Muyil Ruins and Floating Canals Through the Sian Ka’an Biosphere
In this post, I want to tell you about the fantastic day I spent on my own (as usual) visiting the spectacular Muyil ruins and floating in the lagoon at Sian Ka’an Biosphere—one of the most beautiful and peaceful experiences I’ve had around Tulum.
Before it became a popular site, a friend of mine discovered this place while on vacation with his family. I was living in Cancun at the time, and after he told me about it, I decided to follow his steps and check it out. I had no idea it would turn into such a special day.
I always try to visit popular places, but I also love finding spots that not everyone writes about—less crowded, more peaceful, and just as beautiful. Muyil is one of those places. It’s close to Tulum, easy to visit on your own, and totally worth adding to your trip if you’re in the area.
🏛️ What Is Muyil and Why Is It Special?
Muyil is one of the oldest and most important ancient Mayan sites on the eastern Yucatán Peninsula, but hardly anyone talks about it. That’s part of its charm. It’s located just 20 km south of Tulum, right at the edge of the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve.
The ruins sit near two lagoons—Muyil and Chunyaxché—which were connected by a network of canals built by the Mayans to move goods between inland settlements and the Caribbean coast, all the way down to what is now Belize. These canals are still there, and you can float through them just like the Mayans used to paddle through with their canoes. That blew my mind.
Architecturally, Muyil is built in the Petén style, which is more common in Guatemala (think Tikal), with steep pyramid-like structures and clean lines. It’s believed the area was occupied as early as 300 BCE and remained an active trading hub for centuries.
Despite its historical importance, Muyil is barely promoted—so you often have the whole place (or almost) to yourself, which is rare when visiting Mayan ruins in Mexico. That alone makes it worth the trip.
At the moment I am writing this post the site is closed for renovation, but you can still book your tour to visit the canals.
🥾 Exploring the Muyil Archaeological Site
My little adventure started at the Muyil ruins, and I honestly didn’t expect to be so captivated. The site is small, quiet, and tucked away in the jungle—but that’s exactly what makes it so special. The temples are incredibly well preserved, and there’s this peaceful energy all around. No crowds, no vendors, just the sound of nature and the feeling of walking through something ancient.
All the structures are connected by a white stone path, kind of like a sacbé—the traditional Mayan roads. You walk under tall trees surrounded by thick vegetation, and it really feels like the jungle is slowly taking back the ruins. It’s wild and beautiful.
What surprised me most? No mosquitoes. I swear they always find me, especially in humid areas like this. Maybe I was too mesmerized to notice—or maybe they decided to let me enjoy my mystical moment in peace.
As I am updating this post, I don’t remember in what time of the year I went but if it’s summer I am sure you will also be in company of famish mosquitos, so be prepared.
📸 Photography tips
The light is beautiful in the morning when the sun filters through the trees. The main pyramid is super photogenic, and the white path adds a nice contrast to the greenery. I didn’t fly a drone, but it’s always good to double-check the rules if you’re planning to bring one.
🧗 Accessibility
The site is relatively easy to walk through, but the path is uneven in some places and there are a few steps. It’s not suitable for wheelchairs, and sturdy shoes are a good idea.
🕘 Opening hours: Daily from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. I suggest arriving early to enjoy the cooler temps and soft morning light.
🌊 Floating Through the Muyil Lagoon in Sian Ka’an
After wandering around the ruins and taking way too many photos, I followed the signs to the Sian Ka’an Biosphere. It’s just a short walk from the archaeological site—about two minutes down a dirt road on the left. You’ll see the sign; it’s hard to miss.
And there it was: the Muyil lagoon, shining with all its shades of blue and green. Just standing there and looking out over the water felt like a reset for my brain.
At the shore, a few local guides from certified community associations offer boat tours. They take turns, so at the time, you didn’t need to book in advance—but now you do. At the time, these tours were part of a conservation effort, so the place wasn’t overly commercialized.
Now, it’s still quite off the beaten path but they are more structured and you need to book in advance at the shops that you find on the main road in front of the road to the lagoon. You can’t miss them. It’s best to book in advance so to make sure there is availability.
I chose the short tour, which lasts about two hours. We took a boat across the lagoon, passed through ancient Mayan canals, and reached a second river. That’s where the real magic started.
They gave me a life jacket (mandatory), and I jumped in to float down the natural canal. The water was so clear and shallow that my feet could touch the bottom most of the time. I just let myself go, floating between mangroves in complete silence, imagining Mayan canoes gliding in the same spot hundreds of years ago.
It was peaceful, surreal, and totally unforgettable.
🐦 Wildlife note: You might spot herons, iguanas, tropical birds, and maybe even a manatee if you’re lucky. The mangroves are full of life, and it’s a paradise for birdwatchers.
🌱 Sustainability tip: These tours are 100% locally managed. By joining one, you’re directly supporting the community and helping protect this UNESCO site, which covers over 528,000 hectares of wetlands, mangroves, cenotes, and even part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef.
🧗 Accessibility: Getting in and out of the boat and floating canal requires basic mobility. The path back after the float is a wooden boardwalk through the marsh—flat but not wheelchair-friendly.
💳 Valuables: Make sure you bring the essentials with you; avoid big cameras, credit cards, docs, and jewelry. Also, you can get a small drybag to keep your valuables with you while floating. To Be on the safe side, get 2, one into the other, for extra safety.
💸 Practical Info: Costs, Tour Options & What to Bring
You can book your tour directly with the official site of the local community. They speak English too.
- Duration: About 5 hours
- Includes: Everything in the short tour, plus more lagoons, beach time, and a deeper exploration of the Biosphere
- Cost: 2980 MXN (~140 USD) per person, max 6 person per boat.
🕗 Operating hours: They can pick you up from your hotel.
🎒 What to Bring
- Swimsuit (wear it under your clothes)
- Towel
- Water shoes or sandals with good grip
- Biodegradable sunscreen
- Hat & sunglasses
- Plenty of water
WATER-TO-GO FILTER BOTTLE
✔ kills 99.99% of bacteria of all sorts, illness-causing contaminants, including those as small as a virus, pesticides and nitrates, heavy metals…
✔ available in different shapes sizes and colors
✔ easy to use
✔ three month shelf life in total
✔ Better protection for you and the planet. The filter replaces 400 plastic bottles, and the bottle is made from sugarcane.
- Light snacks
- Dry bag for phone and valuables (if you want to take pics while floating)
- Bug spray (just in case, even though I didn’t need it!)
🕐The dry season (November to April) is more comfortable, but you can go year-round. Just check the forecast—rain can cancel or delay tours.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
- Transportation from your hotel to the Old Canal.
- Native Guide (Mayan, Spanish, English, Italian and French).
- Lifevest.
- Lockers to store your belongings during the activity.
- Box lunch and light lunch to be active at the end of the activity.
- Entrance bracelets to the Sian Ka’an biosphere reserve, visit to the community museum.
- visit to the archaeological site of Muyil and boat ride through the lagoons, floating channel.
🗺️ How to Get to Muyil from Tulum (With or Without a Tour)
🚗 By Car (Easiest Option)
If you’re driving, it couldn’t be simpler. From the center of Tulum, just head south on Highway 307 (the main road that goes toward Bacalar and Chetumal). In about 20 minutes (roughly 20 km), you’ll see a sign for Muyil on the left. There’s parking near the entrance to the ruins.
This is the most flexible option—especially if you want to visit the cenotes afterward or take your time.
🚕 By Taxi
You can grab a taxi in Tulum, and it’s a good idea to negotiate a round-trip price before you go. Most drivers are used to this trip, so they’ll either wait or agree on a time to pick you up.
💬 Tip: Make sure you confirm the total cost and return time before getting in the car and don’t pay everything in advance.
🚌 By Colectivo (Budget Option)
You can catch a colectivo heading south toward Felipe Carrillo Puerto or Bacalar. Tell the driver you want to stop at Muyil ruins, and they’ll drop you on the side of the highway. From there, it’s just a short walk in.
It’s cheap, but keep in mind:
- No fixed schedule
- Can be tricky to get a colectivo back if you’re returning late in the day
- Not ideal if you’re trying to coordinate with a boat tour
👣 Guided Tours from Tulum
To visit the ruins, you can go on your own, but to get on the boat through the ancient canals, you will need to join an organized tour unless you want to hire a boat just for yourself and your party.
So I would recommend contacting the official site to book. if you are staying in Tulum, they can come and pick you up from your hotel. However, having your own car will give you the freedom to explore more of the surrounding area after the tour.
🌮 Where to Eat Nearby + Bonus Stop at Cenotes Cristal and Escondido
🍽️ Where to Eat (or Grab a Snack)
There’s nothing to eat or drink inside the Muyil ruins or at the lagoon, but the tour includes a small packet lunch and breakfast. It’s not going to be anything fancy, so if you have food allergies or preferences, maybe you can bring some snacks of your choice.
🥤 Tip: Buy your water before leaving Tulum—there aren’t any convenience stores right at the ruins or lagoon area. I would recommend either a thermic water bottle or a filter-bottle.
WATER-TO-GO FILTER BOTTLE
✔ kills 99.99% of bacteria of all sorts, illness-causing contaminants, including those as small as a virus, pesticides and nitrates, heavy metals…
✔ available in different shapes sizes and colors
✔ easy to use
✔ three-month shelf life in total
✔ Better protection for you and the planet. The filter replaces 400 plastic bottles, and the bottle is made from sugarcane.
💧 Bonus Stop: Cenotes Cristal and Escondido
If you still have some energy left after floating in the lagoon, there’s a great little stop just 5 minutes before reaching Tulum (if you’re coming from Muyil): Cenotes Cristal y Escondido.
These two open-air cenotes are right across the highway from each other and are perfect for a refreshing swim in a jungle setting.
🏊 What to Expect:
- Entrance fee: 100 pesos (~6 USD) for access to both cenotes
- Cenote Cristal is wide and sunny with space to relax and swim
- Cenote Escondido is more tucked away and feels wilder—great for snorkeling and diving
- You can jump from platforms, swim, snorkel, or just float and enjoy
- If you’re a certified diver, check with a local dive shop—Cenote Escondido is also a dive site
🚲 You can reach them by bike from Tulum, but if you’re coming from Muyil, you’ll need a car or ask your taxi driver to stop. Again—agree on the fare in advance if you’re using a taxi.
🚘 Why Renting a Car Is the Best Option for This Trip
If you like having the freedom to move at your own pace, renting a car in Tulum is the way to go. That’s what I always do. It just makes everything easier, especially when you’re visiting places like Muyil, the Sian Ka’an Biosphere, and nearby cenotes.
You don’t have to worry about taxi timing, limited colectivos, or sticking to someone else’s schedule. Want to stop for tacos on the way back? Or chill longer at the cenote? You can. Total freedom.
It’s also cheaper in the long run if you plan to visit multiple cenotes or beaches around the Riviera Maya or Yucatán during your trip.
Here is the best Car rental searching platform
When It comes to renting a car in Mexico I always recommend the Discover Cars platform where you can compare prices among different car rentals and then decide which one is best for you.
🛣️ I’ve written a whole post about driving in Mexico, with useful tips on:
- Renting from trusted companies
- Driving rules and speed bumps (there are a lot)
- Police checkpoints and what to expect
- Safety tips and road conditions
If it’s your first time renting a car in Mexico, give it a read—it’ll help avoid surprises.
📍And again: with a car, you can easily hit Muyil, float in the lagoon, and then stop for a swim at Cenote Cristal and Escondido and Cenote Corazon or Laguna Kaan Luum—all in the same day, on your own terms.
💭 Final Thoughts
Visiting the Muyil ruins and floating through the canals of Sian Ka’an was honestly one of my favorite solo days in the Tulum area. It’s peaceful, easy to do on your own, and gives you that perfect mix of culture, nature, and adventure—without the crowds.
There’s something special about discovering places that aren’t overly hyped. Muyil has all the magic of a major Mayan site but with way fewer people and a deep connection to the surrounding jungle and lagoon. And the floating experience? Pure therapy. Just you, the mangroves, and the slow flow of the water.
If you’re in Tulum and want to do something a little different, I really recommend adding this to your Yucatan Peninsula itinerary. It’s simple, beautiful, and memorable—everything a good travel day should be.
Thanks for the wonderful tips. We are in tulum now and the sargassum is thick. Do you know if it is in Sian Ka’an? We are willing to switch hotels for a place where we can swim in the ocean
Hey Kristen, I am so sorry to hear that. I am not in the area right now, and not sure what’s the situation in Sian Ka’an. In this post you can find the destinations that are usually sargasso free (including isla mujeres) and there is a facebook page where they share real time news http://www.discoveryucatanpeninsula.com/seaweed-in-cancun-and-riviera-maya/
good luck! 🙂 remember there is also the beautiful Bacalar and the Cenotes 🙂