Akumal

An hour south of Cancun, Mexico lies the still-sleepy village of Akumal. Here is a map of the Yucatan Peninsula showing where to find Akumal. While a far cry from its humble beginnings as a mecca for scuba divers, the area has mostly avoided the massive growth of all-inclusive resorts that has plagued the areas closer to Cancun. While there are a few, smaller all-inclusive resorts on the bays of Akumal, most of the construction has been in the form of small hotels, condos, and villas.

We came here first in 1998 to celebrate our 25th anniversary. Since that time, we have come to love Akumal and the Mayan Riviera, and plan to keep returning as often as possible.

The native Mayans named this "the place of the turtle" because its broad sandy beach was and continues to be a perfect nesting site for green and loggerhead sea turtles. The development of the area has created some problems for the nesting turtles, but the Centro Ecologico de Akumal, or CEA, has a program to provide education to tourists and locals about the sea turtles and their needs, as well as an ongoing support program for the turtles themselves. In addition, the CEA has joined forces with a number of ecological groups studying and protecting the great Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the second-longest such reef in the world. Other ecological programs are underway from this valuable agency. We are CEA members and plan to continue as members for years to come.

The crystal clear, warm, placid waters of Akumal Bay host a variety of marine life. Some of what we've seen while snorkeling the bay includes parrotfish, angelfish, sargent majors, groupers, barracuda, and even a flounder, in addition to various types of sea turtles. Alert snorkelers may also see moray eels and the occasional ray. Nearby Half Moon Bay is filled with a large colony of live coral.

The aspect that we most love about Akumal is its closeness to the people and history of the area. You aren't insulated from the native population as you would be at one of the huge all-inclusive resorts. Just across the highway is Akumal Pueblo, home to many of the people who work in the area. Just outside the arches at the entrance to Akumal's beach area is the Hekab Be library, where many local children spend hours eagerly supplementing their education. The ruins of the ancient Mayan city of Tulum are within 25 km, with many other archeological sites within another half hour by car.

Always, though, there is the incredible blue of the Caribbean Sea beckoning you to relax and enjoy one of life's most precious paradises.

Feel free to browse through the following pages of photos and trip descriptions that we have compiled over the past few years.

Akumal and Tulum, first trip, July 1998
April, 2002
March, 2003  July, 2003
March, 2004
January, 2005  July, 2005
February, 2006  March, 2006  July, 2006
February, 2007  July, 2007
March, 2008  July, 2008
March, 2009  July, 2009
Related Content:
Cozumel, February, 2000
Puerto Peñasco, October, 2004

Approximate time until our next arrival in Akumal:

Email us at akumal@frontiernet.net       © September 28, 2012 by Craig and Kathy Carlson       www.frontiernet.net/~ckcarlso