Sian Ka’an is a protected biosphere reserve located just south of Tulum, Mexico on the Yucatan peninsula in the state of Quintana Roo.
On my first visit to Tulum in 2015, I completely fell in love with the natural beauty of the area. After exploring a couple of cenotes and Mayan ruins, I was hooked and knew I would be back soon to explore more of the area. I was lucky enough to stay at a house in Sian Ka’an two years later and have been back to stay in the reserve two more times in 2020 and 2021.
Sian Ka’an is not only a great day trip option from Tulum, Playa del Carmen and the surrounding areas but it’s also a vacation destination in itself.
Here’s everything you need to know about visiting Mexico’s Sian Ka’an biosphere reserve!
About the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve
Located on the Eastern coast of the Yucatan peninsula, Sian Ka’an is one of Mexico’s largest protected areas with roughly 75 miles of coastline and just under one million acres of land (about the size of Rhode Island!).
Thousands of years ago, the ancient Mayans who lived there recognized the area’s extraordinary uniqueness and natural beauty and named it Sian Ka’an which translates to “origin of the sky.” Sounds pretty incredible, right?
Sian Ka’an is made up of tropical forests, lagoons, mangroves, islands, cenotes (or natural sinkholes), sandy beaches and the Caribbean Sea.
The unique landscapes of Sian Ka’an are home to a wide variety of animals and sea life. Jaguars, crocodiles, toucans, turtles, manatees, dolphins, tapirs, flamingos, monkeys and hundreds more species all call this region home!
How to Get to Sian Ka’an
There are two main ways to get into Sian Ka’an and the route you choose depends on what areas of the reserve you want to explore, what kind of things you want to see and how much time you have.
Route 1: Muyil Ruins & Freshwater Lagoons
One of the most popular routes is via the Muyil ruins. This route is the easiest to access and requires less time overall making it a good half day trip option. From the center of Tulum, the drive to the starting point at the Muyil Ruins is about 40 minutes.
On this route, you can see the Mayan ruins at Muyil, climb the observation tower and hop on a boat tour to see some freshwater lagoons (Laguna Muyil and Laguna Chunyaxché) and swim in the ancient Mayan canals.
Route 2: Coastal Sian Ka’an via the road to Punta Allen
The other entrance option can be accessed by following the main beach road in Tulum. Located at the very end is the entrance to the coastal Sian Ka’an road to Punta Allen. There is a small entrance fee to enter if you decide to travel there independently (without a tour group).
Punta Allen is a small fishing village and is Sian Ka’an’s only town with less than 500 inhabitants. The town is at the very end of the coastal road and, while it’s only about 30 miles away, it can take roughly 1.5 – 2.5 hours to drive there depending on road conditions.
Because it’s so large, I’ve divided up the coastal route of Sian Ka’an into two main areas to explore.
Route 2A: Northern Coastal Sian Ka’an
The northern coastal area which lies just after the entrance to Sian Ka’an is the easiest to access and minimizes driving along the rough road. The road is on a strip of land between the Caribbean Sea and Laguna Campechen so you can explore both the the beach side and the freshwater lagoon.
After driving down the road for a few miles, there are several tour operators that are located alongside the road with docks to take you on a boat tour through the Campechen lagoon. Along this route, you can see some very small Mayan ruins, as well as swim in some freshwater canals.
Since it’s a freshwater lagoon that connects with the sea, some of the animals you’ll may be able to spot here are crocodiles, manatees and flamingos.
Route 2B: Southern Coastal Sian Ka’an / Punta Allen
Many of the Sian Ka’an tours leaving from Tulum go through Punta Allen. To reach the town, there are two ways: driving down the Sian Ka’an road (the most popular option, which takes approximately two hours depending on road conditions) or by boat through Laguna Campechen (this will also take about an hour and a half).
Once you reach Punta Allen, the boat tour will take you along the coast of the peninsula up to the southern lagoon which connects with the sea. This is a popular option because here you can see dolphins, sea turtles and snorkel at coral reefs.
Both of the coastal Sian Ka’an routes are generally offered through day trip tours touted around Tulum — with the Punta Allen route being the most popular since there is more sea life to see. You can also rent your own car (I’d recommend a four-wheel SUV like a Jeep!) and do the drive yourself and look for boat tour operators along the coast.
Since Punta Allen is quite remote, you may want to stay overnight at a hotel so you can spend plenty of time exploring the area and enjoy the secluded beaches.
My Experience Driving to Punta Allen
Since I’ve stayed inside the Sian Ka’an biosphere reserve a few times, I’ve been able to explore it by car quite a bit.
The first time visiting Sian Ka’an, we drove all the way down to Punta Allen in our rental car. We enjoyed driving through the jungle and stopping at some of the beaches along the way. We even spotted a huge crocodile at the Boca Paila bridge!
Arriving in the sleepy town of Punta Allen, we checked out some of the sandy, palm tree lined beaches and watched the sunset over the lagoon. On my next visit, I’d love to take a boat tour around the southern lagoon to try to see some dolphins, manatees and turtles!
So, would I recommend driving to Punta Allen? If the road conditions are good (no recent rain) and the weather is nice, I think this would be a great day trip through a tour group (so you don’t have to drive yourself!). Especially if you are an animal and nature lover! However, if you don’t like long distances in the car, I would probably skip the Punta Allen route.
And I wouldn’t recommend driving yourself all the way to Punta Allen unless you plan on spending a few nights in Sian Ka’an. There are a number of hotels and house rentals in the area where you can really unplug and immerse yourself in nature… which could be a nice break from busy Tulum!
My Experience in Laguna Campechen
On another trip to Sian Ka’an, we found a boat operator alongside Laguna Campechen who took our group on a private boat tour for a few hours.
We were able to see some small Mayan ruins, beautiful scenery as well as flamingos and eagles. We were hoping to spot some manatees but we didn’t have the best luck with the weather so the visibility wasn’t great. But we still enjoyed our time, and our guide was very knowledgable on the area and brought us to some freshwater canals where we could swim.
Overall, I think visiting Laguna Campechen is a great option if you’re staying along the Tulum beach road and want to get a taste of Sian Ka’an without too much driving or hassle!
Tips for Visiting Sian Ka’an
- There is only one main road in Sian Ka’an and it is unpaved. If it has recently rained, the road will be filled with more potholes than usual and the ride will be very bumpy. Because of this, it’s important to drive slowly and carefully. If you’re renting a car to drive in Sian Ka’an, a 4-wheel SUV like a Jeep would be preferable!
- Unless you’re staying at a hotel or villa in Sian Ka’an or visiting with a tour group, you’ll need to pay a small entrance fee (about $2 USD) so make sure to bring cash. Also, if you plan to find a boat tour operator within the reserve, make sure you bring some cash for payment and tips as well.
- Sian Ka’an mostly has no cell service so make sure you download maps and anything else you need in advance.
- Pack bug spray and sunscreen but note that you shouldn’t wear these while swimming in the lagoon. So be sure to rinse off beforehand or apply them after your swim!
- Be careful and respectful of wildlife and make sure to follow all instructions given by your guide. They are knowledgeable about the reserve and its wildlife… for example, you wouldn’t want to jump into the crocodile infested waters!
- Bring your sense of adventure as well as a camera (I’d recommend a GoPro!) to capture some memories!
Because of its rugged landscapes and large size, Sian Ka’an is best suited to nature lovers and those with a sense of adventure!
Where to Stay in Sian Kaan
There are a few hotel options in Sian Ka’an and Punta Allen, as well as some more luxurious villas dotted along the coast.
- Hotel Cielo y Selva: Located in Punta Allen, this highly rated property offers glamping experiences so you can listen to the sound of the waves as you drift to sleep.
- Sol Caribe: This small, secluded hotel is located on a remote beach and is the perfect place to unwind solo or as a couple.
- Casa Godi: If you’re traveling with a group, this 5-bedroom villa could be a great option. Located right on the beach, what more could you ask for?
- Beachfront Jungle Villa: Another 5-bedroom villa that looks out-of-this-world stunning with multiples pools (including one on the roof!) and a private beach.
- Villa Katy: Another luxury house option, Villa Katy has 3-bedrooms, is located on the beach, and has a beautiful private pool.
- Casa Maya Kaan: This large property would be great for hosting a retreat or a family reunion!
→ Read Next: Staying at Casa Mam in Sian Ka’an
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