The mangrove channels
Turquoise water among the roots.
Kanché A.C. — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Hormiguita Viajera mir — CC BY 2.0 · Pierre-Selim Huard — CC BY 4.0 · Dennis G. Jarvis — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Dennis G. Jarvis — CC BY-SA 2.0
The Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve is a vast protected area in Quintana Roo, on the Caribbean coast south of Tulum. It covers 5,280 square kilometres of forest, wetland and lagoon, with a marine part that takes in a section of coral reef. Its Yucatec Maya name means gate of heaven. The reserve was set up in 1986 and became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. It holds some 23 known Maya archaeological sites, including Muyil. In places you can also find remains of an old railway that ran from 1905 to 1932. Conservation projects here have long worked with fishermen, farmers and local communities. Species lists include jaguar, puma, tapir, howler and spider monkeys, American and Morelet's crocodiles, and birds such as pelicans, flamingos and wood storks. Large mammals are rarely seen, though, and the usual picture is turquoise water among mangrove roots. Muyil has a slim pyramid in the forest, and boat trips into the channels start nearby. The mapped reserve point is about 44 km in a straight line south-west of Tulum. The easiest way in is from Muyil, while the road to Punta Allen is rough and in poor condition. Most visitors come on an organised tour from Tulum. Bring insect repellent, light long clothes and cash for fees.
Turquoise water among the roots.
A Maya pyramid in the forest.
Birds and crocodiles in the wetlands.
South of Tulum, Quintana Roo state
Not always, but most visitors come on a tour from Tulum, the easiest way into the channels.
It is recorded in the reserve but very rarely seen, and birds are far easier to spot.