Akumal Beach Tours and Activities

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Drift away on the gentle currents with turtles and rays at one of the Riviera Maya’s most relaxing beaches.

Located in the Riviera Maya, Akumal Beach is 75 miles (120 kilometers) south of Cancún on Mexico's Caribbean Coast. Relax on the beach’s powdery white sand and swim in the clear, tranquil water protected by an offshore reef.

In the Mayan language, Akumal means “The Place of the Turtle,” called so for the turtles that lay their eggs on the beaches here once a year. The warm, shallow waters and palm tree-lined bay make the beach an ideal destination for human families too!

In this quiet swimming bay far from the partying crowds, relaxation comes easy. Find a deck chair under one of the many cabanas and unwind with a good book and an ice cold cerveza (beer) or freshly made fruit juice.

Sail, fish, kite surf, visit the ruins and swim in the nearby cenotes (sinkholes). Pull on some flippers and swim with barracuda, stingrays, manta rays, and green and loggerhead turtles. The waters are usually crystal clear, making the area ideal for exploring with an underwater camera.

The turtles are a special feature at Akumal Beach. Less than a mile (1.6 kilometers) to the north is the Centro Ecologico de Akumal (CEA) where researchers work to protect the marine environment and the turtle population. Many of the local hotels, diving organizations and independent marine tour operators are working with the CEA to ensure the protection of these magnificent sea creatures that come to the shores once a year to lay their eggs.

Akumal Beach is a great base to explore the Riviera Maya but, with its laid-back resorts, restaurants, bars and dive shops, there’s little need to venture away. If you do decide to explore the nearby ruins, cenotes or nightlife of Playa del Carmen, simply hail a taxi or colectivo, or rent a car.

Plan a trip to see Akumal Beach

Ventus at Marina El Cid Spa & Beach Resort - All Inclusive
Generations Riviera Maya Family Resort - All Inclusive
Hotel Marina El Cid Spa & Beach Resort All Inclusive
Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Reviews of Akumal Beach

4.2
Top destination
5 - Excellent
82
" "5 - Excellent 44.32432432432432%
4 - Good
74
" "4 - Good 40%
3 - Okay
19
" "3 - Okay 10.27027027027027%
2 - Disappointing
8
" "2 - Disappointing 4.324324324324325%
1 - Terrible
2
" "1 - Terrible 1.0810810810810811%

4/5 - Good

Ladyhawk
Feb. 27, 2020

Pretty rocky in most places. Have to walk to find a place for swimming. But very beautiful.

2/5 - Disappointing

Verified traveller
Dec. 30, 2019

it is now a big cash grab, you use to be able to swim out on your own and see the turtles, now they charge you 100 pesos to enter the beach area. It is very crowded and you can not swim out , it is roped off and you need to take a tour at 500 pesos per person to see the turtles- it was sad to see what it has become. But I do understand them wanting to make money from it - us damn tourists!!

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller
Apr. 1, 2019

very disappointed how much this has changed ... very commercialized, and all roped off, no snorkelling on the reef unless you take a tour, and even then, it's with a ton of other boats and people in this tiny area... very changed. Still a beautiful beach though for sand and sun.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller
Feb. 11, 2019

It’s lost it’s peacefulness and is now super touristy. Go very early if you want to see the turtles (9am). Unfortunately there are a lot of scammers on the beach so it’s hard to navigate.

2/5 - Disappointing

Bob
Feb. 11, 2019

Costs money to go to the beach.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
Feb. 10, 2019

Lovely beach , just stay away from the guided snorkel tour walk a few hundred feet further. There is a small admission fee $80-100 pesos. We got sucked in $400 pesos for guided tour and saw very little snorkelling here. Try Puerto Morales much better.

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