Half-Day Tour Discovering Sian Ka´an with Lunch
Recommended by 98% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Tulum, Mexico
- 6 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Explore our promoted experiences
Overview
Sian Ka´an Biosphere Reserve is beautiful but if you don’t have a boat, it can be hard to explore the area. This half-day tour with lunch from Tulum includes hotel pickup and drop-off, letting you head into the wetlands with a guide who knows how to navigate the water and avoid the crowds. Plus, you’ll enjoy the area’s wildlife, and get to snorkel and eat lunch at the beach, too.
- Travel into the Sian Ka´an wetlands in a boat driven safely by a guide
- A guide knows the areas of the wetlands that are less compacted by tourists
- Travel lightly—snorkeling equipment, snacks, lunch, and hotel pickup are provided
- Stop at Boca Paila to spot wildlife in its natural habitat
What's Included
- Boat with snorkeling equipment and life vest (mandatory)
- Fruits, water and snacks
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Tulum (revise confirmation email for pick up time)
- Local guide
- Lunch
- Gratuity
- Extra Transportation Fees (North of Tulum)
- +$10USD per person extra for pick-ups between Conrad Tulum by Hilton and Puerto Aventuras.
- +$20USD per person extra for pick-ups between Puerto Aventuras and Paradisus Playa del Carmen.
- +$30USD per person extra for pick-ups between Sandos Caracol PDC and Iberostar Gran Paraíso.
- +$40USD per person extra for pick-ups between Playa Maroma (Vidanta) and Cancun Airport Area.
- +$45USD per person extra for pick-ups between Cancun Airport Area and Cancun Downtown.
Meeting and Pickup
You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup
Operating hours.7:00 am
Itinerary
1
Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve
1 hour • Admission Ticket Included
2
Boca Paila
2 hours • Admission Ticket Free
3
Sian Ka'an
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- Only if necessary: Biodegradable Sun Screen & Biodegradable Mosquito Repellent.
- Comfortable Shoes; Extra T-Shirt; Camera; Towel; Hat.
- Cash (Most of the local vendors only accept cash).
- Children must be accompanied by an adult. Minimum age is 5 years old.
- Snorkeling is subject to weather conditions.
- If you display any of the following symptoms (fever, dry cough, tiredness, headaches, aches and pains), please refrain from joining the tour, contact us as soon as possible and look for medical assistance
- Forbidden for pregnant travelers
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.9
based on 258 reviews
Estela_M, Apr 2026
It was a great, unforgetable experience. Niko , our guide, gave a lot descriptions and explanations while sailing us around the biosphere . We could see the manatíes, lots of different species of birds, the mangroves We even reached the sea ..
Together with the captain of the boat they made a great team. The final stop at the cenote for some swim and for lunch was great, too..
Tiana_C, Mar 2026
Amazing experience! Super peaceful! Santi was such a great guide! Couldn’t snorkel due to the weather but went swimming in a cenote instead.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for your lovely feedback! We're happy to hear you had such a peaceful experience with Santi. Even though the weather didn’t allow snorkeling, we’re glad you still enjoyed the cenote. Nature always finds a way to surprise! Hope to see you again soon.
Julien_A, Mar 2026
This tour was really great thanks to our guide Santiago, that was friendly and spontaneous. He was very kind and engaging with everyone to share his love for nature. This tour was a great opportunity to disconnect from the outside world and to be away from the busy tourist tours.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for your thoughtful review! We're so glad you enjoyed disconnecting and immersing yourself in nature. Santiago will be very happy to hear your kind words—his passion for sharing the environment truly makes a difference. We hope to welcome you again!
Claire_G, Feb 2026
Excellent excursion, well worth doing. Kenya was a very knowledgeable guide and, together with the captain, did everything they could to ensure we saw as much wildlife as possible, including crocodiles. Wasn't possible to snorkel on the reef due to wind and waves but alternative stop provided, and then a good lunch next to an open cenote.
Very punctual pick up too.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for your lovely feedback! We're so glad you enjoyed the excursion and that Kenya and the captain made sure you had a great wildlife experience—even spotting crocodiles! Nature can sometimes change our plans, but we're happy you still enjoyed the alternative activities and lunch by the cenote. We hope to see you again soon!
Katherine_P, Feb 2026
Wow, what an incredible tour. I am honestly baffled why more people aren’t booking this. I get it’s not cheap, but you are booking to access an incredibly well protected piece of nature. The cost is well worth it.
Our tour guide Keniya, I probably have misspelled this, was an absolute fount of knowledge, and so passionate about her job, and the area. She knew where to look for particular birds, wildlife and was so excited when she saw something.
We saw an incredible range of birds which the area is famous for, we also got lucky with a few manatees and crocodiles. For me the highlight was the manatees as they are so rare.
Whilst we didn’t go snorkelling, this wasn’t the reason for my trip and I didn’t find this an issue as I had been snorkelling elsewhere on my holidays. So I wasn’t left disappointed.
I honestly think more people should book this tour, as at one point there was a chance it wouldn’t go ahead if there weren’t enough people and I would have been very sad to have missed this.
My only feedback to the company is that it would be great if they could include a GoPro camera on the boat to capture photos/videos of the manatees underwater which aren’t easy to photograph above water and consider this either as part of the tour price or a supplement.
Otherwise it was excellent.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Wow, thank you for such a thoughtful and detailed review! It truly means a lot. We're delighted that you appreciated the value of visiting such a protected natural area. Kenya will be thrilled to hear how much you enjoyed her passion and knowledge—it really makes each sighting even more special. Seeing manatees is definitely a rare highlight! We’d love to welcome you back for another unforgettable experience.
Chashah_J, Jan 2026
Very fun! Saw manatee noses, stingrays, a wide variety of fish and birds, ate a delicious lunch, and got home in time for a nap
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Your day sounds absolutely perfect—what a fun and fulfilling adventure! Spotting manatee noses, stingrays, and a variety of fish and birds must have been thrilling, and topping it off with a delicious lunch is the cherry on top. Getting home in time for a nap is the ideal way to cap off such an exciting day!
Thanks for sharing your joyful experience !
Sarah_F, Jun 2025
This was incredible! We saw manatees, dolphins, and sea turtles. The natural swimming pool was also so beautiful and blue, as was the view during lunch from Punta Allen. Our guide Kristina was so kind and knowledgeable and our boat captain was great too!
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Thank you so much for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear you had such an incredible experience spotting manatees, dolphins, and sea turtles — what a magical day! The natural swimming pool and Punta Allen view are truly unforgettable. We're also happy to hear Kristina and the boat captain helped make the day so special. We'll be sure to pass on your lovely feedback to them. Hope to see you again for another adventure soon!
Reda_N, Apr 2025
Amazing place with stunning views and wildlife would recommend as must when visiting Tulum and surroundimg areas
Response from Host, Apr 2025
We're glad you would recommend it as a must-visit when in Tulum and the surrounding areas. Your enthusiasm means a lot to us, and we hope to welcome you back soon!
Rebecca_F, Mar 2025
Amazing trip. Fantastic tour guide (Alondra) who was fun and knowledgeable. Adon and our boat captains were also wonderful at what they do. We saw so many animals (we were really lucky to see manatees, puffers, stingrays, crocs, and many bird species) and we learned a lot about the area and ecosystem. Unfortunately the weather wasn't good enough to snorkel the reef, but we had some snorkel time in the cenote after lunch instead. They also offered a veg/vegan option for lunch which was nice. It is a long day, so prepare accordingly (bathroom breaks are scarce and you may want to bring snacks). Our small group was positive and friendly, and we had lots of laughs. And according to Alondra, our good vibes allowed us to see more animals on the journey than they'd seen before in one trip. :D
This was one of the highlights of our vacation imo.
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Thank you so much for sharing your amazing experience with us! We're thrilled to hear that your trip was a highlight of your vacation.
Alondra's fun and knowledgeable guidance, along with Adon and the boat captains' expertise, clearly made the tour special. Seeing so many animals and learning about the ecosystem must have been incredible, and we're glad you had a great time despite the weather. The veg/vegan lunch option is a wonderful touch, and it's fantastic that your group had such positive energy.
Your feedback is greatly appreciated, and we’d love to have you join us for another adventure soon!
Vaibhav_T, Feb 2025
Exclusive and offbeat experience along the bio-reserve, which is a protected area. After a short drive from Tulum, we reached the site entrance. The backwater boat ride is amazing, with rare marine and bird sightings included as part of the tour.
Miguel, our guide, was wonderful and very knowledgeable - he explained the stories with minute details in a fun and engaging manner, making the experience unique and entertaining.
The cost may seem high (compared to other similar activities in Mexico), making this quite pricey and out of reach for most folks - probably due to the high boat permit/other charges levied by the Government. Nevertheless, the experience is refreshing.
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Thank you for sharing your experience!
We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the backwater boat ride and the incredible wildlife sightings. Miguel will be happy to know that his engaging storytelling made your tour both fun and informative. We understand that pricing can be a consideration, and we appreciate your understanding of the permit costs that help protect this beautiful ecosystem. We're glad you found the experience refreshing and hope to welcome you on another adventure soon!
Anna_C, Feb 2025
I read reviews that made this sounds great. I’d say it’s just okay. We saw the manatees but it’s really just their noses coming up for air. There’s an interesting Maya spot and a cenote but you stay in the boat to look at them. Our boat captain was great. We saw some cool birds- a pink spoonbill- and a crocodile. The surf was too rough for snorkeling so we walked around the beach for 20 minutes. Cute little shells and coral. Tons of garbage- really makes me think about all the garbage we all produce. We are all part of the problem. The road was very bad and people with back problems or car sickness should not go. The lunch was great on a little cenote.
Response from Host, Feb 2025
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us. We appreciate your feedback and are glad to hear that you enjoyed seeing the manatees, the Maya spot, and the cenote, even if it was from the boat. We're also happy to know that you found the birds and crocodile sightings interesting, and that you enjoyed the beach walk and the lunch at the cenote.
We understand that the tour might not have met all your expectations, and we apologize for any inconvenience caused by the rough surf preventing snorkeling and the condition of the road. Your concerns about the garbage are shared by us, and we are committed to promoting responsible tourism and environmental conservation.
Your feedback is valuable to us as we continually strive to improve our services. We hope to have the opportunity to serve you again in the future and provide a more satisfying experience.
Arpit_M, Feb 2025
It was the highlight of our Mexico trip so far. We did not want the boat ride to end. The views of the water were breathtaking.
I was scared to snorkel since I can’t swim but Miguel, our guide, was super helpful. He helped me snorkel in the cenote and the views of fish in the depths of the water were magical.
If you are contemplating this trip, do make this tour a part of your experience. It is worth every last dollar!
Response from Host, Feb 2025
Thank you so much for sharing your incredible experience with us! We're thrilled to hear that the boat ride and snorkeling adventure were highlights of your trip to Mexico.
It's fantastic to know that Miguel was able to help you overcome your fear and enjoy snorkeling in the cenote. The views of the fish must have been truly magical!
Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we're glad you found the tour worth every dollar.
See you soon !
Jay_C, Feb 2025
Alondra our guide was wonderful, friendly, knowledgeable and accommodating to all our group’s needs. It was a lot of time on very calm water. Our Mayan boat captain not only operated the boat expertly but instinctively spotted every living creature we saw from many, many birds to crocodiles and manatees. Our driver Aurelio navigated the bumpy roads with great skill. Our lunch with our fellow international travelers was very good in a beautiful location next to center and lagoon. I recommend this trip if you want to see nature and a great example of Mexicans preserving this unique mangrove ecosystem for the future of all.
Response from Host, Feb 2025
Thank you so much for your positive feedback! We're thrilled to hear that you had a wonderful experience with Alondra as your guide. It's great to know that she was friendly, knowledgeable, and accommodating to all your group's needs.
It sounds like you had a fantastic time on the calm water, and it's impressive that your Mayan boat captain expertly operated the boat and spotted so many living creatures, including birds, crocodiles, and manatees. We're also glad to hear that Aurelio navigated the bumpy roads with great skill.
The lunch with your fellow international travelers in a beautiful location next to the cenote and lagoon sounds delightful. We appreciate your recommendation and are glad to hear that you found the trip to be a great example of Mexicans preserving the unique mangrove ecosystem for the future.
Qinglin_M, Jan 2025
It was an enjoyable boat tour. We saw manatee, crocodiles, birds and swam in the Caribbean Sea. The tour was run on time and the guide spoke English. It was fun. The lunch was skinny. Eat a big breakfast.
Response from Host, Feb 2025
Thank you for your feedback! We're glad to hear that you enjoyed the boat tour and had the opportunity to see manatees, crocodiles, birds, and swim in the Caribbean Sea. It's great to know that the tour ran on time and that the guide spoke English, making the experience fun and accessible.
We appreciate your note about the lunch and will take that into consideration for future improvements. Thank you for the suggestion to eat a big breakfast before the tour.
Wish you the best.
Anna_C, Aug 2024
One of the best experiences we had during our vacation in Mexico!
It was an amazing half-day trip.
The driver took us directly from our hotel in Riviera Maya, and we formed a group of 7 people. Niko, the guide, was very professional and friendly. We took a boat trip through the lagoon and the ocean, we swam and we snorkeled. We had the possibility to observe a lot of endemic animals (manatees, crocodiles, birds and fishes) and a great variety of corals. After the trip we had a simple but great tasting lunch in a beautiful location just in front of a cenote.
Response from Host, Sep 2024
Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience with us! We're thrilled to hear that this was one of the best experiences you had during your vacation in Mexico. It's great to know that you enjoyed the half-day trip, the convenience of hotel pickup, and the small group size. We're glad that Niko, your guide, was professional and friendly, and that you had the opportunity to observe endemic animals and corals while swimming and snorkeling. We're also pleased to hear that you enjoyed the lunch in a beautiful location by the cenote.
Andy_M, Aug 2024
Great to see all the wildlife manatees, dolphins , crocodile and various birds the guides, Jessica and felipe were great and very knowledgeable
Response from Host, Aug 2024
Thank you Andy. We're glad to hear that you enjoyed seeing all the wildlife, including manatees, dolphins, crocodiles, and various birds! It's great to know that your guides, Jessica and Felipe, were fantastic and very knowledgeable. Thank you for your feedback.
Lizzie_J, Apr 2024
We had a great time with Mexico Kan Tours. We were picked up at our resort which we appreciated because it was a long drive to Tulum. We were lucky enough to have good weather for snorkeling. Lea was our guide and she was awesome, she gave a multi-lingual tour in English, German, and Spanish and helped us identify birds and fish. We also saw manatees and crocodiles. Lunch and snacks were yummy and homemade. They also had plenty of drinking water. Be warned that the campground we stopped at for bathrooms/lunch does not have running water and is quite rustic. We really enjoyed this tour.
Response from Host, May 2024
Thank you for sharing your positive experience with us. We're glad that we could provide you with a convenient pick-up service from your resort. It's great to hear that the weather cooperated for your snorkeling adventure. We're particularly pleased that Lea, our guide, provided a multi-lingual tour that enhanced your experience. Seeing manatees and crocodiles must have been exciting! We're also happy to hear that you enjoyed the homemade lunch and snacks, and appreciated the availability of drinking water. We understand that the campground is rustic, but we're glad you were able to embrace the adventure. Thank you for choosing Mexico Kan Tours to visit Sian Kaan.
Lori_G, Apr 2024
Pablo was a great guide. We were traveling with our son and his family, teenagers that are 14 and 16. The lagoon was memorable.... very peaceful. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Tulum
Response from Host, May 2024
Thank you Lori for your kind words about Pablo and the tour! We're glad to hear that you and your family had a great time and that the lagoon was a memorable experience. It's always a pleasure to hear that our guides are able to provide a positive and enjoyable experience for all ages. We hope to see you again in the future!
Jeff_P, Mar 2024
One of the best trips in the area. So fun, beautiful and educational. The guides were great. Luigi and Cesar were fun and had a lot of great information to share.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
We're thrilled to hear that you had such a fantastic experience on our trip! Luigi and Cesar are indeed exceptional guides, and we're glad they were able to make your journey enjoyable, beautiful, and educational. Thank you for choosing our half day tour to sian kaan !
Ruth_G, Jan 2024
Aloandra (Sky) guide was great! The trip started late because a bus broke down. It was too rough to go snorkeling, and lunch took too long. It would have been nice to hang out in the deserted beach or at lunch.
Response from Host, Jan 2024
Hi ruth !
Thank you for sharing your feedback about your recent tour experience with Mexico Kan Tours. We appreciate your honest review and apologize for any inconvenience you may have experienced during the trip.
We're glad to hear that you found Alondra to be a great guide. However, we sincerely apologize for the delays and disruptions you encountered, such as the late start due to a broken-down bus, the challenging snorkeling conditions, and the extended lunch duration.
We understand that these factors may have affected your overall experience, and we're committed to addressing these issues to ensure a smoother and more enjoyable tour for future guests. Your feedback is valuable, and we will use it to improve our services.
We appreciate your understanding and hope that, despite these challenges, there were still elements of the tour that you found enjoyable. If there's anything specific you'd like to share or discuss further, please feel free to reach out to us directly.
Thank you for choosing Mexico Kan Tours, and we hope to have the opportunity to provide you with a more seamless experience in the future.
Albert_P, Nov 2023
Ursula was a great guide. Super friendly and energetic. Tour was interesting but probably would have been just as good in 4 hours with a little less waiting to see animals that we didn’t see. Sad that reef is almost dead but saw a beautiful manta rey.
Response from Host, Dec 2023
Hi Albert !
Thank you for your feedback.
We are glad you had a nice time with our guide !
Indeed Coral Reef is dying and we intend to raise awareness about it during our tours. The animals are in their natural habitat and so we cannot guarantee you'll see all of them although our captains try to take the time to find them when they are shy. Happy to read you could spot a Manta Rey !
Wish you the best,
Steele_c, Nov 2023
A fantastic adventure that we’d highly recommend. Small group of 6 guests do not some 30 plus hoard of folks. Our guide, Macarena was informative and fun, we’d do this again in a second!!
Response from Host, Dec 2023
Hi,
Thank you so much for recommending us, it means a lot!
tamara_B, Aug 2023
Pablo did an amazing job showing us the area and the natural preserve. We saw baby sea turtles, birds, crocodile, manatee and amazing fish in the coral reef. Pablo was very personable and knowledgeable about the geology, the animals and the preserve. We finished up with an awesome lunch right on the beach. I would highly recommend this tour with Pablo.
Response from Host, Aug 2023
Hi Tamara,
Glad to hear you had a blast at Sian Ka´an! Thank you for recommending us and our guide! Hope to see you soon on another tour!
Adle_M, May 2023
Very expressive tour for nothing really impressive… it was nothing exceptional nor really beautiful. First is a tour in the biosphere were we search for manatee. We saw manatee, but only the mouth coming up from the water, we cannot see the animal since the water is not clear. Then We saw a crocodile in the mangrove which was really nice, and some birds. There you go a bit closer to the mangrove in narrower paths. After the weather was great and we could go the the reef for snorkeling. There the water is really turquoise. We saw some lobsters and a few fish, but not so much.. not the best reef I have seen. Then we stopped at a beach where there is the intersection between the sea and biosphere, but we were wondering why we stopped there, it was not really beautiful. Seems to be more a time to spend time before lunch than anything else … lunch was ok, they offer some nachos (no desserts included).
Response from Host, Jun 2023
Hi,
We have been investigating and we cannot find any booking from you. What you are describing does not reflect the experience we offer. Please reach out to us to info@mexicokantours.com with more details. We strongly believe that you did not experience our business.
Vivek_K, Dec 2022
Most memorable parts were watching animals and birds in the wild. We saw manatees, crocodiles, several birds and great mangroves. Our tour guide Felipe was very informative and made sure he kept us all interested and pointed to us several facets of the reserve. He even simultaneously ensured that the French speaking people in our tour also were kept in the loop by doing translations to english and french and vice versa. The boat ride was excellent.
Snorkeling was part of the package but that was cancelled last minute as the sea was rough. We instead went to a Cenote in Tulum which was good. However had we known that the snorkeling was subject to the weather and had a high likelihood of cancellation, we might have chosen a different tour.
However we have to mention that the lunch provided as part of this tour was extremely poor. We ordered the vegetarian option and as part of that, we were provided boiled vegetables. The other people in our group were given fresh fish, beans and rice and we had to explicitly ask for rice and even then we were provided with a very small quantity. Had we known this we would have packed our own lunch for this tour. To further make things worse, all the members of our group fell sick the next day (some of us fell violently ill).
I would also say that the price is quite high for this tour. This tour is over priced but we decided to go ahead with this because this was one of the very few ways to access the biosphere reserve.
Response from Host, Dec 2022
Hi Vivek,
Thank you very much for your feedback !
We are sorry you didn't see on the description of the tour that snorkeling is subject to weather conditions. For future customers : please read carefully the description. The snorkeling activity is not included in the price of the tour and is a bonus if weather allows to do it. It depends on the wind and waves.
We are really sorry the food did not reach your expectations and we will do our best to improve the vegetarian options.
We are glad that overall you had a great day with our guide and could view a lot of wildlife and enjoy the cenote you went to as a compensation.
Kind regards.
Carlos_M, Jan 2022
A must experience in the Rivera Maya, the Sian Ka’an reserve is true natural wonder, the road is bumpy and long but deserves the effort. Great tour operator and guide ( Karen) she had full knowledge, kind and funny great person.
Response from Host, Jan 2022
Thank you Carlos for this awesome review,
We are delighted to read that you had an amazing experience with Mexico Kan Tours in Sian Kaan Nature Reserve. The road is indeed bumpy but I agree, it's worth it!
Enjoy the rest of your travels and please come again for another adventure.
Anais_M, Sep 2023
Super expérience grâce à Lea Victor et Obet. Des très bonnes explications qui permettent d’en apprendre plus sur les magnifiques paysages traversés pendant l’excursion. J’étais la seule personne du groupe a parler français et Lea m’a tout traduit. Je recommande de passer par Mexico Kan Tours pour visiter la réserve de Sian ka’an.
Response from Host, Sep 2023
Merci Anaïs! Nos guides sont à la fois experts et passionnées et nous proposons des excursions en petits groupes afin d'avoir un suivi personnalisé tout au long de la journée. Nous sommes ravis d'entendre que vous avez profité de cette journée comme il se doit. Bonne continuation Anaïs :)
Likely to Sell Out
From $204.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
Compare Similar Experiences
Current
Likely to Sell Out
Half-Day Tour Discovering Sian Ka´an with Lunch
258
6 hours
Free Cancellation
From
$204.00
Customers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought
Attractions in Tulum, Mexico
- Cenotes Sac Actun Tours & Tickets
- Quintana Roo Tours & Tickets
- Muyil Tours & Tickets
- Casa Cenote Tours & Tickets
- Cenote Dos Ojos Tours & Tickets
- Mayan Ruins of Coba (Zona Arqueológica de Cobá) Tours & Tickets
- Xel-Há Tours & Tickets
- Cenote Nohoch Nah Chich Tours & Tickets
- Punta Laguna Nature Reserve (Otoch Ma'ax Yetel Kooh) Tours & Tickets
- Playa Paraiso Tours & Tickets
- Tulum Archeological Site Tours & Tickets
- Tankah Park Tours & Tickets
- Grand Cenote (Gran Cenote) Tours & Tickets