Because they know how bad the road is and that its very likely you will either get the car filthy driving through the mud, or you will have a flat tire. by | | DESTINATIONS, MEXICO | 0 comments. Renting a car is a pretty common way to discover the Yucatan Peninsula. However, tour prices were upwards of $150 USD per person and we found the majority of the cost went toward transportation. I am here to tell you it is a terrible idea, just for the record, but I will still tell you how to do this. Theyre not the kind of ruins that are worth going out of your way to see, but I think its definitely worth popping in while youre here. The place was so quiet and lovely, no tourists at all but a lot of mosquitoes, so make sure to bring repellent (biodegradable since you are going to float lately). The entrance fee at the secret entrance in Muyil was only 50 pesos, and we still got the official wristbands. Because they are the best tour operators in Playa del Carmen where I live and after doing a tour with them you will understand why its hard to book with anyone else. Travel insurance has always been high on the list of things to get before you travel but now more than ever it should be at the top of your list! Now I have this as an option, as I know some crazy people might think it is a good idea to rent a car and drive to Sian Kaan. You should expect to pay around 400 pesos for the colectivo + boat fare, one way. Two Wandering Soles Copyright 2022. They are the only company I personally recommend doing this tour with. And whats great about these canals, you can actually float them. Sian Kaan boat tours only go from Punta Allen, so you must go here and speak to the boat captains directly to organize your boat tour. There are also some notable Mayan ruins here that arent technically part of Sian Kaan, but worth a visit, especially since they provide a secret entrance to the reserve (more on that below). Two are tricky one is easy I chose the easy option haha. Heres why. Sharing travel tips, road trip itineraries, kayaking & ski destinations. Some birds jump between trees and bushes. So we went once again to the ADO bus station and asked the lady at the front desk for two ticketstoChunyaxch. There will be plenty of pull-offs along the way where you can stop and enjoy a pristine beach all to yourself. There are also a few moderately-priced hotels in Punta Allen starting from $70 USD/night. Tickets to Muyil are 28 pesos one way. Be sure to make a stop at the Boca Paila Bridge where the lagoon and Caribbean Sea meet to check for wildlife like crocodiles and manatees. The rental prices are low compared to other places in the world, and the traffic is good. At one point youll have the opportunity to get out of the boat and float with the currents, making your way through the channels lined with mangroves. It is safe, quick, and, as mentioned, affordable. Everyone advised us to book a tour through the agency, and I must say the prices were considerably high. Punta Allen is on the coastal side of Sian Kaan and more challenging to reach. Parking here is free and entrance to the ruins is 45 pesos per person. Your email address will not be published. So what is there to do in Punta Allen? A boat tour of the lagoons and channels is the highlight of this trip and comes at a fixed price of 1000 pesos per person. We crossed the first lagoon at high speed, quite exciting in my opinion. The Solo Girls Guide To Traveling Without Fear, The Solo Girls Guide To Becoming A Digital Nomad, ecosystem of unusual scientific and natural interest by UNESCO, Take a colectivo to Punta Allen, stay overnight and do one of the community tours to Sian Kaan. The drive will take you just 15 minutes from Tulum, or about an hour from Playa del Carmen to get to the entrance of the reserve. By Colectivo & Boat: There is another option to get from Tulum to Punta Allen on public transportation (and avoid the treacherous road). Youll see a small dock with boats lined up to take tours. Now for the tricky part, how to get to Sian Kaan. To get back to Tulum from Muyil, you can wait for the Mayab bus on the opposite side of the road from where you were dropped off. Youll need to pay the entrance fee of just 50 pesos and receive your wristbands before you can continue. This is due to the poor quality of the single access road. We wanted to book tickets online, on the ADO website, but we couldnt find the destination: Muyil. If you are traveling from Cancun to Sian Kaan you need to embark on a bus departing to Playa del Carmen or Tulum and from here take another bus with the destination Chetumal. And there is no better w, Sian Kaan Biosphere Reserve Short Info, How to get to Sian Kaan and Muyil Ruinson a self-guided day trip, Our Self-Guided Day Trip To Sian Kaan and Muyil Ruins, Self-Guided Day Tour To Sian Kaan and Muyil from Playa del Carmen- Costs. Without the noise of the boats engine and at a meandering pace, you can see so much more of the nature here in the protected area. And secondly, do not tell the rental car company where you are going. By Colectivo: If you are up for spending a few nights in Sian Kaan, there is an option to take a colectivo (shared minibus taxi) from Tulum down to Punta Allen. I know there has been some recent crime in the area and also have heard transportation costs have increased substantially. We spent 40 minutes into the canal, grabbing the mangroves, taking lots of photos, and enjoying the ride such a fabulous experience. Because youre an adult and if you really want to do it who am I to stop you. If youre planning a self-guided day trip to Sian Kaan from Muyil, read the entire article! Im pretty sure we have all had travel plans messed up because of COVID and not all insurers covered this. The first thing youll notice at Muyil are the Mayan ruins by the roadside. The Best Airbnbs in Mexico for Every Type of Traveler. The original Lazy River! More info in our. Theres an exit at the far end of the Muyil ruins that will take you to a path that leads down to the edge of a lake. If you want to explore Sian Kaan on your own without a tour, keep reading for everything you should know to plan your visit. A self-guided day trip is hard to do as requires an extra amount of time, money, and a 4WD rented car. My final thought is if you are thinking about visiting Sian Kaan, do it, visit Sian Kaan. The reason that Sian Kaan is a Biosphere Reserve is because it is such a complex environment and a unique place of natural beauty in Mexico. He kindly asked us to leave our belongings inside the boat and invited us to float down the canal. Your email address will not be published. The best thing to do is take a boat ride. I also use Travel Insurance Master for some short vacation type trips as they are cheaper than World Nomads a lot of the time. You catch it close to the ADO station in Tulum and unless you are planning on staying over in Punta Allen for a night or two I really wouldnt recommend this option. If you are traveling from Playa del Carmen or Tulum, embark on a bus with the final destination Chetumal. By Rental Car: Take Highway 307 through Tulum and continue south towards the Muyil ruins. It makes a trip to Sian Kaan pretty special if you are an animal lover. The diverse jungle ecosystem reserve offers one of the most unique experiences in the region. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. I just paddle slightly to keep my head above water and avoid some overhanging branches. This isn't a diary - these are real stories from the world. In this post, Im going to cover everything you need to know about Sian Kaan so you can decide which option is best for you. Actually, yes. Sian Kaan Biosphere Reserve is a vast region, lying across 5,280 km2 and home to thousands of flora and fauna species. But you do need to pass through Tulum to get there. And on that note, bring medication if you are prone to getting car sick! Thanks to the preservation it is still home to dolphins, manatees, turtles, and a lot of birds. 307 is a frequented road and Colectivos are running quite oft here. After some research, we realized it was easy to organize a self-guided day trip to Sian Kaan and Muyil, not to mention affordable. What this means is that as a solo traveler in Mexico I would need to pay $300 to do the tour, unless I can find some friends to go with me. Its recommended to get there early in the day and spend about half an hour or so exploring the ruins. Its not just for a bit of a lark although I admit it is the most enjoyable part but its also so we can get up close to the nature. The most common way of transport in Mexico is the Colectivo. Merida is quickly becoming one of Mexicos coolest cities. Then spend the afternoon and evening chilling in Punta Alen. Youll need to check with the captain to see what time the boats return from Punta Allen in the morning to catch the colectivo back to Tulum. On this ocean-side boat tour youll have the opportunity to spot dolphins and sea turtles in the wild. But I never stopped thinking about it. The Muyil archaeological site has not been rebuilt, but it is still well kept. There isnt a lot of options, but there three places are where I would recommend staying are: Okay so now Ive told you all the reasons why I decided to book a Sian Kaan tour, and why I think you should too. Community tours Sian Kaan have fixed prices for renting a boat for the tour, there is no negotiation, and the price is per boat, not per person. But that didnt bother us too much. Check out ourUltimate Mexico Travel Guidefor all the important travel information, or read some of our favorite articles below. After snorkeling, we were taken by boat to Punta Allen for lunch before returning to our transport. Well there are only 4 restaurants and they have no electricity from 2 pm until 7 pm each day, then again from 2 am until 7 am, so you will need to bring a book! As much as I, Why do YOU love to travel? It could be a watercolour painting, a perfect composition of colours and lights that is simple in its arrangement but much more compelling than the sum of its parts. This page may contain affiliate links. At the docks, we could change into dry clothes and left the Sian Kaan Biosphere. If you dont do the Sian Kaan boat tour, there really isnt much point in visiting. If you dont know much about the biosphere close to Tulum then take a look at this video I made with Kay Tours Mexico to see what its all about. However, my opinions are 100% my own and I have received no money in exchange for this post. Go on a boat ride, float a Mayan canal and after that, leave the Biosphere. The chemicals in average sunscreen that are designed to protect your skin can actually poison fish, coral and other delicate marine life over time. Tip: Dont forget to bring bug spray on your trip, especially if you are walking through the jungle near Muyil. In that way, they have created something that fits their desired legacy even if they could never have pictured this! LIZYTRAVELSTHEWORLD | PRIVACY POLICY | THEME BYLOVELY CONFETTI. Tip: If you prefer to skip the boardwalk, you can also reach this area near the lagoon by car. As soon as a guy approached us, we paid for the boat that took us to the mangroves forest. Its also a nice way to have company if you are travelling solo. Sian Kaan is a biosphere reserve Mexico, but what exactly is a biosphere reserve anyway? Soon after the entrance, we realized that everything changed, and we found ourselves in the middle of the jungle. If you travel by car, make sure to save the GPS Coordinates:200444.1N 873649.2W. By the end of our floating trip, suddenly, it began to rain. Save this PIN for later. Itll take you roughly 15 minutes once youve passed through Tulum town. So, unless you fancy spending hours of your life squished in a collective that has broken down, or is unable to pass a washed-out road, give this a miss. In the water, there are manatees, turtles, and fish. The first way going to Punta Allen is much more difficult. Why? You have successfully subscribed to our newsletter. This coastal heritage site combines history with stunning views, Escape the resorts of Tulum and visit this stunning natural reserve, This is why the small colourful town of Campeche is a World Heritage Site, Ride up the a river alongside Guatemala to see these Mayan ruins. Are you planning a visit to Sian Kaan and still have questions? Above me is the wide Mexican sky, which today is warmly beaming down but scattered with clouds. Once youve visited the ruins, a boardwalk will take you to the Sian Kaan entrance. I was picked up bright and early and welcomed with some fruit and a cup of hot fresh coffee. Driving to Sian Kaan is considered going off-road, so you will be breaking your contract going there. Dont wait for a year like I did. Once weve reached a narrow and beautiful canal, the boat slowed down and navigated like this until we reached thesecond lagoon. Make sure you know the Colectivo stations in Cancun, Playa del Carmen, or Tulum. Behind the ruins of the Castle (El Castillo), after only 4 minutes walk, we came across a gate, which is the entrance gate into Sian Kaan Biosphere Reserve. But, even though it was probably not intentional, I would like to give thanks to the Ancient Mayans for what they have left us at Sian Kaan near Tulum here in Mexico. With no plans to stop anytime soon Im always looking for my next adventure be it attempting to surf or climbing a volcano Ill try (almost) anything once! A must-d, Welcome to Taboga Island, PANAMA The driver stopped and asked if we needed a ride, as he had two more places so in no more than 20 minutes we were already in Tulum. Road Nr. Getting from Punta Allen to Sian Kaan is the heaviest way. So the Mayans may not have intended to create a tourist attraction. We only had to walk 5 minutes, on a lovely path, until we reached the main road. This is post is mostly about visiting the actual reserve, not just doing the river float from Muyil. Best Things to Do in Mexicos Yucatan Peninsula, Fun Things to Do in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Its unlikely they ever envisaged their ancient creation would effectively become a water slide, that one day I would be floating along with a huge smile on my face, thanking them for their clever engineering. However, the return ride from Punta Allen back to Tulum Pueblo is at 5 a.m. daily, so youll have to stay at least 2 nights in Punta Allen to make the colectivo option work. This is the website of travel writer, Michael Turtle. There are lakes that have formed inland and rivers that lead to the coast, with long beaches and sandy dunes. The biosphere reserve has a few different elements and its the way that they interact that makes it particularly interesting. So I did what any good adventure travel blogger would do, I did a lot of research on Sian Kaan biosphere tours, but mostly so I could figure out how to get there without doing an organized tour of Sian Kaan. We paid another fee and followed the path. Why I think Uxmal is actually a better alternative to Chichen Itza. Remember: Prices for a half-day organized trip to Sian Kaan and Muyil start from 130$, 110. For me, it's becaus, Take a walk with me through one of Romania's mo, Nature is my happy place! I wonder if the Mayans planned to build such a fun tourist experience. The first is to go to Punta Allen, which is on the coast and offers the opportunity to see the marine elements of the biosphere. The boardwalk only takes about 20-30 minutes and leads you through the jungle, which is a pretty cool experience in itself. The water moves relatively fast and I dont need to do too much to keep moving down the canal. I assume not. Although Muyil is one of the best (and only) places from which to explore Sian Kaan, theres only so much you can do on your own. After providing us with a lifejacket, he told us that we will wait for us at the end of our floating adventure, 15-20 minutes later. The price was per person and, not negotiable, but we already knew that. Then we saw a lot of birds on Bird Island before we were allowed to do some snorkeling on the reef, where we saw a nurse shark, bloody amazing!! Walk through the jungle for about 5 minutes until you reach the official entrance to the park and the start of the boardwalk. If you do decide to visit Sian Kaan without a tour then you will need to get yourself to Punta Allen. Everyone told us to book a tour. For people wanting to visit Sian Kaan from Tulum, there are only really two options. The town provides access to the sea, including snorkeling and wildlife viewing, and of course the coral reef. Once again, no one around, and we felt a little bit lost. Boat ride: 1.000-pesos (51US$, 46) per person, Colectivo from Muyil to Tulum: 35-pesos (1.79US$, 1.63) per person & Colectivo from Tulum to Playa del Carmen: 40-pesos (2US$, 1.86) per person. Muyil is further inland and provides access to the jungle, wetlands, and the freshwater lagoons, lined with mangrove forests, including Mayan-created canals you can actually float down. If you are planning a trip right now then you NEED to think seriously about insurance. After some more research, we realized that our final destination wasnt Muyil butChunyaxch,which is the name of the Lagoon near Muyil. Head towards Las Boyas on Google Maps to find the docks. The easiest way to get to Muyil from Tulum is to get the Mayab bus from the main ADO station in Tulum. The colectivo picks up in Tulum Pueblo on the corner of Centauro Norte and Avenida Tulum everyday at 2 p.m. and arrives in Punta Allen around 6 p.m. Important Note: Youll want to rent a car with 4-wheel-drive and good suspension as the roads through this part of the reserve are littered with potholes so much so that you will not be able to drive much faster than a crawl. The town is just a few blocks by a few blocks, so there isnt much to see there. We cross another lagoon and, at the other side, reach the canal where we all get out of the boat and begin to float down ourselves. The Sian Kaan Biosphere Reserve is the biggest protected area in the Caribbean and a unique place to visit! Now here I am, with a lifejacket tied around my waist, floating along its length. They presumably dug this canal for practical reasons. We couldnt miss this place so we climbed up to see the views. The maximum number of people you can have on the boat is 6, So unless you have 5 friends with whom you can split the cost, by the time you add it all up its cheaper to just book an organized tour. The next morning, we were sitting on a bus leaving to Chetumal, eager to start the self-guided day trip but we soon realized our driver had no idea where the Chunyaxch station was. Categories Cancun, Destinations, Mexico, North America, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Can I travel To Guatemala Right Now 2022 Guatemala Travel Update, 12 Travel apps to download before taking your trip [2022]. In some parts there are tropical forests and palm savannahs that then merge into mangroves and marshes. Though it looks like a short distance on a map (its only about 25 miles) from the reserve entrance to Punta Allen, the drive will take you around 1.5 to 2 hours.
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