Community Tours - Sian Kaan? - Monkey Reserve?

[sim0ne]

Dear Forum,

We're taking our first trip to Tulum next month, staying at Tita's, thanks to everyone's great info and advice. We'd like to see the biosphere and are wondering if anyone has had experience with this tour group? http://www.siankaantours.org/

Also, we're thinking about visiting Punta Laguna Monkey Reserve, but are not renting a car. Do you know how we could get there from Tulum?

Thanks everyone, this forum is a great resource!

Kim

[Gale in KY]

Punta Laguna Monkey Reserve is on Coba Rd, and not on the busline and I don't believe collectivo's venture off 307, so I would suggest heading into town and negotiating a fair price with a cab driver to take you there, wait for you and then return you home.

Lee and Minnie have both been there since I have and can confirm, but unless something has changed, there is no phone available for public use at the reserve, so make sure to make your arrangements with the driver, as you won't be able to call for a return cab back to town.

[minniemex]

I have personally never taken a "tour" of the Sian Ka'an but I know that most who do use CeSiak -

http://www.cesiak.org/

As far as Punta Laguna, I think as Gale said, negotiating a price with a cab driver to take you there and wait - We were only there maybe tops an hour and a half. There is a very small "store" there, don't know if they have any phone service. The other option I would offer is to ask at Tita's as they may know of someone who does this. Also, decide which type of monkey you would rather see, Howler or Spider, as Howlers come out to feed in the mornings and Spiders in the afternoon.

[AdGuy]

Gale and Minniemex are both right. The only way to get to the monkey reserve that I know of (besides a rental car) is taxi. Unfortunately, that roundtrip rate would likely be more than renting a car for 24 hours. Since you haven't explored other spots (Coba, Muyil, or any of the cenotes) you may want to see if you can rent a cab and driver for the day. Head into town, grab breakfast at Don Cafetos, and then venture across the street where all the cabbies are located. Find one that can speak good English and investigate hiring him for the day (start in Coba, head to the monkey reserve and finish at Grand Cenote). As for the Sian Ka'an, I'd highly recommend the canal tour by CESiaK...well worth the money and they'll pick you up/drop you off right at Tita Tulum.

[austxdan]

Hi Kim,

Wow - Tita's, Sian Kaan, Punta Laguna . . . sounds like youre following my last trip report to a "T" :).

A car is really the way to go to see more than just the beach around Tulum. A couple years back we did just the 24 hour rental, as we mainly stayed on the beach and took taxis and collectivos around the immediate area. Last year we did the full weekly rental, and it was quite handy to get out and about.

For a daily rental, you can go to Buster's in the pueblo. They are just across the street from Charlies (I believe) on the northbound side of 307. From other trip reports I'm fairly certain you'll get a blue chevy monza like the rest of us :D. Once you have said car, I'd follow Lee's itinerary above. That would be a full day for you. But get an early start to beat the crowds at Coba.

For the Sian Kaan tour, we used CeSiak.org. It's a great tour, and quite educational.

Enjoy,
Dan

[AdGuy]

Wow - Tita's, Sian Kaan, Punta Laguna . . . sounds like youre following my last trip report to a "T" :).

I was thinking the same thing when I read your trip report. :D