Lorry Perkins
Writer, Travel Blogger
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Spend an Amazing Day at the Sian Ka’an Biosphere
I’d have to rate this as one of my top 5 favorite excursions in Riviera Maya, Mexico. We traveled in a comfortable air-conditioned tour bus to a seemingly untouched area in Mexico called the Sian Ka’an Biosphere. Some say that Sian Ka’an translates to the words “gate of heaven” or a “place where heaven begins.” According to the Mayans, it means “origin of the sky”. No matter what you call it, it is an amazing expanse of clear blue water and natural habitat for more than 300 species of birds and tropical forests that feels like God’s country.
Sian Ka’an Tours | Explore Sian Ka’an
This extraordinary excursion to the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve was through Cancun Adventures, which I highly recommend. They are a top-notch tour company that strives for excellence and guest satisfaction. www.cancun-adventure.com The excursion included transportation, any entrance fee, a boat tour, a tour guide, lunch, and our trip back to the resort.
Disclosure: This post may include affiliate links. If you click on a link to make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no cost to you.
Ancient City of Muyil Ruins
First, we stopped at the ancient Mayan city of Muyil, which dates back to 350 BC. According to Wikipedia, Muyil was one of the earliest and longest-inhabited ancient Maya sites on the eastern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula. It is located approximately 15 kilometers south of the coastal site of Tulum, in the Municipality of Felipe Carrillo Puerto in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico.
Float Down a Mangrove River in Sian Ka’an
We then boarded motorboats that took us through the waters to a mangrove river, where we suited up for our float. Unbeknownst to us, we were expected to thread our legs through the armholes of a life jacket, thereby wearing it like a floating diaper. We looked silly, for sure, but it was an ingenious idea to buoy oneself enough to float in a seated position through this amazing and refreshing (read that as chilly) waterway. I brought my iPhone with me in a waterproof pouch, carefully slid it out, and held on to it for dear life while snapping a few photos. A fellow traveler offered to take a photo of my husband and me. He seemed responsible, so I took him up on the offer. Thanks to him, I now possess photo evidence to prove we were there.
Visiting Sian Ka’an | A Walk Though the Biosphere
You can’t help but be in the moment when you are soaking in an experience like this. After the float, we hiked a short way on a boardwalk that was literally in the middle of nowhere. It felt like we were walking through an endless prairie surrounded by an enormous blue sky. We felt small compared to the expanse of land and water around us. This diverse environment is home to many plants, animals, marine life, and all kinds of resident and migratory bird species. The protected area spans many miles, so endangered species are protected by the vast landscape and hidden in the natural beauty of the tropical forest and immense sea.
Lunch in Tulum
We had worked up an appetite by now, so we boarded the tour bus back to Tulum for lunch. A scenic ride through Tulum, an artsy town full of boutique hotels and restaurants, ended up at a beach restaurant with delicious food and drink. After lunch, we rested in beach chairs, soaking in the amazing combination of pristine sand and water that Tulum offers. Tulum is known for having one of the best beaches in Mexico. They had to peel us away from the beach when it was time to leave. We drove back through the town of Tulum, vowing to come back and visit again someday. For more about this tour, go to www.cancun-adventure.com
Jeep Ride to the Biosphere – Another Option to visit Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve
Watch this video of the Jeep ride we took to the biosphere on a previous excursion. Once we arrived, we went by foot and by boat to experience the untouched marine world that lives in this vast real estate of water. Here’s a clip of the bumpy ride and our fearless driver, my husband, enjoying the heck of driving this Jeep in the jungle. Watch it until the end, and you will see a glimpse of the entry to the biosphere. Funny story, all of the guests on this excursion spoke German except for us, and the couple you see briefly in the video in the back of the Jeep spoke Spanish. The tour guides were fantastic because they spoke all of these languages and never once made us feel like we were outsiders.
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[…] and travel tips. Once you have chosen your resort, add an exciting excursion. For example, tour the Sian Ka’an biosphere or spend an amazing day at Xenses. Need some tips to save a few dinero for your trip? […]
[…] crystal clear waters of underground rivers with an up-close view of stalagmites and stalactites. Spend an amazing day at the Sian Ka’an biosphere. Jump 15 feet into a cenote, zipline above the jungle or across the sea, or ride ATVs. Indulge your […]
Our plan with my boyfriend is to visit Central and South America, including Mexico upcoming summer (hopefully without Covid restrictions). Floating down the Mangrove River sounds like so much fun, I think we will go for it. We love this kind of stuff. Thanks a lot for these recommendations.
You will love it! But remember, the water is chilly! Enjoy!
I’ve heard so much about Tulum, but I’ve never heard of Sian Kaan biosphere – learned a lot by reading your post <3
I have never heard of the Sian Ka’an Biosphere on our many visits to Mexico. Good to read this is in your top 5! Certainly a much more calming and tranquil experience than many you find in the heavy tourist areas. Going by jeep might add another fun element to this fun experience. Something to remember for our next Mexico visit.
These all sound like so much fun. So much to do in the area, you are spoilt for choice.
Haven’t made it to Mexico yet but can’t wait. Tulum will definitely be one of the places I’ll go to and Sian Ka’an Biosphere seems like a great place to explore. Definitely would want to visit the mangrove river!
[…] can read more about excursions to the Sian Ka’an biosphere here. Watch this video below of our bumpy ride through the jungle to the biosphere, where we then parked […]
[…] like to travel by Jeep, You may be interested in our Jeep tour to the Sian Ka’an Biosphere. Read more about this excursion in which we traveled once by boat and the other by Jeep and watch the video of the Jeep ride […]