Sian Ka'an questions - getting there

[Kennedy]

We will be in the area September 3-13 and we are planning on spending a few days in and around Tulum. My husband is a bird-nerd and we both like kayaking so we were thinking about the self-guided kayak tour through Sian Ka'an. I have a few questions I hope someone can answer. We are taking a collectivo to Tulum. Can we get a taxi once in town to take us to Sian Ka'an, or, how do you recommend we get there? I've heard the road is slow-going - anyone know how long it will take to get there from Tulum? Any thoughts on the self-guided tour? I don't want to be eaten by a croc!

[elvo73]

I think the way to get into it is renting a car, try to rent a jeep for a day, the road is not an easy one. You can ask for a tour map at their store I think. Have a great trip!

[susan]

Cesiak is 4km from the arch and you can get a taxi there but don't know how you would find one to get back to your hotel. CeSiak has guided kayaking and birding trips. I wouldn't recommend a self guided trips, the mangroves are huge and finding your way out would be a challenge.
Check there website.

[pepper]

Self Guided sounds like a great inexpensive idea until you can't quite figure out how to get back. Unless there are markers along a water-trail of some sort, I would opt for a guided tour.

The road is one way in and one way out, so no worries and Cesiak (or that other place across the road that rents kayaks) is just 5-10 past the Sian Kaan gate (where you will stop and pay a small fee to enter Sian Kaan). A taxi is your best option for transport.

[Margoinmexico]

:wave:Hola, your idea is a good one, but you will need a lot more advise before going, for example, where are you getting your kayaks?

I really really recommend renting a car, trying to do it by taxi will cost as much as a day rental on a car, and while a jeep is nice, not totally necessary.

If you have some days to fill, it sounds like you would enjoy spending some nights INSIDE the Sian Ka'an. That is really the best way to enjoy it. Day trips are nice, but to do what you want to do, you'll need more time.

There are many places to stay, I am biased on a couple of them.....

Xamach Dos is one......xamachdos.com obviously, (I worked there for 2 years)

Punta Allen is a wonderful little town, and you can rent kayaks there, I recommend staying at another place I'm biased about, Serenidad Shardon shardon.com. I lived there for 6 months. Niki is great for getting you the tours you may want to do, both kayak, or in boats........and can hook you up with a local woman that does bird tours. I would do 3 days minimum in Punta Allen, there are many trails that you can walk to, and lots of locals to get to know.

If you are staying inside the reserve, you can use the collectivo, Tony is your driver, he leaves Tulum about 2 in the afternoon, and heads back to Tulum from Punta allen at 5am! It isn't cheap thought, $200 pesos per person. A taxi would cost about $800 pesos.

The Sian Kaan is huge, 1.6 million acres or so and lots to see and do there. You'd be surprised!

[Steve O]

Margo...How is Niki doing?

[Margoinmexico]

:wave:Niki is doing great! She just was here yesterday on her way home from a mini vacation/trying to get paper work for her truck to Chetumal and Laguna Bacalar..........

she's doing some more improvements at Serenidad Shardon, and they look fabulous! Drop her a PM, I think she is serenity here on Tulum.info....

I sure miss living at her lovely place...need to go for a visit soon!

[Zapatista]

I don't mean to divert the thread, but I was wondering, Margo if you've been to Laguna Bacalar. I saw some YouTube video of it, and it looks beautiful, as does Cenote Azul (not the one in Tulum). I'm curious as to what your thoughts are on these places, how far they are from Tulum, and whether or not they're worth visiting. Thanks!

[Margoinmexico]

:wave:YEah, they are both very beautiful and a way to enjoy the beautiful turqouis water without the salt......kind of a neat community down there as well........as far as day trips, for me I think it's too far, I kind of have a two night rule, I want to wake up and go to sleep at the same place, to really get the feel of it.......

There are a couple of beautiful lakes near Tulum as well, not as big as Bacalar, but nice for spending an afternoon.....one is near the small village Pino Suarez about 10 miles south of Tulum on 307 and the other is just before that.....don't remember either of thier names....but have had some enjoyable times there!

Enjoy them now, it looks like they are for sale and will be developing soon.

[beachreader]

I agree with the idea of sleeping somewhere in the Sian Ka'an. In addition to Margo's suggestions, you can check out CESiak.org. They have rustic accomodations and good food, and several different kinds of tours you can take from there.

We did a kayak tour of the mangroves last spring, and I would NEVER go back in there without an experienced guide. It's a maze, and I could definitely see getting stuck somewhere or lost.

Besides, with the guides you learn so much more about the mangroves, the birds, all about this very delicate environment that's unique in the world.

If you don't want to sleep in the Sian Ka'an, you can hook up with a CESiak tour van at many different places. I think they'll come to your hotel and pick you up, so you don't have to worry about getting down there and back.

Hmm, Sue, am I right about that? That they'll come get you? I might be confusing with another company.

[minniemex]

I always thought that too. Maybe just from the office in Tulum??

[susan]

They pick up at hotels at least along the beach road not sure about in town but I bet if you asked they would. Plus it is a great place to send a couple of nights. Absolutey no electricity in the units, candles and a battery powered lantern for using around the grounds. The food is very good and the most reasonably priced on the beach plus amazing views. I am going back in April for a couple of nights with my boys. It isn't fir everyone though.

[think]

the lagoons at cesiak are HUGE. it takes some serious work to get from their dock to other parts. you can pull up and walk down to the dock and have a look before you go to the office and pay. i would definitely go check it out before you opt for the self guided thing. if i had to do it again, i would go muyil to the lagoon and pay a fisherman $40 or so for a boat tour vs. a self guided or even a guided kayak/boat tour from cesiak.