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Akumal was one of our favorite stops in Mexico! Akumal, Mexico is famous for the swimming with the sea turtules! But Akumal is so much more than that. The ocean front is absolutely gorgeous and the little seaside resturants are delicious. So go to Akumal for the sea turtles and leave with a whole experience!
How to get to Akumal, Mexico
So, first things first, how do you get to Akumal, Mexico? We stayed in Playa del Carmen and we wanted to find the most affordable way to get to Akumal, and we did!
Let’s talk about colectivos! Colectivos are shared taxis, like little mini shuttles! Colectivos run to and from Cancun, Tulum, and Playa del Carmen (with stops in between).
It is a little intimidating the first go. The colectivos are used mostly by locals getting to and from work and a few travelers sprinkled in. The colectivos in Playa del Carmen are on Calle 2 between Avenida 15 & 20.
Hop on the colectivo that is going towards Tulum, the drivers will say their route. Or you can ask them! It’s about 25-30 minutes to get to Akumal and about 35 pesos a person (a little over $2 USD) one way.
Listen to what the driver is saying, you’re listening for Akumal and he may ask if people need to stop at certain places. If you see Akumal is getting close and you hear the driver ask if anyone wants to stop there, say “alto aqui por favor!” (Stop here please)
You will be dropped off at a white overpass. Walk over the bridge and keep walking straight down the path.
Ignore the people offering you tours for like $50 at the beginning of the path. Those are not necessary and really a scarm. Keep walking and you will see where you can rent snorkel gear.
Once you’re in Akumal…
You can take a tour if you want, we opted not to. The only benefit is they know where the turtles hang and can tell you ASAP when they see one.
You can also bring your own snorkel gear of course.
We were okay with renting our gear for about $15 and just swam around. We saw plenty of sea turtles and all their friends!
We visited right after a hurricane so the water was quite murky and there was so much seaweed everywhere. We still had a blast though (of course)!
Actually most of the beaches we went to this trip were covered in seaweed from the hurricane. But that didn’t stop me from screaming everytime a piece unknowingly brushed up against my leg in the ocean.
As you swim around you’ll find sea turtles, sting rays, little schools of fish all around you! We stayed in for quite some time. I dont know about you but snorkeling is quite the workout for me.
But aren’t the views just totally worth it?!
So we worked up quite the appetite. After snorkeling for a few hours, we ate at the restuarnt right on the Akumal beach front and it was absolutely delicious seafood! And stunning views!
Then we spent our time exploring the beach and the town before we decided to head back on the colectivo to Playa del Carmen.
I definitely recommend exploring Akumal while you are in Mexico! It is a once in a lifetime opportunity to swim this close with the friendly sea turtles. And an absolutely beautiful Mexican town.
11 Responses
That sounds like an awesome experience!! And the water still looks beautiful, even if it was murky! Definitely adding Akumal to my list the next time I’m in Mexico 🙂
This is a great post! I like that you actually talked about the people offering fake tours as scams. I wish every post/place had people to tell me “DON’T DO THIS!”
I really like your photography – especially the water shots. I’ve never actually even heard of Akumal before, but it really looks like it’s worth a stop! I hope to make it to Mexico in the next couple years so I will definitely keep this place in mind.
Thanks so much!!! There are so many tourist traps in Playa Del Carmen! We love it there so much but just be cautious before you pay for things. Always get a second or third price somewhere.
Akumal looks AMAZING! I’ve only been to Playa Del Carmen. I need to check Akumal out. (on my list now!)
What a wonderful find in the yucatan! I was in the area last month and absolutely loved the area – but we loved it even more when we weren’t at touristy resort places. Akumal sounds like a gem! will have to keep it in mind the next time we’re there!
Yes!! That’s how we like to travel too!! Akumal is a bit touristy but if you go on your own without a tour you can find the secluded areas!
Swimming with sea turtles must be such an incredible experience. We visited Mexico in April and stayed in Tulum, which is not too far from Playa del Carmen. The beach there also had quite a lot of sea weed but apart from that the water was so clear and a beautiful shade of blue. I miss the balmy breezes and sandy beaches of Mexico.
Ameeta xx
We went to Tulum!!! I wish we stayed longer there!
Your pictures are gorgeous, and I love your bathing suit! I would have opted to go solo instead of with a tour too, so glad you had a great time 🙂
I like this post ! Swimming with sea turtles should be an incredible experience. I heard about so many tourist traps in Playa Del Carmen 🙁 . Beautiful photos; I love particularly the waters shots. And Akumal looks like a hidden gem 🙂
This looks like so much fun! I haven’t been able to visit Akumal, yet, but I’d love to visit soon and swim with sea turtles!