If you are looking to get off the beaten path in Mexico, heading south away from Cancun to either Bacalar or Sian Kaan will give you an amazing and authentic Mexican getaway.
Sian Kaan (also known as Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve) is a nature preserve located about 15 miles (24 kilometers) south of Tulum or 101 mi (163 km) north of Bacalar, Quintana Roo.
Bacalar is a small town located on a large and stunning freshwater lake.
Below I’m diving into everything you need to know about visiting Sian Ka’an Biosphere and Bacalar vs. Sian Kaan comparison.
Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve – Details For Your Visit
Sian Kaan is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is the largest protected area in this part of the world.
It costs $105 MXN/$5 USD to enter and you’ll need to wear a bracelet while you’re in the reserve.
What is the meaning of Sian Ka’an?
Sian Ka’an means “Origin of the Sky” or “Gate of Heaven” in the Mayan language.
Why is Sian Ka’an important?
Sian Ka’an is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, crucial for biodiversity, protecting various ecosystems including mangroves, coral reefs, and tropical forests.
Is Sian Ka’an worth visiting?
Definitely, especially if you’re nature lovers like us! Sian Ka’an offers a unique experience to see diverse wildlife and unspoiled landscapes.
What animals are in the Sian Ka’an reserve?
Sian Ka’an hosts a wide variety of animals including dolphins, manatees, turtles, crocodiles, monkeys, various bird species, and potentially jaguars.
How to get to Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve?
The reserve can be reached by car from Tulum or by organized tours.
Can you visit Sian Ka’an without a tour?
Yes, you can visit certain parts of Sian Ka’an like Muyil ruins independently.
However, accessing the marine areas around Punta Allen typically requires a boat tour due to the distance and road conditions.
If you have your own transportation (preferably a 4×4 vehicle), you can drive to Punta Allen and arrange a boat tour independently.
There are two main areas of Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve: Muyil and Punta Allen. Each of these destinations has a lot to offer and is a completely different experience.
The Muyil Side Of Sian Kaan
Muyil, also called Chunyaxché, is a landlocked town on the west side of the Sian Ka’an Biosphere reserve. It has two lakes near it that are amazing to explore.
Laguna Chunyaxche is the largest lake in the area and has a perfect mix of land and water activities. There are Muyil Mayan Ruins, mangroves, and beaches.
This area is probably going to be way easier to explore than getting over to the Punta Allen side.
You can drive down to the Muyil Archeological Site and walk straight through it to get to Muyil Lagoon.
From there you can hire a boat to take you around the lagoon and also to the Laguna Chunyaxché.
This is where you will go through the mangroves of the Sian Kaan Biosphere and not out to the open sea.
The Punta Allen Side Of Sian Kaan
Punta Allen is the largest town in the Biosphere Reserve located on the southernmost tip of the Boca Paila Peninsula.
This town is technically in the Tulum Municipality and is only accessible by driving 31 miles/50 km down the Yucatan Peninsula.
The road takes you through the Tulum Hotel Zone and become very narrow once you have passed that area.
It is a dirt road with lots of rock and dips so it is not possible to get through it very quickly. We were in a large van and still felt every bump along the two-hour ride.
I would not recommend driving a standard vehicle on this road which is why we went with a tour company. If we were to go back on our own, we’d probably rent an SUV or truck to get there.
Punta Allen is a very small town with a population of under 1000 inhabitants. The town is around 6 to 7 streets wide and some are quite sandy.
It gets its electricity from a single generator that runs only for two periods (11 am – 2 pm and 7 pm to midnight). There are some restaurants and grocery stores.
What to Do in Sian Ka’an
Whether you’re seeking adventure, relaxation, or a cultural experience, Sian Ka’an has something for everyone.
Here are some of the best things to do in Sian Ka’an:
- Explore the Maya Ruins of Muyil: Discover the ancient city of Muyil, climb the main pyramid for panoramic jungle views, and hike through the surrounding jungle trails.
- Spot Wildlife on a Boat Tour: Embark on a guided boat tour to spot dolphins, manatees, crocodiles, and a variety of bird species in their natural habitat.
- Go Birdwatching in the Jungles: With over 350 species of birds, Sian Ka’an is a birdwatcher’s paradise. Grab your binoculars and explore the jungle trails to spot toucans, herons, and other colorful birds.
- Kayak through the Mangroves: Explore the intricate network of mangrove canals by kayak, a peaceful and intimate way to experience the biosphere’s unique ecosystem.
- Go Sport Fishing: Sian Ka’an is a popular destination for sport fishing enthusiasts. Cast your line into the Caribbean Sea for a chance to catch bonefish, tarpon, permit, and other prized game fish.
There are eco-tours that you can take through Sian Ka’an nature preserve that are well worth the experience.
The tour that I had booked included transportation from Playa del Carmen, a breakfast, and lunch.
On the tour we saw Bird Island, dolphins, a sea turtle, and while we tried to find a crocodile we were not lucky!
It was about a 3 hour boat ride that also gave us time to snorkel and get a glimpse of coral reefs and many species of fish.
We were also taken to a shallow area near the beach for some swimming in what felt like the most secluded spot in the Riviera Maya!
How To Explore Sian Ka’An
There are a few different ways to explore Sian Ka An. Our favorite way is to charter a boat tour through the waterways in the mangroves.
You can even get one that includes kayaking! This is a great way to get up close and personal with the area to truly feel like you’re seeing the area for what it really is.
If you don’t like boat rides you can also drive in select areas. Most of the Sian Ka’an is not open to the public.
The drive from Tulum to Punta Allen is 33.6 miles/54 km and will take around 2 hours to drive each way. Keep in mind that there are beaches along the drive.
Another way of exploring Sian Ka’An is by bicycle. This is not for everyone because it’s physically challenging and potentially dangerous if you’re not prepared.
The trip is almost 35.5 miles/57km from Tulum to Punta Allen Lighthouse – one way.
If this sounds like something that interests you we’d suggest breaking this trip into a couple of days to fully experience the area.
Bacalar, Quintana Roo – Details For Your Visit
Bacalar is located on the southern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula 22 miles/35km north of the Belize border and 333 km south of Cancun International Airport (CUN).
It is a small town that sits on Lake Bacalar (also known as the Lagoon of Seven Colors) which is a freshwater lake fed by underground rivers with a white limestone and sandy floor.
Bacalar has a population of around 13,000 people and was the first settlement of Spanish Conquistadors in 1543.
Here you will find many great hotels and Airbnb’s to stay at, some with a beautiful boho charm that is famed in the area.
Bacalar is a unique destination in that you will be swimming through freshwater. This beautiful small town is often referred to as the next Tulum.
How To Explore Bacalar
Most of the things to do in Bacalar are focused on the beautiful water in the Bacalar Lagoon and the cenotes that are found in the area.
There are also temple ruins in the area that are definitely worth the visit. Dzibanche and Kohunlich Ruins are around an hour from Bacalar and are able to be seen with a guided tour.
These ruins date to around 500 AD and could have been home to around 40,000 inhabitants. They are open from 9 am to 3 pm daily and cost around $70 MXN/$3.80 USD each.
If you’re looking for more adventurous activities there is the ever popular ziplining in the area as well. It costs $750MXN/$100 USD per person (minimum 2 people).
There are 5 zip lines that total 1500 meters. You’ll be able to see all 7 colors of the Bacalar Lagoon from an aerial perspective.
Plan to spend around 2 ¼ hours zipping through the air in the park.
Bacalar vs. Sian Ka’an – How to Choose
In our opinion, both Bacalar and Sian Ka’an offer an amazing off-the-beaten bath experience with a lower number of tourists crowding these destinations than some of the other popular areas up north.
One thing both places have in common is the natural beauty you will be presented with. They do differ in quite a dramatic way, though.
Visiting Bacalar is easy and can be done conveniently by renting a car and heading down on your own.
We did a quick Bacalar getaway with our toddler and had an amazing time exploring the town and the historic fort, eating at some very high-quality restaurants and taking advantage of a boat tour on the lagoon.
We even experienced floating down the rapids!
The only time we hired a tour was for the private boat on the lagoon. The rest of the time, we did everything on our own, at our own pace.
Having a rental car made it convenient for a fun family weekend.
The Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve requires a bit more of an adventurous traveler. We did not feel comfortable taking our 2 year-old daughter and trying to navigate the area on our own.
We do recommend getting a tour from where you’re staying in Playa del Carmen or Tulum, especially when traveling with small children.
Keep in mind that some tours do not allow small infants or children under 5.
Even if you want the challenge of staying in the small town of Punta Allen, you will still have to hire a tour that is allowed to take you into the reserve.
Personally, taking a day trip to Sian Kaan and having the pros deal with the drive to the area and arranging the boat ride would be the best way to visit.
When you book your next two-week trip to Mexico, I highly recommend visiting these off-the-beaten-track Mexican destinations for a unique perspective of the area.
Whether you are looking to dive into nature in Sian Kaan or laze on the lakes at Bacalar, you are in for a truly amazing Mexican vacation.
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