Getting to Akumal
Click for Google Maps directions to Casa Zama
Akumal is about 60 miles (95 kilometers) directly south of the Cancun International Airport. You should feel very comfortable driving; the highway is 4 lanes the entire way. Head south (right) out of the airport on Highway 307, following the street signs for Chetumal/Xcaret and then Playa del Carmen/Xel-Ha. Stay in the left-hand lane and follow the sign towards Tulum/Cozumel. Pass Puerto Morelos, then Playa del Carmen (flyover bridge bypasses the traffic there), Puerto Aventuras Resort (flyover bridge to bypass traffic again) and Xpu-Ha.
The entrance to “Akumal Playa” is well marked by overhead highway signs. You will see it on your left just after a large overhead pedestrian bridge and a local traffic flyover bridge covered in local art, but the median will not allow you to turn there. As you approach the bridge, you will make the next u-turn and come back up the highway 307. The road towards Akumal veers to the right just before the bridge covered in art and merges with the local traffic coming over the bridge shortly after the highway turnoff. Please yield to the local traffic at the yield sign and take care when merging.
Or, coming south down 307, you can also take a right into the community of Akumal Pueblo immediately before the local traffic flyover bridge with the art, make the first u-turn and come back OVER the bridge into Akumal Playa.
Once you have entered Akumal driving east, you will find the local grocery markets / convenience stores / ATM / some boutiques, etc. here. This is the village center.
To gain access to Half Moon Bay and the services on the north side of Akumal Bay: Continue under the arch, stay to your left where the road splits you will be heading northeast.
To access services on the south side of Akumal Bay: By foot: Tell the guards what business you are going to, and you will not need to pay the entry fee to get into the bay. Tell them the Dive Center or the Beach Bar etc. Walk along the sand. By car: Turn south just after the OXXO convenience store on the west side of the arch, there is a guard there who will want to know where you are headed.
From Akumal CANCUN: North on Hwy 307. 90 minutes to the city center. TULUM: South on Hwy 307. 15 minutes to the town center. PUERTO AVENTURAS: North on Hwy 307. 10 minutes to the marina. PLAYA DEL CARMEN: North on Hwy 307. 20 minutes to 5th Avenue.
Car Rental
Easy Way Car Rental
Let them know you are an S & S Vacation Rentals client.
Shuttle Service
Mayan Traveler
Contact is Avelino
Namaste Transportation
Contact is Miguel
Property Information
CHECK-IN: 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM. It is important to make sure that S & S Vacation Rentals has your arrival time so the staff can be prepared for your arrival. The doors will be open with the keys inside when you arrive. Rocio, the manager will come by to greet you.
CHECK-OUT: 10:00 AM. Check with the manager or caretaker to see if late check out is available.
LATE ARRIVAL: It is important to make sure that we know ahead of time if you will be arriving after normal business hours.
LUGGAGE: For your convenience, if you arrive before the check-in time, in most cases the staff will hold your luggage until the property is ready. Follow up with them on this.
Tipping in Mexico
Employees in Mexico work hard to earn tips. It is customary at vacation rental properties, as well as restaurants, and for services; 10-20% is standard. To not leave a tip will insult the employee, as well, it is part of their income.
The suggested amounts are $3 - 5 per day / per person for the maid, dependent on the amount / quality of services provided for you, and the number of guests in your group. If there are other staff members (gardener, caretaker, etc), you should also tip them proportionate to their work for you, the total of your tips should equal 5-10%+ of your rent. Properties may also have tipping suggestions in their guide book.
You should pay in MXN pesos if at all possible. You can pay daily at a rental property, or at the end of your stay - but, just don't forget - as these sweet employees count on their tips.
Sometimes at a gas station or speed bump, locals will clean your windshield in hopes for a few pesos. Tip them as you will love that you can see so much better out the window!
Same for people who help you at a grocery store bagging, or someone who helps you carry luggage or goes out of their way to assist you with your needs - it is kind to always offer a tip - not all will accept it, but most will.
Resturant Guide
La Buena Vida
This restaurant and bar is lively and entertaining, filled with “the good life”! Conveniently located on the beach of Half Moon Bay, it offers a fun bar downstairs with beach dining, and fine dining upstairs. The terrific menu features Mayan cuisine with a continental flare. Upstairs, eat under a palapa roof in a rustically elegant atmosphere; downstairs, lounge on a bar-swing with the sand between your toes, or on the beach, hang out in a crow’s nests or out in the fresh air. Enjoy a swim in the pool, or watch the energetic nightlife! Explore the Bay after your meal. Great for kids and adults. Wifi & pool.
Website
Lol-Ha Resturant
The Lol-Ha restaurant is open for delicious breakfasts and gourmet dinners during most of the year (typically closed each Oct). It offers a majestic Caribbean atmosphere, with a beautiful veranda and superb cuisine. For an exciting end, order a flaming dessert or Mayan coffee! Their cultural shows are wonderfully colorful, educational and entertaining, reservations may be necessary. Save this restaurant for a special night. They offer great weekly programs! Make sure to make a reservation on popular holidays.
Website
Turtle Bay Bakery and Cafe
This cafe is also just inside the Akumal arch, offers delicious and healthy choices. It is popular for it’s baked goods, smoothies, coffee & unusual gourmet menu. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. They also deliver, or offer pre-order carry out. Great holiday meal packages, and event catering too.
Website
La Cueva Del Pescador
Just inside the Akumal arch, a local fisherman/dive guide owns this seafood restaurant & fresh fish market. The food is tasty and the atmosphere is casual, with tables both inside and out. We love the whole fried fish; try it. Ask them about preparing your own fresh catch! There is also a location in the pueblo on the West side of the highway. You'll be hooked!
Website
Imelda's Ecocina
Behind CEA on Akumal Bay, this delightful café serves Brazillian food with a Mexican flair for breakfast and lunch daily but Sunday, and dinner by reservation only.
Website
La Lunita
This intimate, excellent restaurant is at the Hacienda de la Tortuga Condominiums on Half Moon Bay. Dine outside on the beach for an extra special experience. Meritorious for fish and other locally flavored entrees. On Half Moon Bay, take in an enjoyable moonlit walk along the beach after dinner. (Closed on Sundays, open only for dinner).
WebsiteChef Service
Chef Daveed
UXATA Chef Services
Our guests receive our commission as a discount, please make sure to let them know you are an S & S Vacation Rentals client.
Food Delivery & Take-out
Turtle Bay Café
Contact is Manda
Activity Guide
While our beaches are fantastic, there is so much more to do around here - Explore, have fun, rest, relax and indulge in your special time south of the border!
Yoga / Spa
Experience a yoga class in Akumal. A simple Google search should yield results.www.facebook.com/YogaEnAkumaloryogafinder.com
Have a custom yoga session in your rental!
Contact Vianey at [email protected]
Enjoy a massage or spa treatment...we love Buddha Gardens in Akumal,www.budhagardenspa.com
Hire a local company to do a massage or beauty treatment at your rental property!
Tours
Pure Paradise - Avoid Mass-Tourism and Crowded Tour Buses! You’re VIP with Pure Paradise, who also practices sustainable travel and gives back to the local communities.www.pureparadisetravel.com
Juan Pablo [email protected] has a great tourwww.facebook.com/RanchoSantaCruz
Explore via ATV Jungle Tours. Get dirty, laugh lots. Google them.
Nature Parks
Xel Ha:www.xelha.com
Xcaret: Huge incredible park which includes Mayan traditions, culture, swimming with dolphins, restaurants, horses, botanicals, an aquarium, and much, much more.www.xcaret.com
Xplor: An adventure park next to Xcaret.www.xplor.travel
Any of the X parks - Xenses, Xenotes etc.
Aktun-chen Eco Park: This place is really cool, and also has animals, a wonderful cave tour.aktun-chen.com
Chikin-ha: 3 cenotes, zip lines, Mayan ceremony, caves, biking and more.www.chikinha.com.mxAsk for Amarantha - she is a great guide! They also offer a snack bar here as part of the package.
Akumal Monkey Sanctuary.akumalmonkeysanctuary.com
Cenotes
If traveling to Valladolid and Chichen Itza, be sure and stop at Hacienda Chichen for lunch, have your swimsuit and take a dip in the pool. Allowed with purchasing lunch (at least it used to be). A favorite place in the area. Toni could live there!www.haciendachichen.com
Alternative Beaches
Xpu-Ha: Talcum powder beach, try the many entrances.www.laplayaxpuha.com/en/index.php(Just north of Akumal a few km).
Aventuras Akumal: Long, long beach good for walks. (Just south of Akumal 3km)
Paamul: 25 min north of Akumal, a great restaurant and a dive shop too.
X'cacel Beach: What the area was like before it was found....www.tripadvisor.com(South of Akumal 6 minutes or so on Hwy 307, north of Xel-Ha Park, look for the signs)
Be adventurous, drive down any road going east from Hwy 307!
Ruins Nearby
Tulum:Tulum, one of the best preserved historic walled cities using the dramatic seawall as a barrier.
Chichen Itza:www.chichenitza.com,en.xichen.com.mx
Muyil: 15 ml south of Tulum. Small, tidy, beautiful. Eat at one of the 2 restaurants across the road. By sacbe in the ruins area, or by car just down the road, you can also hire a boat to take you across the lagoons in the Sian Ka'an, and then you will float down some canals (about $35USD pp)
Nearby Cities to Explore
Tulum: Take a fun adventure by driving down to Tulum Pueblo. Poke around in some of the shops, have lunch or dinner. It can be quite entertaining and interesting to experience.
Valladolid: Visit the zocalo, dine at El Meson de Marquis, tour the churches - it is a beautiful colonial town with tons of history and beauty. (Less than 2 hours away.)
Puerto Aventuras: Marina town with shopping and Swimming with dolphins, manatees, seals, etc.
Playa Del Carmen: Shop and eat on busy 5th Ave.
Read
Delve into a good book or two. There is a library in Akumal near the arch.hekabbe.blogspot.com. And a very cool bookstore in Puerto Morales.www.almalibrebooks.comHekab Be Biblioteca de Akumal.
Fishing
Take a fishing trip from the local dive shops. eg Akumal Dive Centerwww.akumaldivecenter.com
Hire Gualberto for fly fishing on the salt flats near Boca Paila (1 hour in time, south). [email protected] 1-984-806-7229 cell or 984-184-4324 home.
Our celebrity fishing author Chris Santella suggests:www.frontierstravel.com/saltwater
Local guides:bocapaila.com
Tantalize your Tastebuds
Dine on the beach of Tulum ($$$$), or in the town of Tulum ($ - $$$).
Chemuyil just south of Akumal. Dine out at Leo's Pizzeria or Arrecife Maya.www.facebook.com/pages/Arrecife-Maya-Chemuyil/354149238090955.
Soliman Bay: Sahara Cafe (fine semi-outdoor dining in the Jashito Hotel www.jashitahotel.com) or Chamicos Fish Shack (super casual beach dining).
See our Restaurants link for lots more choices.
Ecology
Educate yourself by visiting CEA on Akumal Bay for info on turtles....and much more!www.ceakumal.org
Talk to Centro Ecologico Akumal on Akumal Bay about a volunteercation.
Sports
Buy a day pass at one of the local All Inclusive Hotels!
Golf:www.bahia-principe.com/en/golf-resortsorwww.golfadvisor.com/destinations/180-riviera-may
There are tennis courts in Akumal, at the Oasis Akumal Hotel in Aventuras Akumal, and Bahia Principe Tulum just south of Aventuras Akumal. These are all-inclusive hotels, so arrangements must be made and a guest fee paid to use their facilities during most seasons. There are tennis courts and a golf course available in Puerto Aventuras.
Misc
Learn history at the CEDAM Museum and enjoy seeing the dolphins/manatees/seals, in Puerto Aventuraswww.puertoaventuras.com
A Mexican Party Xcaret style:www.xoximilco.com
Movies
MoviesGo to Playa del Carmen Movie Theaters: English movies with Spanish subtitles. All these theaters are next to a Mall.
Cinepolis Plaza las Americas on Hwy 307 - A big theater with comfortable seats and the latest movies - 984-109-2114www.cinepolis.com/cartelera/playa-del-carmen
Cinemex:cinemex.com/cine/173/cinemex-playa-del-carmen
Diving
Akumal is famous for some of the best diving in the world! There are great dive shops in Akumal, Aventuras Akumal, Tankah, Soliman Bay, along the highway, and in Playa Del Carmen, Cozumel, and Cancun. Although we recommend many of these, our favorite is The Akumal Dive Center on Akumal Bay, ask for Gerardo. They have the equipment you might need to rent, at reasonable prices, and can offer full training and certification. The instructors are fully PADI qualified and should be able to provide lessons or dive tours to fit any requirement or level of proficiency. Complete dive trips can be easily arranged a day or two ahead of time. Akumal is well known for its world class diving and clear warm waters, with 100- 200 foot visibility and 80+ degree water. Night diving, cenote diving (shallow inland caves) and cave diving can also be arranged. Our top choice Akumal Bay: Akumal Dive Center ask for Gerardo +52 984 875 9025 [email protected] They also offer Airport transfers and tours – ask for Avelino. Other great options: Akumal Bay: ADS Akumal Dive Shop Phone (52) 984 875 9032 Toll free in Mexico 01 800 462 1212 [email protected]
Snorkeling
If you like to snorkel - - you will love Akumal! Currently, you must hire a guide in order to rent snorkel gear and snorkel in Akumal Bay. You can bring your own equipment to snorkel in Half Moon Bay or Yal Ku Lagoon. You can rent snorkel gear at Yal Ku Lagoon and snorkel without a guide, but the gear cannot leave the lagoon. There are many places to snorkel in and around Akumal: Yalku Lagoon, Akumal Bay, Half Moon Bay, South Akumal, Aventuras Akumal, Jade Bay, Tankah, and Soliman Bay are all excellent. Try them all, because each and every place is uniquely different. If you would like to feel as if you are in an aquarium, don't miss Yalku Lagoon at the far north end of Half Moon Bay (there is an entrance fee, but it is worth it). Yalku Lagoon is a unique fresh and salt-water lagoon that flows into the Caribbean, filled with colorful fish, and in the channel to the sea are turtles and rays. There are many other places down the coastline that offer great snorkeling. Public beaches (all of the beaches in Mexico are public) as well as private commercial businesses offer the opportunity to view many different underwater vistas. The area is famous for its cenotes, which are inland sinkholes in the limestone foundation. The cenotes have many fish and interesting formations similar to those found in caves.
Charter Boat
Playa Del Carmen: Calypso Charters (luxury) Ask for Jason Tel cel. 521-984-114-6935 [email protected] Sailing, diving, lionfish hunting, dining
Water Sports
Boat trips for tours or fishing, are also readily available through the dive shops and along the coast. The Robinson Crusoe trips are wonderful! The fishing (deep-sea, shore, bone, fly) can be a great experience. Catch Marlin, Sailfish, King, Barracuda, Wauhoo, Yellowtail, Bonefish, etc. Keep your catch and have it prepared by one of the local restaurants (this may depend on the time of year). You do not need a fishing license and the dive shops can provide all the necessary equipment. Try CESiak in the Sian Ka’an for a special treat. Address Akumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico Phone +52 984 875 9251
COVID Information
Per CDC requirements, US citizens must get a viral test no more than 1 day before their flight’s departure from Mexico and show their negative test result report. Either a rapid or viral antigen test is acceptable.
Testing locations in Akumal
Laboratorio de Analisis Clinico
+529843082552
Whatsapp +529841280809 or +529842082306
Email [email protected]
Located next to Tequilavilla in Akumal Pueblo