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CONTENTS
MUYIL OR SIAN KA’AN ON THE SEA SIDE (PUNTA ALLEN): WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?
Before telling you about our day at Muyil and in the Sian Ka’an reserve, it’s important to understand that these are two different tours.
Muyil is the starting point for discovering the archaeological site and reaching the Chunyaxché lagoon, which is part of the Sian Ka’an reserve (land side). The second tour is on the sea side, leaving from Punta Allen, also in the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve. You can’t do both in the same day, especially since Punta Allen is reached by a dirt road in very bad condition: a tour operator isn’t mandatory, but you’re much better off going with a tour 😟.
In this article, we only talk about Muyil and the Sian Ka’an lagoon, which is a lot like Los Rápidos de Bacalar. We didn’t do the sea-side tour, because of its very high price…
📢 Good to know: the Muyil archaeological site was closed for about 19 months for INAH works, and it reopened on February 10, 2026, with 11 restored structures, and the sacbé and the Great Platform now open to visitors.
THE MAP OF OUR MEXICO ROAD TRIP 🗺️
To help you plan your itinerary, we’ve gathered every place from our 30-day road trip in Mexico 🇲🇽 on an interactive map: cenotes, Mayan sites, beaches and stopover towns, from Yucatán to Quintana Roo. Click on each pin to discover the place in detail 📍. And to keep it handy during your trip, open it in Google Maps: you’ll find it easily on your phone 📱.
Our itinerary
Our trip to Mexico
1 month8 stops2 states: Yucatán & Quintana RooCar + ferry to the islands
The stops, in order
- 1
Cancún
1 night
Arrival by plane, then last night before the flight home
- 2
Holbox
3 nights
Beaches, sunsets and a timeless vibe
- 3
Valladolid
5 nights
Suytun, Oxman, Ik Kil, Chichén Itzá, Ek Balam
- 4
Mérida
3 nights
Uxmal and the 3 cenotes of Cuzamá
- 5
Bacalar
5 nights
The lagoon of seven colors and its cenotes
- 6
Tulum
4 nights
Ruins, Coba, Sian Ka'an, Cenote Azul and Calavera
- 7
Cozumel
4 nights
Scuba diving and snorkeling
- 8
Isla Mujeres
3 nights
Jet skiing, beaches and the end of the road trip
OUR DAY AT MUYIL AND ON THE CHUNYAXCHÉ LAGOON 🤠
THE MUYIL ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE (REOPENED AFTER RENOVATIONS)
Like Chichén Itzá, Ek Balam or Uxmal, Muyil is a place steeped in history, an ancient Mayan port linked to the sea by canals. In 2021, entry cost us only 50 pesos (€3). We were offered a combo with the lagoon for 1,000 pesos more (€54): a sky-high price 😱. Our advice at the time: skip the package and go straight to the lagoon.
We enjoyed visiting the ruins, where we came across a huge tarantula 🕷️ and lots of monkeys 🐒. For the price, it was really nice to visit. Since the 2026 reopening, the site has been renovated, with a new welcome area, restrooms and trails.
THE SACBÉ, THE BOARDWALK AND THE OBSERVATION TOWER
Once you’ve seen the archaeological zone, head behind the “Castillo” temple. At the end of the path, a ticket booth marks the entrance to the “Nature Boardwalk,” which leads to the Chunyaxché lagoon. We paid 50 pesos per person to walk this trail entirely through the jungle 🌳, in the wild, among the marshes, where you’ll probably spot some coatis 😊.
After a 10-minute walk, we climbed to the top of a wooden observation tower, with a panoramic view over the jungle and the lagoon 👀. It wasn’t very well maintained, but if we did it, you can too! Its condition since the works hasn’t been confirmed: check on site. As for mosquitoes 🦟, there were very few.
FLOATING IN THE MAYAN CANALS OF SIAN KA’AN
Then it’s time to set off on an adventure on the Chunyaxché lagoon 👊. After 5 to 10 minutes of haggling in my broken Spanish, we managed to get the price down from 1,000 to 850 pesos per person (which I still found very expensive). Since there weren’t many people at that time of year, it was just the two of us on the boat 🛥️. That day, we met French travelers who’d had problems with their rental car: feel free to read my article on renting a car in Mexico to avoid scams.
This lagoon is very reminiscent of Bacalar: the water is just as beautiful and really makes you want to jump in 😍. You go through very narrow canals to reach the big lagoon, then the guide dropped us off at a spot from where we did 40 minutes of floating in the current. It’s the same thing as Los Rápidos de Bacalar, in a different setting, still somewhat spared from mass tourism 💥. You might see crocodiles 🐊; we didn’t. At the end, a wooden path takes you back to the boat.
Back to the starting point: it’s a fairly quick tour that gets expensive fast. Be sure to distinguish between the lagoon and the sea side; they’re two completely different tours.
HOW TO GET TO MUYIL FROM TULUM ⏳
The site is about 25 km south of Tulum, on Highway 307:
- By car 🚗: allow 25 to 30 minutes from Tulum, about 1¼ to 1½ hours from Playa del Carmen, 2 to 2¼ hours from Cancún and about 2¼ hours from Bacalar. We were staying in Tulum with our rental car. Don’t forget that Mexico is big: if you want to be free and independent on the road, a car is a great compromise.
- By bus 🚌: no ADO buses stop at Muyil. Your best bet is to take a colectivo heading south, which will drop you off at the entrance.
- By taxi 🚕: possible from Tulum, but it can get expensive fast 💰.
THE TWO ENTRANCES: THROUGH THE RUINS OR STRAIGHT TO THE BOATS
Parking at the archaeological site is free, but it’s then a 20- to 30-minute walk (ruins, then boardwalk) to the boats. A second entrance, a little farther south, leads straight to the dock, with parking for about 50 pesos.
👉 For us, the car was essential: it let us combine Muyil with the Tulum or Cobá ruins without depending on public transportation.
RENTING A CAR IN MEXICO 🚗
To explore Yucatán and Quintana Roo, we think a rental car is the best option: you’re free to string together cenotes, Mayan sites and beaches at your own pace, without depending on bus schedules or organized tours 🌴.
We did our whole one-month road trip by car, and everything went really well. Here’s the agency we used and recommend, plus an alternative if you’d rather compare 👇
Our rental tip
Renting a car in Mexico
The agency we used, and an alternative to compare.
TouraCancun
Car rental in Mexico
We rented with them for our whole road trip: we recommend them without hesitation!
Our budget€95028 days, insurance included · ~€34/day
- Tested for 1 month
- Pick-up in Cancún
- Our go-to in Mexico
DiscoverCars
Rental comparison site
To compare several rental companies in a single search.
Excellent rating290,000+ Trustpilot reviews
- 1,000+ rental companies compared
- Free cancellation
- 24/7 support
To compare before you choose
Good to know before you rent
- Third-party liability insurance is mandatoryIn Mexico, it's often not included in the price shown online: check before you pay.
- A deposit on a credit cardAn amount is held on your card for the whole rental. Bring a card with a high enough limit.
- Your French driving license is enoughIt's accepted for tourists. The international driving permit is optional: only if you want one.
- Photos and video at pick-upFilm the car from every angle when you collect it, to avoid any dispute when you return it.
- Filling up at the gas stationCheck that the pump meter is at zero before the attendant starts.
- Watch out for “topes”These speed bumps are everywhere, sometimes without a sign: slow down as you enter villages.
PRICES AND HOURS FOR MUYIL AND THE SIAN KA’AN CANALS ⏰
▶️ The Muyil archaeological site is open every day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (according to INAH). We went early in the morning, and that’s what we recommend.
- 🏛️ Muyil entry: 50 pesos when we visited in 2021; about 145 pesos today for foreign visitors (INAH rate, subject to change after the reopening).
- 🌳 Boardwalk (sacbé): 50 pesos in 2021, to be reconfirmed since the works.
- 🛥️ Boat and floating: we negotiated 850 pesos per person in 2021. Today, the price is reportedly about 1,000 pesos per person, in cash, now hardly negotiable, not counting the guide’s tip.
That’s a big budget for an activity that takes half a day. Bring cash: read our article Where to withdraw money in Mexico.
RULES AND PRACTICAL TIPS 🥰
As always in our articles, here are a few tips for visiting Muyil and the Sian Ka’an reserve:
- Entry to Muyil is still affordable, and parking at the site is free.
- In 2021, we haggled over the boat: it’s something I learned on this trip 😂. Today, prices seem more fixed.
- If you’ve done Los Rápidos de Bacalar, the lagoon tour is very similar.
- The observation tower is really unusual; you feel alone in the world (condition to be checked since the works).
- 🦺 A life jacket is mandatory while floating; the guide provides it.
- 🧴 Sunscreen is banned in the lagoon, even biodegradable: go for a UV shirt and a hat.
- 🦟 Bring bug spray for the boardwalk (apply it away from the water) and cash.
- The water is fresh and very pleasant; it’s so much better than seawater.
- The cost of the tour is still high for about 1.5 hours of activity.
- There’s no need to book this tour online.
MUYIL OR LOS RÁPIDOS DE BACALAR: WHICH ONE TO CHOOSE? 🤔
Both offer the same experience: drifting with the current in clear fresh water. Los Rápidos de Bacalar costs about 5 times less (about 200 pesos entry), with a restaurant and hammocks on site. Muyil adds the archaeological site, the jungle boardwalk and an even wilder setting, but for a much higher budget. If you’re passing through Bacalar, Los Rápidos is more than enough; if you’re staying in Tulum and not going farther south, Muyil is a nice option, especially since the ruins were renovated.
In Tulum, you can also cool off in a cenote like Cenote Calavera, or combine Cobá with Cenote Choo-Ha.
GO ON YOUR OWN OR ON AN ORGANIZED TOUR?
There are two completely different tours: the lagoon (land side) and the Sian Ka’an reserve on the sea side. For Muyil and the lagoon, there’s no need to book ahead: with a car, it’s all easy to arrange on site.
For the sea side (Punta Allen), the dirt road is in very bad condition and could damage your rental car: you’re much better off going on an organized tour, even if prices are high. If you’re not sure (there’s plenty of choice) 👇
OUR TAKE ON MUYIL AND THE SIAN KA’AN TOUR 💭
You’re starting to know me from my many articles: I try to be as transparent as possible with you, and the Sian Ka’an lagoon tour didn’t really live up to our expectations on our trip to Mexico ☹️. Muyil is worth doing; it’s very beautiful and above all very affordable, but the lagoon tour is very expensive for just 40 minutes of floating in the water. You get the same thing in Bacalar for 5 times less 😉.
I can’t compare it with the other, sea-side tour from Punta Allen since we didn’t do it, but I think the sea-side one is a wiser choice than this one. That said, the Sian Ka’an sea-side tour is much more expensive than the lagoon, so you need to figure out what suits you best. Still, it was a really lovely day, full of discovery and great shared moments. It’s up to you to decide if it’s right for you 🙃.
👉 Muyil and Sian Ka’an were part of our month-long road trip in Mexico. Itinerary, real budget, places to stay, cenotes and Mayan sites: we’ve gathered it all on our Mexico travel blog.
👉 What about you? What do you think of Muyil and the Sian Ka’an reserve?
FAQ: VISITING MUYIL AND SIAN KA’AN ❓
These are the questions people often ask before visiting Muyil. Feel free to ask yours in the comments, and I’ll add to this FAQ 💬.
When we visited in 2021, we paid 50 pesos. INAH now lists about 145 pesos for foreign visitors. This price may change after the 2026 reopening: check on site.
Yes. It was closed for about 19 months for renovations and reopened on February 10, 2026. It’s open every day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. according to INAH.
In 2021, we negotiated the boat down to 850 pesos per person. Today, expect about 1,000 pesos per person, in cash, hardly negotiable, not including the guide’s tip. This price may change.
No, you need a boat with a local guide to reach the floating canal. However, there’s no need to book a tour from Tulum: everything is sold on site.
Allow half a day. For us, the float lasted 40 minutes, and the whole boat activity about 1.5 hours, not counting the visit to the ruins.
We climbed it in 2021: it was made of wood and poorly maintained. Its condition since the 2026 works hasn’t been confirmed: ask on site.
The site is about 25 km south of Tulum, or 25 to 30 minutes by car on Highway 307. We went in a rental car. A colectivo heading south can also drop you off at the entrance.
No, sunscreen is banned in the lagoon, even biodegradable. Go for a UV shirt and a hat.
Yes, a life jacket is mandatory while floating, and the guide provides it.
Muyil is the lagoon side: Mayan ruins and floating, doable on your own in half a day. Punta Allen is the sea side: the dirt road is in very bad condition, so you’re better off on a tour, which is pricier. We didn’t do Punta Allen.
WHERE TO STAY IN MEXICO 🏨
During our one-month road trip in Mexico 🇲🇽, we stayed in 8 different towns, alternating between Airbnbs and hotels. And we were always very happy with where we stayed 😇.
We deliberately avoided “All Inclusive” packages. It’s not our idea of travel: we’d rather be in the heart of towns and villages, eat local and discover the country at our own pace 🌮.
OUR TIPS FOR CHOOSING THE RIGHT PLACE TO STAY
- 📅 Book ahead in high season: the best places go fast and prices climb.
- 🚗 Private or secure parking if you’re traveling with a rental car. You’ll see, it’s not always available, but depending on the town it can be really worth having.
- ❄️ Air conditioning: essential in Yucatán and Quintana Roo, where it’s hot all year round.
- 🏊 A pool: up to you whether you want one at some of your stays, because it can quickly push the price up.
- 📍 A place close to the center: so you can do everything on foot in the evening. That said, if you like places outside town and you have the car, nothing forces you to stay near the center
- ✅ Free cancellation, to keep your itinerary flexible.
AIRBNB OR HOTEL IN MEXICO?
Both have their advantages. An Airbnb is ideal for more space, a kitchen and living like a local. A hotel is more convenient for one or two nights passing through, with a reception desk and often breakfast included. As for us, we liked both. It all depends on what you want, whether you’re with family, solo or as a couple, and how you like to travel.
HOW MUCH DOES ACCOMMODATION COST IN MEXICO?
There’s something for every taste and every budget. We paid between €40 and €100 a night for two. To be completely transparent with you: €1,800 for 29 nights, or about €62 a night on average (that was in 2021, prices may have changed since).
👇 Here are the 8 places where we slept during our road trip, with our review of each one.
Tested during our road trip
Our 8 places to stay in Mexico
AirbnbHotel
-
AirbnbHolbox
An incredible room, with the pool right next door to cool off. Just perfect!
- Room
- Pool right next door
- Incredible room
- Hotel
Valladolid
A stunning setting and a super spacious room, ideal for catching your breath between two cenotes.
- Very spacious room
- Pool
- On-site massages
- Airbnb
Mérida
A whole house just for us, with a small pool to relax.
- Whole house
- Small pool
- A bit out of the way
- Hotel
Bacalar
A gorgeous place right in the town center, with a superb pool.
- Hotel
- Superb pool
- Town center, far from the lagoon
- Airbnb
Tulum
A whole place with a pool, but very far out: you'll need the car.
- Whole place
- Pool
- Far out, car essential
- Airbnb
Cozumel
A clean, well-located studio, so you can do everything on foot from the town center.
- Studio
- Clean and well designed
- Close to the center
- Hotel
Isla Mujeres
A beautiful seafront hotel with a magnificent pool.
- Hotel
- Magnificent pool
- Seafront, a bit out of the way
- Hotel
Cancún
Right next to the airport: perfect for the first or last night of the trip.
- Hotel
- Close to the airport
- Ideal for the 1st or last night
MY MUST-HAVE TRAVEL GEAR 🧳
It’s a question that comes up a lot when preparing a trip “What should I bring?” That’s why you’ll find below some essential travel accessories to set off on vacation with peace of mind (your documents kept safe) 🛡️ . Planning ahead and getting these items in advance helps you save money and avoid paying for some of them on the spot, where they’ll cost you much more 💸 These are the accessories we took to Mexico and still use for every destination we travel to 👇.
Our road trip checklist
What to pack for Mexico?
Most of these items came with us throughout our 30-day road trip.
0 / 12 in my suitcase · check what you already have
- Essential
ElectronicsUniversal travel adapter
In Mexico, outlets are the American type: French chargers won't fit.
- Essential
ElectronicsPower bank
Long days between ruins and cenotes: your phone lasts until evening.
- Essential
Health & protectionBiodegradable sunscreen
Mineral and biodegradable, kinder to cenotes and reefs.
- Essential
Health & protectionMosquito repellent
Mosquitoes are everywhere, especially in the evening and near the jungle.
- Essential
Cenotes & beachWaterproof phone pouch
To film in cenotes and at the beach without any risk.
- Recommended
Health & protectionFilter water bottle
Tap water isn't drinkable in Mexico: filter it and avoid plastic.
- Recommended
Health & protectionTravel first-aid kit
Band-aids, painkillers, anti-diarrhea meds: enough to handle small issues.
- Recommended
Cenotes & beachWaterproof bag
Papers and keys kept dry on boats, at the beach or by the cenotes.
- Recommended
Cenotes & beachWater shoes
For slippery cenote steps and rocky seabeds.
- Recommended
Cenotes & beachMicrofiber towel
Light and quick-drying: perfect for swim after swim.
- Bonus
Travel & securityTSA lock
To lock your suitcase on the plane, with no risk of it being broken at security.
- Bonus
Travel & securityAirTag
To track your suitcase if your luggage is delayed or lost.
OUR YOUTUBE VIDEOS IN MEXICO 
During our 30-day road trip in Mexico 
, we filmed everything! From Holbox to Cancún, by way of Valladolid, Mérida, Bacalar, Tulum, Cozumel and Isla Mujeres, we take you along with us step by step in our vlogs.
You’ll discover the cenotes we swam in, the Mayan sites we explored, the beaches that made us dream, our places to stay, our favorite spots to eat… and above all our honest take on each place: what amazed us, and what disappointed us a little 
.
If you’re planning your trip, or simply dreaming of getting away, these videos will give you a real glimpse of Mexico, far from the tourist brochures.
Our road trip on video
Our YouTube videos in Mexico
Now watching: Episode 1 · Discovering Mexico & Holbox
21 minEpisode 1Discovering Mexico & Holbox- 17 minEpisode 2Cenotes & Mayan cities
- 9 minEpisode 3Mérida, Uxmal, Cuzamá & the bats
- 13 minEpisode 4Bacalar, a hidden paradise
- 12 minEpisode 5Tulum, Coba, Sian Ka'an & Cenote Azul
- 12 minEpisode 6Cozumel, diving & snorkeling
- 17 minEpisode 7Isla Mujeres, jet skiing & the end of the road trip
21 min
17 min
9 min
13 min
12 min
12 min
17 minTHANKS FOR YOUR FEEDBACK
Thanks for reading this article all the way to the end 🙏! We hope it helps you plan your trip.
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