Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve

The Sian Ka'an Tulum Biosphere Reserve is the largest protected area in the Mexican Caribbean and occupies approximately 650,000 hectares along 120 kilometers of the coast between the municipalities of Tulum and Felipe Carrillo Puerto.

It includes beaches, dunes, cenotes, mangrove canals, a lay river, coral reefs and a tropical jungle and is home to more than 300 species of birds and over 1,000 species of plants and 100 species of animals. Sian Ka'an means "where the sky is born" in Mayan and was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987.

You can explore the reserve by car, by boat or even by bicycle. There are also several guided tours available, so you can learn about the ecology and history of the reserve.

Dolphins, turtles, jaguars, howler monkeys, butterflies and birds live within a landscape that mixes beaches, fresh water lagoons, coral reefs and tropical jungle.

Sian Ka’an Tour

For those seeking to explore this ecological haven effortlessly, Serendipity Travel Experiences offers a guided Sian Ka'an tour. The tour is full of history, allowing visitors to gain a deeper understanding of its significance for the preservation of the Caribbean flora and fauna. It is perfect for nature enthusiasts and even just for curious ones about the region's rich heritage.

The estimated population of Sian Ka'an is 2,000 inhabitants, most of whom live on the coast, mainly in the fishing villages of Punta Allen and Punta Herrero. Each year, more and more people visit the reserve.

Keep in mind that this place has a special focus on conservation and environmental protection. So while you tour Sian Ka'an, you’re also a part of the efforts to maintain an ecological balance and ensure the sustainability of the reserve.

There are 23 archeological sites inside the reserve. The oldest dates back to the 5th century AD. The largest ruins is Muyil, which was an important point on the Mayan trade route. It has a spectacular lagoon of the same name and a lookout point from where you can photograph the lagoon and the Caribbean Sea. The main lagoons of the reserve are Muyil, Sunyaxché and Boca Paila. There is still an old shallow water channel built by the Mayas in pre-Hispanic times that exits into the sea.

Tours of Sian Ka’an Tulum can be half day or full day experiences that can include boating, floating and even fresh caught fish lunch with the locals. It’s a magical experience where you’ll get to see manatees, sea turtles, dolphins and even infamous crocodiles living under Pablo Escobar’s bridge.

To learn more about our Sian Ka'an tour options, visit the Experiences page on our website.