Punta Allen is a small fishing village tucked away deep within the Sian Ka’an reserve.

The village itself is not the main reason to visit. The highlight is a boat trip through the lagoons, mangroves, the sea and the coral reef.

During the trip, you can spot dolphins, sea turtles, stingrays and a wide variety of birds. The programme usually also includes snorkelling and swimming in shallow natural pools.

Punta Allen is one of the best day trips from Tulum. However, it is a long and relatively expensive full-day excursion.

Browse trips to Punta Allen

Is Punta Allen worth a visit?

Yes, if you want to see the coastal part of the Sian Ka’an reserve and observe wildlife in the wild.

However, we do not recommend Punta Allen as a standard beach trip. The journey is too long and the village itself has only limited facilities.

Of course, the beautiful local sandy beach will make you feel like you’re in a tropical paradise, but there are similarly lovely and much more easily accessible beaches right in Tulum itself.

In our view, an organised tour is better than travelling there independently in a hire car. What’s more, some tours board the boat before reaching Punta Allen, which significantly shortens the drive along the bumpy road.

What you’ll see on the boat trip

The exact route depends on the weather, sea conditions and your boarding point. The standard itinerary usually includes the following stops.

Isla de los Pájaros

Isla de los Pájaros is not a separate nature reserve. It is a small island or group of islets where seabirds gather.

Here you can spot pelicans, frigatebirds, cormorants, herons and other species. The island is visited as one of the stops on the boat trip. A separate POI is therefore not required.

Dolphin and turtle watching

Skippers look out for dolphins and sea turtles in the Ascension Bay area. The animals live in the wild and sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Stingrays are also seen quite frequently. Crocodiles and green turtles live in the reserve, but sightings of them are considerably less likely.

Snorkelling on the coral reef

If the sea is calm, boats stop at the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. Snorkelling may be cancelled due to strong winds, waves or currents.

Therefore, do not choose a trip solely on the basis of the promised snorkelling. Treat it as a possible part of the programme, not as a guaranteed activity. Current trip listings explicitly state that snorkelling is a weather-dependent activity.

Natural pools

The final stop is usually shallow sandy shoals with crystal-clear water. The locals call them ‘natural pools’. Here, you can swim and relax.

Punta Allen

The programme usually ends with lunch and a short walk around Punta Allen. It is a small fishing village also known for its Caribbean lobster fishing.

Don’t expect a developed resort, a promenade or a wide choice of restaurants. Its main attractions are its remote location and peaceful atmosphere.

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How to get to Punta Allen

By organised tour

For most visitors, the best option is an organised tour from Tulum. The standard itinerary takes around ten to eleven hours. Departures are usually around 7.00 am, with returns in the late afternoon.

When comparing tours, check where you board the boat. This detail significantly affects the comfort of the entire journey.

• Boarding near the reserve entrance means less time in the car and a longer boat journey.
• Boarding in the middle of the reserve is a compromise.
• Boarding directly in Punta Allen means the longest drive along an unpaved road.

Some tours travel by road for only about 40 minutes and then continue by boat across the lagoons. Others travel all the way to Punta Allen, which can mean a journey of around 2.5 hours from the reserve entrance.

When booking, check whether the price includes entry to the reserve, the boat, snorkelling equipment, lunch and transport from your hotel.

We always compare all our trips in Mexico via GetYourGuide.com, where most local agencies are listed.

By hire car

From the Arco Maya access point, there is an unpaved road approximately 50 kilometres long leading to Punta Allen.

Road conditions vary depending on the weather. After heavy rain, deep potholes and puddles form. The journey can be very slow and uncomfortable, even in an off-road vehicle.

Four-wheel drive is not always essential, but a higher ground clearance is an advantage. Before setting off, check that your hire car insurance covers damage on unpaved roads.

We recommend travelling to Punta Allen independently only if:

• you have a suitable car
• you don’t mind driving very slowly
• you are familiar with the current road conditions
• you intend to stay overnight in Punta Allen
• you’re prepared for the possibility of tyre or chassis damage

We wouldn’t recommend hiring a standard small car for this particular trip.

By public transport

Don’t rely on the regular colectivo from Tulum to Punta Allen. Services are often irregular or may not run at all. Public transport isn’t practical for a day trip.

Booking a boat privately

If you’re travelling by car, you can book a boat trip with local operators directly in Punta Allen. Boats are often paid for as a group, so the trip may work out cheaper if there are several of you.

Take cash with you. Credit cards and cash machines cannot be taken for granted.

Entrance fees and opening hours

Entry to the Sian Ka’an reserve costs 225 mxn per foreign visitor per day. Children under 12 enter free of charge. Mexicans and foreigners with Mexican residency are entitled to a 50% discount.

The reserve is officially open every day from 7.00 am to 6.00 pm.

On organised tours, the admission fee may be included in the price, but this is not always the case. Please check the terms and conditions before booking.

When to visit Punta Allen

Conditions are usually best during the drier part of the year, when there is less risk of muddy roads. However, even during this period, calm seas and the opportunity to go snorkelling cannot be guaranteed.

It’s worth setting off as early in the morning as possible. You’ll have more time to look for wildlife and a lower risk of your return journey being affected by darkness or the reserve entrance closing.

If the forecast predicts strong winds or prolonged rain, consider rescheduling your trip.

How much time to allow

From Tulum, this is a full-day trip. Organised tours usually last around ten to eleven hours.

If you’re travelling independently by car, the total journey time can vary significantly depending on road conditions. Don’t plan any other major activities for the same day.

If you wish to stay overnight, book your accommodation in advance. The choice in Punta Allen is limited and considerably more basic than in Tulum.

Finding accommodation in Tulum

What to take with you

• cash in Mexican pesos,
• plenty of water,
• swimwear and a towel,
• a light long-sleeved T-shirt,
• a hat or cap,
• a waterproof phone case,
• medication for travel sickness,
• binoculars,
• a downloaded offline map,
• some light snacks.

The official booking rules prohibit the use of sun cream. Please wear suitable clothing for sun protection. You will be out of the shade for much of the day on the boat.

What to see around

Discover all the places to see in Tulum.