Kayaking in Sisal from Merida: Mangroves and beach

The mangroves here are entered by kayak, not by boardwalk.

A full-day kayaking and beach tour from Merida to Sisal, a Magic Town on the Yucatan coast, with a certified bilingual guide. You paddle a kayak or traditional chalana boat through mangrove reserves to observe birds and pink flamingos, cool off in the Eye of Carbonera Water (a coastal spring), then spend three hours on Sisal beach. Transport from Merida, seasonal fruit and water during the tour, and a fridge-stocked van are included. Food on the beach is your choice from local restaurants.

Step-by-step itinerary

Sisal mangrove and beach tour

• Meet at the office early
• Stop to buy water and snacks
• Travel 1.5 hours to Sisal
• Enter mangroves by motorcycle taxi
• Explore mangroves by boat or kayak
• Observe birds and pink flamingos
• Visit Eye of Carbonera Water spring
• Enjoy natural waters and seasonal fruit
• Relax 3 hours at the beach
• Eat at a recommended restaurant
• Swim and take photos at the beach
• Return 1.5 hours to Merida
• End tour at the original meeting point

The experience

The day starts at 8 a.m. at the Colibrí Travels office in Merida. You'll stop at a store to buy water and snacks, then travel ninety minutes to Sisal. Once there, a motorcycle taxi takes you into the mangrove reserve, the traditional transport of the region, before you board a kayak or chalana (a motorless boat) to paddle through the wetlands. The guide points out endemic bird species and pink flamingos as you move through the water. The mangrove section lasts up to two and a half hours.

After the kayaking, you visit the Eye of Carbonera Water, a coastal spring where you can swim and cool off. Natural water and seasonal fruit are provided during this part of the tour. Then you head to Sisal beach for a three-hour break: time to eat at one of the beachfront restaurants (the guide recommends options), swim, photograph, and walk the shoreline. The return journey to Merida takes another ninety minutes, with arrival between 5 and 5:30 p.m.

The tour runs in bilingual vans (Spanish and English speakers together), with a certified guide for the entire day. Modern, air-conditioned vans keep you comfortable during the drive, and the fridge on board holds cold drinks for the road. Colibrí Travels meets stated times and pickup locations, and the company is based in central Merida with labeled units and an office, so support is straightforward before, during, and after the tour.

What’s included

• Certified bilingual guide (Spanish and English).
• kayak or chalana boat for the mangrove tour.
• transportation from Merida in an air-conditioned van with a fridge.
• seasonal fruit and natural water during the tour.
• access to the Eye of Carbonera Water spring.

Before you book

Days and timesFriday to SundayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (12 to 59 years) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 19

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical levelStroller friendlyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Viajes Colibrí Yucatán TOURS

Is this one for you?The van pickup from Merida settles the transport question if you don't have a car or are staying elsewhere in the city. You board at the office in the center and travel with other kayakers, keeping the cost shared and the logistics simple.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 11 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What birds will I see if I kayak the mangroves near Sisal?

Pink flamingos and endemic bird species live in the mangrove reserve. The certified guide points them out as you paddle through the wetlands during the kayaking portion of the tour.

How long do I spend kayaking versus on the beach?

The mangrove kayaking lasts up to two and a half hours, including time at the coastal spring. The beach portion is three hours, giving you time to eat, swim and explore Sisal's shoreline.

Does the tour include meals?

Food is not included. On the beach, several restaurants offer meals and the guide can recommend options based on what you're looking for. Water and seasonal fruit are provided during the mangrove and spring portions of the tour.

How do I get picked up if I'm staying in Merida?

Hotel pickup from Merida is included. The tour meets at the Colibrí Travels office in central Merida at 8 a.m., and it's recommended to arrive a few minutes early since boarding order follows arrival order.

What is the Eye of Carbonera Water?

The Eye of Carbonera Water is a coastal spring in the Sisal reserve where you can swim and cool off after kayaking the mangroves. It's a natural freshwater pool fed by an underground spring.