How to Visit Sian Ka’an WITHOUT A Tour: Ultimate Guide! (2023)
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Looking at how to visit Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve in Quintana Roo? Sian Ka’an is one of the true few paradises on earth, and is a place of untouched, unique, natural beauty. This Sian Ka’an guide explains everything you need to know about visiting!
One of our highlights when visiting Mexico in 2022 was the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve. A place of complete serenity, peace, stillness and raw beauty, it’s somewhere that can only be believed with your own eyes!
Regardless of how many photos we took, shared and raved about, nothing can explain how beautiful Sian Ka’an is. If I’m honest, I wasn’t expecting it to be quite so beautiful. It’s now somewhere I recommend to anyone visiting Quintana Roo in Mexico.
Sian Ka’an can be visited as a backpacker on a budget, especially if you team up and visit with friends. Hiring a car is undoubtedly the best way to visit Sian Ka’an, and if you book with the right company and split the costs, it’s a budget-friendly day out.
Further on in the post, I’ll be sharing ways to keep the costs down when visiting Sian Ka’an, so even as a budget backpacker, you can enjoy this slice of paradise!
Need somewhere to stay in Sian Ka’an? You can’t get anywhere better than El Cielo Y Selva. It’s the closest I’ve been to paradise on earth, and really is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You can take a look at their site here.
Other Mexico posts:
- Kaan Luum Lagoon, Tulum: Complete Guide (2022)
- Is There Uber in Sian Ka’an? Getting Around Sian Ka’an (2022)
- 11 BEST Things To Do In Punta Allen, Sian Ka’an (Mexico)
- How to get to Punta Allen from Tulum, Mexico (2022)
What is the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve?
The Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve is one of the most beautiful and preserved areas in Mexico. It is still relatively unknown amongst tourists, which makes it a perfect weekend break away in the peace and quiet.
The site was established in 1986, and since then has been established as a UNESCO heritage site due to its biodiversity and historical Mayan Culture.
As a visitor to the reserve, you will experience dense jungle, long dusty roads and turquoise blue coastlines, opposite a large light blue lagoon. With thick mangroves and a chance to spot crocodiles on your left, you can turn right and spot wild dolphins and turtles on your right. It’s a truly unique experience.
There are under 1500 locals living in the reserve, and no indigenous groups. Most of the population either live in Punta Allen, or Punta Herrero.
Weather in Sian Ka’an is tropical, with picturesque coconut trees lining the coastline as far as the eye can see. The average monthly temperature is between 72-82, and the wettest month is September.
Sian Ka’an covers over 1.3 million acres, making it the biggest reserve in the Mexican Caribbean and the largest coastal protected area in Mexico! It is also home to the second biggest barrier reef in the world, The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, which you can both swim and snorkel in.
When we visited Sian Ka’an, we experienced some of the best snorkelling we’ve ever done (and it was even better than the Great Barrier reef – sorry Australia!)
Where is Sian Ka’an?
Sian Ka’an is located south of Tulum, in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico. It is on the eastern coast of the Yucutan Peninsula, and is one of Mexico’s largest protected areas.
TOP TIP: Due to the unique wildlife in Sian Ka’an, it is important to NOT use sunscreen when entering the lagoons or oceans here. Use coral safe sunscreen if it is absolutely necessary (this is the same in any cenotes in Tulum also).
How do you get to Sian Ka’an?
There are a few ways to get to Sian Ka’an, some I recommend, and some I don’t. This is the most up-to-date information (written in November 2022) when deciding how to get to Sian Ka’an.
As Sian Ka’an is so big (it’s actually bigger than the neighbouring island of Cozumel!), there are multiple entry points.
The most common is via Tulum Beach road, driving south along the coast to Punta Allen. Alternatively, you can enter from Muyil.
Punta Allen is for backpackers and visitors who want to coastal scenes, with sandy beaches and palm trees lined along the coast. It’s the most ‘tropical’ part of Sian Ka’an, and offers a different experience to Muyil.
Looking to hire a car in Mexico? We’ve driven all over Quintana Roo, and recommend it as one of the safest ways to travel. Use this company for the best prices!
Visiting Sian Ka’an via Muyil
Visiting Sian Ka’an via Muyil is a different experience altogether. Taking a self-guided tour via Muyil means you’ll see more jungle, wetlands, mangroves and freshwater lagoons. You’ll also have a higher chance of spotting a crocodile!
However, as you are floating down these Mayan-made canals, you will not see the dolphins and turtles like you would on the Punta Allen side.
🚗 If you’re visiting Muyil by car, take Highway 307 south to the ruins of Muyil first. If you’re putting it into Google Maps, you will need to input ‘Zona Arqueológica de Muyil’, and follow this road. From there, you can either visit the ruins, or take a canal boat into the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve.
🚌 Taking the bus to Muyil is also relatively easy, and can be boarded at the main ADO station in Tulum town. Tickets cost around 30 pesos per person (£1.50/$1.55), and buses should come every 30 minutes.
🚎 If you would rather take a guided tour to Muyil, there are multiple tours that can be booked in Tulum town. This is the least budget-friendly way, and not a way I would advise for backpackers.
Visiting Sian Ka’an via Punta Allen
If you’re entering Sian Ka’an via Tulum Beach, it is likely that you will be visiting Punta Allen and the surrounding beaches.
🚗 If you’re visiting Punta Allen by car, you do NOT need a 4×4 or a jeep to visit Sian Ka’an. There are so many blogs and tours stating it is impossible to reach Punta Allen or other parts of Sian Ka’an without a 4×4, and this is incorrect.
We drove the entirety of the peninsula, all the way south to Punta Allen, in a tiny car rental. It was slow, and there were potholes, but it can be done! Many bloggers state the drive from Tulum Beach to Sian Ka’an is unadvised and unsafe. From doing this journey myself, I can say this is not true. You can do the drive, slowly, in a regular rental car, but just need to be careful and take your time!
🚌 Taking the bus (collectivo) to Punta Allen isn’t advised. Yes, it can be done, but sitting on public transport for 4 hours down a pot-holed filled road isn’t ideal. However, if you are set on taking public transport, you need at least 2-3 days in Sian Ka’an to make up for lost time.
There are 2 buses from Tulum town to Punta Allen, one which stops at a pier, to board a boat over to Punta Allen. Buses only depart once a day, at 2pm. The other takes the long road (the one you will drive down) and takes over 4 hours to reach Punta Allen.
🚎 If you would rather take a guided tour to Punta Allen, there are multiple tours that can be booked in Tulum town.
Check out my post: How to get to Punta Allen from Tulum, Mexico (2022) for more information.
Getting around Sian Ka’an
When you are actually in Sian Ka’an, you can either explore by foot, cycle or if you want to drive further, by car. We stayed at a campsite near Punta Allen, so we didn’t need to drive once we had arrived.
Most accommodations will supply bikes which you can hire at a low cost, or you can walk around the area on foot.
The majority of the areas in Sian Ka’an are uninhabited, meaning there are very few street lights. If you’re wandering around after sunset, just be sure to know your way back to your accommodation and have it downloaded on your maps.
For the majority of visits, you will stay within your site accommodation, as most are on the beach and have their own area to explore. Some may be near the small towns of Muyil or Punta Allen, which are both worth checking out if you’re close enough.
Booking buses in Mexico? I highly recommend the ADO bus when moving from place to place. It’s safe, clean, modern and has toilets! You can compare prices and book tickets here.
Best time of year to visit Sian Ka’an
December-April would be the best time to visit Sian Ka’an. This is due to the warm and sunny days, and it is dry season.
However, you can expect good weather all year round, just the occasional downpours and storms during wet season in Quintana Roo (September is known as the rainiest month!)
Wildlife and marine life can be spotted 365 days a year in Sian Ka’an.
Need somewhere to stay in Tulum? I highly recommend this apartment for digital nomads and backpackers who don’t want to stay in shared dorm rooms!
Is Sian Ka’an worth it?
Yes! Absolutely. Sian Ka’an is worth visiting, and is worth the bumpy road it takes to drive on. Anyone who says it isn’t is probably visiting for the day, and from a location too far away to make it ‘worth it’.
If you’re staying in Tulum, I highly recommend planning at least 1 overnight trip to Sian Ka’an.
However, it’s worth knowing that even from Tulum beach, Sian Ka’an is at least a 2-hour drive into the ‘heart’ of the reserve, so if you’re coming from Playa Del Carmen or Cancun, it’s going to be 5 or 6 hours of driving one way!
If you have the patience to drive on bumpy roads, visiting Sian Ka’an is worth it. If the roads were perfect, we wouldn’t be fortunate enough to see the untouched beauty that Sian Ka’an gives us, and it would be full of tourists. It’s still a ‘hidden gem’ of Mexico, and we were asked by two locals how we even knew about visiting.
Go now, whilst it’s still quiet and untouched!
Where to stay in Sian Ka’an
There are many accommodations on Sian Ka’an to stay at, and most are situated right on the beachfront. However, if you want a true, remote, paradise-like experience when visiting Sian Ka’an, I recommend El Cielo Y Selva.
Around a 3-hour drive from the Sian Ka’an entrance, El Cielo Y Selva is one of the most beautiful and eco-friendly places we have ever stayed at.
With glamping pods and tents along the beachfront, you wake up to the sound of the waves and the blood-orange sky poking through the palm trees from the sunrise. You’ll have access to hammocks metres from the ocean, a small swimming pool, a budget-friendly restaurant (with amazing vegetarian food) and be completely disconnected from reality.
There is a small area at El Cielo Y Selva that has wifi, but we chose not to use it for the majority of our trip. Being in the middle of the jungle, next to the ocean, it was an escape from the busy world around us. It was truly paradise.
El Cielo Y Selva (“Sky and Jungle”) also arrange a boat tour if you’d like to see the dolphins. The tour is 500 MXN pesos per person (if there are 6 people in a boat, more if there aren’t), and lasts around 3 hours.
You’ll sail to see dolphins, turtles, manta rays and other sealife, stopping off to snorkel in crystal-clear turquoise water in the deep ocean as well as shallow sand banks. We were not fortunate enough to see dolphins, but it was still one of the best experiences I’ve ever had!
If you’re looking to stay overnight in Sian Ka’an, El Cielo Y Selva has plenty of budget tents, or you can pay extra for the luxury glamping pods.
Book your stay at El Cielo Y Selva here! (I promise you won’t regret it).
What to do in Sian Ka’an
There are so many amazing and unique things to do in Sian Ka’an, and these are just some of them!
- Snorkel or dive in the second-biggest barrier reef in the world; The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef
- Spot dolphins, turtles, manta-rays and other sealife on a boat trip
- Take the Sian Ka’an river float
- Go bird watching – there are over 379 different species of bird in the reserve!
- Look out for creatures like howler and spider monkeys, crocodiles, jaguars, pumas, ocelots, pink flamingos, toucans and tapirs and so many more
- Take photographs of some of the 1048 species of flora
- Sunbathe in the year-round hot weather
- Watch the rain from your glamping pod or tent at El Cielo Y Selva
- Wake up early for the blood-orange sunrises on the beach
- Take a picnic to the beach to watch the sunset
- Disconnect from the real world and sleep, read and eat
- Visit the tiny fishing village of Punta Allen
- Take a trip to the Muyil Ruins
- Cycle to the lighthouse in Punta Allen
- Drink coconuts sold by the locals
- Play with the dogs that roam the beaches
Aside from all of these incredible activities, you can plan to do nothing in Sian Ka’an and have an incredible time. Just soak up the nature, the true paradise surrounding you, and appreciate just how beautiful it all is.
Sian Ka’an is a one-of-a-kind place, I promise.
Things to do in Punta Allen
Punta Allen is a small fishing village right at the south of the peninsula of Sian Ka’an. It has under 1000 people living there (probably much fewer), and there are only 4 restaurants. There isn’t much to do there, apart from take a boat tour to see the dolphins, chat to the locals or drink cheap alcohol.
Note if you’re visiting Punta Allen, there is no electricity from 2pm-7pm or 2am-7am each day. This shouldn’t make a difference to you if you’re not staying there, but it’s something to bear in mind. It also helps to understand the remoteness of Sian Ka’an, and just how untouched it is!
El Cielo Y Selva is only a 6-7 minute walk from Punta Allen, so if you’re staying there, I highly recommend either walking or cycling down to experience it.
Expect quiet streets, the happiness of locals and cheap beer!
Check out my Punta Allen guides:
- 11 BEST Things To Do In Punta Allen, Sian Ka’an (Mexico)
- How to get to Punta Allen from Tulum, Mexico (2022)
Do I need a jeep to visit Sian Ka’an?
No, you do not need a jeep to visit Sian Ka’an. The road has recently been graded (November 2022) and although there are still potholes and uneven parts of gravel, it can be done in a regular car.
We rented a small hire car for our trip to Sian Ka’an, and although driving 40km took around 3 hours, it was safe and easy to do at a slow pace.
Can I visit Sian Ka’an without a tour?
Yes, you can visit Sian Ka’an without a tour. A tour is not necessary unless you want everything organised for you. On a backpacker’s budget, this may add up to more money than hiring a car with a group of friends.
If you are visiting Sian Ka’an without a tour, you will need to pay a fee of 100 MXN pesos per person (£4.50/$5) on arrival. You are then asked to sign a guestbook. You’ll be given a wristband to wear for the duration of your trip. However, ours was never checked.
Going in and out of the water, snorkelling, diving or surfing in Mexico? Don’t forget your GoPro to capture all of your amazing memories!
Road conditions in Sian Ka’an
As previously mentioned, the roads in Sian Ka’an have recently been graded, and aren’t as bad as they used to be. You can drive all the way to Punta Allen from Tulum in a small hire car, without any problems (if you’re sensible).
The roads are full of potholes, but they can be avoided. If you have driven in Tulum town, the roads aren’t too dissimilar. If you drive at a slow pace, the 40km down to Punta Allen will take around 3 hours.
See picture below for how the roads looked whilst driving to Punta Allen.
Costs of entering Sian Ka’an
To enter Sian Ka’an, the most common way is via Tulum Beach. The entrance is right at the end of Tulum Beach road, marked with a large gate. When you arrive here, you’ll be asked to sign a guestbook with your numberplate and contact details, as well as a fee of 100 MXN pesos per person (£4.50/$5) on arrival.
You are also given a wristband to wear for the duration of your trip. Ours were never checked or asked for.
Don’t forget to pack a Microfibre towel for Mexico. If you’re anywhere near the beach, you’re going to be in and out of the water all the time (trust me, it gets hot!)
How to visit Sian Ka’an on a budget
Visiting Sian Ka’an CAN be done on a backpacker’s budget. If you’re prepared to sleep in a tent, or visit for the day, you can visit on a budget.
If you’re visiting Sian Ka’an for the first time, or on a backpacker’s budget, I recommend hiring a car. After you have paid for tour prices, or a 2-3 hour taxi there and back, you’re going to be paying double what you would for a car rental.
Car rental prices in Mexico aren’t too expensive. If you book with this company, they can compare and find you the best prices early on.
Here is a breakdown of costs for a 1 night stay on Sian Ka’an (Punta Allen side).
- Accommodation: £30/$35 a night for a 2-person tent at El Cielo Y Selva, £15 each
- Transport: Car hire for £50/$60 (including insurance) between 4 people, £10 each
- Boat trip: £22/$25 per person on a 6-man boat
- Dinner out/drinks: Roughly £10-15/$10 per person, but can be cheaper if you don’t drink alcohol and eat in Punta Allen
- Breakfast: £5-8 ($5-10)
Total price for an overnight trip for a budget backpacker in Sian Ka’an: £65/$70
With this price including accommodation, this is a bucket list activity for under £100! That’s practically unheard of in Mexico (Mexico isn’t the cheapest of backpacking destinations…)
However, if you want to upgrade and stay in a glamping tent, you do need to pay a bit extra per night. It depends on how much you have to spend, and what kind of experience you want to have!
Can you drink the tap water in Sian Ka’an?
No, and you cannot drink the tap water anywhere in Mexico. This isn’t just for tourists, but locals also only drink bottled water. The tap water in Mexico isn’t safe to drink anywhere, so always stick to bottled water.
Throughout our time backpacking Mexico, we did use the tap water to brush our teeth, and were never sick from this.
If you’re backpacking Mexico, always carry a water filter bottle with you. This means you can drink the water anywhere, and don’t have to spend a penny buying any!
Can you fly a drone in Sian Ka’an?
Yes, you are able to fly your drone in Sian Ka’an. Flying drones is legal in Mexico. You will not be questioned about owning a drone. We flew our drone on the roads around Sian Ka’an, as well as over El Cielo Y Selva.
There are rules when it comes to flying your drone in Mexico, such as:
- Do not fly your drone near or over people, or at large crowds (like at the beach)
- Never fly your drone near an airport
- A drone over 2 kg requires a permit
- You must only fly your drone during the day, and in good weather
If you would like to know more about drone rules in Mexico, check out this website.
Helpful resources for drone flying in Mexico:
Booking buses in Mexico? I highly recommend the ADO bus when moving from place to place. It’s safe, clean, modern and has toilets! You can compare prices and book tickets here.
Is there Uber in Sian Ka’an?
No, there is not Uber in Sian Ka’an. It is important to not rely on taxis when in Sian Ka’an, unless you have pre-arranged for your taxi to pick you up from certain locations and at certain times.
If you’re still unsure about getting around Sian Ka’an, check out my post: Is There Uber in Sian Ka’an? Getting Around Sian Ka’an (2022) for more information.
Hiring a car is your best option when visiting Sian Ka’an.
How to visit Sian Ka’an: In a Nutshell
So, there you have it! A complete guide explaining how to visit Sian Ka’an, and how you can make the most of your trip.
It really is one of the most beautiful places we’ve ever visited, and I highly do recommend staying at El Cielo Y Selva. If you’re going all that way, you might as well make the most out of it!
When you’re planning a trip to Sian Ka’an, make sure you let me know over on Instagram or in the comments below!
If you haven’t come across my blog before, I write posts aimed at first-time backpackers on a budget. I’m currently backpacking Mexico with my boyfriend (read more here!), whilst creating guides and itineraries for you to follow in our footsteps!
Keep an eye out for more Mexico content, all written from a personal and realistic point of view. You can sign up for my newsletter and juicy travel updates here!
As always, thanks for reading and supporting the blog!
Happy travelling 🙂
Jennie x
Other Quintana Roo/Mexico posts:
- 11 BEST Things To Do In Punta Allen, Sian Ka’an (Mexico)
- Kaan Luum Lagoon, Tulum: Complete Guide (2022)
- Is There Uber in Sian Ka’an? Getting Around Sian Ka’an (2022)
- Can You Fly a Drone in Sian Ka’an? Mexico (2022 Guide)
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MEET THE AUTHOR!
Hi! I'm Jennie! As a part-time travel blogger based in London, I'm using my 10+ years of travel expertise to encourage & inspire you to step out of your comfort zone through sustainable, mindful and purposeful travel.
If I'm not writing, I'm either reading, drinking coffee or taking a wild swim (all at the same time if I'm feeling impressive).
