Playa del Carmen · SIAN KA’AN TOURS
18 tours reviewed
This is the shortlist for anyone with one free day: the 15 Sian ka’an tours from Playa del Carmen that are worth the drive, each with its price, its verdict from the people who went, and the one thing to know before you book.
Full-day Sian Ka’an adventure from Tulum with boat rides, wildlife spotting, lunch in Punta Allen, and snorkeling when conditions allow.
“Great knowledgeable guide lots of information. Boat ride was great fun lots of animals and plant. Highly recomend”
Tulum ruins plus a Sian Ka'an Muyil floating day: guided history, boat through mangroves, tacos lunch, snacks, and pickup from Tulum.
“Loved this tour. It really was all day but Alondra and Carlos were great guides! Ruins, tons of fascinating Mayan history, beach, local taco joint, cemetery and an amazing float down a “lazy river”. Highly recommend if you have the time!”
Float ancient Mayan canals in Sian Ka’an near Tulum, look for manatees and crocs, swim, and eat Mayan meals on a small group.
“Our guide Miguel was amazing! Very knowledgeable, passionate and open to any questions. We were lucky to have seen a crocodile and a group of manatees. Pickup went good and was right on time. The included breakfast and lunch was very nice as well.”
Guided Tulum ruins, then Sian Ka'an mangrove boat ride and canal float with lunch, small groups, and optional lazy river only.
“Claudio gave us an excellent tour of the Mayan buildings at Muyil and pointed out birds, flowers and trees too. We enjoyed a taco lunch before a fun boat trip across two lakes in the nature reserve and a very relaxing swim in the river. We really enjoyed the trip.”
Sunset sea kayaking in Sian Ka'an from Tulum, small group, English guides, mangroves, and bird spotting in UNESCO waters.
“one of the best experiences i’ve ever had. first we went snorkeling in an open cenote; afterwards we were taken kayaking, which was absolutely incredible. we learned about the different bird species living on the islands and caught the sunset. our amazing tour guides led us further out for some incredible views; we ended up kayaking back under the moon and stars. words and pictures cannot do the tour justice. just go!”
10-hour Sian Ka'an boat trip from Tulum with wildlife sightings, reef snorkeling if conditions allow, and beach lunch plus transfers.
“Martin & Nikita were the most informative tour guides. Not only were they extremely knowledgable about the flora and fauna of Sian Ka'an and Mexico in general, they shared great knowledge about the culture and lifestyle of Tulum to give you a whole new perspective. They also were sure to make sure we were safe and comfortable and shared snacks and water with us. We got to see so many different wildlife and the bluest water you've ever had the chance to swim in. Unfortunately we were not able to snorkel the coral reef as the water was too murky. But our guides and captain exhausted every option trying very…”
Early Sián Ka'an boat trip from Playa del Carmen with wildlife spotting, reef snorkeling, a natural pool swim, and a Punta Allen meal.
“Excellent guide, driver, and captains. Dolphins, a turtle, baby crocodiles, frigates, ospreys and nest, good snorkeling, good lunch. Highly recommended. Make sure you get the tour with less driving and more boat time. We drove less than 20 min from the biosphere entrance.”
Morning birdwatching in Sian Ka'an from Tulum with Eddy, jungle and Mayan ruins, and a included lunch, small-group style.
“The 52 species of birds we saw and Eddy as a guide. He clearly knows the local area and what one can expect to see given the season. The taco place we visited for brunch in Muyil was excellent, very flavourful and well made food. It would have been great to add one more spot perhaps, given the price, but overall definitely worth it! Eddy is a great guy and guide!”
Kayak the Sian Ka'an lagoons near Tulum on an early morning eco tour with Mayan guides, breakfast, lunch, and wildlife spotting.
“The tour was beautiful and so much fun. Javiert was an amazing host and gave us loads of ℹ️ rmation about the area and wildlife. The mayan canals were the highlight and getting to swim in the crystal clear waters 😍”
Small-group Sian Ka'an half-day from Tulum with wildlife spotting, boat tours, lunch, and snorkeling when conditions allow.
“If they can’t take you snorkeling (which happens very often!), then this trip essentially consists of 30 minutes of wildlife viewing and a lunch. We spent 3 hours in a van for transportation and another 2 hours just riding in a small boat. Stopped to view wildlife at several spots, amounting to maybe 30 or 45 minutes of viewing. Lunch is just OK. The guides were fantastic, the excursion was absolutely not.”
Private tour from Tulum to Tulum ruins and Sian Ka’an Muyil, lagoon boat float, tacos, and hotel pickup, about 6 hours.
“Great experience!! Joseline is amazing - she is knowledgeable, informative, and super fun!! We enjoyed a stress free outing; everything taken care of for us as we just learned about Tulum and the biosphere reserve. Highly recommend!”
Private Sian Kaan Muyil lazy river from Playa del Carmen, with Muyil ruins, mangrove boat ride, lunch, and a calm nature day.
“I am very happy I chose this trip to Muyil lagoon, its probably one of the prettiest outings I’ve done. Salvador was a great guide I would definitely do it again next time in Tulum”
Private full-day Sian Ka'an adventure from Tulum with early boat float through mangroves, Muyil ruins, lunch, and easy pickup.
“This tour was incredible! It was just my husband and I, with our guide Eli, who was the best. Eli was so knowledgeable about the Sian Ka'an area and Mayan history. We started early so we were the only people on the water, which I’ve never experienced before. The lagoon was absolutely beautiful and the float down Mexico’s only lazy river was absolutely magical. After Sian Ka'an, we went to the Muyil ruins which were breathtaking. We learned so much about Mayan history and culture. That was followed by delicious, authentic Mexican and Mayan style tacos. Also, Eli took the best photos for us! My husband and I have traveled…”
Float through Sian Ka’an canals and mangroves near Muyil, learn Mayan trade history, and spot wildlife on a calm, afternoon boat ride.
“This tour advertises visiting ruins, but it does not go there. The Sian canals are beautiful and definitely worth a visit but go with a tour takes you to everything you pay for. This was a very quick tour and it was the most expensive one we took while in Tulum, it was hard to understand why it was so expensive. There were also no snacks provided as it said, but the tour guide stopped at a taco shop on the way back and had us pay for his food and our own.”
Sian Ka'an Classic from Playa del Carmen: UNESCO reserve by boat, dolphins and turtles, snorkeling, Punta Allen pools, transfer included.
“Nothing much good to say. After being picked up, we made 5 more stops picking up people for the excursion, making the trip way too long. The van was crowded and uncomfortable. There were no changing rooms or rest rooms anywhere on the tour route. We did make a stop at a gas station and paid 10 pesos each to use the facilities. Not enough stops in what turned out to be a 10+ hour day. Also, too much time was spent traveling to get somewhere (either by van or boat) and not much time was spent exploring the reserve. Tour guide was advertised as speaking our language but everyone…”
