Advice on touring Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve (Quintara Roo, MX)

I am in Quintara Roo in late October and would like to tour the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, a vast wilderness area near Tulum. It’s an  inpenetrable without a guide. Most of the trips being offered are eco-adventures, where one can float down a jungle river and lounge on a remote beach. I am interested in seeing the wildlife, mammals in particular.

Most likely it would need to be a day trip because our lodging is covered courtesy of winning a sweepstake prize. Has anyone been to Sian Ka’an who can offer advice?

Thanks.

– HeavenlyJane

 

3 Comments

  • vdinets

    Sian Ka’an is perfectly penetrable without a guide; there’s a whole bunch of roads to choose from. One branches off Hwy 307 at 19 deg 56′ 06″ N, 87 deg. 47′ 18″ W, and goes all the way to the coast through miles and miles of forest. Many shorter ones branch off the coastal Hwy 109 between Tulum and Zamach (in Tulum, ask directions to Punta Allen). Hwy 109 itself isn’t bad for night drives and walks after midnight. But usually all you see there is a few rodents and deer, occasionally an opossum or some other common species such as raccoons and coati. Mayan ruins often have more wildlife at dusk.

  • Porcupine Tracker

    I will be in that area in late August for a caving expedition and to teach a cave rescue class. I’m interested in the Reserve as well and will try to let you know what I find out.

  • tomeslice

    I wish I had more input here, but once I was with a bunch of family and friends in Cancun, and I contacted a local guide to take me into Sian Ka’an at night to find me a kinkajou (mico de noche) but he wanted to charge me over 400USD for a 4-5 hour tour from cancun (mind you it included a vehicle to and from my hotel in Cancun) so I just decided to stay in and keep drinking on the beach with my friends. But the price goes down with the more people you have, or if you’re located closer to Tulum.

    I’d be interested to see the report of what you find from this excursion.

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