Tulum: Sian Kaan Muyil Floating Canals & Lagoons

The Canals the Mayans Built Still Hold Water, and You Float Through Them

You get picked up at your hotel, taken to Sian Kaan biosphere reserve, and float through canals the Mayans built centuries ago while a local guide points out the wildlife and history. Park entry, the boat ride, water, and transport back are all included. The whole thing takes a few hours and keeps groups to six people, so it never feels crowded.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Muyil lagoons and canals

• Travel to Muyil lagoons
• Float in fresh water Mayan canals
• Relax surrounded by peaceful nature

The experience

Most people who visit Tulum never leave the beach. They don't know that forty minutes inland, in a UNESCO biosphere reserve called Sian Kaan (which means "place where the sky is born" in Mayan). There are lagoons so quiet you can hear the water lap against the boat. The canals you float through were dug by hand centuries ago, and the water is fresh, not salt. Your guide, who grew up here and has been taking people through since the operation started in 1988, will point out the mangrove tunnels and the birds that nest in them, and you'll realize you've somehow ended up in one of the few corners of the Riviera Maya that feels untouched.

The day starts with pickup from your hotel or Airbnb in Tulum: no driving yourself, no figuring out which lagoon is which. You'll head to Muyil, the main site, where a short boat ride takes you into the reserve itself. The floating through the canals is the thing: you're not hiking, not climbing, not standing in a line. You're sitting in a boat, moving slowly through water the Mayans engineered, surrounded by jungle that hasn't changed much since they left. A moderate amount of walking happens before and after the boat ride, so wear shoes you don't mind getting wet, but the pace is easy. Groups stay small, six people maximum, which is why only about 5% of visitors to the area ever make it here.

The whole experience takes a few hours, and it includes the park entry fee, the boat, the guide, and bottled water. There's also an environmental management charge (the reef tax) built in, which goes toward protecting the biosphere. You're not paying extra at the gate or tipping for things that should have been included. The guide speaks Spanish and English, knows the reserve like his own backyard, and won't rush you through it. If you're traveling with small children, strollers work on the paths, and infant seats are available for the boat.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel or Airbnb pickup from Tulum, transport to Sian Kaan biosphere reserve, entry to the national park, a boat ride through the Mayan-built canals at Muyil, bottled water and other beverages, the environmental management charge, and return transport to your accommodation. A local guide leads the entire experience.

Information

Lasts 3h–5h, runs every day at 08:30 and 13:30, from US$ 170 per person, with a live guide in English, Spanish, Italian and Swedish, in groups of up to 12 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:30 and 13:30Another time? ›

GroupUp to 122 private ›

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, Italian and SwedishOther languages ›

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Book up to12h before

AgesUp to age 80

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats available

Operated by Tulum Diving and Travel

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see a part of the Riviera Maya that most tourists skip and prefer floating through history to hiking through crowds. The small group size and fixed itinerary mean you don't have to arrange transport, park tickets, or timing. The guide handles all of it.

Traveler reviews

4.67★★★★★★★★★★

49 verified traveler reviews

5 ★42

4 ★3

3 ★1

2 ★1

1 ★2

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, Italian and Swedish.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long is the Sian Kaan Muyil tour from Tulum?

The full experience takes a few hours, including hotel pickup, the boat ride through the canals, and return transport.

What's included in the price?

Hotel pickup, national park fees, the boat ride, bottled water, beverages, the environmental management charge, and a local guide. All taxes and handling charges are included.

Is this tour suitable for children?

Yes. Infants can ride in a stroller on the paths, and specialized infant seats are available for the boat. A moderate amount of walking is involved, so comfortable shoes are recommended.

How many people go on this tour?

Groups are capped at 6 people per booking. A minimum of 2 people is required to book.

What is Sian Kaan?

Sian Kaan is Mexico's second-largest biosphere reserve and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The name means "place where the sky is born" in Mayan. The canals you float through were built by the Mayans centuries ago.

Do I need to be fit for this tour?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels. There's a moderate amount of walking on the paths, but the main experience, floating through the canals, requires no physical exertion.

What should I wear?

Wear comfortable shoes you don't mind getting wet, as there's walking on the paths and you may get splashed on the boat. Bring sunscreen and a hat.