Sian Ka’an Nature Expedition (from Riviera Maya)

The Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve is one of Mexico’s most extraordinary natural spaces — a UNESCO World Heritage Site covering 1.3 million acres of tropical forest, mangroves, wetlands and coral reef along the southern Riviera Maya coast. Departing daily from hotels across the Riviera Maya, this 10½-hour expedition places you in the heart of the reserve with a bilingual naturalist guide who knows every channel, reef and bird watching spot.

The day begins with a boat journey deep into the reserve’s network of mangrove channels and coastal lagoons. Keep your eyes open — this ecosystem is home to crocodiles, manatees, wild dolphins, sea turtles, starfish and over 300 bird species including cormorants, pelicans, herons and osprey. This is the kind of nature encounter that no resort excursion can replicate.

After the boat tour, a guided snorkel above the reserve’s protected coral reef reveals tropical fish and marine life in some of the clearest water along the entire Riviera Maya coastline. The day ends with a generous buffet lunch by the Caribbean Sea — fresh grilled fish or chicken with rice, salad and all the local flavors you’d expect from a meal eaten at the edge of the jungle.

This tour departs daily at 08:00 AM from hotels across the Riviera Maya. Visiting from Cancun? We also run the Sian Ka’an Nature Expedition from Cancun on Wednesdays and Sundays.