11 BEST Things To Do In Punta Allen, Sian Ka’an (Mexico)
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Looking at the best things to do in Punta Allen, Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve? This untouched town in Quintana Roo is a quiet place of unique, natural beauty. This Sian Ka’an guide explains the best things to do in Punta Allen!
Punta Allen is a small Mayan fishing village south of the peninsula of Sian Ka’an, one of the largest protected areas in Mexico. It has under 500 people living there (probably much fewer), and there are only 4 restaurants! However, it is still the largest village in the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve.
Getting to Punta Allen can be a challenge, as the only land access is via a bumpy, potholed 45km road from Tulum. But visiting Sian Ka’an and Punta Allen is doable, and can be done in a regular hire car.
When visiting Punta Allen, it’s important to note 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!
Expect quiet streets, the happiness of locals and cheap beer!
If you’re visiting Punta Allen and Sian Ka’an, I highly recommend reading my post: How to Visit Sian Ka’an WITHOUT A Tour: Ultimate Guide! (2022) before visiting!
Need somewhere to stay in Sian Ka’an or near Punta Allen? 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:
- How to Visit Sian Ka’an WITHOUT A Tour: Ultimate Guide! (2022)
- 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)
11 Best Things to Do in Punta Allen
1. Relax on the beach
If you’re visiting somewhere as remote as Punta Allen, the chances are you’ll want to relax and switch off from the world. Punta Allen is surrounded by a tranquil, peaceful coastline, with barely any others in sight. We had the beach to ourselves on multiple occasions (with a few wild doggos, of course).
Depending on what time of year you visit, the water is calm and can be swum in with ease. The colour of the water is a bright turquoise blue, and is totally transparent.
NOTE: For some months of the year, there will be seaweed on the beach. This is unavoidable, and not something we can blame the locals about! Accept it for what it is, and just enjoy it. The sand is still soft and white, and the ocean is still clean and clear.
Grab a few beers from the mini-mart in town and head to the beach and sunset. Relaxing on the beach is definitely one of the best things to do in Punta Allen!
Backpacking Mexico? Make sure you check out my travel resources for everything you will need on your trip (and some great ways to save money!)
2. Play with the dogs
There are a lot of wild dogs near beaches in Mexico, and Punta Allen is no different! Whilst some have loving homes, most of the dogs here are wild.
When travelling to these under-developed areas in Mexico, carry some treats or buy a small pack of dog food. Or buy a big bottle of water or tub and fill it with water, as many dogs struggle for water, especially in hot places.
Most dogs just need a pat, cuddle or some love. They live a life without a secure home and regular attention, and love seeing your smiling face come up to them!
If you’re afraid of dogs or not a big fan, that’s ok! They won’t pester you if you don’t want them to. Just stand still and seem uninterested. They will move on pretty quickly!
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!
3. Take a boat tour to the Sian Ka’an lagoon
One of the best things to do in Punta Allen is to go on a boat tour to the lagoon. Most tours are around 500 MXN pesos per person (£21/$25) if there are 6 people in a boat, more if there aren’t), and lasts for 3 hours.
You’ll sail from the lagoon to the Caribbean Sea, spotting dolphins, turtles, manta rays and other sea life. You’ll then stop off to snorkel and swim in crystal-clear turquoise water in the El Blanquizal sand banks. We were not fortunate enough to see dolphins, but it was still one of the best experiences I’ve ever had!
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.
4. Cycle to the lighthouse
Most hotels and accommodations will offer bikes to hire, or you can rent a bike from the centre of Punta Allen. However, as Punta Allen is a remote, sleepy town, you can’t guarantee a working bike when you need one, so it might be best to ask your accommodation first!
Cycle along the coastline, past small houses, a school and a church, to the very south of the Boca Paila Peninsula. Here you will find the old abandoned lighthouse, with views of the Caribbean Sea.
It’s known that crocodiles roam this area at night, so I’d stick to doing this activity during the day!
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!)
5. Eat seafood
As Punta Allen is right on the Caribbean Sea, the seafood in town is worth trying. Lobster is one of their ‘famous’ dishes, but will only be served fresh in harvesting season (so be sure to ask beforehand, otherwise you’ll be served lobster that has been previously frozen).
It’s important to know that the restaurants in Punta Allen are not open for long hours during the day, and can change last minute. It’s best not to pre-plan too much, and just see what is open when you get there.
Looking for a fun backpacking hostel in Tulum? I recommend this hostel for the best prices, location and atmosphere!
6. Stargaze on the beach
As Sian Ka’an is a remote, reserved area in Mexico, there is very little light pollution. And the best thing about no light pollution? The stars!
Stargazing on the beach in Punta Allen is one of the best things you can do when the sun goes down. Take a blanket and a beer, and just gaze at the night sky with little to no light pollution.
7. Take a birdwatching tour
There are over 370 types of bird species in Sian Ka’an, and is known for being a bird-watchers paradise. I’m personally not a big fan of birds, but even I was impressed!
Our boat tour actually included bird watching, but there were also specific bird-watching tours if you prefer a longer time behind the binoculars. Some of the birds flying around the mangroves had wing spans of up to 10ft, and were pretty impressive!
We paused on the boat to watch the birds hunt for prey, sit in the trees and swoop over the top of us. It was a very unique experience (and I always had one eye out for the sneaky crocodiles between the mangroves!)
8. Go snorkelling
The snorkelling in Sian Ka’an was some of the best we’ve done in Mexico. We were able to spot turtles and manta rays, as well as colourful fish and corals. Most boat tours will include at least an hour of snorkelling in different places, and will provide a mask and and snorkel for you.
As I previously mentioned, the water is an incredible crystal clear blue, and you can see right to the bottom of the ocean even from the boat. It’s amazing to be able to snorkel and swim in water so clear, and through your mask, you can see sea life for miles ahead!
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!
9. Wander the town and meet the locals
The locals in Punta Allen were so kind and welcoming, and always had such a friendly smile on their faces. We ended up buying beers from the small (only) mini-mart in town, and got into conversations with the local fishermen about the area and their lives.
Punta Allen is only small, and is a dusty, sleepy area with not many people around at all. So when you do meet them, they’re happy to see you, and it’s an experience just talking to them about their lives and culture.
10. Watch the sunrise from the beach
The sunrise in Sian Ka’an was undoubtedly one of the best sunrise I saw in the whole of Mexico. If you are in Punta Allen at the right time, I highly recommend heading down to the beach before sunrise and waiting for the sun to come up.
Watch in amazement as the sky turns from a dark blue to blood orange, red and pink for the day ahead. I think this was the busiest I ever saw the beach get, as everyone just wanted to see it with their own eyes!
Be sure to check the time of the sunrise on your phone so you can set a suitable alarm!
11. Try fly fishing
Another popular activity to do in Punta Allen is to try fly fishing. The fishing in Sian Ka’an is some of the best in the area, so there are tours you can take from the centre of Punta Allen.
Fishing isn’t one of my favourite things, so I gave this a miss, but I have heard many great things about fish being caught in the area! It’s also a unique place to fish for beginners, and is worth looking into!
Top tips for visiting Punta Allen
- You must use cash in Punta Allen. This is a general rule of thumb for Mexico in general, but more developed areas will have ATMs and a few card readers. However, Punta Allen is not one of those! You must have cash to pay in Punta Allen.
- Electricity is not 24/7, so be sure to check with your hotel before booking if you need it for a specific reason.
- If you’re staying at El Cielo Y Selva, electricity is 24/7, including hot water and Wifi. They also have a card reader, so if you’re desperate, you can pay for food and drink there.
Is Punta Allen safe?
Yes, Punta Allen is safe. It is known for being one of the safest areas in Mexico. But as always, be aware of your surroundings and cautious of tourist scams, as you wold anywhere else in the country. Everyone we met in Punta Allen was kind, friendly and helpful.
If you do encounter any problems, there is a small police station in Punta Allen. It’s unknown if anyone is actually there or asleep on a hammock somewhere, but it’s good to know it exists!
Need somewhere safe to stay in Sian Ka’an or near Punta Allen? 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.
Where to stay in Punta Allen
There are a few hotels in Punta Allen to choose from, if you want a true, remote, paradise-like experience when visiting Sian Ka’an, I recommend El Cielo Y Selva.
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.
El Cielo Y Selva (“Sky and Jungle”) also arranges your Punta Allen 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.
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, and is is only a 6-7 minute walk from Punta Allen.
Where to eat in Punta Allen
There are only 4 restaurants in Punta Allen, and are quiet throughout the day. As electricity is limited, you may even find the restaurants to be closed when you want to visit.
But if you do make it in time for opening hours, lobster is a popular dish in Punta Allen. Just be warned; if it’s out of ‘harvesting’ season, you may be served previously frozen lobster, so be sure to ask!
Restaurants in Punta Allen include:
- Muelle Viejo: good for seafood and friendly staff
- Taco Loco: a good laidback atmosphere with casual dining
- Los Gaytanes: again, great seafood and right on the beach
If you have extra time, I recommend walking down to El Cielo Y Selva. This is a campsite around a 6-7 minute walk from Punta Allen, which has a restaurant and bar. Here you can order vegetarian food, coffee, cocktails and beer!
There are also no supermarkets or grocery stores in Punta Allen, so either top up beforehand or dine out.
Can you drink the tap water in Punta Allen?
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 Punta Allen?
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 Punta Allen in Sian Ka’an, as well as over El Cielo Y Selva, our accommodation.
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:
Need a new drone? I highly recommend the DJI Mavic 3 if you’re going to be posting on social media. It’s one of the few drones that take photos in portrait mode instead of landscape, making it perfect for Instagram posts and stories.
Getting around Punta Allen and Sian Ka’an
When you are actually in Punta Allen or your accommodation in Sian Ka’an, you can either explore on foot or by bicycle. 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.
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.
Do I need a jeep to get around Punta Allen and Sian Ka’an?
No, you do not need a jeep to get around Punta Allen or Sian Ka’an. When you actually arrive at Punta Allen, the small town is walkable. You can either explore the area on foot, or hire a bicycle.
The road before you arrive at Punta Allen has recently been graded (November 2022) and although there are still potholes and uneven parts of gravel, the drive from Tulum 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.
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!
In a Nutshell: Best things to do in Punta Allen
So, there you have it! All the best things to do in Punta Allen, and how you can make the most of your trip.
When you’re planning a trip to Punta Allen, 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:
- How to Visit Sian Ka’an WITHOUT A Tour: Ultimate Guide! (2022)
- Kaan Luum Lagoon, Tulum: Complete Guide (2022)
- Is There Uber in Sian Ka’an? Getting Around Sian Ka’an (2022)
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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).
