Akumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico

Akumal, "Place of the Turtle" in the Mayan language, is located 90km south of Cancun International Airport. Walking into town for the first time will take your breathe away. This stunning Caribbean paradise has 3 beautiful bays but for me none are more enticing than Great Akumal Bay. The calm waters of this protected bay offer safe and rewarding snorkeling for even novices. There are also two dive shops that offer guided reef and cenote tours.

Relax under a palm tree or palapa, eat out with friends at the beach restaurant or explore the town's shops, markets, galleries and restaurants.

Yal Ku Lagoon
Yal Ku Lagoon is a very popular destination just a stone’s throw from many of the hotels and condos. The lagoon offers spectacular snorkeling in a cenote environment with caves and valleys and both freshwater and seawater marine life. Expect to see turtles, rays, barracudas and many other colourful creatures.

Next door you will discover the delightful Posada y Restaurante where you can enjoy Italian cuisine under a large palapa.

Recommend Accommodation
Akumal has accommodation to suit everyone, from an all inclusive resort, modest hotel rooms to luxury condos. Many of the oceanfront properties are on Half Moon Bay. In 2008 we discovered Vista Del Mar where we enjoyed a spacious two bedroom beachfront condo. View images

Colectivo and Bus Transportation
The Akumal beachfront is an easy walk from hwy 307 where you can catch a colectivo van or a regional bus to destinations along the coast. Colectivos and buses come by every frequently and will pick you up and drop you off anywhere along the highway. This gives you a very affordable way to see the sights without having to rent a car.

Typically a colectivo is a 15 passenger mini van so there is not much elbow room and even less room for a lot of luggage but it is a great option for day trips. Buses in the area are usually air-conditioned, well maintained and offer ample luggage space and legroom.