{"id":3735,"date":"2015-04-10T17:10:34","date_gmt":"2015-04-10T22:10:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.topmexicorealestate.com\/lets-retire-in-mexico\/?p=3735"},"modified":"2015-04-13T17:11:35","modified_gmt":"2015-04-13T22:11:35","slug":"top-25-beaches-in-the-riviera-maya-a-day-at-akumal-beach","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.topmexicorealestate.com\/lets-retire-in-mexico\/2015\/04\/top-25-beaches-in-the-riviera-maya-a-day-at-akumal-beach\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 25 Beaches in the Riviera Maya: A Day at Akumal Beach"},"content":{"rendered":"

Beach #15 on the Countdown to the Best Beach in the Riviera Maya: Akumal Beach<\/strong><\/p>\n

Most beaches are just that: beaches. Beautiful white sand, gorgeous blue waters\u2026everything you want a beach to be. But sometimes, beaches come with amazing surprises. Akumal Beach is #15 on our Top 25 Beaches in the Riviera Maya, and for good reason! Akumal (which means Place of the Turtles in Mayan) is home to juvenile and adult sea turtles. Not only that, but it\u2019s a beautiful and tranquil bay, as well.<\/p>\n

Akumal is a bay surrounded by coral reef, which stops the break. This makes the water seem pool-like, calm and wave-less. The deepest parts are approximately 6 meters and it hosts all types of life; from corals, to fish, to seahorses, rays, and turtles, Akumal is a large, natural aquarium!<\/p>\n

Located south of Playa del Carmen, and north of Tulum, it is easily accessible and a beautiful place to spend the day, or weekend, at. Akumal beach offers all types of activities, from snorkeling to diving, and has an array of delicious restaurants, as well. A day at Akumal Beach will never be boring. And, if you visit during the right season, you may also encounter nesting sea turtles and hatchling releases from the Akumal Ecological Center (CEA).<\/p>\n

Akumal Beach is unique in that ecology, nature and tourism go hand in hand. The town\u2019s people and the Ecological Center work together with snorkeling guides and tourists in order to preserve the bay in all its glory for the juvenile sea turtles that call this place home. Donations can be made to help with the efforts.<\/p>\n

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Akumal Beach: Getting There<\/strong><\/p>\n

Akumal is divided into Pueblo (town) and Beach. It is very easy to reach Akumal from any point of the Riviera Maya, as it is located 20 minutes south of Playa del Carmen, and 20 minutes north of Tulum.<\/p>\n

Driving:<\/span><\/strong> If you have a car (rented, or otherwise), all you need to do is get onto the Federal Highway 309 and drive south (coming from Playa del Carmen), or north (coming from Tulum), until you reach Akumal. It is very well signaled. If you are coming from the north, it is right past Sirenis; if you are coming from the south, you need to pass the Bahia Principe resort. Akumal Pueblo is on the west side of the highway and is mainly where the workers live; you want to go to Akumal Beach which is where all the tourist attraction is.<\/p>\n

Taking a Taxi:<\/span><\/strong> A taxi will charge you over $300 MXN to drive you to Akumal. A taxi from the airport will cost $900 MXN, or more. However, if this is the alternative you want to take, just mention to the driver that you want to go to Akumal Beach and they will drive you all the way down to where the main access is.<\/p>\n

Public transportation:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Colectivos:<\/strong> Colectivos are readily available on the highway. However, you can also take one from the van central on 15th<\/sup> Avenue with 2nd<\/sup> Street in Playa del Carmen. Hop on the one heading towards Tulum and ask to be dropped off in Akumal. Cross the overpass bridge and walk approximately 5 minutes until you reach the beach. Coming from Tulum, you will need to take a van headed towards Playa del Carmen. You will already be dropped off on the east side of the highway, so there is no need to cross the overpass bridge. The colectivo should cost no more than $3 USD per person.<\/p>\n

Buses:<\/span><\/strong> \u00a0You can take the Mayab buses at the ADO terminal, heading towards the south. These buses make stops as they drive down the highway, so just make sure you ask the driver to point out the stop at Akumal.<\/p>\n