Muyil Ruins: Pyramids off the beaten path near Tulum

If you’re headed to Tulum, Mexico, you’ve no doubt heard of the Tulum Ruins. After all, those stone ruins are located right in town, and the iconic photo of the pyramid against the teal-blue Caribbean can’t be missed. But just down the road, the Muyil Ruins are equally as stunning—and don’t have any of the crowds (or overwhelming heat) their more popular neighbors have.

Less than a half-hour’s drive south of Tulum, just off Highway 307, you can see the impressive and steep-walled pyramids of the Muyil Ruins. The archaeological site in Quintana Roo, Mexico is also located along the Sian Ka’an biosphere reserve, where you can hike and take a Muyil River float tour.

Even if you skip the biosphere reserve, though, visiting the Muyil Mayan Ruins near Tulum is so worth a short trip. Below, I share a little about this archaeological site’s history, how to get to the Muyil Ruins, what you’ll see, and details you need to know before visiting these pyramids near Tulum. I’ll also include some tips on exploring the Sian Ka’an biosphere reserve.

Ready for more? ¡Vámanos!

The Muyil Ruins near Tulum, Mexico

The Muyil Ruins are a collection of temples and platforms on which people built homes and roads, along with more evidence of a once-thriving community. Archaeologists have found artifacts and construction dating back as far as 350 AD, making the Muyil Mayan Ruins one of the oldest and longest-inhabited centers on the Yucatan Peninsula. For context, the nearby Tulum Ruins were first inhabited about 200 years later.

Muyil Ruins History

Archaeologists also believe that Muyil was a center of commerce, particularly trading jade, feathers, and other goods. Products would arrive by boat via the canals in what’s now called the Sian Ka’an biosphere preserve (a beautiful name meaning “Where the Sky is Born”). Traders would then bring the goods inland, distributing them throughout the area.

Today, visitors can explore part of the Muyil Ruins in Quintana Roo. The other part of the Muyil archaeological site is still off-limits to visitors, since it hasn’t yet been fully excavated and preserved.

Exploring Muyil Ruins: The Highlights

You’ll need about an hour to walk the entirety of Muyil Ruins, though you should plan for twice that if you want to walk in the Sian Ka’an biosphere preserve as well.

The site is flat, making it easy for young children and those with mobility limitations to explore. And both the dirt paths and gravel paths are well maintained, though you should always watch out for tree roots and other uneven spots.

Kid-friendly adventure

My kids and I met up with one of my dear blogging friends, Cassie from Mexico Cassie, and her two kiddos. The site was perfect for a kid-friendly adventure near Tulum: The kids were able to play and pretty much run free, and Cassie and I actually got to chat! (For all you moms of young kids, you know how rare an uninterrupted conversation is.)

As wonderful as talking with a friend is, though, I was absolutely blown away by the Muyil Ruins near Tulum. Perhaps I just haven’t been jaded by the overwhelming number and diversity of ruins in the Yucatan Peninsula, but I simply marveled at the Muyil Ruins.

The buildings of the Muyil Ruins

I could also hardly believe how close we could get to the ruins. Since the Muyil Ruins are off the beaten path and attract few visitors, this archaeological site is fairly underdeveloped making it one of the best non-touristy things to do in Tulum. You can walk right up to a centuries-old pyramid and touch it if you want (although all signs ask visitors to not climb on the constructions).

The most impressive sites in the Muyil Ruins were the 55-foot-tall pyramid and the Pink Temple (building 8). When you are there in person, look toward the top of the building—can you see stone carvings of animals or other figures?

Although these constructions are the most photogenic, keep an eye out for small piles of rocks and raised platforms. Most of these don’t include signage, so I don’t know what they all used to be. Archaeologists probably don’t know, either, since time has since reclaimed many structures, especially minor ones.

The platforms may have been raised areas on which residents built homes out of wood, branches, leaves and other materials. No matter what they are, though, it’s simply magical to see them up close.

Hiking in the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve near Muyil Ruins

If you have time, I absolutely recommend taking another hour to explore the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve while you’re at the Muyil Ruins.

You don’t have to drive; you can enter the biosphere by walking from the back of the Muyil archaeological site. Simply continue past the Pink Temple along the path—the trees will begin to grow more densely, and the path gets bumpier and muddier.

You’ll come to a wooden boardwalk and arrive at an entry station, where you’ll need to pay an additional 50 pesos (25 for kids) to enter the Sian Ka’an biosphere.

Exploring the forest and lookout point

From there, you can walk along the boardwalk all the way to the Muyil Lagoon. The boardwalk takes you through lush forest, and similarly to the ruins, very few people visit this area so you’ll likely have most of the hike to yourself.

Halfway between the archaeological site and the Muyil Lagoon, you’ll come to the mirador, or lookout. This wooden structure is about three stories tall. If you’re not afraid of heights—and don’t mind climbing the ladder/super-steep stairs—you can get an incredible view of the jungle within the Sian Ka’an biosphere reserve.

I didn’t climb to the top, since I stayed below with Maxine, my 3 1/2 year old who so wanted to go up with the big kids. Edie, who was 5 1/2, actually scrambled to the top ahead of any grown-ups, much to my chagrin.

A word to the wise for parents: If you have daredevil kids, you might want to skip the mirador in Sian Ka’an. The observation platform is basically a wide-open wooden platform that would be incredibly easy to fall off of. If you do let your kids go up, make sure to have a safety chat beforehand so they understand expectations (sit in the middle of the platform, wait until people are all the way up before climbing down the ladder, etc.).

Muyil Ruins lagoon

We had planned on hiking all the way to the Muyil Lagoon and going on a Muyil River float tour, but the sky opened up when we finished at the lookout. We got caught in a super-heavy downpour. What’s more, Edie—who had been loving the adventure of exploring the Muyil Ruins and the rain forest—ran off without us, and we lost her for about 10 minutes. It was terrifying. Luckily, two friendly strangers spotted her crying on the boardwalk by herself and brought her back to the lookout, where we found her.

At any rate, we didn’t make it all the way to the Muyil Lagoon—we’ll have to save that for the next time we visit the Tulum area. If you’re interested in a canal tour of the Muyil Lagoon, scroll to the bottom of this post to read more on boating the lagoon, from Mexico Cassie.

Logistics: Details you need to visit & Muyil Ruins entrance fee

Muyil Ruins, like every other ruins we found near Tulum, are open all week long from 8am to 5pm. (If you visit around a holiday, though, you should double-check to ensure it’s open before you go.) A dirt parking lot offers more than enough parking for the low traffic the ruins get on an average day.

The Muyil Ruins entrance fee to the archaeological site is 50 pesos per person (less than $3 USD), and the entry desk rarely has change. Make sure to bring as close to exact change as you can.

Amenities at the Muyil Mayan Ruins

There are restrooms located just inside the Muyil Ruins entrance, but nowhere else on the property. Make sure you use the bathroom before you begin to explore!

Across Highway 307 from the parking lot, you’ll find a little bodega that sells snacks, drinks and a few souvenirs. I strongly considered running over there to get t-shirts for my girls, since their clothes were 100% soaked from the torrential rain storm we were caught in!

Muyil Ruins: Off the beaten path adventure near Tulum, Mexico

If you’re looking for what to do in Tulum, and you want to avoid crowds and explore something that’s a little more off the beaten path, then I strongly recommend visiting the Muyil Ruins near Tulum.

Whether you go to Tulum with kids, a bunch of friends or on a solo travel trip, this archaeological site in Quintana Roo is more than worth a visit. You’ll get to see centuries-old ruins up close, hike through the jungle and learn about cultures that came before.

If you’re considering a family vacation to Tulum, you’ll want to read my full and honest post on if Tulum is actually family-friendly or not. If you’ve already booked your trip, make sure to add the Muyil Ruins to your Tulum itinerary!