Sian Ka'an Muyil Adventure (Private, Full Day)

We visited Sian K’aan with Eli and it was spectacular. He is so fun, entertaining and knowledgeable. The Cenote afterwards was a perfect compliment- situated in the jungle above ground with fish and turtles. A truly unforgettable experience.

this was amazing And Eli's Is the tour guide you want taking you. the float was incredible. Without words hands down one of the things to do in the Tulum area

The tour takes you in a boat through 2 beautiful lagoons, into a river where you can float with the current for about 30 minutes. Or you can explore through a boardwalk. The place is a national treasure.

Great day out. Floating down the Mayan canals was a unique experience and we found it very relaxing. Our guide Eli is very knowledgeable and has a great personality. Really enjoyed lunch at a local restaurant.

Our guide, Rodrigo, was super professional and friendly. Sadly, the Muyil ruins we were scheduled to see were closed due to maintenance but Rodrigo took us to Cenote Corazon instead. We were asked beforehand if this switch would be ok. The entire tour was so much fun and informative. The lunch we had was super yummy. It was definitely a private tour as it was just me and my partner. I highly recommend this your and suggest you ask for Rodrigo, he will take great care of you!

We had an awesome day with Rodrigo cruising through the jungle! Absolutely loved floating through Chunyxché. It was truly magical to float in the crystal waters with the currents and the birds. We learned a lot along the way too! As the archeological site was undergoing some construction, Rodrigo took us to a beautiful Cenote with very few people instead. We were able to snorkel and lounge and could have stayed there all day. To top it off, Rodrigo took us to eat the best food we’ve had in Tulum. Perfect day! Highly recommend :)

We had a great experience with Eli. He speaks good english and makes sure you feel calm and comfortable. Thank you Eli for this experience!

What a great day trip. We went to the reserve and traveled by boat to a part of the lagoon where we floated a mile or more to a take-out point, through a beautiful area. Then we walked back and got the boat, and went to a cenote - really lovely. The lunch was great, very nice food and a great ambience. Our guide, Eli, was the best!

Rodrigo did a great job. It was a pleasure spending the day with him!! Highly recommend!! He was very knowledgeable. We loved the swim in the mangrove.

We loved swimming in the mangrove. Our guide Rodrigo was very knowledgeable and a joy to spend the day with.

Our tour of Sian Ka’an with Rodrigo was fantastic. The lagoon experience felt like stepping into another world. As we entered the reserve, surrounded by lush jungle, Rodrigo pointed out hidden Mayan temples still awaiting excavation. The morning boat ride to this remote area, once a bustling trading route for the Mayans, was surreal, leaving us in awe of the rich history and beauty of the area. Floating through the channels amongst the mango trees was such a unique and relaxing experience. Rodrigo’s enthusiasm was infectious, and his preparation impressive. He brought masks for swimming, authentic Mexican snacks, and a boundless energy that kept us engaged throughout the day. His knowledge of the area's history, geology, and geography was truly impressive. He enriched our experience with fascinating stories and insights, making sure we didn’t miss a thing. The Muyil ruins were closed for renovations, so Rodrigo instead took us to swim in a cenote. This was a hidden gem that would have been difficult to find without a local's guidance. For lunch, Rodrigo chose a wonderful restaurant where we indulged in delicious Mexican cuisine and delved deeper into the region's culture and history, tracing it back thousands of years. We highly recommend this tour and if you have the chance to tour with Rodrigo, you're in for a treat. He’s more than a guide; by the end of the day, we considered him a friend.

My son and I had a great time with Eli. He met us at our hotel and made sure we arrived at the lagoon early enough to enjoy floating down the canal on our own - it was magical and a little surreal. The current takes you effortlessly down the canal and wearing your life jacket like a nappy (diaper for our US friends) ensures you remain upright. So relaxing. Before you get there we enjoyed crossing the lagoon and then ducking our heads to travel through the mangroves to reach the canal. Eli’s positivity is infectious and I’m sure he’s my best friend Hugo’s (also Mexican ) brother from another mother :-) The ruins were closed , but Eli substituted a relaxing visit to a local cenote followed by a local lunch. Highly recommend Eli - he’s one of life’s good guys . Tip : make sure you have a waterproof pouch if you want to take photos using your smartphone . Also make sure you don’t become too obsessed with taking too many photos !!! Have a break to take it all in and relax. Instagram can wait :-)

We decided to book one tour during our recent visit to Tulum and after much research decided to do the private Sian Ka’an full day tour with Yucatan Eli’s Tours. We were fortunate enough to get ‘El Jefe’ himself as Eli arrived to pick us up promptly at the decided upon time, all smiles and full of energy. We knew we were going to have an amazing day five minutes into the tour! Sian Ka’an was the absolute highlight of our trip. Travelling through the freshwater lagoons, the Mayan made canal and then the float down the waterway - it was the most amazing, unique and beautiful experience! Beyond this, practically speaking, my understanding is that the waterways and the float are not easily accessible without a guide, so something worthy of consideration. After the float, we had lunch and then a tour of the nearby ruins. Eli is incredibly knowledgeable, a lover of history and architecture and an amazing storyteller. We would absolutely do another tour with Eli and we highly recommend him!!

Eli made sure that we got there early and we were the only tour floating down the canal. It was heaven. A spoonbill flew over, there were flowers and waving grasses and of course, Eli! It was all heavenly. We got out of the water and walked about a mile on the boardwalk in quiet beauty. After that, we went to the beautiful ruins at Muyil. Eli knows everything. It was fascinating. As we were driving out, Eli spied (don't ask me how he saw it......but he did,) a turquoise-browed motmot. He said that it was rare to see them where we were - usually are seen in the underground cenotes. Way cool. We then went to eat at a fabulous local restaurant, Suspire, for the most delicious meal. Eli is so knowledgeable in the most engaging way. We lucked out.

We booked a tour with Eli for Monday and we had such an amazing time that we decided to book a second tour with him a couple days later on Wednesday. Eli and Rodrigo picked us up at our hotel and drove us to the tour location both days. Both Eli and Rodrigo were a great time to be around. We felt very safe and would absolutely book tours with them next time we are in Mexico. Sian Ka’an was very relaxing, we chose to only do the floating in the lagoon portion of the tour and skip the ruins because we had already visited the ruins prior to booking the tour. Eli easily accommodated our request for the half tour. They provided wet suits because it was a little chilly in the morning and they also had some scuba masks for us to use. Rodrigo brought along a waterproof camera and took some pictures of us however, I would highly recommend bringing a waterproof phone pouch or case. After we floated down the lagoon, the boat driver met us at a boardwalk with our shoes and towels and we walked down the boardwalk to the boat and then were taken back to the car. They truly made our time in Mexico memorable. Thank you Eli and Rodrigo!

We loved Eli so much! The Biosphere trip was so beautiful and perfect, the ruins were so much fun, and lunch was delicious. If we return to Tulum again, we will definitely hire Eli again, especially after learning he can help craft personalized tours. Three things stood out the most to us about Eli. First, he's very kind. Second, he's very thoughtful. Throughout the day, he made sure we had snacks and water and were able to use the bathroom. Third, he's so knowledgeable about everything that he showed us, including Tulum, the Mayan ruins, and Mayan culture in general. He answered all of our questions thoroughly and enthusiastically, and he even was able to help us understand some of the cutting edge research being done by Mayanists. His passion for the subject made learning about everything a blast. It was also just great to hear what he, a long-time local, had to say about Tulum. We highly recommend booking a tour with Eli!

Great tour with fantastic local and historical knowledge. Lunch stop was amazing food and had such an interesting conversation about all things Mexico! A really enthusiastic guide and a great tour 👍. Thanks Eli!

Eli was very knowledgeable and fun tour guide to spend our day with. Floating down the natural canal is a must to do when visiting Tulum.

What a fantastic day! Eli is a wonderful guide and will make your day memorable no matter what. We enjoyed seeing the Muyil ruins, loved the lagoon and canal float, and had a delicious lunch. Eli catered the tour to my kids’ interests. He found monkeys in the trees, told us about the medicinal properties of the jungle trees and plants, and answered all our questions about Mayan life and history. Everyone in my group was happy with our experience. When we got back to our hotel my mom realized she left her backpack in the restaurant in Muyil. Without hesitation, Eli drove her back to pick it up. He is a kind and quality human being. He is also very funny.

I would not hesitate to book another tour with Yucatan Eli's Tours and highly recommend that you book a tour! What an amazing adventure! First time visiting Sian Ka'an and it was so worth it. The beautiful natural world and wildlife was breathtaking and the floating down the canal with just our life preserver was so relaxing and beautiful. Muyil was also a first time vist for us and again was so worth it. It was interesting to reflect on Muyil architecture & history compared to the other larger Mayan ruins/cities we have visited in the Yucatan area. Finished off the trip with a delicious meal at a local restaurant eating a traditional Mayan pibil meal - my husband still says it was the best meal of our vacation. (you will have choice of food, but we chose the traditional) And equally impressive to our trip, was Eli, our tour guide & companion. Eli is a fun and humble person to enjoy company with, but his knowledge & expertise of the Mayan history & culture was so impressive - he's not just a tour guide that learns the phrases to tell tourists, he's educated & can engage in true conversations about the Mayan culture. Tips: Good bug repllent for Muyil, lots of mosquitos. Sunblock that is safe for the environement is extremetly important - you will damage the Sian Ka'an by using anything other than environmentally safe products. Thank you to Yucatan Eli's Tours for making our visit to Sian Ka'an & Muyil rewarding and memorable!

We have been coming to Riviera Maya for years and decided it was time to see more of natural Mexico. This was one of the best tours we could have chosen. Sian Ka'an is a protected UNESCO site and combines a sense of environmental shifts with human history and fun! We got to have a motor boat ride followed by gentle and calming floating through the mangroves with goggles to view below the surface. Then a healthy walk through the jungle to view Mayan ruins. Our guide, Nelson, provided great information and was just an overall nice guy to hang with. Finished the day with delicious authentic tacos in Tulum...yummy! Would definitely do this again.

Nelson was a wonderful guide as we enjoyed the incredible float through the Mayan canals and walked the jungle to the Sian Ka’an ruins.

I would highly recommend Yucatan Eli’s tours! Eli was very knowledgeable, friendly and provided great service to us. We had a wonderful day with him! Well worth the money!

My family and I did the Sian Ka’an tour last week and it was amazing! Our tour guide Nelson was great and made the tour very fun and interesting. He picked us up on time and was very friendly. The boat ride through the Sian Ka’an mangroves was beautiful! We saw lots of pretty birds and even a couple of monkeys! The tour of the muyil ruins was also very interesting. The restaurant we ate lunch at was very good, it had a lot of different food to choose from. We also did a Tulum Ruins tour with a different company but we wished we had done that tour with Yucatán Eli’s Tours. We will definitely be returning to Tulum and we will book more tours with this company! Thank you so much Nelson!

I would have loved to give this tour a better score. The other reviews here are stellar and indeed the tour offers many merits, but unfortunately there were also a couple of things that didn't sit quite right with me. The Positive: Eli is a fantastic guide, exactly how you would imagine. He's charming, funny and knowledgeable. The time with him passed quickly, he's a great entertainer and passionate about what he does. The places we saw were truly beautiful and absolutely worth visiting. The Neutral: There were a couple of things that were not like we expected. I'll put them in this category, since you can accredit them to personal taste and perception. Overall the places that we visited were a lot more touristy than what was suggested by the pictures. There were multiple groups of tourists swimming in the mangrove lagoon with us and the Muyil ruins were also frequented by more visitors than we expected. The restaurant we had lunch in also was rather touristy, they served more Italian cuisine than Mexican dishes. A smaller more traditional restaurant would have been nice. The Bad: The big sour spot was the duration of the tour. It was advertised as an 8 hour activity, but we got dropped off at our AirBnB after only 5.5. hours. When confronted about this, the management would hear nothing of our complain and was not ready to find a solution. Instead they insisted that it says "approximately 8 hours" and "approximately" can mean any number that isn't eight. We were extremely disappointed by this and by their reaction. Overall verdict: We spent a nice 5.5 hours with Eli, but honestly the tour wasn't worth the amount of money we paid. Unfortunately I cannot recommend this tour.

Hands down a must do activity while in Tulum! Eli was an amazing tour guide; kind, friendly and extremely knowledgeable about Sian Ka’an, the local area and Muyil ruins. We were picked up in a comfortable SUV, drove to Sian Ka’an and then took a short boat ride to the “lazy river”. We floated down the river for about an hour and then took the boat back. After that we went to the Muyil ruins and then stopped at a local authentic restaurant for lunch. While in Muyil, Eli was trying to find wild monkeys and he found them! We were able to safely get a few videos and pictures. An added bonus!! Everything was included in the price (except tip). We’ve been raving to everyone about our experience and wish we had booked our other tours with Eli! DO NOT miss out on this!!

My girlfriend and I spent 10 days in Tulum this past June and I cannot express how grateful we were to find Eli and his team. Eli took us out to the Tulum Ruins for our first tour and we loved our time with him so much that we begged him to show us Sian Ka'an. It's a tough place to get a reservation (especially so last minute), but he and his team pulled it off. He knows Tulum better than anyone else and is full of fun and fascinating information. His sense of humor had us laughing the whole time. If you are going on a tour, I can't recommend Eli enough. He's the best tour guide we've ever had.

My husband and I had a fantastic day with Eli! He picked us up at our hotel right on time and we headed to Sian Ka'an where we hopped a boat, floated down the lazy river and experienced such beauty and history. Then he took us to the Muyil ruins and told us so many interesting stories about what we were seeing. Eli is so knowledgeable about the history of the Mayan Civilization and all things we wanted to know about Mexico! We ended the day with a delicious meal right across from the ruins (which we were sure would be a tourist-y place). It was delicious, fresh and the space was beautiful. We had a wonderful time with Eli and had we had more time on our trip we would have gladly taken another tour with him! While it was just the two of us, he told us that he will also do larger private tours for a family or friend group. Definitely call him!

Derek was very communicative before the tour and confirmed our pickup time and location with our guide Eli. Eli is very friendly and knowledgeable about the area and the Mayan community. The pro of an early start is that we were one of the first boats out on the Sian Ka’an Biosphere. The leisure float down the canals was our favorite part of the trip. Be sure to bring your waterproof camera. After, he took us to the muyil ruins where he taught us about the ancient history and ecosystem of the local area and then we finished with tacos for lunch. We enjoyed the private tour as Eli was able to customize our day and experience the preserve by ourselves.

Had a great time with Eli! We did the Sian Ka’an tour, which started with a boat trip across the biosphere and then floating down the natural canals. It was really great fun, relaxing and in a beautiful environment. What’s more, because it was relatively early it was quiet and we felt like the only people there. After that we went for lunch where we had tacos, and then went to Muyil ruins where Eli taught us about Mayan history. Throughout Eli was a superb guide; funny, informative and knowledgeable. He also was flexible on how we wanted the day to go. Overall this was one of the best things we did in Tulum, giving us a background in both the nature and history of Tulum. A really memorable experience.

I actually did more than one tour with Eli, we visited Sian Ka'an, Coba, a Cenote and the wild monkey adventure, he was always so friendly and had an outstanding attitude, he also recommended uf really good places to eat. I would have to say that if you're coming tp Tulum and want to get to know a little bit better about the place, the history and its ecosystem, Eli's tours is a most do. He also took amazing pictures of and for us in places we couldn't bring our own camera, but also was able to find a place so I could fly my drone and take some amazing shots as well.

Simply the most amazing day to Sian Ka'an and Muyil ruins. From the moment Eli picked us up, he was engaging polite and very knowledgeable. We were on the first boat crossing the lagoon at Sian Ka'an, so it was to tranquil when we floated down the river. The Muyil ruins were so quiet compared to other sites, so they felt more sacred somehow. We saw storks and herons, a monkey and even a snake and Eli shared so much information about the Mayan culture and the symbolism of the buildings. A once in a lifetime experience

We had a wonderful day at the Biosphere Reserve, Eli was very enthusiastic and informative and he adjusted the tour to enable me to photograph more wildlife. A very positive experience, we will use Eli again for future trips.

We had big plans to do lots of stuff on our trip and by the middle of the week we hadn't left the resort grounds. We booked a day with Eli planning to check out Sian Ka'an and the Muyil ruins, but he went above and beyond and ended up talking us to a totally secluded cave cenote (we were the only ones there) and an open cenote, plus a great lunch of authentic traditional foods that you can't get most places. We saw a huge stork and checked out an ancient mayan guard house, learned about bees and trees and owls and monkeys. I had a migraine for part of the day, but it was so cool that I enjoyed it anyway. Most of the pictures are on my husband's camera or my water camera, but I have a few of Muyil on my phone

This tour was incredible! It was just my husband and I, with our guide Eli, who was the best. Eli was so knowledgeable about the Sian Ka'an area and Mayan history. We started early so we were the only people on the water, which I’ve never experienced before. The lagoon was absolutely beautiful and the float down Mexico’s only lazy river was absolutely magical. After Sian Ka'an, we went to the Muyil ruins which were breathtaking. We learned so much about Mayan history and culture. That was followed by delicious, authentic Mexican and Mayan style tacos. Also, Eli took the best photos for us! My husband and I have traveled all over the world and have been on countless tours. This was one of the best and Eli was the best guide. Don’t sleep on this tour!

This was such a beautiful day. Eli is a pure light, and made our trip so special. He is filled with so much positivity and kindness, and extremely knowledgeable about history! He was on time and gave us an amazing experience with a thorough understanding of each place we went. There was not one question he couldn’t answer. He truly loves what he does and you feel it throughout. The other tours were around 10-12 people and did not seem intimate at all. Eli mostly does private tours which made it a very personal experience. Lunch after was also amazing. Before our tour, Derek was in contact with us about details. He was also so kind and quick to respond to all of our questions. Highly highly recommend!!! Do not overlook this tour and go to the big, more well known tours. Trust me. The experience will be so much better.

We are so glad we chose Eli to go to the Sian Ka'an reserve with, he made the day a whole lot of fun. It was just my husband and myself we were picked up early to avoid the crowds and were in the first boat out across the lagoon. the whole area is absolutely pristine and beautiful. We had a great 'float' along the natural canal that joins the fresh water lagoon to the sea. so relaxing and great to spot different birds and fish along the way. We walked back through the jungle to visit the Muyil ruins which were really charming. we also saw Howler Monkeys here which is rare but Eli knew what he was looking for and found some for us. The afternoon was finished by a dip in a cenote on the way home. Eli found a really quite one and provided all the snorkelling equipment for us so it was so easy and peaceful. we were taken for a gorgeous lunch before we headed home but what a wonderful day. If you are visiting the Biosphere don't hesitate to look Eli up, he is great fun to be with and full of local knowledge. Thanks again Eli for a top day. x

I would highly recommend any of Eli's tours. This tour was definitely one of the highlights of our trip. I loved the personal/small tour group experience as it allowed us to ask questions and have more of a conversation about the sites and culture. Not only is Eli very knowledgeable and passionate about his work, he is down to earth and a lot of fun. Floating down the Sian Kaan canals was a dream.

Great guide: Rodrigo who speaks French very well He listened to me. Great walk in muyil, in the jungle and even at the top of the observatory Then boat on the lake then in the canals and the famous flowering in the canals. the idea did not make me enthusiastic but I must admit that it is very pleasant.. very zen: 40 min to float and move forward In the middle of the mangrove it's really worth it. It's a very beautiful day We're amazed Perfect organization with Yucatan Élis Tour And perfect day with Rodrigo Do not hesitate

Flotando por el canal sin nadie alrededor, cruzando las lagunas, admirando las ruinas de Muyil. Una de las mejores experiencias que hemos tenido. Excelente guía, bien preparado para que todo saliese bien.

Great mangrove experience away from mass tourism. Nelson also gave us detailed insights into the architecture and life at Muyil.

It was all great, from the punctual pick up at the hotel, to the delicious food, to the great things to do. Since we started floating through the beautiful canal in the morning and only visited the ruins in Muyl afterwards, we were alone almost all the time (no crowds of tourists), which was very relaxing and almost magical. What we particularly liked: Eli has a really in-depth knowledge of Mayan architecture, history, working techniques, etc. He's fun to listen to and you learn a lot on the side. But we also taught him two heavy German words, which he could actually say in the end without mistakes: "Matchbox" (Matchbox) and "Squirrel" (Squirrel). Respect for that!!! :) We loved it and would do this beautiful tour again and again! 100% recommendation! Thank you Eli! ------------ (trip advisor-staff: ??? when uploading the photos, they partially turn upside down and cannot be corrected)