Tips for DIY Day Trip to Sian Ka’an | Tulum, Mexico

Skip the pricy package tour and visit Sian Ka’an on your own for an awesome day trip near Playa del Carmen and Tulum, Mexico. It’s a win-win: save money + make your visit to this UNESCO World Heritage Site even more of an adventure by doing it on your own. Get up and out early so you have time to do it all. Read on to find details on this DIY experience and how to hire your local guide at the Muyil entrance to the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve.

These are my honest opinions and recommendations — I do not receive any compensation or discounts during our travel. This story does include some affiliate links for which I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please click the links to support my blog.

Planning Information

How to get to Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve | Muyil Entrance

Rent a car in Tulum if you do not already have a vehicle — the roads are nice and PAVED so a sedan is fine. Alternatively, there is a nearby bus stop or take a cab, but be sure to coordinate your return ahead of time!

The closest access to the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve is in Muyil, Mexico an easy 30-minute drive south down Highway 307 from Tulum. Here, you can enter the reserve through the Muyil Ruins or via a direct entrance after the ruins. I was worried about not being able to get out on a boat because they are first-come-first-served. However, we left Tulum around 9:30 AM on a beautiful Sunday in February and did not have an issue.

This post is NOT about the further UNPAVED Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve access point in Punta Allen, Mexico. This area is where you may have the wildlife and marine encounters seen in tour advertisements. It is approached from a different road, south from Tulum, and you will need a 4WD vehicle or it may make sense to take a tour or transfer service.

What to bring

You do not need much. Wear your swimsuit and comfortable shoes for walking. Be sure to bring pesos because they did not take a credit card. Also, a waterproof camera or a GoPro, a towel, and biodegradable bug spray and sunscreen. I brought a snorkel and mask but did not see too much under the water in the canal. However, you will be glad to have your snorkel and mask for the cenote that you should visit on your drive back to Tulum.

Pricing for the day

Bring about $1500 pesos per person. This equates to just under $75 USD.

1) MX$65 for the Muyil Ruins or MX$50 if you park at the other lot

2) MX$50 for the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve + tip

3) MX$1,000 for your boat tour (it is non-negotiable)

4) MX$150 for entrance to the Cenote Corazon del Paraiso

While you can negotiate for a lot of things in Mexico, you will not get anywhere negotiating these prices. You may choose to save a little money by skipping the ruins. However, I suggest you add this in to round out the experience especially as it will be the start of this adventure.

When hiring your guide at the Muyil ruins entrance, he or she will later meet you at the boat area. Try to get a guide who speaks English because there is a lot of nature and history to learn along the way.

Note: There are bathrooms at the ruins and the boat dock.

Scam warning

Watch out for any scamming schemes here or anywhere. We paid cash for the boat tour at the Muyil entrance for our group of six adults. The guide folded the bills in half, counted them, and said we were short. Three times. I grabbed the wad of bills and confirmed that we had paid the correct amount. Also, ask to see the official pricing as they tried to charge us more for the ruins. Due to this experience, I took a photo of the guide that we paid to make sure he met us at the boat launch. They gave us wristbands and a receipt at the entrance — if that matters.

Snapshot of Your Day

1 | First, visit the small and tranquil Muyil Ruins

Exploring the ruins are an inexpensive “welcome” to today’s journey. I hope you have the place to yourself as we did. You will find a path to the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve at the back of the largest ancient Mayan structure. Your adventure begins!

2 | Take a jungle stroll to the boat dock

It is about a half-hour walk through the jungle to the boat dock for your boat tour through the reserve. You will have already paid for the ruins and boat tour. However, along your walk you will be charged for the Sian Ka’an Reserve. Take time to explore as you stroll the boardwalk over the marsh. Climb up the rickety observation tower. It is really quite tall and steep. Get your first glimpse of the lagoon from the top of the tower.

3| Enjoy a boat ride through the reserve

The boat dock area and boat ride felt real-deal and not overly touristy. I hope this doesn’t change because it is a big part of what makes this journey so magical. Our guide told us that they limit the number of boats to conserve the area.

The boat will take you across two sparkling clear lagoons connected by a narrow canal. You will return back the same route.

4 | The amazing canal float

Could this day get even better? Yes! The highlight of the trip is jumping in and floating down the an ancient Mayan canal. A natural lazy river! You will have to wear your life jacket which you can wear like a diaper to float more reclined. We laughed so much along the way as the current pushed us through the canal. This part lasted about 20 minutes. Maybe 30? It is easy to lose track of time in paradise.

5 | A board walk and some nature

It was hard to get out of the water, but our guide was waiting to walk us back to the boat. He even brought our shoes! He pointed out birds in the distance as we took the boardwalk back to the boat. Slow down and take your time because you tour is nearing the end. The boat returned to the dock taking the same beautiful route back through the reserve. All in all we returned about two hours after leaving the dock.

We met a couple from Mexico City at the boat dock who remarked that this outing is one of their favorites in the area. In fact, they were there for the second day in a row!

6 | Getting back to your car

It is more direct to walk the dirt road back to the main parking lot. There is a little restaurant when you get to the highway — probably best to have a canned or bottled beverage versus something with ice. From here it is a quick walk along the local highway back to the Muyil Ruins parking lot.

7 | One more adventure — visit a cenote!

I recommend one more stop before heading back to your lodging! While you have the rental car or driver, go to one of the many cenotes in the area. We went to Cenote Corazon del Paraiso close to Tulum. Visiting a cenote is a great way to round out this day. Jump off the platform into the refreshing cenote. Snorkel through the crystal clear water. Relax at a picnic table or one of the several decks. What a day!