| Rivera Maya | Akumal | Lagoon | Beaches | Restaurants | Links | Listings | filler |
| Akumal Map |
Akumal is located between Playa del Carmen and Tulum, right in the heart of the Yucatan's Riviera Maya. Whether you have a rental car, like to walk, or rely on public transportation, you are within easy reach of special attractions that you will remember for years to come. |
Area Map |
PLACES TO GOAKUMAL PLAYA DEL CARMEN COZUMEL ISLAND XELHÁ TULUM Xcaret PUERTO ADVENTURUS PLAYACAR and OTHER COMPLEXES |
ACTIVITIESWhatever you want to do, the Rivera Maya offers lots to choose from.
MAYAN TREASURESTULUM COBÁ CHICHÉN ITZÁ |
| Akumal Map |
Akumal means "Place of the Turtle" in Maya as it is a nesting ground for three types of sea turtles. Located on the Rivera Maya on the mainland just south of Cozumal Island, Akumal has a strong committment to the environment as well as the people who live there and its visitors. |
Area Map |
AKUMAL HISTORYThe earliest western influence on the Akumal area dates back to the early 1500s. In 1511, a Spanish Conquistador, Gonzalo Guerrero, was shipwrecked off of Akumal and captured by the local Myans. The daughter of the local Myan chief fell in love with him so that, not only was his life spared, but he also married the woman and raised a family. There is a statue of Gonzalo Guerro and his family at the entrance to modern Akumal.At some point, a coconut plantation was established in Akumal. Although it was later abandoned, there are still many coconut trees in Akumal: a reminder of the former plantation. In the 1840's, the Mayans drove out all non-natives from the area and formed the independent nation of "Chan Santa Cruz". Subsequently, in 1902, the area became a territory of Mexico by decree from the Mexican President followed by the Mexican Army defeating the Myans during the period from 1910-1915. In 1931, Quintanna Roo was separated from Yucatan but remained a territory. (Quintanna Roo subsequently became a state in 1974. By the 1950's, there were no roads down the coast, only footpaths and there were only a few Myans living in the Akumal area. In the late 1950's, the Akumal area was rediscovered by Pablo Bush Romero, a Mexican businessman who was also an adventurer and pioneer in underwater diving and exploration. Bush and others formed "CEDAM" and were successful at locating and exploring several gallions and other shipwrecks in the area. Some of the artifacts that were found can still be seen in Akumal and in the small museum in Puerto Adventurus. (In 1967, CEDAM International was founded at Akumal, but has since relocated to the USA.) Pablo Bush Romero founded modern Akumal in 1958 as a community for scuba divers. His family still own several establishments and are leaders in the community. The first house built on the lagoon was Casa Romero, built in 1976 by a close associate of Pablo Bush Romero. At that time, Playa Del Carmen was a small fishing village with only two dirt roads: one that came from the federal road (307) to the landing for the ferry from Cosumal (now Juarez), and the other was the "beach road" that is now 5th Avenue. |
AKUMAL TODAYThe turtles still come to the beaches of Akumal as they have done for many hundreds of years. Under the guidance of CEA, the local ecological organization for Akumal, volunteers and staff still protect the turtle nesting grounds, and mark the locations of nests of eggs.There are three dive shops in the area and scuba diving is still important. Visitors can take lessons and experienced divers can explore the ocean as well as the cenotes and caves. Visitors come to Akumal from all over the world although the majority are from the USA. Known for its sunshine and clear skies, many visitors enjoy the beaches and the lagoon. Despite increasing housing and increasing visitors Akumal retains much of the laid-back character of former years. Unlike many destinations, Akumal is not a gated community and its beaches and the lagoon are enjoyed by tourists and locals. (During holidays and summer vacation, tourists are sometimes outnumbered by Mexicans.) The number of restaurants has increased to meet the demand and Akumal now has several excellent restaurants with different types of food and different settings. There are also two small grocery stores just outside the entrance arch as well as several "mini markets" along the road. There is a third grocery store across the highway at the "Pueblo" along with a store specializing in fruits and vegetables. Akumal has its share of shopping opportunities with several shops near the entrance on both sides of the road and additional shops along the road towards the lagoon. |
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YAL KU LAGOON Yal Ku Lagoon is a gem to be treasured with a vibrant eco-system supporting a wide variety of tropical fish, coral, and plants. As a result, it has some of the best snorkeling and no waves so that it is ideal for children, novices, and experienced swimmers. It is also a great place for relaxing and bird watching with a wide variety of birds.Along with others, we are doing our part to see that the lagoon area is protected so that it will remain viable for generations to come. We work closely with CEA (the Akumal Ecological Center) and have installed cameras so that CEA staff can monitor the lagoon. The images on this page are from those cameras and show two views: one of the main lagoon and one of the inlet to the ocean. |
Lagoon only Inlet Only Both Images |
LAGOON Copyright © 2008: ALL RIGHTS RESERVED |
LAGOON INLET Copyright © 2008: ALL RIGHTS RESERVED |
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VIEW IMAGE ARCHIVES View the conditions at the lagoon for any date range: Select any starting date from March 23, 2008 and any end date on or before today. Hours can be from 5AM until 7PM (all times GMT-6: no Daylight Savings Time adjustments). |
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| The beaches all along the Rivera Maya are protected by a magnificent coral reef that runs the length of the coast. The largest coral reef in the Western Hemisphere, the "Great Mayan Reef" provides great snorkeling and diving, but it also protects the beaches from the large waves and erosion. |
Akumal BeachesThe main beach at Akumal Bay is to the right immediately after you pass under the entrance arch. Very popular with local Mexicans on holidays and weekends, it is less crowded during the week. We recommend going early on a calm day and snorkeling out towards the reef. You are almost sure to see sea turtles swimming around and feeding on the turtle grass. After your swim, rince off under the outside shower at Lol-Ha and then eat breakfast at either Lol-Ha or Turtle Bay. Less than one km further down the Akumal Road, you will get to the beach at Half-Moon Bay (an easy walk from Casa Delfín or Casa Romero). Slightly rocky in places but still a good beach, you can buy drinks at La Buena Vida as you enjoy the sun and water. No beach, but the best snorkeling is at Yal Ku Lagoon. From Casa Delfín, Casa Romero, or any of the Townhouses, you have a private entrance to this gem. There are tours to the lagoon during the day and many visitors to the public entrance, so we recommend snorkeling or swimming early in the morning or late in the afternoon. |
Other Area BeachesJust a few km North on 307, you will come to a small dirt road leading to Xpuha beach. There may be a parking fee (about $10), but it is well worth it as it is a beautiful beach with a convenient restaurant/bar right on the beach. (Sometimes there are tours from cruise ships there. If you see buses as you arrive, you might decide to try again later.) Do you want to walk along a beach for miles? Go to the coast adjacent to Tulum. Head South towards Tulum, and turn left at the first traffic light as you enter town. Go until the road hits a "T", and turn right. You can stop anywhere along the road, but we highly recommend stopping at Zebra, about 5 km along the road.
If you decide to spend the money to visit Xel-há, bring your bathing suits and snorkeling. Not only is the snorkeling magnificent, but they also have a beautiful beach. Be sure to go early as it gets crowded once the buses from Cancun start to arrive. |
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The number of restaurants in Akumal has increased significantly over the past years and will
probably continue to grow. We will attempt to update the list as we get information
on new or changed offerings. For other areas, the listing is totally arbitrary and we tend to list those that we, or others, find special or outstanding. Suggestions are welcome. |
Akumal RestaurantsLol-Ha. The quintessential Akumal restaurant, Lol-Ha is right on the main beach of Akumal Bay and the center of the town. It features a beach bar with a palapa covered eating area surrounded by palm trees. Lol-Ha also has a Pizzeria. Not quite so informal, there is also the main dining room with full meals and live music some nights. Turtle Bay Cafe and Bakery is located in the center of Akumal. It offers delicious baked goods including muffins, bread, cookies, and "sticky buns". They also serve the best breakfast in town, but go hungry as they feed you well. Lunches are also delicious and offer a variety of American and local fare. Check the board to see which days they will be serving dinner. Located about half way to town, La Buena Vida features swing seats and tables set in the sand directly overlooking Half Moon Bay. This is more of a bar which also serves food with choices of Mexican or international food. There is a more formal restaurant upstairs with a good view of the Mexican Caribbean. We prefer, however, leaving the upstairs to the tour groups and enjoy the more relaxed atmosphere downstairs with our feet in the sand. Only a few minutes walk from the house, La Lunita Restaurant is located on the ground floor of the La Tortuga Condominiums and looks over the ocean on Half Moon Bay. They serve lunch and dinner. It is a small, quiet and romantic place with international food and Mexican specialties. Some folks think that it has the best food in all of Akumal. Que Onda Restaurant is located just a block down the street from the public entrance to the lagoon. Not only is it convenient, but it offers great Italian food in a lovely garden setting. We especially like the huge selection of offerings with the home made pasta. La Cueva del Pescador is located in the center of Akumal on the main street. It offers "seafood with a local flair" in a relaxed atmosphere. They will even cook any fish you catch! |
Other Area RestaurantsLocated on the road to Tulum, Casa Cenoté is a classic. No longer isolated on a deserted beach, it is still a landmark. Starting at noon on Sunday, they have a Texas bar-b-q buffet that is great fun. It is also popular, so you might try to get there early. Leave Akumal and have a drink while you wait for it to open at 12. To get there, head South toward Tulum. A couple of km past Xel-Ha, and before Tulum, you will see a left turn labeled â??Casa Cenotéâ??. Head down that road. It will make a sharp turn to the left and you will eventually see the cenote on your left and the restaurant and parking lot on your right. Right on the ocean, salsa restaurant at â??La Zebraâ?? features good Mexican food and a wonderful beach that seems to go on forever. At the first light in Tulum, turn left until it hits a T, then turn right and go for about 5 KM. Playa del Carmen is full of restaurants, many overly directed to the tourist trade but some very good. Our favorite is Byblos between 5th Ave and 10th Ave on 14th. It is more expensive than most, but has wonderful French food. Have a drink or two as you walk up and down 5th avenue and plan on a late dinner at Byblos. We suggest making reservations.
Club Med: Archaeological -- Club Med is best known for its beach resorts (such as in Cancun), but it also has hotels at archaeological sites. If you visit Cobá or Chichén Itzá, be sure to eat at Club Med. David especially recommends the fish soup: dark and wonderful! |
| This is neither a comprehensive list, nor a list of recommendations. We are merely trying to provide a sampling of representative links to the community and the area. Suggestions welcome! |
Akumal LinksEcology CenterWe want to help keep the lagoon and Akumal healthy and protect its environment. That's why we support Centro Ecológico Akumal. In the summer, they provide evening guided beach walks. If you can, stop by their headquarters right on the beach in Akumal. Dive ShopsThe Akumal Dive Shop is the original dive shop in Akumal and is located on the road in central Akumal. A PADI, IDC facility you can sign up for lessons, scheduled dives, or arrange a custom dive in the ocean or in a Cenote or cave. Akumal Dive Adventures is located on Half Moon bay on the road to Yal Ku. A PADI certified center, it offers scuba instructions and dives as well as fishing and snorkeling. Dive Center Akumal is located on the beach just south of Lol Ha and offers PADI certified instruction, scuba tours, snorkeling, fishing, and more. RestaurantsNo all of the restaurants have web sites so check out the restaurant listings. Click on the "Restaurant" tab at the top of this page.
ShopsGaleria Lamanai is located next to the Lol-Ha beach bar and offers high quality Mexican artwork, much of it hand selected by the owner and signed by the artist. MexicArte is located just inside the arch in the pink building. If offers a wide variety of folk art. (They also rent golf carts and provide other services.)
Tourist ServicesAt Travel Services of Akumal (TSA), you can rent a car, arrange transportation, sign up for tours, exchange money, or inquire about any other needed services. They are located in the round building behind CEA, just beyond the Dive Shop. |
Regional LinksDestimationsXel-há Eco Park is an exquisite, explorable natural wonder to snorkel pristine waters, full of friendly tropical fish. Also has a great beach and swim with the Dolphins program. Xcaret Eco Park is full of Mexico; Mayan Culture, Flora and Fauna, Archaeological Tours, Water Attractions and has a swim with the Dolphins options. RestaurantsOther ServicesWe use SeaMonkeyBusiness when we need transportation to or from the Cancun airport although they offer many other services. If you do contact them, tell Franco or Silvia that you were recommended by David Poor and that you are staying on Yal Ku.. it may or may not get you a discount. |
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Sites where we are listed
Ideally, everyone would immediately find us here at www.VillaAkumal.com, but we realize that it is difficult to find places, especially special places, so we are listed by several other sites on the web. Some (left column) are booking agencies, while are others (right column) are "listing" sites that provide listings for hundreds or thousands of properties throughout the world. Of course, we feel that you do best right here:
MAKING YOUR VACATION PLANNING BETTER: You get real-time availability and rates 24-7: guaranteed to always be up to date! You can make your own reservations using our secure on-line reservation system. You get secure on-line transactions including payment by credit card and e-check payments, as well as credit card authorizations for security deposits. And all with direct communication with the owners. |
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Several agencies list us on their sites. We only agree to be listed by the most reputable and reliable agencies so you can feel safe no matter where you go for your reservation. (Of course, agencies do take their cut so we do appreciate it when you book directly with us.)
Caribbean Fantasy: The Gunderson family and their staff have been listing Casa Romero and Casa Delfín for many years and know it well. Loco Gringo: The largest booking agency covering the Rivera Maya, the professionals here have found appropriate bookings for people up and down the peninsula with an emphasis on Akumal and the surrounding area. |
We are listed on several listing sites in the US and Europe.
In recent years, there has been considerable consolidation of several major sites that we use under the HomeAway brand including the following.
Links to listings
Holiday-Rentals.co.uk advertises over 50,000 villa rentals & self catering holiday homes by owner worldwide. Book holiday lets with the owners direct for great value! Leaders since 1996. See our holiday listings on Holiday-Rentals.co.uk: No. 81698 for Casa Delfí, and No. 400254 for the Romero complex including Casa Romero, French Angel, and Blue Tang. VacationRentals.com Now a part of the HomeAway companies, we are also listed VacationRentals.com including Casa Delfín and Casa Romero. 1Villa.net provides private Holiday homes - worldwide locations - book through the owners direct. See our listings on-line at 1villa.net Vacation Rentals. |
