I wanted to start off my new travel blog with my all time favorite place to visit. Akumal, Mexico actually got its start as a base camp for a group of shipwreck divers in 1958. Due to its natural beauty and central location on the Yucatan peninsula, Akumal eventually developed into the travel destination it is today. Quick fun fact for the Mayan history buffs among you. Akumal is attributed as being to birth place of the first mestizaje (Spanish/Mayan children) after a shipwrecked Spaniard, Gonzalo Guerrero, married the local Mayan chief’s daughter, Zazil Ha, in 1511 and the rest is history, quite literally.
So back to the blog at hand. Why would you want to visit Akumal?
Despite a long history as a travel destination, Akumal seems to be frozen in time. When the rest of the Yucatan is steadily becoming more and more commercialized and touristy, Akumal has changed very little. Honestly since I first visited Akumal back in 2002, one of the biggest changes was the merger of two local retail giants, Lucy’s Homemade Ice Cream and Turtle Bay Cafe and Bakery (two absolute staples in Akumal). It’s this mix of familiarity and relaxed pace that gives Akumal its charm. It’s probably one of the few places outside the country where I could see myself living if the opportunity arose. HGTV even did an episode of Beachfront Bargain Hunt called An Akumal Adventure.
Top Reasons To Visit Akumal
- Great Diving and Snorkeling Destination (Especially for Beginners)
Not surprising given its beginnings, Akumal is a great diving and snorkeling destination. This is especially true for beginners. Akumal Bay provides a scenic stretch of white sands with some of the best snorkeling in the Yucatan. Another great snorkeling spot is Yal-ku lagoon. Some first time snorkelers get nervous in the open ocean, which makes Yal-ku a great place to start. No waves, shallow waters, plenty of fish, chill vibe.. what else could you ask for? It also makes a great place for even the most seasoned snorkeler when the seas are rough. But be warned. The water can be rather cool due to the underground rivers feeding the lagoon.
The real draw for me is the diving. I love to dive, but I don’t have to opportunity to go as much as I would like given my landlocked zip code. Despite this, I have never felt uncomfortable diving in Akumal. I would definitely recommend Akumal as a place to get certified if your not or a place to refresh your skills if its been awhile. I’ve used both major dive shops in Akumal, the Akumal Dive Shop and Akumal Dive Center. Both are great, and both offer certification classes, tours, ect. Both shops offer a deeper morning dive ( around 100ft) and shallower dives throughout the day (around 60ft). Personally, I prefer the 60ft dives. Dives here provide coral reefs that stretch as far as the eye can see, a staggering variety of sea life, and of course… Turtles! Akumal is Mayan for “Place of the Turtle”, and it doesn’t disappoint. The turtle populations here are the largest and healthiest that I have ever seen diving. It is not unusual to a dozen turtles on a single dive. Fun fact. The coral reef that stretches along the Yucatan Peninsula, the Mesoamerican reef, is the third largest in the world stretching nearly 700 miles.
2. Centrally Located to the Yucatan’s Best Attractions
In reality, you could spend your entire trip lounging around Akumal and enjoying the ocean, but there are several major attractions that I want to mention for the adventurous at heart.
Xel-ha– is an ecological park that consists of a natural lagoon that is much larger than Yal-Ku. The park has a multiply restaurants that are included with admission and a variety of outdoor activities ranging from snorkeling, biking, zip lining, and dolphin encounters (extra). Located approximately 20 minutes from Akumal, admission to the park is around $80 usd, but you can spend the whole day there so ,in my opinion, it’s a great deal.
Xcaret– is also an ecological park that features an underground river that you can snorkel through. Overall the snorkeling isn’t as good as Xel-ha, but additional activities inside the park make up the difference, including a night show that takes you through Mexico’s history. Located approximately 30 minutes from Akumal, admission to this park will run you closer to $120 usd, but it is also an all day excursion with food included.
Chichen Itza– is considered to be one of the greatest Mayan cities and is listed as one of the new 7 Wonders of the World. Located approximately 3 hours from Akumal, Chichen Itza is a must see on your trip to Akumal. You can book a day tour through a tour agency in Akumal, Travel Services of Akumal, for around $120 usd per person.
Maya Ruins of Mexico (Travel Guide to Chichen Itza, Tulum, Teotihuacan, Palenque, and more)
Tulum and Coba– are both great Mayan ruins to visit during your visit. Tulum is located on a beach, which was once considered the best beach in the world. Coba is one of my personal favorites. Coba is the only ruin that I’ve been to that still allows you to climb on the ruins. The main ruin, the Nohoch Mul pyramid, is the tallest pyramid in the Yucatan. The site has the most rustic feel out of all the sites that I have visited, and the majority of the site has yet to be unearthed. Two quick tips for Coba, pay for the bike ride (around 50 pesos) and wear shoes with at least halfway decent grip, since the pyramid has been worn slick by foot traffic over the years. The view from the top of this pyramid is one of the most breathtaking in all of the Yucatan. Definitely a must see. Tulum and Coba are located approximately 30 minutes and 1 1/2 hours from Akumal respectively.
Cenotes- are last but not least on the things to do in Akumal. Cenotes have made the area of the world famous for both their natural beauty and rich history and folklore. The two best in the area are Aktun Chen and Cenote Santa Cruz.
3. It feels like home… Oh, and did I mention it’s cheap
Well at least its the reason we keep going back year after year. Despite the reputation Mexico has for being a dangerous place, I have never felt uncomfortable in Akumal. Outside the city, you should exercise the same caution that you would use anywhere, but we have traveled deep into the interior of the Yucatan and have never ran into any problems.
If nothing else lures you in maybe the price will. Flights to Cancun typically range from $300-$400 usd. 3 bedroom/3 bath condos on the beach will run you around $200 usd/night. Loco Gringo is a good travel site that I’ve used several times to rent out condos in Akumal.
Happy Travels
Well.. If you made it to the end I thank you. It’s a little off the mainstream travel radars, but I think that is what has allowed it to keep its charm. Hopefully I introduced you to a place that you never knew existed, and hopefully you will get a chance to visit and write your own story about this truly amazing place. Until next time… Adios.
“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.”- St. Agustine
The Honest Guide 