Jaguars, crocodiles, howler monkeys, wetlands, petenes and mangroves, virgin beaches, coral reefs, turtles, dolphins, ancient Mayan temples, small bays, cenotes… One day, when Mother Nature was incredibly inspired, Sian Ka’an was created, the “place where the sky is born.”
With an area close to 2000 squares miles, including maritime, coastal, and terrestrial zones, the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve is an invaluable natural treasure declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. So go ahead and discover this great protected area located south of Tulum, in the heart of the Mexican Caribbean. You’ll irretrievably fall in love with the beauty of its landscapes and its extraordinary biodiversity.
- Sian Ka’an, a true natural paradise
- What to see and do in Sian Ka’an
- Punta Allen, an authentic fishing village
- How to get to Sian Ka’an
Sian Ka’an, a true natural paradise
With 75 miles long by about 30 miles wide, Sian Ka’an is the largest natural reserve in the Yucatan Peninsula and the largest protected area in the Mexican Caribbean. This place is so mega-diverse that you can find several different ecosystems inside its boundaries: tropical forests, wetlands, mangroves, marshes, coastal dunes, savanna areas… Moreover, just of its coastline but within the protected area, there’s a long stretch of the Great Mesoamerican Reef, the second-largest coral reef in the world. A maritime ecosystem of extraordinary richness.
Flora and fauna: a place full of life
The biodiversity of Sian Ka’an is genuinely incredible. Its jungles, lagoons, and mangroves are home to all kinds of animal species, from large mammals, such as the jaguar, puma, ocelot, jaguarundi, Central American tapir, and different species of monkeys (spider monkeys, howler monkeys…), up to about 350 species of birds, as well as crocodiles and other reptiles. In its waters, both inland and maritime, you can find from manatees, dolphins, and sea turtles to hundreds of fish species and about 80 varieties of coral.
And if the fauna of Sian Ka’an is impressive, the flora is not far behind. As a result of the complex hydrological system of the site, red mangroves, black mangroves, white mangroves, and gray mangroves grow inside the protected area. In addition, various species of palms, bushes, sapodilla trees, orchids, and bromeliads, as well as rich sea meadows, are also part of the local flora. A world with every shade of green thanks to the more than a thousand plant species that thrive in it.
Besides its invaluable natural wealth, Sian Ka’an has more than 20 ancient Maya archaeological sites inside its territorial limits. The small fishing villages and eco-tourist areas of Boca Paila, Punta Allen (Javier Rojo Gómez), and Punta Herrero round up the long and impressive list of attractions waiting for you in this natural paradise.
What to see and do in Sian Ka’an
The reserve is precisely that, a reserved area. So, human presence must be kept to a minimum. However, with Vacaciones Barcelo, you can discover this wonderful place with all the precautions and respect it deserves. In fact, it’s one of the best excursions in Riviera Maya. Round-trip transportation from your hotel door, exciting activities, and a delicious meal are all included. You only have to worry about enjoying this incredible natural paradise and its most emblematic places.
1. Sian Ka’an Visitor Center
When entering the reserve through the coastal road, one of the first stops of your Vacaciones Barceló tour (just after crossing the Maya arch that marks the northern entrance to the Biosphere Reserve) will certainly be the Visitors Center. You can learn everything about the area’s natural treasures and carry out different activities on the Caapechén lagoon at this exciting place.
2. The Boca Paila bridge
Also located on the road to Punta Allen, a little further south, this bridge allows you to cross a natural channel that connects the sea with an interior lagoon. The vegetation, the different blue tones of the water, the fishermen, the sea, the beach, the fish, even the crocodiles that are usually seen, they’re all part of the charm of this breathtaking place.
3. Virgin beaches and crystal clear waters
Along the entire coast of Sian Ka’an, you can visit some of the best beaches in the Mexican Caribbean. Unspoiled wonders to cool off and enjoy the scenery. Also, different spots along the way, but especially the town of Punta Allen, are the departure spot for all kinds of boat rides that cruise the waters of the Caribbean. Snorkeling and diving tours to explore the incredible coral reefs, as well as fishing expeditions or bird watching and marine life spotting tours, are also available in the area through Vacaciones Barcelo.
4. Muyil and Chunyaxche
When entering Sian Ka’an through highway 307 (which connects Tulum with Felipe Carrillo Puerto), you can’t miss the archaeological site of Muyil and the Muyil and Chunyaxche lagoons. The former is an authentic jewel of the ancient Maya World related to places like Coba and Tulum. The latter, a genuine natural spectacle. In short: the perfect combination of culture and nature. Don’t forget to check if your excursion with Vacaciones Barcelo includes a boat trip from Muyil to Boca Paila, on the other side of the reserve, through the canals opened between the mangroves. It’s a totally worthwhile experience!
5. Natural maze
One of the most amazing experiences in Sian Ka’an is, precisely, to travel by boat or kayak the endless channels hidden among the mangroves. Many of them were opened by the ancient Mayans more than 1,000 years ago! Forming a vast network of waterways, they connect the different lagoons and wetlands with the Caribbean sea. If you include this activity in your visit to the reserve with Vacaciones Barceló, you will be able to depart either from Punta Allen or Muyil area. These tours will allow you to discover the flora, fauna, and other Maya relics hidden in the jungle. Also, at some points swimming is permited, so don’t forget to bring your swimsuit.
Punta Allen, an authentic fishing village
In the heart of the reserve, and right at the end of a narrow spit of land that separates the Caribbean Sea from Ascension Bay, you can find a truly magical place. This small fishing village is officially called Javier Rojo Gómez, but everyone knows it as Punta Allen. It’s one of the few places open to tourism (low impact, of course) within Sian Ka’an
Beautiful beaches, fishermen’s houses, and small shops and restaurants are practically the only thing that awaits you in this place. And that’s after having traveled, for just over two hours, the dirt road that connects it with Tulum. As already mentioned, departing from Punta Allen, your excursion will take you to discover both the coral reefs and the channels and lagoons of the reserve, depending on the program set up by Vacaciones Barceló.
How to get to Sian Ka’an
Leaving from Riviera Maya (to the north), there are two ways to enter the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve. The first is through highway 307 and places like Muyil. The other is through the coastal highway 15, which goes from Tulum to Punta Allen. Depending on the tour you hire, any one of these two paths will be taken. So, don’t forget to look at the different options that Vacaciones Barcelo offers you to discover this wonderful place.
Helpful information: do’s and don’ts
Sian Ka’an is a natural paradise; you can be sure about that. But sometimes, even paradise can be treacherous, or the lack of information can play a nasty trick on you. So take note of the following helpful information and just enjoy your tour of the reserve.
- Sunburns hurt.- A lot! So make sure you are well protected: hat, sunglasses, light clothing but preferably with long sleeves, and a good sunscreen (yes, make it biodegradable, please!).
- And mosquito bites itch.- That’s why it’s essential that you also bring a good repellent with you. Once again, the idea is that they should be products as environmentally friendly as possible.
- Stay well hydrated.- Hours of sunshine and high temperatures are the perfect recipe for dehydration, so don’t forget to bring enough water on your visit to Sian Ka’an. And even better if you carry it in a reusable bottle. If that’s not possible, please make sure to dispose of it properly. Caring for the invaluable nature of Sian Ka’an is everyone’s responsibility.
- The price.- When visiting Sian Ka’an on an organized tour, surely any additional fees, such as admission to the reserve, will be included, so don’t worry. If you have any questions, consult the professionals at Vacaciones Barcelo.
- Hours and duration of the visit. The most common thing is to visit Sian Ka’an in a group, so times will depend on the type of excursion you hire. It can be half or full day. In both cases, the folks at Vacaciones Barceló will surely pick you up at your hotel early in the morning to make the most out of the day.
A tip: Sian Ka’an is an isolated and remote place, so avoid visiting the reserve on your own. For example, the Punta Allen road is not paved and things can get complicated, especially in the rainy season. Obviously, there are no gas stations within the reserve, and the distances between places are long. In short: put yourself in the hands of professionals and visit Sian Ka’an with complete peace of mind, taking advantage of the different options that Vacaciones Barcelo has to offer.
