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The Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve is a stunning place where tropical forest, mangroves and canals meet in a thousand shades of blue and green, home to countless mammals and birds… It lies on the east coast of the Yucatán Peninsula, around twenty kilometres from Tulum. To explore it, we chose a guided tour after reading a great account on the Best Jobers blog. The promise of a lovely day with someone truly passionate? We didn’t hesitate for a second before contacting Martine to discover Sian Ka’an!
➺ You’ll find every stop of this trip in our round-up article: Yucatán road trip itinerary.
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Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve at a glance
| 🌿 Key facts | 📌 What to remember |
|---|---|
| Where? | In Quintana Roo, about twenty minutes south of Tulum for the Muyil entrance |
| What you’ll see | Tropical forest, the Mayan ruins of Muyil, canals, mangroves, lagoons and wild beaches |
| Wildlife | Birds (roseate spoonbills, storks, egrets…), crocodiles, manatees, rays… with no guarantees! |
| With a guide | Full day with Martine Dufour: 3,300 pesos per person, entrance fees, boat trip and lunch included (2026) |
| Without a guide | From Muyil: around 1,100 pesos per person (entrance fees and boat trip) |
| How long? | A full day, or half a day |
| Best time to go | From November to April, during the dry season |
| Our verdict | We loved it, especially floating down the Mayan canal |
The Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve
This biosphere reserve lies on the Riviera Maya, south of Tulum, in the state of Quintana Roo. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987, it covers more than 5,000 km² of tropical forest, marshes, mangroves, lagoons and coral reefs. Its Mayan name is said to mean “where the sky is born”… and once you’re there, you understand why! It is home to more than 300 bird species, around a hundred mammal species (including the jaguar, the puma and the manatee, all rather shy…) and a huge variety of trees and plants.
Our day would start with a walk through the forest, with a stop at the Muyil ruins, followed by a “water” part through the mangroves with a float down the canal, before ending with drinks on the beach… The icing on the cake? The many foodie breaks throughout the day!
Our day in the reserve
We meet near a hotel in Tulum and set off for a twenty-minute drive. We then reach the entrance to the reserve, right in the middle of the forest. The mosquitoes are ferocious, but we can’t wait to start the day!
The tropical forest
For this first part, we walk for a few hours with our group through the jungle, admiring the plants and hoping to spot a few animals. Martine introduces us to the different species we might come across: mammals, birds and reptiles, so we need to keep our eyes peeled! First little foodie break, with a palanqueta to nibble on. We climb to the top of the observation tower, and the view is simply stunning!
During this walk of about two hours, we learn more about the trees and the species that live here. I even get lucky and spot a raccoon crossing our path as we enter the reserve… A little further on, we discover the chewing gum tree, and Martine explains how chewing gum was born right here in the Yucatán… Recently, an association started making it again from the tree’s sap, organically and with natural flavours… Martine had brought some along for us to try, and it was a delicious discovery!
The Muyil ruins
Our visit takes us to the ruins of Muyil, a small Mayan site inside the reserve. There are plenty of ruins, they are well preserved, and the main building is quite impressive! Martine tells us about the Maya, their customs and buildings, and even their means of payment. They used to barter, sometimes with cocoa beans… You can probably guess where I’m going with this!
The canals and the mangroves
We then leave the forest and arrive at a beautiful little beach, where our boat is waiting. But first, it’s time for a Mexican lunch speciality: tamales!
We then board the boat for our favourite part of the day… Our boat slips into a maze of mangrove-lined canals, and our next activity awaits… The float! We sit on our life jackets and let the current carry us along… What a magical moment! So calm, so peaceful, the water is crystal clear… We feel light years away from our everyday life in Paris…
The mangroves of Sian Ka’an are among the best preserved on the Yucatán Peninsula: they line the canals and lagoons for miles and act as a nursery for many fish, crabs and birds. For another mangrove in the Yucatán, head to Rio Lagartos in the north of the peninsula, famous for its pink flamingos!
The reserve is also home to two species of crocodile, but they live a little further from the canals… We were lucky enough to spot one from a distance, but still close enough to see that it was pretty big!
We then cross the lagoons, hoping to see… manatees! Like whales, they come up to the surface to breathe at regular intervals… The water is dark, so you need to pay attention! I managed to see the tip of its nose once, but it was far too quick, and Alcino didn’t have time to take a photo…
The trip ends at Punta Allen, on a dreamy beach. There’s nobody but us, a few fishermen, some birds and… drinks! Martine has thought of everything: Mexican cheese and wine, and we all raise a glass to this wonderful day.
Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve: practical information
How to get to Sian Ka’an from Tulum
➺ The reserve has several entrances. The easiest one from Tulum is Muyil, about twenty minutes south on Highway 307 (towards Felipe Carrillo Puerto): this is where you’ll find the ruins and the jetty for the canals. If you’re driving, there’s a small free car park near the ruins. Without a car, colectivos and Mayab buses heading south from Tulum can drop you off right in front of the site, just let the driver know.
➺ The second entrance is along the coast, at the end of Tulum’s hotel zone: a long dirt road crosses the reserve to Boca Paila, then Punta Allen, the small fishing village at the very tip of the peninsula. Allow several hours, as the road is often in poor condition, and there’s no petrol station or cash machine out there… Fill up the tank and bring cash!
Sian Ka’an tour with a guide
➺ We chose to explore Sian Ka’an with Martine Dufour, a certified naturalist guide who has lived in Tulum since 2011. You can contact her through her website or by email (martinedufour.excursions@hotmail.com): she’ll suggest tours based on what you’d like to see and how much time you have. Her approach is all about responsible, eco-friendly tourism, in small groups of 2 to 12 people. Good news: she speaks English, French, Spanish and Portuguese!
➺ As for prices, expect 3,300 pesos per person for a full day (3,100 pesos for children aged 12 and under) and 2,200 pesos for a half day, leaving Tulum at 8:30 am. The guide, entrance fees, transport within the reserve, snacks, lunch and water are all included. Transport from Tulum can be added for an extra fee if you don’t have a car, and you pay on the day of the tour (2026 prices).
➺ The itinerary has changed a little since our visit: these days, the day starts in the forest with its cenotes (including a cave cenote), followed by the float down the Mayan canal and a boat trip across the lagoons to the wild beach of Boca Paila. However, there’s no snorkelling in the sea or dolphin watching, as that’s not what this tour is about!
➺ As for us, we were thrilled to go with Martine: she’s passionate and fascinating, and we had a really lovely time with her. We felt so privileged to be there… Having a guide is great for learning more about the animals and plants, and for hearing a few anecdotes, like the one about chewing gum!
➺ We also visited the Punta Laguna reserve on Martine’s advice, with her colleague Anna. Don’t hesitate to read our article about it.
Visiting Sian Ka’an without a guide
➺ You can easily visit the reserve without a private guide, starting from the Muyil ruins. You pay the entrance fee for the archaeological site (around 45 pesos), then for the reserve (around 50 pesos), and follow the forest trail to the observation tower, then down to the jetties on the edge of the lagoon.
➺ From there, boats run by the local cooperative take you through the lagoons and canals, including the famous float, for around 1,000 pesos per person (allow 1.5 to 2 hours). Departures are limited, so it’s best to arrive early, before 10 am. All in all, budget around 1,100 pesos per person… but without the explanations about the wildlife and plants, or the foodie breaks! These prices are a guide (2026) and may change.
When to visit Sian Ka’an
➺ The best time to visit the reserve is the dry season, from November to April: it’s hot but less humid, and the mosquitoes are (slightly) less ferocious… From May to October it’s the rainy season, with showers that are often short but far more mosquitoes, and a risk of hurricanes towards the end of the season, especially in September and October.
What to bring for the day
💡 Good to know
🦟 Insect repellent: essential, especially in the forest
🧴 Sun cream: biodegradable only, to protect the reserve’s waters
👙 Swimwear: you’ll need it for the float down the canal
💵 Cash in pesos: for entrance fees, the boat and tips, as there are no cash machines in the reserve
👟 What to wear: closed shoes for the forest, a hat, sunglasses and plenty of water
Where to stay and eat
We stayed in Tulum, which seemed the most convenient base. We left for the tour at around 9 am and were back in town at around 6:30 pm. During the day, Martine had planned plenty of typical Mexican snacks (to discover Mexican food, this way), which were more than enough. For more ideas in Tulum, have a look at our dedicated article. We stayed at the Jabin boutique hotel, the most beautiful hotel of our whole trip to the Yucatán!
And if you’re continuing your road trip south, the Bacalar lagoon is only about two hours’ drive from Muyil.
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We loved our day in the Sian Ka’an reserve. Martine is lovely, passionate and endearing, and we didn’t want to leave her! If you’re looking for a nature break away from the beaches of Cancún and Playa del Carmen, don’t hesitate to head down to Tulum to visit the reserve.
FAQ
The frequently asked questions are here!
How do you visit the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve?
You can explore the reserve on your own, starting from the Muyil ruins, or on a tour with a naturalist guide from Tulum. We went for the second option and never regretted it for a second: spending a day with someone so passionate and knowledgeable about the place is a real privilege. To reach every corner, you’ll need to take a boat, especially for the more remote spots such as Boca Paila or Punta Allen.
Can you visit Sian Ka’an without a guide?
Yes! From the Muyil ruins, you pay the entrance fee for the archaeological site (around 45 pesos) and for the reserve (around 50 pesos), then follow the trail down to the jetties. From there, boats run by the local cooperative take you through the lagoons and canals for around 1,000 pesos per person (2026 prices).
How much does a Sian Ka’an tour cost?
With Martine Dufour, expect 3,300 pesos per person for a full day and 2,200 pesos for a half day, with the guide, entrance fees, boat trip and lunch included (2026 prices). On your own from Muyil, budget around 1,100 pesos per person.
How do you get to Sian Ka’an from Tulum?
The Muyil entrance is about twenty minutes south of Tulum on Highway 307, by car or by colectivo. You can also reach the reserve along the coast, at the end of Tulum’s hotel zone, via a long dirt road that runs all the way to Punta Allen.
When is the best time to visit Sian Ka’an?
The best time to visit is between November and April, during the dry season. From May to October it’s the rainy season: there are far more mosquitoes, and hurricanes can hit towards the end of the season.
Can you swim in Sian Ka’an?
Yes, and it’s one of the highlights of the day: floating down the Mayan canal, letting the current carry you along with your life jacket. The wild beaches of Boca Paila and Punta Allen are also great for a swim in the Caribbean Sea.
Is Sian Ka’an worth it?
If you’re still wondering after reading all this… The answer is yes! The wildlife, the plants, the incredible scenery, the history, the whole experience… Visiting the reserve is absolutely worth it!
