Muyil combines three experiences in a single trip. You’ll walk amongst Mayan ruins hidden in the jungle, cross two lagoons by boat, and finally drift with the current through a narrow Mayan canal.

Compared to the coastal part of the reserve at Punta Allen, Muyil is more accessible, cheaper and significantly less time-consuming.

If you want to explore the Sian Ka’an Nature Reserve on a half-day trip from Tulum, we reckon Muyil is the best choice.

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Is Muyil worth a visit?

Yes, but we recommend not limiting yourself to just the archaeological site.

The ruins themselves are considerably smaller than the archaeological site at Tulum. Their advantages include a quieter setting, more shade and a much less commercial atmosphere.

In our opinion, the main highlight is continuing on to the lagoons and taking a boat trip along the canals.

The combination of ruins, jungle, lagoons and swimming makes Muyil one of the most interesting half-day trips from Tulum.

What to expect on a visit to Muyil

1. The Muyil archaeological site

A trail leads from the ticket office past several groups of Mayan buildings. Muyil was an important trading centre, connected to the Caribbean coast via lagoons and canals.

The site is also known as Chunyaxché. The oldest finds date from the Late Pre-Classical period. Its strategic location enabled the settlement to participate in coastal trade routes.

Allow approximately 45 to 75 minutes to explore the ruins themselves.

2. Jungle trail to the lagoon

From the archaeological site, a walking trail leads through the jungle towards Muyil Lagoon. The path is easy, but there can be a lot of mosquitoes here during the rainy season.

At the end of the trail, you’ll reach the jetty of the local co-operative, which organises boat trips around the lagoons.

3. Boat trip on the lagoons

The boat tour takes you through the Muyil and Chunyaxché lagoons. Part of the route follows the waterways once used by the Maya to transport goods between the interior and the coast.

The cruise usually takes around two hours. Its exact duration may vary depending on the route chosen and the conditions.

4. Swimming through the Mayan canal

The most interesting part of the trip is swimming through a narrow channel surrounded by mangroves. You’ll be given a life jacket and the current will gently carry you along the channel. You don’t need to swim actively.

You’ll spend around 20 to 30 minutes in the water. At the end of the canal, you’ll step onto a wooden walkway and return to the boat.

Official information can be found on the websiteinah.gob.mx.

Entrance fees to Muyil

The visit is divided into several sections, each with a separate admission fee.

• Archaeological zone: 145 mxn for foreign visitors
• Entry to the Sian Ka’an Reserve: 225 mxn per foreign visitor
• Boat trip: paid for separately to the local operator

The official price of the boat trip is not consistently published online. Before paying, therefore, ask about the final price, the duration of the trip and whether the price includes a wristband for entry to the reserve. Make sure you take enough cash with you.

If you only wish to see the ruins, you will only pay the entrance fee to the archaeological zone. To continue on to the lagoons and take the boat trip, you will also need to pay the reserve entrance fee and the cost of the boat trip.

Opening hours

The Muyil archaeological site is open daily from 8.00 am to 5.00 pm. Following extensive refurbishment, it reopened in February 2026. Further parts of the archaeological site are now also open to visitors.

We recommend arriving between 8.00 and 9.30. This will allow you to avoid the worst of the heat and ensure that boats are available.

How to get to Muyil

Muyil is situated directly on Federal Highway 307, approximately 25 kilometres south-west of Tulum.

By car

The journey from the centre of Tulum takes approximately 30 minutes. The entrance to the archaeological site is situated directly on the main road.

A car is the easiest option, especially if you plan to continue on to other destinations south of Tulum.

Compare car hire prices in Tulum

By public transport

In Tulum, look for a colectivo (small minibus) heading south along Road 307. Tell the driver you want to get off at “Zona Arqueológica de Muyil”.

On the return journey, you’ll wait for a minibus on the main road. Departures may not follow a fixed timetable, but minibuses run along this route on average once every 10 minutes.

We describe how colectivos work in more detail in the article Transport in Tulum.

Organised tour

An organised tour with transport included makes sense if you don’t want to deal with collectivas, making several separate payments and booking a boat. When choosing a tour, check that the price includes:

• transport from Tulum,
• entry to the archaeological zone,
• entry to the nature reserve,
• a boat trip,
• swimming in the canal,
• a guide and refreshments.

Some tours listed simply as ‘Sian Ka’an’ head to Punta Allen. Look specifically for tours labelled Muyil, Chunyaxché or Mayan Canal Float.

Browse trips to Muyil

How much time to allow

Allow approximately 3 to 4 hours for a full visit. Including travel from Tulum, this is a half-day trip.

If you’re only visiting the ruins, about an hour should suffice. However, in our opinion, you’ll miss out on the best part of Muyil if you don’t take a boat trip on the lagoons.

What to take with you

• cash in Mexican pesos
• swimwear and a towel
• lightweight, long-sleeved clothing
• a hat
• water
• mosquito repellent
• a waterproof phone case
• shoes suitable for walking on trails

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