Muyil & Mini Sian Kaan

Muyil Ruins and Jungle River: A Day Trip to Sian Kaan

This day trip to the Muyil ruins and Sian Kaan is one of the quietest ways to see the Riviera Maya. It pairs an ancient Maya site deep in the jungle with a walk through the rainforest, a boat ride through the canals of Sian Ka’an, the well-known floating stretch on the jungle river and lunch in Tulum. The group never exceeds twelve people, and a certified guide leads the whole day.

Arrival at the Muyil ruins on the edge of Sian Kaan

Muyil, also known as Chunyaxché, lies not far from Tulum and belongs to the less crowded Maya sites in the region. The city was once an important trading centre, inhabited from the third century BC into the late Postclassic period. Today you walk between well-preserved structures in dense jungle, above all the roughly seventeen-metre El Castillo temple. Because far fewer people come here than to Chichén Itzá or Cobá, the site stays calm even in high season.

A Walk Through the Rainforest

A trail winds through dense jungle between the ruins and the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1987. Giant trees, exotic plants and the sounds of wildlife create an atmosphere you do not get at the coast. If you look closely, you spot birds and butterflies along the way. Information boards explain the flora and fauna as you go.

From the Muyil ruins by boat into Sian Kaan

The boat ride starts at a small lagoon beside the site and takes about 45 minutes. It carries you through clear canals that the Maya cut centuries ago and that now lie inside the World Heritage area. Meanwhile the guide points out where birds, fish, turtles and sometimes crocodiles appear along the banks. The reserve protects more than 300 bird species, so the list of possible sightings is long.

Floating the Jungle River Near the Muyil Ruins

The float is a highlight in its own right. Wearing a life jacket, you let the gentle current carry you through the mangroves while birds call overhead. This waterway, also built by the Maya, connects the lagoon to the larger canal system. As a result, this stretch usually turns out to be the most relaxing half hour of the whole day.

Lunch in Tulum

To finish, the tour heads to Tulum for a traditional Mexican lunch: fresh tacos, carnitas or al pastor, served with a range of salsas. If you still have room, crispy churros and a cold agua fresca or horchata round the meal off. Afterwards the van takes you back to your hotel. If you would rather have the day to yourselves, our private Muyil tour runs the same programme.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Muyil Ruins and Sian Kaan Tour