilometers of road to Punta Allen.
I hope I have clarified your doubts, that you have an excellent trip 🙂
I have a reservation to sleep one night in punta allen and we would like to make a sea excursion in the area. I have to book it in time or enough to arrive. By the way we come in December and the idea is to come with a rental car, what do you advise me?
Hi Alicia, arriving in the afternoon you can book, even early in the morning. In case you want to contact in time and ask for information from some cooperatives there I leave you contacts:
Punta Allen Alliance
Juan Carlos Rendón
E-Mail: fishcharly@gmail.com
+521 (984)113 04 74
Sian Ka ́an orchids
María de la Cruz Mendoza Mendoza
Tel: + 521 (984) 136 25 58
Vallejo
Phone:+ 52 984 201 1492
E-Mail: orquideas2siankan@gmail.com
Website: http://www.natoursiankaan.com
Any questions you write to me, and I try to support you if it is in my hand.
Have a nice trip 🙂
hello sandra, the last time I was left with the desire of tip allen, I hope to specify this May, do you think it is good time? Do you recommend a tour operator leaving Playa del Carmen? arriving at punta allen do you recommend somewhere to make a base to visit the beaches? some restaurant? greetings and blessings
How's Edgar?
May begins the rainy season, but the roads are good, and they do not have to be any impediment, you know that the weather is crazy.
There are several restaurants on the beach promenade, the truth is that they are similar: rich fresh fish and lobster in season. The best stretches of beach are not in Punta Allen, but on the road, here is not very pretty.
I write you to the email and I give you the contact of a tour operator that I like how they do this tour.
A hug,
Hello, we want to go on our own by car from Tulum to the reserve of sian kan, can you go and return in the same days Tulum? Where do the boats go to go? You have to get there, says Allen? Thank you
Hello Marcela, yes you can go and return the same day without problem. The boats leave from Punta Allen. In fact they have an intermediate point halfway that also come out, but they are for the contracted tours.
Best regards,
Good Sandra! your comments are very good! Thank you. We are going to go by car 28 January 2018 boy, we will try to get as far as possible and get back in the day. Are there places where we can get on our own on the side of the road to snorkel? Can we get to beaches without excursions? Can you leave the cars on the road while we explore tickets for snorkeling and beach? Thank you very much already!!
Hello Mariano,
Yes you are going to be able to reach beaches. Before Boca Paila, a bridge that you have left halfway, you will find the camping area with access to the beach. There is an accommodation called Boca Paila Fishing Lodge where you can access and the beach they have is beautiful. You'll see other places, it's a matter of poking your head out. What you do not do is get into the part of the lagoon to swim, there are crocodiles. And the cars can be left, the road itself marks the places where you can stop, so to speak.
Enjoy a lot, regards,
Thanks Sandra!!! I travel next month and your comments were useful.
I'm happy to help, thanks for saying Cecilia :-)
Hello Sandra!!!! Traveled from Spain at the end of February, your comments have facilitated the encouragement to make the trip for free. I remain a doubt, we will go by rental car from Tulun first thing in the morning and return to sleep, we want to see the landscape according to your recommendations. The question is, until what time can you take the boats to do the excursion and that we do not get dark at night when you return to Tulum. Thank you!!!!
Hello, Nieves
Better get there early and make return stops if you want to take the boat tour.
I would try to contact one of the cooperatives there and agree on a price, because many do not go for free and it is good to share expenses with other travelers. Tours usually enter Sian Ka'an over the 9 in the morning and go directly to Punta Allen. I give you the data of one of the cooperatives that works in Punta Allen, all have similar prices: vigia_grande@hotmail.com 9848017554
Winter timetable (November to May). During these months the sun sets between 6 and 7 in the afternoon.
That you enjoy the Reserve a lot.
Best regards,
Good morning Sandra, I have read all the comments and I have almost everything clear 🙂 my only doubt is: I have seen that hire a tour more or less 100 dollars per person, it is true that going by free allows you to stop but correct me if I am wrong in my accounts 🙂:
Car rental 65 euro daily
Hotel Sol Caribe 150 euro one night
Excursions by boat 2500 pesos = 125 euro
not counting the meals (I think I read lunch 180 pesos)
more or less 400 euro while in the tour you get transport, boats and food.
I'm wrong in my calculations 🙂?
Thank you
Maurizio
Hello Maurizio,
Depending on what one looks for in his day and the members to distribute, you save more or less in one way or another. Obviously the option of the hotel can be changed to another cheaper accommodation (or not stay to sleep), and boat and car expenses are to be distributed among the car, that does not 400 beard. The most complete excursions are about the 120 euros per person, they are great and everything is included.
The good thing is to have the information to decide calmly.
A big hug,
Hello Sandra! Thank you very much for all the valuable information you are sharing.
I'm in Tulum right now and I found your blog wanting to visit the reserve.
I would like to ask you the following question: we, since we are traveling with a backpack, will go on the bus, with the intention of sleeping two nights.
I have not found pages of any hostel / lodging in the area, (it goes, only some very expensive big hotels). Do you believe that if we go without reservation we will find a place? Do you know more or less the prices you pay per night?
Thank you so much!!
Hi Carla,
One of the times we stayed in a tent in an inn that had this service. Sure there's somewhere to stay, but I do not know how to make sure. I just asked a friend who was on a bicycle if she remembers where they stayed and what it cost them. As I know, I expand the information.
Regards,
Thank you very much Sandra! It will be very important, greetings!
Carla, my friends who went by bike also camped. I remembered http://www.posadalaconchita.com/ , in case it serves as a reference. Let's see what you find, if there is something good you tell me to help the next one, please.
A hug,
Hello,
I would like to visit Punta Allen during the upcoming Easter holidays, recommend staying in the village and where? I would like to book because I imagine that for the season it will be full, right?
Another question would go with small rental car, do you advise doing it, due to the road?
I hope you can answer me, I feel somewhat lost and afraid to go and not find accommodation because of the season.
Thanks and regards
Hello Elois,
Yes, better go with reservation. You can check availability in AIRBNB, there are different apartments for rent.
The road depends a lot on the rains and whether they fix it or not. As it is high season will surely be well conditioned.
Reserve for security and enjoy the destination very much.
Best regards,
Hello, good evening, I have some doubts, I plan to go at the end of April by car and I want to know both routes, the channels and reach the area that looks like a pool and stay at a hotel on the beach and also take the tour of boat in the sea.
1. I would like to know where I could stay?
2. How to perform both travel and which first?
3. If I would have to leave my car at some point and if it is safe?
4. Is it enough to stay only one night?
5. And if they sell other foods other than seafood and fish?
Thank you
Hi Yaz,
Personally the tour of the channels I like to do from Muyil, there are boat cooperatives that do it. They also do it from within the Reserve, but it is more expensive and it is more difficult to gather people to share the expenses of the boat, that is the difference.
What I advise you is to go to Punta Allen first, sleep there (look at AIRBNB that has different options if you do not find a hotel, if you arrive early one night is enough), do the tour by open sea to see turtles, dolphins and the natural pool . In the town, ask for the excursions through the lagoon. If you convince you can do it from there, but back you know you have Muyil to do the boat through the channels.
Leaving the car at these points is safe, the same boatmen take care of the car in the parking lot. And you'll find food that is not seafood and fish, that's for sure too.
I hope I have cleared doubts.
Best regards, may you have a good path.
Hello,
Will someone know how much the boat charges in tip allen to visit the reserve?
Hello Cesar, there are different walks and services. From 2 to 3 hours by boat from 6 people is on the 2500 weights, to be distributed among 6. They have other tours around the Reserve, but I do not know the prices.
Regards,
Hello Sandra, in a week we will be in tulum, our intention is to rent a car, visit tulum early and on the 14: 00 go to muyil, visit ruins and the lagoon, and go to Punta Allen where we would night, for the next day to go by boat to visit coral reef, dolphins, bird island ...
The intention is after the seaward walk, return to tulum.
What do you think, feasible? Visit tulum + muyil + go to tip allen, too? Do you know the frequency with which the boats go out in very cold? Do I need to book?
Thank you so much!!
Hello Jose,
You should get to Muyil sooner if you want to do everything in a day, it's a lot, yes. I explain Muyil: the boats leave with a minimum of two or three people, the rides are from an hour and a half to two hours, it is very nice this walk. No need to book, leave from 8 onwards, until 15: 30 more or less. They are about 700 pesos per person the ride. Put three hours of car to Punta Allen, depending on how the road is, now we are in the rainy season and there will be a lot of bump. Ah, the visit to Tulum lasts between hour and hour and a half, as a guideline, and the visit to Muyil more or less the same. So all three things is a lot, yes.
After the walk in Punta Allen you have enough time to return to Tulum.
If you lack data, you tell me that I try to help you.
Best regards and good trip.
Taking advantage of the fact that we stay close to akumal, we will listen to you, we will go on the 8 to snorkel akumal, then go to the ruins of muyil, visit the lagoon, and go to punta allen.
Thank you
Jose, these days it's raining a lot, maybe the road from Sian Ka'an to Punta Allen is pretty ugly. Ask at the best entrance, sometimes it takes up to 5 hours to get to Punta Allen, take it into account.
Regards,
Hello Sandra,
In a couple of weeks I will be traveling with my family, we will stay in Playa del Carmen and we will also rent a family car. As we will be a couple of days in this area, I would like to visit SianKaan, so I would like you to help me to indicate a route from very early to visit different places from Sian Kaan to return in a single day. I have asked for information but everyone wants to sell me some package or tour but we really want to make our own tour and if necessary to spend in a boat or something similar when necessary to visit some nice place, otherwise if there is access by car ( no 4 × 4) then visit it. Thank you very very much!.
Hi Ezequiel, sorry for the delay in answering you.
You can do the tour by free in your own car, you do not need a tour.
If the idea is to go to Punta Allen for the Reserve and return, you will see that there are different places on the way that you can stop, as indicated in the article. Just making those stops and coming back you already do a whole day.
If the idea is to make an excursion in Punta Allen, better not stop on the way, if you have time you stop back. Take into account that right now we have a few days of heavy rain, and that makes the sand road very ugly and difficult. At the entrance to Sian Ka'an ask how the road is.
Another possibility is to take a boat from Muyil, in the article you have that information too. It is a good option if the road is difficult.
I hope you solve doubts.
Best regards,
I just arrived from Rivera Maya. I went by car to Punta Allen. Even with the road in good condition and without stopping, it took us two and a half hours to get there! The tours from there cost around 3000 pesos per boat of 6 people, although you can haggle something. If you arrive mid-morning they will no longer offer you tour at four o'clock in the afternoon. We stayed to sleep at The Fisherman's, a small hotel restaurant. No frills, but with pool and air conditioning all night, since the electricity is cut at ten o'clock in the night throughout the town until the next day, but this hotel has its own generator.
We did the tour to the 7 in the morning, very good time x heat, but we could not choose, since the rest of the day they had booked for group tours from outside, so make sure the trip before venturing to there . Otherwise it was fine. We saw dolphins, turtles x mounds, manatees ... It was very beautiful!
Thank you very much for your comment Elena, insurance helps other travelers. I thank you, I will write down your information in the writing. I'm glad you enjoyed?
Thank you very much and good way?
Hello I am planning my trip to the river, and I want to say that your content is the best to plan my trip, thanks for sharing your experiences 🙂 and is helping me a lot to enjoy my stay there, as I go in economic mode 🙂
How I am happy Indra, thank you for commenting, it is always the most beautiful thing to know about travelers.
I wish you an excellent way, any doubt here you find us 🙂
Hello Sandra, the blog is very good, it helps me a lot to plan the trip, I would like to ask you several things: 1. If you know how the road is at this time, I would like to take a trip on my own from Tulum to Punta Allen on October 26, 2. If you also think that a truck like the Toyota Sienna serves to travel the dirt road you mention and 3. That you recommend me if I want to take a boat to visit the dolphins and turtles from where I can take it or with whom I can hire it if I plan to enter through the Arch of Tulum, Greetings from the State of Mexico
Hi Gerardo, it's good to be able to help, thanks for the comment.
1-The road is not good at this time, it has rained a lot. But arriving is reached, only with more patience. Sometimes you have the luck to go just when the steamrollers pass to flatten it, but I do not know if you are going to do it these days. 2-la Sienna handled it a little bit and it's a bit short, but I doubt it's inconvenient in that way, and it's very comfortable. 3-the Punta Allen cooperatives handle almost all the same prices, around 3000 weights the 6 boat people for three-hour rides. I would point out a traveler in the comments (you can read it) that as of noon they no longer take excursions, they only offer you from 4 in the afternoon. Keep in mind that the cooperatives live on Riviera Maya tours, they have preference because they always occupy their boats. So the recommendation is that you get to Punta Allen as soon as possible.
If you can stay for the night in Punta Allen, the trip is much quieter, and you can go on an early morning excursion to see the dolphins. I hope you enjoy the area very much.
Good way Gerardo.
Sandra, thank you very much for creating this blog and take away so many doubts 🙂
I plan to go with my partner to Cancun on 1 in April and we already want to organize everything. I thought you could clear some doubts.
1- If on that date there is a lot of tourist movement. I would like to know that to see how to move with reservations.
2- I was thinking about traveling from the plane and renting a van and going to Punta Allen where we will spend 4 nights and visit everything we can, always on our own, no tours. Do you think that they are many days or are they worth it?
3-I love snorkeling, is there a place where I can do that activity without paying to get there?
4- Finally I would like to know what activities I have to do within the reserve if I go on my own.
I appreciate if you can take away any of the doubts 🙂
Greetings from Uruguay!
Hello Sebastian, let's see if we solve doubts 🙂
1- During Holy Week, I do not know if your April dates coincide, it is at its best, it is better to book before. 2- Punta Allen is small and very quiet, the drawback is that the trips to the sea should be done with a fishing boat, whether you go to the lagoon or the open sea. The beaches in Punta Allen are not the most beautiful and comfortable, they are on the way between Tulum and Punta Allen the most beautiful. The place is wild, so if you swim in the lagoon there are crocodiles, take these things into account in the Sian Ka'an Reserve. Three days are more than enough if the plan is to get to know. 3- The theme of the reef is how far away the reef is from the coast, in Punta Allen it is a bit out of the way. Beaches where you can snorkel on your own you have Soliman, Akumal and Paamul, where the reef is close and you can see wildlife. You can go snorkeling at Yalkú Cove (all these places you can find on the blog). 4- In "places to visit within the Reserve" I talk about stops and activities you can do. The road from Tulum to Sian Ka'an is very entertaining, you yourselves see where you want to stop. There are many stretches that because of narrowness you can not stop the car, you will see.
I leave some proposal for accommodation in different sea populations: https://www.elcaminomascorto.es/consejos-para-elegir-poblacion-y-hotel-ideal-en-riviera-maya/
By the way, if you go straight from the airport to Punta Allen, calculate your time well, it is a long trip of 4 minimum hours. Anything you write to me here and we see. Greetings to Uruguay, we have very dear people there.
Hello, many congratulations for all you help us!
I do not want to be repetitive, but I just did not clarify. I will go next June with my son from 11 years. I do not want to travel all the way to Punta Allen by car. I want to do it by boat.
So, my big question ... I'm going with my rented car, small, to Boca Paila, and there you can rent a boat that in just over an hour takes me to Punta Allen? If so, from where are they rented? And you have also commented that from Muyil. It is right?
Then in Punta Allen I know that it is to arrive early to be able to do the excursion by boat in the open sea.
My great dilemma is how to get to Punta Allen by boat and from where they are caught. Thank you!!!!!!
Hi Montse, I'm delighted to be able to help you.
The issue of the boats from Boca Paila is difficult for private individuals, because the tourist agencies handle it and monopolize all the boats, with that their work is enough. My advice if you want to know the Reserve would be to go as you say to Muyil, from where the boats leave and offer a very nice ride through the channels of Sian Ka'an. These boat rides are by lagoons, not in the open sea, so there is no possibility to see the turtles and dolphins. Yes it is possible to see some manatee, very difficult to see, a lot. In the visitor center (before Boca Paila) there are boats to rent, but I think they do not reach the open sea to see dolphins. If you want the trip in the open sea, I think that in the end it is best to take an excursion with an agency.
If something is not clear without problem, you ask me and we narrow it down. I leave you the information of Muyil: https://www.elcaminomascorto.es/muyil-excursion-laguna-maya/
Best regards,
Hello, thank you very much, my intention was to rent a boat from the knowledge of the reservation or in the visitor center that takes me to Punta Allen and I return and the open sea excursion to do it from Punta Allen. The options are few and I risk not find?
Thank you
This Montse plan is very complicated for you, for the time of doing both things in a single day going free and above all because you will not find that kind of service. From the visitor center they give you a tour of the Reserve, but they do not take you to Punta Allen as far as I know, and if they do, a boat for you is an expensive trip. I pass you the contact of one of the cooperatives of Punta allen to see if they can support you and pick you up half way from where the organized agencies leave: vigia_grande@hotmail.com Phone: 984 801 7554. As I say the cooperatives live from the agencies and have enough with that, it is one of the reasons why it is sometimes difficult to pay attention. I hope you have luck with that, you'll tell me.
Regards,
Hi. Sandra,. Yesterday I wanted to arrive at the reserve with my daughter on a bicycle. But many told us it is dangerous to do it by bike. And they only let cars in and four times four. O excursion
Is that so? The truth is that we regret it because we are already there. Thank you
Hello Marcela, what a pity that they tell you that, who was it, at the entrance? Look, I'll try to be direct: this area is half "privatizing" the agencies, it's like when you arrive at the airport in Cancun and more than one carrier tells you not to do anything for free in Riviera Maya, all in excursion with agency. Economic interests provoke this information that is not correct. It is not prohibited to pass by bike, there is no regulation of it, there are friends who have done it. I pass the contact of one of them who lived years in Tulum and toured Sian Ka'an by bicycle: https://planbviajero.com/tulum-viviendo-el-caribe-mexicano/
In fact the dangerous thing of the way are precisely the cars 4 × 4 of the agencies that pass like crazy and deteriorate the sand road. Up to Boca Paila you have 20 great kilometers on a bike, it's a great stretch if even Punta Allen is very long.
Please tell me if you solved, we sure help other travelers.
A fuerte abrazo.
Hello!
I did it pedaling and it is super crazy recommended! It's scary, hahaha and total fatigue, but it's worth it
Natalia, thanks for the comment, to see if more people are encouraged to pedal 🙂 I'm going to browse your blog that did not know you.
A hug,
Hello Sandra! I love your blog. On top of that you respond super fast!
I would like to go with two friends from Tulum. If the only bad thing is that you have to go slowly but you can, I think renting a car (even if it has to be economical) is the best option to make the stops you recommend. We do not mind getting up early.
What excursion do you recommend doing? (Punta Allen or lagoon)
As I see in the comments, you advise getting to Punta Allen soon and on the way back make the stops. What time did we leave from Tulum?
Thank you very much for this blog piece!
Carolina
Hello Carolina, how nice 🙂
If I'm not mistaken, the Reserve opens to the 8 in the morning, you can leave Tulum 7: 15. If you arrive early at Punta Allen you have more opportunity to do the tour, since the 12 stop working almost since they already received the organized tours. I recommend you to choose the tour there, they make a very complete one of about three hours where they will see dolphins and turtles in their natural habitat. https://www.elcaminomascorto.es/punta-allen-riviera-maya/
Have an excellent trip, have a great time.
Hello Carolina, how nice 🙂
If I'm not mistaken, the Reserve opens to the 8 in the morning, you can leave Tulum 7: 15. If you arrive early at Punta Allen you have more opportunity to do the tour, since the 12 stop working almost since they already received the organized tours. I recommend you to choose the tour there, they make a very complete one of about three hours where they will see dolphins and turtles in their natural habitat. https://www.elcaminomascorto.es/punta-allen-riviera-maya/
Have an excellent trip, have a great time.
Hello .. Regarding access with pets, do you have any information?
Go, that data I can not give you with certainty Vania. Thinking about other reserves in the Yucatan Peninsula, you can access them with animals, what you can not do is take them without a leash. I hope you can give us that information when you visit it, so we help the next
Best regards,
Hello, very good blog.
I arrived in Cancun on 9 day of April 2019, and I went directly to Mahahual, for three nights and then I was at playa del carmen from day 12 to 18, in that week I plan to go to Punta Allen and make the excusion of the boat to see dolphins and turtles, my question: if I contact the ccoperativas of which you gave the mail, you can book, the reservation is safe. Thank you
PS: if someone is traveling for that date and wants to share a trip, contact (normae71@yahoo.com.ar, I'm going to rent a car and we'll see.
Hi Norma, if they answer you (sometimes they do not answer) it is that they will take you into account. As I say, the cooperatives live from the Riviera Maya agencies, the ones that arrive by free are their dessert, but they do take us into account, they are professionals. If your plan is to stay in Punta Allen to sleep, check your plan with them when you get there as well. I hope you find someone to share with, I'll put your ad-mail with your permission on my networks to see if you're lucky, come out?
Warm greetings and good path,
From muyil there are excursions to explore the sian kann biosphere by open sea?
Hello Elena, the excursions from Muyil take you through the interior lagoons, the long one reaches until the exit to sea. If you want open sea for dolphins and turtles it is from Punta Allen.
Best regards,
Good morning sandra
Thanks for your help,
We are a group of 8 who have a rented van and we want to go to sian kaan, you advise to book before arriving, or what address we put on the gps from akumal and we reserve there. We want to go by boat, through the mangroves, swim with the vests, if we can see the dolphins and turtles it would be wonderful
thanks!
Hello Silvia, from Akumal just go to Tulum and take the detour to Boca Paila, the route is simple. My advice is that you get in touch with the phone number Orquídeas left for the tours, so you can plan it better.
Have a good way, whatever you tell me.