Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve

Information

It is a protected area covering some 2797 km². It is a wild, undeveloped area, with lagoons and many kilometres of natural beaches. It is also a paradise for wildlife such as birds and crocodiles.

There are two main ways to visit, one via Muyil and the other along the coast from Tulum:

1. Sian Ka'an Reserve through Muyil: it is through the archaeological zone of Muyil, which is located on Route 307, at 23 km from Tulum. To do so, you enter the ruins of Muyil on foot (you have to pay an entrance ticket), and go along the main path to the end. There is a post of the Sian Ka'an reserve, where you pay a second entrance ticket (this time you pay the entrance fee to the reserve) and walk along a 500-metre path that leads to the Muyil lagoon. There is a pier at this body of water (ask at the entrance if they are doing nautical excursions and the price).

2. Sian Ka'an Reserve by the coast: another way to visit the protected area is to go along the coast, from Tulum. To do this you have to go by private car or with a excursion, as there is no public transport that makes this trip:
- From Tulum, take Cobá Avenue and drive 3 km to a fork in the road, where you turn right. Follow this road full of hotels for about 7 km until you reach the entrance to the reserve, where you pay an entry ticket.
- From there on, there are kilometres of dirt road through a natural area. It is a route that runs parallel to the Caribbean coast, so at times you can see the sea on the left and in some stretches you can see a lagoon on the right. Bear in mind that during the rainy season (especially between June and September) this road can become complicated or impassable.
- After a few kilometres the accesses to the beaches begin.
- Taking the entrance to the reserve as kilometre zero, at kilometre 9 you reach the visitor centre, which has an interpretation centre and a pier towards the Caapechen Lagoon. Boats leave from this pier to go on tours.
- Continuing along the main road, at kilometre 14 you will come to a bridge where crocodiles are often seen. Before the bridge there is a place to leave the car and walk around the area. Shortly after come accesses to good white sandy beaches.
- From about km 27, the road is very narrow and you can see both the sea and the lagoon from the vehicle. At km 28 there is a short path that leads off to the right to the shore of the lagoon.
- Continuing on, at km 43 is Punta Allen, a small village where you can find accommodation, supermarkets and boat trips.