Punta Allen

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Punta Allen is right next to the Si´an Kaan Biosphere and is a small fishing village with only a few cabana style hotels, a small strip of beach, less than 5 restaurants and a friendly town of inhabitants and tourists.  This was exactly what we were looking for in Tulum.  Don´t let the road scare you - it was well kept and only takes 1 hr in from Tulum by bus (the bus (van) driver is crazy) and 2 hrs leaving town by taxi.

Punta Allen is unique in that it sits on the largest protected marine areas in the world.  In case you didn´t know - the Barrier Reef of Central-South America is 2nd largest in the world to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.  It has been a Mexican national park since 1986 and a UNESCO world heritage site since 1987.

Fisherman´s village

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The town was still recovering from Hurricane Dean only 5 months ago, as was apparent by the missing docks, collapsed houses, and the well told stories from the American owner of one of the hotels.

On a hunt for a guide to take us through the Biosphere´s marine and jungle areas we did some research but unfortunately everyone but Francisco was booked.  Here´s the scoop in case you go - Don Enrique is the local guide for crocodiles.  Francisco, as well as every other fisherman in town is a local marine guides for snorkeling.  I can´t remember the local´s name for the jungle touring - but ask around at one of the hotels.  It is such a small town everyone knows each other really well.  You can guide yourself through the jungle on a well kept trail (we did) and get a good feel for the mangroves and jungle.  It is about 1 KM into the jungle long.  The hurricane did its toll on the watch towers here but the trails are in good shape.

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We were lucky to get into town and find a place to stay and eat indoors before a rather large storm hit with 80 mph winds.  We felt awful for the tourists camping on the beach, but fortunate to share a table at dinner with two amazing women from Amsterdam - Mary & Sophie, and an interesting couple from Boston - Matt & Jenny.  Who had hotels but were sharing an overcrowded indoor restaurant with us.  I think it was the only open and indoor restaurant in the town.  :)

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Because of the storm and winds continuing into the next day, we weren´t able to enjoy the snorkeling in the bay with Francisco - to all of our dissapointment.

Overall, I recommend a cabana to someone looking to get away from it all.  In good weather this place would be phenomenal.