Can You Fly a Drone in Sian Ka’an? Mexico (2023 Guide)

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Can you fly a drone in Sian Ka’an? This post answers all of your questions about drone flying in Sian Ka’an and the Quintana Roo area in Mexico.

Can you fly a drone in Sian Ka’an? Yes, you are able to fly your drone in Sian Ka’an. Flying drones is legal in Mexico. However, as Sian Ka’an is a protected area, there are some parts of the reserve where drone flying is limited.

You will not be questioned about owning a drone in Mexico. We flew our drone on the roads around Punta Allen in Sian Ka’an, as well as over El Cielo Y Selva, our accommodation.

The safest place to fly your drone in the Sian Ka’an reserve is around the town of Punta Allen. Drone flying is allowed here, and you are able to take photos and videos of the surrounding village, coastline and jungle.

Drone use is prohibited in some areas of the reserve due to the protection of fauna, animals and wildlife. If you are visiting Sian Ka’an via Tulum, it is unlikely you will go far enough into the reserve to experience these restrictions.

However, there are of course some rules when it comes to flying drones in Sian Ka’an and Mexico.

Need somewhere to stay in Sian Ka’an or near Punta Allen? You can’t get anywhere better than El Cielo Y Selva. It’s the closest I’ve been to paradise on earth, and really is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You can take a look at their site here.

Other Mexico posts:

• How to Visit Sian Ka’an WITHOUT A Tour: Ultimate Guide! (2022)
• Kaan Luum Lagoon, Tulum: Complete Guide (2022)
• Is There Uber in Sian Ka’an? Getting Around Sian Ka’an (2022)
• 11 BEST Things To Do In Punta Allen, Sian Ka’an (Mexico)

Rules for flying a drone in Sian Ka’an, Mexico

There are rules when it comes to flying your drone in Mexico, such as:

• Do not fly your drone near or over people, or at large crowds (like at the beach)
• Never fly your drone near an airport (airports are always no-fly zones)
• A drone over 2 kg requires a permit
• You must only fly your drone during the day, and in good weather
• Never fly your drone near military of government buildings
• Look out for any ‘no-drone’ signs
• Check with your accommodation if you want to fly your drone around the hotel/camp.
• Drone laws are constantly changing, so be sure to check the latest advice when visiting Mexico.

If you would like to know more about drone rules in Mexico, check out this website.

There are also many tourist attractions in Mexico that charge for using a drone, like the Kaan Luum Lagoon. Be sure to check at the front gate or entrance of any attraction to ensure you do not need to pay to use your drone.

Getting a drone into Mexico

• All drones entering Mexico should be carried in hand luggage, if possible. We always carry our drone in our small backpack, as it’s expensive and we wouldn’t want to lose it! If you buy a suitable case, it can be kept neatly away in any carry-on luggage.
• A permit is required for commercial drone use in Mexico.
• Always check with your airline if you are carrying extra batteries for your drone in your hand luggage.
• I recommend buying your drone out of Mexico, as electronic stores can be hard to find!

Need a new drone? I highly recommend the DJI Mavic 3 if you’re going to be posting on social media. It’s one of the few drones that take photos in portrait mode instead of landscape, making it perfect for Instagram posts and stories.

Tips for flying a drone in Sian Ka’an

Sian Ka’an is a place of complete beauty and serenity. If you are visiting Sian Ka’an from Tulum, and driving down to Punta Allen, there are many drone opportunities.

Here are my best drone photo opportunities in Sian Ka’an:

• A view of the coastline and jungle, from anywhere near the beach
• Overlooking the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea
• When driving, pull over and get a shot of the road and surrounding jungle. If you time it right, you can get a photo of both the lagoon on one side, and the sea on the other, with the jungle in the middle! A lot of the road leading to Punta Allen is a single stretch, and drone footage looks incredible.

Of course, always make sure it is safe to fly your drone, and that there is no one around you to upset. The buzzing sound of a drone can be irritating if you’re trying to relax on the beach!

Never fly a drone whilst driving, and always ensure you are parked somewhere safely to take drone footage (or the passenger is controlling the drone, not the driver).

Ensure no animals are bothered or harmed by your drone flying. Dogs can become quite overwhelmed and excited with drones, so be extra cautious when landing.

Can you fly a drone in Sian Ka’an: In a Nutshell

So, there you have it! Everything you need to know about flying a drone in Sian Ka’an, Mexico.

When you’re planning a trip to Punta Allen, make sure you let me know over on Instagram or in the comments below!

If you haven’t come across my blog before, I write posts aimed at first-time backpackers on a budget. I’m currently backpacking Mexico with my boyfriend (read more here!), whilst creating guides and itineraries for you to follow in our footsteps!

Keep an eye out for more Mexico content, all written from a personal and realistic point of view. You can sign up for my newsletter and juicy travel updates here!

As always, thanks for reading and supporting the blog!

Happy travelling 🙂

Jennie x

Other Quintana Roo/Mexico posts:

• How to Visit Sian Ka’an WITHOUT A Tour: Ultimate Guide! (2022)
• Kaan Luum Lagoon, Tulum: Complete Guide (2022)
• Is There Uber in Sian Ka’an? Getting Around Sian Ka’an (2022)
• 11 BEST Things To Do In Punta Allen, Sian Ka’an (Mexico)