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🙋 Note for solo travellers : Feel free to contact us, we may have an available spot on dates that are already shown as fully booked on the calendar.

🙋 Nota para los viajeros solitarios : No dudes en contactarnos, es posible que nos quede un espacio disponible en fechas que ya se muestran llenas en el calendario.

Sian Ka’an Tour

(108 Reviews)

Discover the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest protected natural area in the Caribbean. Located south of Tulum, this 650,000 hectare reserve is known for its stunning landscapes, diverse wildlife, and crystal clear waters.

On this tour, you’ll be guided by a local and certified expert who will take you on a unique “marine safari” adventure through the breathtaking surroundings of the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve.

you sail through the waters on a small boat, you’ll have the opportunity to observe a variety of wildlife, including dolphins, sea turtles, crocodiles and various species of birds. If sea conditions permit, you’ll also have the chance to snorkel on the second largest reef in the world.

After an action-packed morning of exploring and discovering the natural wonders of the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, you’ll have the chance to relax and unwind in the crystal clear waters of Punta Allen’s natural pools.

And to top off your day of adventure, you’ll be treated to a delicious lunch in the fishing village, where you can savor local flavors and soak up the laid-back atmosphere of this charming and picturesque community.

  • Local certified guides ! 🇪🇸 🇬🇧 🇫🇷
  • Enjoy breathtaking wildlife: Dolphins, Turtles, Crocodiles, Birds, Stingrays...
  • Tour in collaboration with local boat cooperatives
  • Free cancellation up to 48 hours before the tour

Photos

Sian Ka'an tours

Sian Ka'an Map

Tour itinerary

Punta Allen is the only village in the Sian Ka’an Biosphere reserve and off the coast of Punta Allen is where most activities take place. The distance from the reserve entrance to Punta Allen is approximately 45 kilometers.

We will board the boat at a midway point between the biosphere entrance and the village, after 1 hour and 20 minutes driving from the entrance of the biosphere.

map sian ka'an

About the tour

  • Full Day tour
  • Small group of 12 people
  • Everyday
  • Pickup and drop off at your hotel or meeting point
  • Minimum age is 3

Price Includes

  • Roundtrip transportation from your hotel or meeting point
  • Light snack on the morning
  • Certified guide: English, French & Spanish 🇫🇷 🇬🇧 🇪🇸
  • Crocodiles watching at Boca Paila
  • Boat ride
  • Drinks on board the boat (Water, Beers, Sodas)
  • Birds, Dolphins & Turtles watching
  • Snorkeling on the reef (ONLY if sea conditions are good)
  • Snorkeling gear (fins, mask & snorkel)
  • Natural pools
  • Lunch & drinks
  • Walk through Punta Allen
  • Federal Tax INCLUDED

Price Excludes

  • Tips
  • Any Private Expenses Occured

Booking & Payment

  • Price per adult: $160 USD
  • Price per child: $150 USD

A 20% deposit is required to book the tour and must be paid online.

The balance must be paid in cash (USD, Euros, or Pesos MXN) on the day of the tour. We do not accept credit card payments.

Children’s prices apply to ages 3 to 11.

Start & Finish time

Our early morning departure allows us to be among the first to arrive on site and enjoy the serenity of the biosphere.

  • Playa Del Carmen area : IncludedPickup at your hotel or meeting point around 5:10am and drop-off around 5:00pm
  • Akumal area : IncludedPickup at your hotel or meeting point around 6:00am and drop-off around 4:30pm
  • Tulum Downtown, La Veleta & Aldea Zama : IncludedPickup at your hotel or meeting point if your hotel is too far from the main roads, around 6:20am and drop-off around 4:00pm
  • Tulum Hotel Zone : IncludedPickup at your hotel around 6:40am and drop-off around 3:30pm

What I should know ?

  • Please bring the following items: swimsuit, towel, change of clothes, flip flops, a hat, and sunglasses.
  • Pregnant women and children under 3 years old are not allowed on this tour. The tour is also not recommended for individuals with back problems or prone to motion sickness as the road leading to the boat is bumpy
  • IMPORTANT: The proper conduct of the snorkeling activity depends on weather & sea conditions. Only the captain of our boat can give the go-ahead when we arrive on the reef. Several factors are considered, such as currents, wind direction and speed, swell, and underwater visibility. It is generally not possible for us to predict the cancellation of snorkeling the day before and thus inform our participants that the activity will not be possible; only the boat cooperative and its captains take the decision on the morning of the tour or at the moment, depending on sea conditions. Please note that no refunds, even partial, will be given if the snorkeling activity is not carried out. Please consider snorkeling as a "bonus" that will be conducted ONLY if conditions permit and with the captain's go-ahead. The rest of the activities, such as animal observation, Bird Island, or natural pools, are always carried out normally.
  • The travel time from the end of the hotel zone in Tulum to the boat boarding point is approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes (subject to road conditions). This journey is on a bumpy dirt track, which should be considered if you have health issues or suffer from motion sickness. The excursion is not recommended for people with motion sickness or back problems.

Video

Your expert guides !

Experience an unforgettable day in Sian Ka’an with our expert guides specialized in the biosphere.

Our guides at Pixan Riviera are fluent in English, Spanish, and French. They will accompany and guide you throughout the day with joy and good humor.

Alongside them, discover all the facets of Sian Ka’an, from animal observation to snorkeling on the reef and relaxation in the natural pools.

pixan ka'an guide
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Sian Ka'an Tour: Itinerary

1.Pickup at your Hotel

On the morning of the tour, we will pick you up at your hotel or Airbnb and transport you to Sian Ka’an via the Tulum hotel area.

2.Crocodiles

The first stop of our trip will be at the Boca Paila bridge to observe the crocodiles. These impressive reptiles come to sunbathe under the Boca Paila bridge. The perfect place to spot them.

Sian Ka'an crocodiles

Sian Ka'an crocodiles

3.Boarding the boat

You will board the boat after an hour and 20 minute-long van drive (aproximately) from the entrance of the biosphere. We will take place on a small speedboat for a 3 hour ride. An unforgettable adventure to discover the wonders of Sian Ka’an.

Sian Ka'an boat tour

sian ka'an boat tour

4.Birds Island

Just before arriving in the Punta Allen area, we will visit the bird island, San Juan. A small island that is home to a dozen species of birds.

Birds Island in Sian Ka'an

Birds in Sian Ka'an

5.Dolphins and Turtles observation

Once we arrive at the area between the lagoon and sea, our guide will start looking for the dolphins. They will naturally come visit, and play close to our boat, this is a very special moment! Afterwards, we will go to another area to spot the turtles.

Dolphin watching in Sian Ka'an

Turtle in Sian Ka'an

6.Snorkeling on the coral reef

Twenty to thirty minutes in the water snorkeling, enjoying the beautiful reef and observing colorful fish and coral formations. Note: Snorkeling activity depends on sea conditions.

7.Relax in the natural pools

Then, we will head to the natural swimming pools in Punta Allen for picture taking moments and well-deserved downtime. You can walk hundreds of meters in the crystal clear waters and soak in all of the magnificent beauty.

Sian Ka'an natural pools

8.Lunch at Punta Allen

Enjoy a delicious lunch in Punta Allen. Lunch includes meat, fish, vegetarian, gluten- free and vegan options. If you are requesting the vegetarian, gluten-free, or vegan option, please let us know during your booking.

Drinks included with your meal are water, soft drinks or a beer.

9.Punta Allen

Afterwards, we will take a short walk around Punta Allen which is a small fishing village. We will then head back on the boat and get one last glimpse of all of the spectacular wildlife, before boarding the van to head back to your hotel.

Walk in Punta Allen

Punta Allen

What should I bring to the Sian Ka'an Tour ?

Flip Flops

To be more confortable.

Sunscreen is forbidden

To avoid damage to the reef while snorkeling.

Hat / Sunglasses / Long sleeves t-shirt

To protect yourself from the sun.

Swimsuit

Have your swimsuit on you before pickup.

FAQ about our Sian Ka'an tour

How can I pay ?

A 20% deposit is required to book the tour and must be paid online with a Visa or Mastercard. The balance, including tax, must be paid in cash (USD, Euros, or Pesos MXN) on the day of the tour.

Please note that we do not accept credit card payments and there are no ATMs in Sian Ka’an, so please plan to bring enough cash. The balance must be paid directly to the guide in cash. Thank you.

I've heard that there is an entrance fee for the nature reserve. Is this true?

Yes, a tax must be paid to enter the Sian Ka’an nature reserve. This also applies to all nature reserves in Mexico. This tax is a contribution to the protection of the area. But don’t worry about it, the tax is already included in our rate!

Will I be picked up at my hotel?

Transportation is included from the vast majority of hotels and Airbnbs in Tulum and Playa Del Carmen. Refer to this map to find out if pick-up is included at your accommodation.

What happens if I have to cancel ?

Your deposit will be fully refunded if you cancel at least 48 hours in advance. You can cancel for any reason by sending us an email or Whatsapp.

Here are the details of our cancellation policies :

*Cancellation made at least 48 hours before pickup time:
Full refund of the deposit.

*Cancellation made between 48 hours and 24 hours before pickup time:
No refund of the deposit and 25% of the remaining amount will be charged.

*Cancellation made between 24 hours and 12 hours before pickup time:
No refund of the deposit and 50% of the remaining amount will be charged.

*Cancellation within 12 hours before pickup time or no show:
No refund of the deposit and 100% of the remaining amount will be charged.

What is the size of the group?

To ensure a high-quality and intimate experience, our tour groups are limited to a maximum of 12 people. Most of the time, the group is divided into 2 boats of 6 people. Depending on the availability of the fishermen cooperative, we can also have a single 12-seater boat.

I'm Vegetarian or Vegan, do you have an option for me ?

Yes we do! We offer a range of dining options to accommodate different dietary needs and preferences. We have vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options available for lunch. If you have any specific dietary requirements, please let us know during the booking process so that we can make the necessary arrangements.

Is everything included?

Everything is included in the tour price, except for tips, which are not required but appreciated.

I have my own car, can I meet you directly in Sian Ka'an ?

Unfortunately, the option to meet at the biosphere is not available for this tour. There is limited parking in the area and no phone service, so if you have trouble finding the meeting point, it will not be possible to contact us for assistance. Just a reminder, both pick-up and drop-off are covered in the rate. We provide transportation from the majority of hotels and Airbnbs in Playa Del Carmen and Tulum.

We offer a private self-driving tour option for those who have their own car. Click here →

Snorkeling activity - What I should know ?

We have snorkeling gear available for children ages 3 and up. Children between the ages of 3 and 7 must be accompanied in the water by an adult. For the safety of our participants and to protect the reef, it is mandatory that all individuals wear life jackets while snorkeling. If you are uncomfortable in the water even while wearing a life jacket, you can request assistance from the guide or choose to stay on the boat.

Please note that the ability to go snorkeling depends on the weather conditions on the day of the tour. While we do our best to plan for optimal conditions, we cannot control Mother Nature and the final decision to go snorkeling will be made by the captain.

Why choose Pixan Ka'an?

authentic

AUTHENTIC

Authentic tours exploring the Sian Ka’an biosphere, its wildlife and its natural treasures.

ethic

EQUITABLE

Fair and equitable compensation for the guides, drivers, and captains at your service.

direct

EXPERIENCE DESIGNER

Pixan Ka’an creates its own experiences, without intermediaries.

small group

INTIMATE

Visits filled with cheer, off the beaten path on the Sian Ka’an biosphere, and far from mass tourism.

108 Reviews
Sort By:RatingDate

Tom L.

Couple Traveller

Very interesting trip to the Sian Ka’an biosphere with this company. Everything was great, the guide very interesting, we saw many dolphins and birds. Watching crocodiles is impressive. Tour recommended 100%!

7 April 2024

Patrick E.

Couple Traveller

We loved our day in Sian Ka’an, from the beginning to the end it was perfect. Animals, nature, snorkeling and relaxing time for a great day.

6 April 2024

Daniel C.

Couple Traveller

Sian Ka’an is a biosphere located south of Tulum where we were staying. Organisation is great as they picked us up at our hotel in the morning. The guide explained everything about the reserve on the way to the boat boarding point. During our boat trip, we saw many animals and dolphins next to our boat. Snorkeling on the reef was amazing too Thank you!

5 April 2024

Beatrice R.

Couple Traveller
5 April 2024

Laurine P.

Couple Traveller

We enjoyed our tour in Sian Ka’an, the guide was perfect and explained a lot. The boat tour was great, the snorkeling activity too. Natural pools in Punta Allen are like paradisiacal beaches. A perfect day!

4 April 2024
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