Punta Allen
Punta Allen is the largest village in the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve at the end of the Boca Paila Peninsula in Tulum Municipality in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo. It is a small Mayan fishing village with a 2010 census population of 469 inhabitants.
The village has only about 4-5 blocks of sandy streets going inland from the sea and is only about 6-7 streets wide. Punta Allen has 1 generator that runs electricity to the village during two periods daily; 11am – 2pm and from 7pm – midnight. It is wise to bring a flashlight along so you can find your way to the bathroom at night.
As far as food and provisions are concerned, the village has 4 mini markets, a fresh seafood store house, a produce store house, a lobster co-op that makes ice, and a number of restaurants along the beachfront and scattered around town. On some days you can pre-order tamales to be delivered around 6pm.
There is a dock on the lagoon with a palapa roof. This is a good spot for watching the sunset and perhaps a feeding dolphin or crocodile. Punta Allen is a perfect base for bird-watchers; Pelicans, Pink spoonbills, Frigates, mockingbirds, vultures and White Ibis nest nearby.
The Sian Ka’an Biosphere and Punta Allen draw bone fishermen from all over the world who enjoy the saltwater flats and fly-fishing.