House in Akumal, Quintana Roo

Cenote Sac Actun, Akumal

Akumal is part of the Mayan Riviera on the Caribbean coast and is approximately 100km south of Cancun and 37 km from Playa del Carmen.

A few years ago Akumal was a fairy remote destination but has blossomed into a vacation getaway with some wonderful hotels. Akumal is ideal for swimming, snorkeling, sailing, and relaxing on the beach without the crowds you might expect to find on the beaches of Cancun.

The name Akumal translates to ‘a place of turtles’ and you will see them here, though numbers are declining with resort developments. The Centro Ecological Akumal [CEA] is a non- profit organization devoted to marine research, preservation and the protection of sea turtles.

Sea Turtle If you are interested in learning more about these amazing creatures and you can tear yourself away from the amazing beaches and water activities, then a visit to their centre is well worth the time out. Check out their website for more information. 

The coral reef gardens, referred to as the ‘Jewel of the Caribbean’ are another stunning Akumal attraction that seduces divers from all over the world. The reef forms part of the Mesoamerican Reef and covers a 450 miles stretch along the Yucatan Peninsula all the way down to the Honduras. The reefs are home to a huge diversity of marine life including fish, reptiles, and mammals, all of which you will be sure to see.  To reserve an amazing snorkeling tour here departing from Playa del Carmen click here or from Cancun click here

There are 6 crystal clear bays. From north to south, they are Yal Ku Lagoon, a protected snorkeling lagoon (National Geographic’s 50 best secrets of Mexico) then Half Moon Bay, Akumal Bay, South Akumal, Aventuras Akumal and Jade Bay.

Akumal Bay is the best option for accommodation with a good selection of hotels and restaurants plus it’s the best beach for swimming and snorkeling. Half Moon Bay has  decent snorkeling and condos for rent, but the beach is rocky. Unless you plan on just staying in Akumal, you will want to rent a car to get around. The closest sights are at least a 20 min drive. However, if  you prefer there are plenty of taxis to take you wherever you need to go.

Cenote at Aktun Chen Aktun Chen  Four kilometres from Akumal you will find Aktun Chen, which in Mayan translates to “cave with an underground river inside”. Besides admiring the Riviera Maya wildlife such as the white tail deer, the spider monkey and the wild turkey, you will be amazed by the three caves with cenotes and its remarkable rock formations of of stalactites, stalagmites and natural sculptures, all of them formed by water and calcium carbonate over millions of years.

Yal-ku Lagoon

At this striking natural lagoon near Akumal you  can swim all the way out to the sea; you can snorkel and see the diverse species of marine life in their natural environment. One of the features that make this place unique is the magnificent statues situated throughout the grounds.

Cenote Santa Cruz

Cenote Santa CruzThis unique cenote located in Akumal, is not open to the public in the traditional way. To visit cenote Santa Cruz, you have to book in advance. This procedure was chosen by the owners in order to preserve its’ environment as much as possible. Santa Cruz is a system of caves, caverns and an open air cenote, 460 meters in length. Located within a private rancho (also called Santa Cruz), it’s a 10 minute drive from the entrance of Akumal.

History

Gonzalo Guerrero The village of Akumal has a rich and interesting history that dates back to the 16th century. Formerly a seaport and trading centre for the Maya people. In the year 1513, a Spanish galleon shipwrecked off its coast forcing seventeen sailors to be enslaved by the Mayans. Only two of these sailors survived their ordeal, one of these men, Gonzalo Guerrero, went on to marry a Mayan princess. Their union created the first “mestizos” Spanish-indigenous blood. Gonzalo so integrated himself with the Mayan people, he no longer considered himself a Spaniard. Today, a statue of Gonzalo Guerrero greets the visitor just past the arch at the entrance to the beach in Akumal.

6/9/21 MHR