Tulum: Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve Ancient Maya Canals Tour

Experience the wonders of Sian Ka’an, just minutes from Tulum! Discover an ancient canal through four ecosystems while supporting our sustainable Mayan cooperative and community well-being. Join us!
Just minutes away from Tulum, in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sian Ka’an, an exciting and genuine experience awaits you, inviting you to discover an ancient canal that runs through four different ecosystems. As part of a Mayan cooperative dedicated to a sustainable economy, our tours promote local benefits and environmental education for our Mayan partners and the community.

Enjoy breathtaking scenery, cool off in the crystal-clear waters of the canal, and cruise our boats into Boca Paila estuary. Start your day with a delightful breakfast at our restaurant, featuring dishes made with fresh, local ingredients.
Activities start early, at approximately 6:50 a.m. (our booking staff will confirm the time upon reservation). We will pick you up at your hotel and take you to our offices in Tulum before continuing to Muyil, where the adventure begins. You'll be welcomed at our Mayan palapa, the heart of our cooperative, dedicated to preserving the culture and traditions of the community. From there, we will take you to the embarkation point, where you will board one of our boats with up to 11 companions (divided into two boats), two captains, and an expert nature guide. Our boats accommodate a maximum of 6 people, ensuring a more intimate and personalized experience.

During the tour, you will cross an ancestral aquatic route within the Sian Ka'an Reserve, once used by the Mayas in their canoes, connecting the Caribbean Sea with the community of Muyil. You will visit four important lagoons: Muyil, Chunyaxché, Capelchén, and Boca Paila, all linked by channels of fresh, brackish, and salty waters due to their proximity to the Caribbean Sea.

You’ll have the opportunity to observe a remarkable variety of aquatic birds. At the heart of the reserve lies the Mayan temple of Xlapak, an ancient astral observatory and customs base for the Mayan trade route, enriched with incredible stories shared by our guide. Here, you can also dive into the canal from the Xlapak dock and enjoy a 30-to-45-minute contemplative floating experience on a beautiful 950-meter journey surrounded by orchids, bromeliads, and mangroves.

The adventure continues to ‘Chan Muelle,’ where you’ll take the boat again to visit Capelchén lagoon, with chances to observe manatees and crocodiles in their natural habitat. To conclude your experience, we will take you to Boca Paila, where you can appreciate the extraordinary meeting of lagoon waters with the Caribbean Sea and enjoy the pristine beauty of the virgin beaches in the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve.

By choosing our tour, you not only enjoy a unique experience in paradise but also contribute to the sustainable development of the Mayan community and the conservation of the environment. We can't wait to welcome you!

To guarantee availability book as soon as possible. Early booking is worth consideration especially if you planning the trip during high season like public holidays or weekends.

This excursion you can cancel with no cost up to 24 hours before the start of the trip. If you cancel it after 24 hours or not show up on the excursion you will still be charged the full price of the activity. Being late on pick-up or departure will be considered as not showing up.