Things To Do in Tulum, Punta Allen and Sian Ka'an
Tulum, Punta Allen and Sian Ka'an Attractions
Just past Tulum’s last cabaña hotel is the entrance arch to the vast (526,000-hectare/1.3-million-acre) Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve. This inexpressibly beautiful tract of wild land is the domain of howler monkeys, ocelots, crocodiles, jaguars, tapirs, sea turtles, and thousands of species of plants. The Mexican government created this reserve in 1986; the following year, the United Nations declared it a World Heritage Site. Sian Ka’an protects 10% of Quintana Roo’s landmass, including almost one-third of the Caribbean coastline, from development. Another 319,000 hectares (788,300 acres) of land was added to the reserve in 2010.
The entrance to the Punta Allen Peninsula, a small portion of the reserve, is one of two main entrances to the reserve; the other is from the community of Muyil off Hwy. 307 south of Tulum, where you take a boat down canals built by the Maya to the Boca Paila lagoon.
Legends still swirl about the 4 hours it takes to drive the 50km (31 miles) over potholes, ruts, and rivulets to the town of Punta Allen at road’s end. In fact, the road has been much improved, though it is still dirt, still pockmarked to varying degrees, and subject to weather-related conditions. During the spring of 2014, I made it all the way in 1.5 hours, including a few photo stops. Earlier that year, however, heavy rains closed the road completely. Ask several locals about the road conditions, and give yourself plenty of time no matter what they say. It can be tempting to drive as fast as the locals in four-wheel drive vehicles, leaving you in a cloud of dust, but they know where the next patch of deep ruts is located. Take your time and enjoy the scenery. If you plan on reaching Punta Allen on a day trip, head out early and return way before dark—it’s nearly impossible to see once the sun sets. Bring more water than you think you could possibly need and pesos in small denominations, and make sure you have plenty of gas and oil. If you don’t fancy yourself a road warrior, you can drive through the entrance arch in Tulum (entry 25 pesos per person) and continue south about 4km (2[bf]1/2 miles) to where a beach comes into view, pull over, and spread out your beach towel.
Entry fee at guard station 56 pesos.
The entrance to the Punta Allen Peninsula, a small portion of the reserve, is one of two main entrances to the reserve; the other is from the community of Muyil off Hwy. 307 south of Tulum, where you take a boat down canals built by the Maya to the Boca Paila lagoon.
Legends still swirl about the 4 hours it takes to drive the 50km (31 miles) over potholes, ruts, and rivulets to the town of Punta Allen at road’s end. In fact, the road has been much improved, though it is still dirt, still pockmarked to varying degrees, and subject to weather-related conditions. During the spring of 2014, I made it all the way in 1.5 hours, including a few photo stops. Earlier that year, however, heavy rains closed the road completely. Ask several locals about the road conditions, and give yourself plenty of time no matter what they say. It can be tempting to drive as fast as the locals in four-wheel drive vehicles, leaving you in a cloud of dust, but they know where the next patch of deep ruts is located. Take your time and enjoy the scenery. If you plan on reaching Punta Allen on a day trip, head out early and return way before dark—it’s nearly impossible to see once the sun sets. Bring more water than you think you could possibly need and pesos in small denominations, and make sure you have plenty of gas and oil. If you don’t fancy yourself a road warrior, you can drive through the entrance arch in Tulum (entry 25 pesos per person) and continue south about 4km (2[bf]1/2 miles) to where a beach comes into view, pull over, and spread out your beach towel.
Entry fee at guard station 56 pesos.
- Natural Attraction
Gran Cenote
Divers are especially fond of this aptly named bottomless, crystal-clear cenote leading to caverns that seem to have no end. Snorkelers can follow the dive lights into caves close to the surface and see fantastic stalactites and stalagmites. Since it’s off the main highway, this… - Natural Attraction
Manatí
The large, open lagoon near Casa Cenote restaurant is part of a long underwater cave system that ends at the sea. Freshwater bubbling up into ocean waters creates significant but not dangerous currents that attract a great variety of saltwater and freshwater fish. The cenote was… - Tour
Maya Ka’an
Cultural tours in the Riviera Maya have long concentrated on established archeological sites and visits to Maya communities that have been groomed and amplified to provide education and entertainment for groups. An organization formed in 2014 aims to expand that focus. Several Maya… - Natural Attraction
The Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve
Maya life in ancient times remains essentially a mystery, but there's no wondering why they named this land Sian Ka'an (see-an caan), Mayan for "where the sky is born." Sunrise here truly is like witnessing the birth of a day. The reserve encompasses most of the ecosystems that exist…Tulum
- Historic Site
Tulum Ruins
Thirteen kilometers (8 miles) south of Xel-Ha are the ruins of Tulum, a Maya fortress-city on a cliff above the sea. By a.d. 900, the end of the Classic period, Maya civilization had begun its decline, and the large cities to the south were abandoned. Tulum is one of the small…
