This text is a guide on what to do in Akumal, Mexico. Here you will also discover how to go, where to stay and what is the secret to seeing and swimming with turtles in Akumal.
Cumulative It would be worth the trip just for the clear waters. But there is more, as the name suggests: in Mayan, Akumal means “place of turtles”.
106 km from Cancún and less than 40 from Playa del Carmen, Akumal has been home to sea turtles for centuries. It was only in the 1960s, however, that the city began to emerge, already embracing tourism – divers were some of the first travelers to pass through there.
Today, Akumal is no longer the quiet, tourist-free village it once was, but it remains little known, at least if you compare it to neighboring Cancún and Playa del Carmen.
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What to do in Akumal
There’s not much to go wrong: when it comes to what to do in Akumal, the number one activity is swimming with turtles.
Additionally, there are some bars and restaurants and, of course, a beautiful beach to enjoy.
How to swim with turtles in Akumal
According to the Mexico News Daily website, At least fifty turtles can be seen every day swimming in the clear waters of Akumal. They go there in search of food, especially in the corals that are on the beach.
As soon as we arrived in Akumal, several people started offering guide services to the turtles. We chose not to hire one and that was the biggest mistake of the trip.
The beach is public, with free entry, but the area where the turtles swim is demarcated by buoys. And only accredited guides can take tourists there. Obviously I didn’t know this, or else I would have hired the service, which costs between 20 and 30 dollars per person – don’t be surprised, but in this part of Mexico the prices are almost always stated in the foreign way.
We rented snorkeling equipment at one of the kiosks in front of the beach, left our backpacks in the establishment’s luggage storage and entered the water, in the area where they informed us that diving without a guide was allowed.
For two hours I saw everything – and that means sand, seaweed and fish. But no turtles. From the disappointed faces of the other tourists who were swimming on their own, it was easy to see that this was the general situation.
After returning home and researching to write this text, I discovered that things have changed in Akumal recently. Previously, there were no diving areas so demarcated, which allowed tourists without a guide to spot turtles more easily.
The change was actually for a good reason. The increase in the number of tourists started to bring environmental problems to Akumal, leaving the turtles stressed and destroying the corals.
Because of this, environmental agencies closed the beach to snorkeling for almost two months, which proved to be a good idea, as the environmental situation improved. Now, you need to follow some environmental rules in Akumal.
- Entering the beach remains free and there is no need to hire a guide. But, if you wanted to swim in the area where the turtles feed, you need to be with an accredited guide. This is also advisable because the guide helps take care of the safety of the traveler, who needs to be careful with currents and not to run into reefs.
- Swimming with the turtles is only allowed from 9am to 5pm.
- The life jacket is now a mandatory item. This is important to prevent you from accidentally stepping on the corals, which die from contact (do not step on the corals under any circumstances). By the way, never touch or chase turtles or any marine animal. This is serious! You must maintain a distance of at least three meters from the animal. And be careful with long stalks – after you’ve been around for a few minutes, go on your way and leave the turtle alone.
- Avoid using sunscreen or tanning products that are not biodegradable. This also applies to entering cenotes or any place that is a nursery for marine life, especially those where water is trapped, such as natural pools.
- Take your diving camera, like a Gopro. But you should be careful with sticks, as they are one more item that can damage the environment.
- And, of course, take your trash away with you. Shells and everything that belongs to the beach must remain on the beach.
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What to do in Akumal: special tours
It is possible to book several tours online. The advantage is that you start paying before leaving home, making the trip easier on your budget.
Plus, you don’t have to worry about finding a guide or a tour once you’re in Akumal. Some options available on Get Your Guide:
Akumal: Como ir
Unless you intend to spend all your days at an all-inclusive resort, which I don’t recommend, the best way to get around Cancún and the Riviera Maya region is by car.
That’s what I did – we rented a vehicle in Playa del Carmen, for a price very similar to what is charged in Brazil. Read here about the experience of renting a car in Mexico and find out how to guarantee the best value for money.
To get to Akumal, simply follow Carretera 307, the main highway in the region that connects Cancún to Tulum, passing through Playa del Carmen and Akumal.
If you don’t have a car, you can travel by taxi or public transport. White vans, the so-called collectives, run along the entire highway, with several daily departures. Just wait at one of the points and signal when you see one of the vehicles.
The price is fixed, but varies according to the total distance you will travel in the vehicle – from Playa del Carmen to Akumal, for example, it costs 45 pesos per person.
Where to stay in Akumal: hotel and guesthouse tips
Almost everyone goes to Akumal on a day trip basis, setting up base in Cancún or Playa del Carmen.
But I think it’s worth making Akumal a kind of alternative base, spending a few nights there and taking the opportunity to visit the cenotes and Tulum, another beach town that is 20 km away.
There are several hotels in front of Akumal beach.
- Hotel Club Akumal Caribe – Three stars, breakfast included, swimming pool and rooms with sea views. Daily rates at 170 dollars.
- Del Sol Beachfront – Also with a view and pool, but with slightly cheaper rates, starting at $110.
- Las Villas Akumal – Very comfortable and daily rates around 150 dollars, but with one detail: apartments for up to 4 people. Great for families and groups of friends.
- Grand Oasis Tulum – In recent years, all-inclusive resorts have begun to appear in Akumal. This one has four stars and daily rates start at $230.
- Itza Hotel Akumal – The cheapest options to stay are in the village of Akumal, a few meters from the beach, but without sea views and on the other side of the highway. This one has daily rates of 30 dollars.
- Hostal El Padrino – Another cheap accommodation option in the village of Akumal, with daily rates at 35 dollars.
Akumal: food, money and other issues
There are several restaurants on the beachfront, but not all of them accept cards – check before placing your order. Prices there follow the logic of Cancún, with food being much more expensive than in any other part of Mexico.
If you run out of money, there are ATMs, the famous ATMs, in Akumal. Just be careful with the fees, which can be high. ATMs that deliver dollars, for example, charge two types of fees, one of them proportional to the withdrawal, and they are definitely not worth it.
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What to do around Akumal
Don’t forget to take the opportunity to also visit Tulum, which is nearby. In addition to beautiful beaches, this city has Mayan ruins facing the coast.
And between Akumal and Tulum are some of the most beautiful cenotes in Mexico, such as XCaret, Xel-Ha, Dos Ojos and Gran Cenote.
Cenotes are geological formations typical of Mexico in which underground water ends up appearing on the surface, whether in the form of caves or small lakes.
It’s worth spending your time visiting one or two cenotes, but keep in mind that entry to the most popular of them, such as Xel-Ha, can cost almost 100 dollars.
In the simplest ones, however, prices range from 5 to 20 dollars. And in general, payment is only in cash, including the most expensive ones.
Tulum
Those who have more time can take the opportunity to go to Chichén Itzá, the most beautiful Mayan ruins, which are two hours from Akumal.
Along the way, you can also pass through Cobá, another city with Mayan ruins, in the middle of a forest, and Valladolid, a colonial city.
Akumal: Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I rent snorkeling equipment in Akumal?
There are several shops and tour operators on Akumal Beach where you can rent snorkeling equipment.
Is it safe to swim with sea turtles in Akumal?
Yes, it is safe to swim with sea turtles in Akumal. However, it is important to follow the instructions of local guides to ensure the protection of the animals and the ecosystem. Never touch turtles and avoid using sunscreen.
Is it necessary to speak Spanish to visit Akumal?
Due to its proximity to the United States, many people speak English – and many tourists are North Americans. Despite this, knowing a few words and phrases in Spanish can make your trip easier.
Can I use US dollars in Akumal?
The official currency of Mexico is the Mexican peso (MXN). Although some stores and tourist establishments may accept US dollars, it is recommended to have Mexican pesos for most transactions, especially in local markets and small establishments.
When is the best time to visit Akumal?
The high tourist season occurs from December to April, when the weather is drier and more pleasant. Hurricane season runs from June to November.
Do you need travel insurance for Mexico?
It is essential not only to take out travel insurance, but also choose good insurance, a product that guarantees coverage in case of covid or other illnesses.
And also, of course, it covers other medical emergencies, lost luggage, flight cancellation, etc.
