Beach trekking to Punta Allen - Mexico

Punta Allen is a small town in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico. The village is part of the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Special Reserve. It is considered to be the southernmost tip of the Riviera Maya.

Tulum is a city in the State of Quintana Roo and the most attractive tourist city in the Riviera Maya. Its main tourist attraction, except for the paradisiacal beaches, is the walled city of the Mayan culture located inside the Tulum National Park.

Practical guide for hikers

The tour consists of walking from Tulum to a small village called Punta Allen. Between these two destinations is a peninsula with lagoons on the inside and wild beaches on the outside. The whole area is part of the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve. The route is about 60 km long and takes 4 days to complete. There are many different types of routes along this route. Some of the most typical ones are driving a 4×4 or navigating through the Caribbean wildlife. However, we will opt for a walking tour. This will allow us on the one hand to practice sport. On the other hand, we will have more contact with nature.

During the tour you can see sea turtles, huge crabs, rays, barracudas and even the occasional crocodile. You won't meet many people along the way, as most of the time, people who go to this area hire the services of big tour companies to see crocodiles, fly fish or swim in one of the lagoons. This will allow you to have more contact with nature and to enjoy the environment even more.

The route will consist of following the beach until you reach the village. There are no complications and there is no way to get lost. Although it is 60 km practically the whole route is along the seashore, which means that there is no way of getting lost. In addition, there are no steep or hilly sections, which makes it easy to carry all the tools.

Advice for hikers

It is important to carry mosquito repellent. As it is a very humid area, there are an infinite number of insects that make bites, some of them quite painful. It is also a good idea to bring a mosquito net for the nights.

Jellyfish may be present in some bathing areas. Before going into the water you should make sure that there are no jellyfish or that there are not many and avoid any risk of being stung. If you want to swim, it is advisable to do so in the areas where the huts are located so that if you are stung someone can help you.

The route does not include any type of accommodation, you will be camping as you see fit next to the path. For this you will need the tools to be able to camp: a tent and a sleeping bag among others.

The central hours of the day, between 12:00 and 16:00, are very hot. It is advisable to take advantage of these hours to rest under the palm trees or take a swim and continue with the route when the intensity of the sun decreases and the temperature drops a few degrees.

As far as clothing is concerned, as there are many insects, it is advisable to wear thin clothing to be able to withstand the heat, but if possible with long sleeves so as not to avoid bites. At the same time, they should be breathable clothes that absorb the heat very well. To be able to take the odd dip, don't forget your swimming costume. As far as shoes are concerned, as this is a very humid area with lots of bathing spots, waterproof shoes are recommended. Lastly, as this is a route in the sun, it is vitally important to wear sunglasses that protect you from UV rays.

For food and hydration you will need at least 10 litres of water per person. There is an army base 9 km before Punta Allen where you can get more water. But this is the only point on the entire route where water is available. You will also need to carry enough food for the 4 days. It is important to know how to ration and calculate the amount of food you will need each day and not to overdo it so as not to carry more weight than necessary in your backpacks. This should include all the necessary material for cooking.