If you are coming to Mexico, and more precisely near Tulum, one of the best things to do there is a day tour in Sian Kaan, a beautiful biosphere reserve home to exceptional wildlife and flora, including dolphins, sea turtles, and migratory birds.
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sian Kaan is a true hidden gem. From mangroves to turquoise waters, including an amazing marine life and the little fishing village of Punta Allen, this protected area is a must-see for all adventurers.
It is a real paradise, imagine this : only a few people, no big touristy boats, countless birds, crystal-clear waters, dolphins, turtles, and a lunch under coconut trees.
There are many tours available but if you speak French, I would 100% recommend booking with Viviendo la Riviera Maya. This French company organises many excursions in Mexico (such as in Holbox, Bacalar, Cozumel..) and is committed to being environmentally responsible.
They offer 2 options to explore Sian Kaan :
- The Classic tour : Starting with around an hour of driving on a dirt road before reaching the boat, it costs 130€ per person.
- The Deluxe version : Shorter route, with only about 20 minutes of driving before boarding, for 155€ per person.
We opted for the Classic version and were in luck because the road had just been flattened so the journey wasn’t bad or long.
For each of the versions, here’s what’s included :
- Air-conditioned transportation from your accommodation (Playa del Carmen – Tulum)
- Entrance fee to the Sian Ka’an nature reserve
- Certified French-speaking guide for the entire day
- Snorkeling equipment: mask, snorkel, fins, and life jacket
- Lunch and drinks at a local restaurant in Punta Allen
What we really loved about this excursion, is the small group (up to 12 people), which allows a more personalised and enjoyable experience. Plus, for the boat trip, the group will be divided into two boats, with a maximum of 6 people per boat.
We booked through WhatsApp, they have been very reactive and gave us a lot of details regarding the excursion. They require a 15€ deposit per person beforehand (which can be made via bank transfer).
The remaining amount is to be paid at the end of the trip directly to your guide, so don’t forget to bring cash.
Once your deposit has been received, you will receive a booking confirmation, and a day before your excursion, you will get a text with the exact meeting time.
Here is Viviendo la Riviera Maya phone number if you want to book a tour, I can only recommend this agency, they have been really nice and helpful:
First thing to think of is some cash to pay the guide, as the payment needs to be done at the end of the excursion, in cash.
Definitely bring biodegradable sunscreen, as it gets hot from the first hours of the day until sundown. The Sian Kaan reserve is very protected, so please, wear sunscreen after the swimming stops. What I do recommend is bringing a hat/cap and a tee shirt or better yet, a UV protection shirt to wear on the boat and in the water. Of course, don’t forget your swimsuit, beach towel and sunglasses.
They will provide a morning snack, refreshments and a lunch at a restaurant in Punta Allen.
You will get picked up early in the morning at your hotel at the time indicated via message the day before.
Once the group is complete, there will be around an hour of driving on the bumpy dirt road from the reserve’s entrance to the boat docks.
There will be a short stop to try to spot a crocodile and get a morning snack.
Once on the boat, we will start by exploring the mangroves and the countless birds : stork, pelican, frigatebird and many more!
After that, we will make a stop in the lagoon to snorkel and discover the beautiful marine life: corals, turtles and many fish.
After diving, we will search for dolphins, which is such a chance to get to see them in their natural home :
And sea turtles coming back to the surface to get some air :
And right before lunch, we will enjoy a refreshing and relaxing swim in the turquoise waters – true paradise exists :
Lunch will be served in a little restaurant on the beach in Punta Allen, an authentic fishing village.
After the meal, you will have some free time to explore the village or swim some more before heading back. Personally, I’d suggest exploring the small village, you will get to see colourful houses, a little church and many iguanas :
On the return journey, we will try to spot manatees. We had some luck and saw two big ones :
We made a final stop at the Boca Paila bridge to see if we could find crocodiles, but they were not in sight. However we met this adorable pelican on the road :
And that concludes this breathtaking sailing tour in Sian Kaan ! No matter the tour you will choose, it promises a wonderful connection with nature you’ll never forget.
I would definitely recommend booking a day tour to discover Sian Kaan biosphere reserve. This is such a stunning protected area to explore, and having a certified guide and a small group made all the difference.
It was well organised and a very relaxing tour. We were only 10 with two guides, and to have to chance to be 5 only on a boat is so much more enjoyable.
If you need more inspiration you can check out my articles about A boat day in Cozumel or A boat day in Bacalar as well.
If you need a custom itinerary, you can fill this form and I’ll make your own personalised itinerary.
