Muyil Ruins Near Tulum & Muyil River Float In The Mayan Canals (2023)

Located South of Tulum in the Sian Ka’an Nature Reserve, the Muyil Ruins are one of the lesser-known archaeological sites of the Yucatan Peninsula.

In our Muyil Ruins Guide, you will find information all around visiting the Muyil Ruins near Tulum along with information on the pristine Mayan Canals and the Muyil River float.

Muyil Ruins Guide

Table Of Contents

Muyil Archaeological Site

Muyil Lagoon & Laguna Chunyaxché
- Mayan Canals Muyil River Float
- Tips For River Floating In Sian Ka’Kan

Cenotes Near Muyil
More Mayan Ruins In The Yucatan Peninsula

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Visiting The Muyil Ruins Near Tulum

Muyil Archaeological Site

Muyil, also known as Chunyaxché, was one of the first and longest inhabited ancient Maya sites on the Riviera Maya.

The ruins of Muyil are built in the style of the Petén architecture, which feature among other things prominent staircases and steep and slender pyramids. An example of that is also the famous Tikal pyramid in Guatemala, which looks quite similar to the Muyil pyramid.

The Muyil ruins reflect the Petén architecture, which features among other things prominent staircases and steep and slender pyramids. Another famous example of that type of Mayen architecture is the Tikal pyramid in Guatemala, which looks quite similar to the Muyil pyramid.

Mayan Canals

Back in ancient Mayan times, Muyil was located along an important trade route in the Caribbean.

To get sea access to Muyil the Mayans built a series of canals, the so-called Mayan Canals. These Mayan Canals still remain today and connect two lagoons, Laguna Muyil and Laguna Chunyaxché, in the Sian Ka’an Reserve with the sea and Muyil.

Tourists can visit the Mayan Canals via guided floating tours. More on these Sian Ka’an ancient canal tours further below.

Coba

Back then, Muyil had strong connections with Coba, a town 44 km / 27 mi inland from Tulum. In Coba, you will find yet another impressive Mayan archaeological site, the Coba Ruins.

When staying in Tulum, visiting the Coba Ruins are a great day trip that we can highly recommend.

Muyil Ruins Entrance Fee

The entrance fee to the Muyil ruins is 50 MXN.

If you want to visit the Zona Arqueológica de Muyil with a guide that can explain more about the history of the Muyil sites, there is an additional fee. You will be able to discuss the price on-site with the guides.

Muyil Ruins Hours

The ruins in Muyil are open for visitors every day from 9 am until 3 pm.

Muyil Tulum Location

The Muyil Ruins are located 15 km (9.3 mi) south of the beach town Tulum, right next to the Chetumal-Cancun Highyway 307 leading to Bacalar.

The Muyil archaeological site is located next to the same-named lagoon, Laguna de Muyil, and Laguna Chunyaxché in the pristine Sian Ka’an nature reserve.

How To Get To Muyil Ruins From Tulum

Tulum To Muyil Ruins By Car

From Tulum, you can easily reach the ruins in Muyil by rental car. Always book your rental car in advance to save costs!

It is only about 20 minutes to drive to Muyil from Tulum.

The drive is straightforward. Just follow Highway 307 southwards until you see some shops on the left and right of the highway. Pretty shortly after the first shops, you will see a sign for the archaeological site on the left.

Colectivo To Muyil

If you don’t have a rental car, you can take a colectivo to Muyil from Tulum main street. You will need to look for a colectivo that goes to Felipe Carrillo Puerto and let the driver know that you want to get out in Muyil.

On the way back from Muyil to Tulum, you have to flag a colectivo off the street. Expect some wait time, as not many colectivos run between Felipe Carillo Puerto and Tulum as you may be used to from Tulum to Playa del Carmen for instance.

Tulum To Muyil By Taxi

It is technically possible to take a taxi to Muyil. However, since Muyil is not the most frequented tourist attraction around Tulum, you may have difficulties finding a ride there. If you manage to find a taxi driver, who is willing to drive you to Muyil, getting a ride back is going to be your next problem then.

A good way to get to Muyil by taxi is to negotiate a price with the taxi driver to wait for you there while you visit the ruins. If you just visit the archaeological site, you can do this within an hour.

We have done this when visiting one of the lesser-known cenotes around Tulum and it worked out well.

Summary: Zona Arqueológica de Muyil

Muyil Ruins, Mexico

The Muyil Ruins are located South of Tulum in the Sian Ka’an Reserve.

Muyil Ruins Hours

9 am – 3 pm daily

Muyil Ruins Price

50 MXN

Distance From Tulum

15 km / 9.3 mi

Muyil Ruins Tours

Muyil Archaeological Site Tour

Directions To Cristalino Cenote

Get directions here!

Muyil Ruins Tour

There are different Muyil day trips from Tulum and along the Riviera Maya, which visit the ruins in Muyil. Most of them also include visiting the Sian Ka’an Biosphere, which we highly recommend.

There are also Muyil river float tours. You will find more information on these tours further down in the post.

Here are some of the most popular Muyil Ruins tours:

Tips For Visiting The Muyil Ruins

Our number one tip for visiting Muyil, Mexico is to bring mosquito spray!!! The ruins are surrounded by forest with little wind in-between, which makes it the perfect environment for mosquitos.

Mosquito Repellent

Apply the mosquito repellent before you get there, to avoid bites in the first place. We stupidly didn’t follow our own advice and only applied mosquito repellent after we got bit and it was already too late. So don’t be like us, do it before and don’t get bit!

Muyil Observation Tower

Path to Muyi Lagoon and observation tower

If you visit the ruins you will see a path leading to an observation tower. This tower lets you overlook the jungle and the nearby Muyil Lagoon.

There is an additional cost of 50 MXN to climb up the Muyil observation tower. You will have to pay the fee at a little “toll station” along the path to the tower and lagoon.

Muyil Lagoon & Laguna Chunyaxché

The path that leads to the observation tower also leads to the Muyil Lagoon. A canal connects the Muyil Lagoon with Laguna Chunyaxché.

Mayan Canals Tulum

As mentioned earlier, these canals in the Sian Ka’an biosphere were built by the ancient Mayans and are therefore called the Mayan Canals.

Sian Ka’an Muyil Floating Canals

The water flows very slowly through the Muyil canals in Sian Ka’an. They are like an insanely blue lazy river in paradise.

If you are getting antsy and want to jump in, we have good news. There are tours offered to float these ancient canals in Sian Ka’an.

Muyil River Float

The Mayan Canals in Muyil are the Sian Ka'an lazy river — Mayan Canals aka Muyil Lazy River in Sian Ka’an

A Mayan Canal float tour is a great add-on when visiting the Muyil Ruins. You can sign up for the river float when you get to the ruins or book a guided Muyil floating tour with transportation in advance.

The difference between the two is when you don’t go with a pre-booked guided tour and decide right on the spot at the ruins it is an on-demand boat ride.

This means the price you pay is for the fishing boat to get you to the Sian Ka’an canals and back, no matter how many people you are. So you can either do a super private tour and pay 100% of the ride yourself or if you want to save money wait for some more people and share the costs for the boat.

Muyil River Float Cost

Muyil lagoon boat ride to Mayan Canals in Sian Ka'an Biosphere Nature Reserve — Boat ride Sian Ka’an: Muyil Lagoon & Chunyaxché Lagoon

The on-demand Muyil river float cost is 900 MXN per person when sharing the boat. This was in early 2021. Prices can change depending on season and demand and your negotiation skills.

If you do a guided all-inclusive day trip to Muyil, with transportation, lunch, etc. there are many different options. See the various tours and costs below.

Muyil River Float Tours

Tips For River Floating In Sian Ka’Kan

When you float the Muyil lazy river, you can leave all your belongings in the boat. However, we recommend to still bring a dry bag with you, so all your things stay nice and dry during your river adventures.

The Sian Ka’an biosphere, the Muyil lagoons as well as the Mayan canals are so pretty, therefore, don’t forget to bring your camera! To protect them from the water get a waterproof phone case and/ or waterproof camera body.

Muyil Lazy River Packing List

Cenotes Near Muyil

There are a few cenotes along the way from Tulum to Muyil which you can visit during the same day trip.

Cenotes Cristal & Escondido

Snorkeling in crystal clear cenote water at Cenote Escondido & Cenote Cristal in Tulum — Snorkeling in crystal clear Tulum cenotes near Muyil

Cenote Cristal is located on Highway 307, just about 4 km outside of Tulum in direction to the Muyil Ruins and Bacalar. Cenote Cristal is a lesser-known cenote near Tulum and therefore more tranquil.

The cenote is a complete open-air cenote, surrounded by the jungle. You can swim and snorkel at Cenote Cristal but also go cave diving. Read more about Cenotes Cristal & Escondido in our Tulum Cenotes Guide.

Cenote Corazón del Paraíso

Cenote Corazón del Paraíso, is a heart-shaped, open-air cenote. The natural swimming hole is located along Highway 307 right next to Cenote Escondido. You can easily visit Cenote Corazon before or after visiting Muyil.

To read more about Cenote Corazón del Paraíso check out our Tulum Cenotes Guide.

Kaan Luum Lagoon & Cenote

Turquoise water at Kaan Luum Lagoon near Tulum

Kaan Luum Lagoon is located between Muyil and Tulum. The lagoon has many shades of blue-turquoise water and an 80 meters deep cenote in the middle. Kaan Luum Lagoon has become a very popular Tulum tourist attraction over the years.

More Mayan Ruins In The Yucatan Peninsula

The Yucatán Peninsula has many more Mayan archeological sites. The ruins in Muyil are just a small portion of the majestic pyramids and temples the Mayans build throughout the Mexican peninsula.

See this overview here to find more Mayan archaeological sites in the Yucatan Peninsula and check out our Yucatan Ruins Guide.

Mayan Ruins Yucatan & Q.Roo

Ek Balam
(near Valladolid)

Cobá
(between Tulum and Valladolid)

Becán
(South in the state of Campeche)

Uxmal
(an hour South of Mérida)

Calakmul
(in the South near Guatemala)

Mayapan
(near Mérida)

Chichen Itza
(near Valladolid)

Tulum Muyil Ruins Guide
Mayan Canals & Muyil River Float

The Muyil Ruins near Tulum make a great day trip from Tulum and are a must-do for everyone who likes to explore the lesser-known places around the Mexican peninsula.

In addition to visiting the ruins, you can do the Muyil River Float and explore the ancient Mayan canals in the Sian Ka’an Nature Reserve.