Lagoon Campfire

The Sian Ka'an lagoons are among the most extraordinary natural attractions in Tulum.

Sian Ka'an — which means "where the sky is born" in Mayan — is a UNESCO World Heritage biosphere reserve located just south of Tulum's Zona Hotelera, roughly 15 kilometers from the town center.

One of its main attractions is the way its freshwater channels and cenote-fed rivers flow into the Caribbean Sea, creating a unique mix of ecosystems: mangrove forests, shallow coastal lagoons, and open sea all within sight of each other.

Another phenomenon that draws visitors from around the world is the possibility of bioluminescence in the lagoon channels at night — living microorganisms that emit a soft blue-green glow when the water is disturbed. Swimming through glowing water beneath a canopy of stars is an experience that genuinely defies description.

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During the day, the same lagoon channels are ideal for kayaking, SUP yoga, or simply floating down the natural current through the mangroves on a guided boat tour.

Many and varied are the activities on offer inside the Sian Ka'an reserve. In this article we want to tell you about one of our absolute favorites: the lagoon campfire tour.

What could be more beautiful than saying goodbye to the sunset with a bonfire, stars, friends, and good stories? If you are one of those who love nature and outdoor life, you cannot miss this tour.

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The tour begins with transportation from Tulum to the reserve entrance, followed by a welcome drink — typically a refreshing agua fresca or a light rum cocktail made with local tropical fruits — served right at the lagoon's edge. From there, your guide leads a boat tour through the lagoon channels so you can take in the wildlife and appreciate the layers of vegetation that make Sian Ka'an so special. Among the animals you are likely to spot: herons, roseate spoonbills, frigatebirds, crocodiles resting along the banks, and if you are lucky, manatees surfacing in the shallower areas. The mangrove trees are the undisputed stars of the plant world here — enormous, ancient root systems rising from the water and creating natural archways that your boat glides beneath.

As the afternoon winds down and the light turns golden, your guide positions the group at a carefully chosen spot at the mouth of the lagoon — the precise point where the freshwater channels open into the Caribbean. From here you watch a magical sunset whose colors wash across both the calm lagoon water and the open sea simultaneously. It is a double horizon that very few places on earth can offer.

Once the sky deepens into violet and the first stars appear, the campfire is lit. Around it, a traditional Yucatecan dinner is served: cochinita pibil tacos, black bean sopa, fresh ceviche, and handmade tortillas, plus marshmallows toasted over the open flame for dessert. A local musician plays guitar and traditional Maya melodies to complete the atmosphere.

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A complete experience that lets you appreciate not just the ecological wonders of Sian Ka'an, but also the flavors of the Yucatán Peninsula beside an open fire and under the clearest sky you will find anywhere near Tulum. Our team has joined this tour multiple times and it never loses its magic.

Nature at its most cinematic, incredible Caribbean light, local food, and a campfire. You really cannot ask for anything more.

— Kate, United States.