Adventure in Akumal: Guide for Akumal, Mexico

Akumal is a small resort town on the coast of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. It’s located along a series of bays enclosed by a coral reef, creating calm, clear waters with white sand beaches.

Restaurants, bars, homes, and resorts line the shore. Originally founded as a community for scuba divers, it remains a favorite destination for viewing marine life. Snorkeling with sea turtles is the town’s most popular activity.

Akumal is located about 60 miles south of Cancun between Playa Del Carmen and Tulum and has often served as a day trip destination for travelers. However, with its turquoise waters, charming beach bars, and friendly ambiance, Akumal deserves to be more than just a pit stop.

With Akumal as your base, you can still easily explore the rest of Riviera Maya, then promptly escape the hustle and bustle back in Akumal’s peaceful paradise.

Here’s your travel guide for where to stay, where to eat, and what to do in Akumal, Mexico.

What to Do in Akumal

Go Snorkeling with Sea Turtles

The top activity in Akumal is snorkeling with sea turtles. Akumal means “place of the turtles” in Mayan and the turtles venture into the shallow bays to feed on sea grass. Even if snorkeling generally isn’t your thing, there’s something magical about seeing the turtles in their natural habitat.

To snorkel in Akumal, you can simply rent gear and head out in the bay. Alternatively, if you brought your own gear, you can use that as well. Just make sure to get there early, before it’s too hot and the water grows hazy with sand kicked up by fellow snorkelers.

To get gear, just visit a dive shop, like Akumal Dive Center, and rent a snorkel and life vest. They have lockers where you can store your belongings, then you just head out and explore! (If you’re at a resort, they often have their own equipment for you to use as well.) Wade into the warm, clear waters, and observe the sea life.

There are a few things to keep in mind about snorkeling in Akumal. In 2016, Akumal Bay was named a protected area to save the threatened turtle population, which brought new snorkeling regulations.

The rules limit the number of tourists, areas where you can snorkel, and hours you can be in the bay. Just make sure to check the regulations with the dive shop or local officials, be respectful of the marine life, and wear reef-safe sunscreen. 

Update: Another note on snorkeling with the sea turtles.

After hearing about other visitors’ experiences, I’ve learned that many people have had trouble when coming to Akumal to swim with the turtles.

Apparently when walking through Akumal from the highway, it is common to have people try to convince you that you need a tour guide or need to pay in some way. (We were already staying in Akumal and just walked down the beach, so we didn’t experience this.) Just keep in mind that it is free to snorkel with the turtles and you don’t need a guide. Just be a respectful visitor, obey official people and notices, and carry on your way.

Relax on the Beach

Of course, a must-do activity in Akumal is simply hang out on the beach. The community is home to miles of beautiful shoreline. While some is rocky and not suitable for relaxing, there are plenty of stretches of groomed, white sand beaches.

Keep in mind that during certain times of year, seaweed piles up along the beaches. As many private communities and hotels are located right along the beach, workers are constantly going up and down the beach collecting the seaweed, so it shouldn’t be in your way too much.

For hanging at the beach, either bring your own gear or pay to use a resort’s facilities. Either way just take some time to enjoy the clear blue water and warm weather.

Explore the Town of Akumal

Akumal is a pretty small town, so it’s easily explored on foot. In town, there are hotels, shops, markets, and restaurants (more on those later). There are also some ATMs in town, which are useful in the often cash only Riviera Maya.

Spend a bit of time wandering the town and seeing what you find. The shops and galleries are a highlight. Stop into one, like Galeria Lamanai, which offers a selection of Mexican folk art, to pick up some local wares.

Galeria Lamanai is open daily. It is located just behind Restaurant Lol-Ha near the beach in Akumal.

Swim in a Cenote

The Mayan Riviera is home to seemingly countless cenotes.

Cenotes are natural pits created when limestone bedrock collapses and reveals groundwater below. They’re cavernous swimming holes perfect for taking a dip and catching a glimpse of more local wildlife.

From Akumal, two nearby cenotes are Gran Cenote and Yal-ku Lagoon. Gran Cenote is further south near Tulum, while Yal-Ku is a bit north of Akumal.

The cenotes generally charge an entrance fee, which is generally around $15-$20 USD. However, prices may vary by season and exchange rate. They often have snorkel gear and lockers available for rent as well.

Gran Cenote is open daily and located at Quintana Roo 109, 77796 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico.

Yal-ku is located at Akumal, yalku, 77776 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico.

Take a Day Trip to Tulum

The hip town of Tulum is about 17 miles south of Akumal. Tulum has become increasingly popular and is home to a plethora of yoga studios, wellness retreats, and trendy boutiques.

From Akumal, Tulum is a perfect spot for a day trip because you can get the feel of the lively town and then retreat back to easygoing Akumal. Come for the ruins, stay for the cocktails, then hightail it back home.

First stop on a day trip to Tulum is the Mayan ruins (Zona Arqueológica de Tulum).

The Mayan town of Tulum served as a port city and thrived between the thirteenth and and fifteenth centuries. Today, it’s one of the best-preserved area of Mayan ruins.

Get to the ruins early and spend the morning wandering the 500-year-old ruins and watching the playful coatis. As the day goes on, the area gets more crowded and the weather just gets hotter, so getting there early is a must.

When you visit, keep in mind that there are two entrances to the ruins. Go to the entrance to the south near the beach, where there are far fewer people. You can easily buy a ticket at a kiosk and walk right in without much of a wait, particularly if you’re there on a weekday. There is also a line to purchase tickets from a ticket counter, but there might be a longer line, so just use the kiosk if possible.

The Mayan ruins in Tulum are open daily. Admssion to the ruins is around $4 USD per person to enter on your own. However, there are also guided tours available, there may be a fee for parking, and prices may vary.

The ruins in Tulum are located at Carretera Federal, Cancun – Chetumal Km 230, 307, 77780 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico.

Once it’s time for lunch in Tulum, make your way down the beach.

There are many restaurants and bars along the shore. Stop at Kai Tulum Hotel & Beach Club for some good food and drinks. Spend the afternoon relaxing on the beach (perhaps lounging on some beach pillows at Pocna Tulum Hotel, Beach Club & Restaurant) and enjoying the scenery.

Kai Tulum Hotel & Beach Club is located on the beach, just south of the ruins. Then, just a bit further south of Kai Tulum, you’ll find Pocna Tulum at Carr. Tulum a, Av. Boca Paila Km. 1.5, Zona Hotelera, 77780 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico.

In the evening, head about three miles south of the ruins to the main area of Tulum Playa.

Browse the boutiques and grab a cocktail at one of its hip bars, like Gitano. This trendy eatery is famous for its upscale cuisine, craft cocktails, and lush setting. 

Gitano is open daily. The restaurant is located at Tulum Beach Road Km. 7, Boca Paila, Qro., Mexico.

As the evening draws to a close, head on back to relaxed Akumal!

Where to Eat in Akumal

As Akumal is a resort town with around 1,000 residents, there are only a handful of restaurants. However, they’re all pretty delicious.

Lol-Ha Restaurant

For lunch, don’t miss Lol-Ha Restaurant right on the main bay. The restaurant opens up to the beach and serves amazing food and drink. Do yourself a favor and order a variety of dishes to share.

Lol-Ha Restaurant is open daily and located at Carretera Puerto Juarez, Yodzonot, 77737 Akumal, Q.R., Mexico.

La Buena Vida

On the farther end of town, you’ve got to pay a visit to La Buena Vida. It’s a restaurant and bar with sandy floors and swing seats right on the beach. Between the fun drinks, bar swings, great food, and seaside views, you’ll never want to leave.

La Buena Vida is open daily and located at Noth Beach Road Lt 35, 77710 Akumal, Q.R., Mexico.

La Cueva del Pescador

For seafood lovers, head to La Cueva del Pescador in the main area of town. If seafood isn’t your favorite, they have a some other options as well, plus pitchers of margaritas.

La Cueva del Pescador is open daily. The restaurant is located just off the main road in Akumal near the supermarket.

Beached Bikini Bar and Grill

If you’re in South Akumal, pull up a swing at the Beached Bikini Bar and Grill. Grab some tacos and a cerveza, chat with some fellow travelers and enjoy the view.

The Beached Bikini Bar and Grill is open daily and located at Aventuras Akumal lote 35, 77737 Akumal, Q.R., Mexico.

…And remember to bring cash!

Keep in mind that many restaurants and bars in this area are cash only. Many places accept pesos and USD, but there aren’t a ton of working ATMs, so just make sure to have enough cash with you.

Where to Stay in Akumal

In Akumal, you can stay at a vacation rental or a resort. It all depends on the kind of vacation you’re looking for and the group with which you’re traveling.

There are many beachfront resorts as well as villas for rent. If you have a large group, your own villa is probably easier. If you have a smaller group, you may want to opt for a resort. Whatever is right for you, just make sure you’re on the beach!

How to Get Around Akumal (and the Mayan Rivieria)

Getting around the Mayan Riviera is fairly easy. You can take shuttles, rent a car, take taxis, or take collectivos. It all depends on where you choose to stay and how much you want to venture around.

If you plan to drive a lot around the different parts of the Mayan Riviera, it’s probably best to rent a car. Highway 307 runs from Tulum all the way through the area, and it’s pretty easy to navigate.

Taxis are convenient and can be inexpensive, depending on the length of trip and how many people you have. You can ask at your accommodation to call one for you to start. Just make sure to always settle on the price of the trip beforehand.

Colectivos are public transportation vans that run from Cancun to Tulum. They’re the most budget-friendly option. They’re a good choice for hopping between towns on the riviera.

Getting to Akumal is easy by shuttle from the Cancun airport and only comes out to a few dollars a person if you have a large group. Try Canada Transfers. They are professional, reliable, and convenient. Plus, you can pay a bit extra to have some cold beer waiting for you in the shuttle when your flight lands. They’ll also make a stop for you (at the grocery store, for instance) if necessary, just mention it ahead of time. 

Once in Akumal, taxis are readily available and fairly inexpensive. As mentioned, just make sure to agree on the price of the trip beforehand. Plus, it’s a pretty small town, so you can often travel on foot.

Tips for Visiting Akumal (and the Mayan Rivieria)

1. Bring cash.

Seriously, bring cash. Have I said it enough? Carry cash with you! Quite a lot of places are cash only, and a lot of the ATMs don’t work. You don’t want to find yourself first in line at a cenote or settling your bill at a restaurant, only to find you’re unable to pay. The currency in Mexico is the Mexican Peso.

2. Learn some Spanish.

Many people speak English, but it’s best to be prepared and know some phrases in Spanish as well. The Mayan Riviera is full of tourists, but Akumal is still a very small town, so it’s best (and polite!) to know some Spanish.

3. Again, bring reef-safe sunscreen!

Not only is using biodegradable, reef-safe sunscreen the responsible thing to do, it’s required at some of the local attractions, like Yal-Ku Lagoon. It’s better for your health and the health of the environment, so make sure to use it!

4. As mentioned, there might be seaweed along the beach.

Depending on the time of year that you visit, piles of seaweed may line the shore at certain times of the day. However, there are constantly workers from the hotels and residential complexes going up and down the beach clearing it away, so it shouldn’t be much of a problem.

5. Don’t drink the tap water.

If you’ve been to Mexico before or have started researching at all, you probably already know this. If you drink the tap water, you will get sick, so only drink bottled water. Some resorts do have filtration systems, but check on this before you take a drink.

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Mexico’s Riviera Maya is full of tourist-friendly resorts and white sand beaches. There’s no shortage of things to do and eat in this bustling coastal paradise.

To find a balance of activity and relaxation, spend some time in Akumal. Its beautiful beaches, delicious food, and welcoming locals will have you feeling at ease in no time. ¡Salud!