Planning which cities you want to visit in Mexico can be stressful, especially if it’s your first time visiting this tropical destination. But fear not!
We’re breaking down all you need to know about Akumal and comparing it with Playa del Carmen so you can decide how to plan your trip to Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.
Akumal – Low Key Town With Pristine Beaches
Akumal was founded in 1958 and was designed as a scuba divers community. The area is known for turtles and stingrays that flock to the coastal waters to feed.
Akumal means “place of the turtles” in the Mayan language. Here you can snorkel from the beach with these animals who come for the seagrass that naturally lines the ocean floor.
The town of Akumal is divided by the Mexican Federal Highway 307. The beach and a small cluster of shops are on the east of the highway while the small town sits on the west side.
There is a highway overpass that connects the two.
Is it worth going to Akumal?
Yes, Akumal is worth visiting for its beautiful beaches, cenotes, snorkeling with turtles, and relaxed atmosphere.
It offers a less crowded and more laid-back alternative to nearby tourist destinations like Playa del Carmen and Tulum.
When should I visit Akumal?
The best time to visit Akumal is during the dry season (November-April) when the weather is warm and sunny, and there’s less chance of rain and seaweed.
Can you swim in the ocean in Akumal, Mexico?
Yes, you can swim in the ocean in Akumal. It’s famous for its calm, clear waters ideal for snorkeling and swimming with sea turtles.
Is Akumal a party town?
Akumal is not a party town. It’s known for its laid-back atmosphere and focus on nature and relaxation.
Do you have to pay for Akumal Beach?
There is no general entrance fee for Akumal Beach. However, some areas may charge a fee for parking or access to specific facilities.
Can you swim with turtles in Akumal without a tour?
Yes, it’s possible to swim with turtles in Akumal without a tour.
However, it’s essential to respect the turtles and their environment. Avoid touching or harassing them, and be aware of the designated swimming areas.
Getting to Akumal
The town of Akumal is a small fishing village located between Tulum and Playa del Carmen.
Akumal is around 25 miles/40km south of Playa del Carmen which takes around 40 minutes by car.
For reference, Akumal is also around 19 miles/30km (30 minutes by car) north of Tulum, making it an excellent stop if you are driving between these two cities.
Things To Do In Akumal
Akumal is a very small town without most of the offerings you may be hoping for on your trip.
While the nightlife borders on nonexistent and the shopping options are minimal, the activities near Akumal are high quality and should not be overlooked.
1. Snorkel with Sea Turtles at Akumal Bay
Our favorite thing to do in Akumal was swimming with turtles and sting rays. We actually ended up going to Akumal twice.
The first time was in the afternoon and we were told that the park had reached its capacity for the day and wasn’t allowing any more visitors.
There is a turtle sanctuary on the beach in Akumal that allows tourists to swim safely with these majestic animals.
You’ll have to book a tour guide which comes with a life jacket, snorkel, and a locker to store your gear while you’re in the water.
The tour will include around an hour in the water with the turtles and stingrays. It doesn’t include parking which can be hard to find in this area and costs around 80 MXN ($4 USD).
We recommend getting here early so that you can find parking if you need it and beat the afternoon crowd.
This will also make sure you get into the park as they only allow a certain amount of people per day to protect the area.
There is a roped off area where you’ll be allowed to swim. This is to protect the sea animals.
Seagrass growing under the water is what attracts sea turtles and stingrays as it provides them with food.
The beach protects these areas so the animals can eat and keep their personal space.
Even though you can only swim here with a designated tour guide, there is an area just beside it that you can swim in if you have your own snorkel – just be careful for boats as it’s technically in the harbor.
After you experience swimming with stingrays and turtles you can walk around the area. This is one of the best ways to get a feel for the vibe of certain places.
There is a great walk just to the left of the main beach. You’ll walk by a 4 star hotel with rooms overlooking the water.
If you continue along the path you’ll round the point past abandoned buildings on a rocky shore. There are tide pools that have formed on the stony beachfront.
There are many different restaurants along the water. If you’re planning on eating in this area we recommend inquiring if you can use their beach chairs on the sand.
2. Explore the Underwater World of Yal-Ku Lagoon
Yal Ku Lagoon is a popular spot for snorkeling and scuba diving for those who choose to visit Akumal, Mexico.
The lagoon is fed by underground rivers, which provide nutrients and oxygen to the plants and animals living in the lagoon.
Visitors can see a variety of fish, turtles, and other marine life.
Yal Ku Lagoon is also a great place to relax and enjoy the scenery. The lagoon is surrounded by mangroves, and the water is often calm and clear.
Speaking of lagoons, we also highly recommend visiting Bacalar over places like Tulum because of the magical Seven Color Lagoon!
3. Relax at Half Moon Bay (Bahía de la Media Luna)
Half Moon Bay in Akumal, Mexico is one of the most beautiful places on earth.
The bay is surrounded by coral reefs and is home to an abundance of marine life.
Visitors can snorkel or scuba dive to explore the underwater world, or simply enjoy the stunning views from the shore.
Here are other top-rated things to do in Akumal:
- Discover Aktun Chen’s Caves and Cenotes: Embark on an underground adventure through this stunning cave system, complete with stalactites, stalagmites, and crystal-clear cenotes.
- Experience Thrills at Xel-Há Park: This all-inclusive water park offers snorkeling, swimming with dolphins, ziplining, and a host of other exciting activities.
- Learn About Conservation at Centro Ecológico Akumal: This ecological center (CEA) educates visitors about local wildlife and the importance of preserving Akumal’s natural beauty.
Where To Stay In Akumal
Akumal is a small area but does have a few nice hotels.
If you are choosing to stay in Akumal, I recommend ensuring that you plan to spend a good amount of time in your hotel or have a plan to do day trips out of the area.
You’ll want to make sure to have some tour lined up for your time there.
Playa Del Carmen – Main Features
There is so much to see and do in Playa del Carmen. The main attraction is the crystal clear tropical water with white sand beaches.
There are many public beaches in Playa del Carmen as well as private beaches that are owned by beach clubs and resorts.
Most resorts will have day-use passes you can buy to gain access to their amenities.
Akumal vs. Playa Del Carmen
Akumal and Playa del Carmen offer different experiences. Choose Akumal for a relaxing beach vacation and Playa del Carmen for a more energetic and social experience.
Akumal compared to Playa del Carmen at a glance:
- The main difference: The beaches of Akumal are much nicer than those of Playa Del Carmen
- Akumal is more peaceful while Playa Del Carmen has the best nightlife
- Playa Del Carmen has more variety in restaurant options than Akumal beach
- Akumal has great All-inclusive hotels making it better for a quick getaway but Playa Del Carmen has more options for hotels and areas to stay in
- Akumal offers swimming with turtles (and seeing other marine life)
- You can find more activities to do in Playa Del Carmen versus Akumal
- Both are economical and not as expensive as visiting Cancun
- Akumal and PDC are about the same distance drive to Chichen Itza but Akumal is closer to the Tulum Mayan ruins. This is a big consideration if you are deciding to visit Tulum Ruins versus Chichen Itza.
- Playa Del Carmen is better for longer stays
Below we are jumping into everything you need to know about visiting Playa del Carmen, Akumal, and an unbiased comparison of these two coastal cities.
Overall Vibe Of Each Destination
Akumal has more of a small town feel while Playa Del Carmen is a more established city with high-rises and vibrant nightlife.
Akumal offers peaceful relaxation while PDC gives visitors lots of opportunities for action. While there is more going on in PDC, it can cater to any type of visitor.
Akumal on the other hand may not be appealing to those who are not very interested in relaxing on the beach or seeing beautiful underwater scenes while snorkeling.
Another thing that makes Akumal attractive is the lack of touristy crowds and noise.
Accommodations Compared
Beachfront properties are available in both Playa Del Carmen and Akumal.
Playa Del Carmen gives you more choices as well as options to get vacation rentals as opposed to having to stay in a resort. You also get more variety of locations to choose from in PDC.
You can pick from being right in the middle of all the action, on the beach, in a gated community, or a little bit away for more budget friendly places.
Does Akumal have nice beaches?
Akumal is known for its beautiful beaches with soft sand and calm, clear water. The beaches are protected by a reef, making them ideal for snorkeling.
However, it’s important to note that both Akumal and Playa del Carmen experience a very bad seaweed problem.
The seaweed is naturally brought on shore with the tides and the severity changes daily.
This problem is at its peak between April to October when the white sandy beaches are replaced with large mounds of seaweed that can make it impossible to get into the water.
This makes swimming at public beaches not possible. All-inclusive resorts will do daily clean-ups to make their beaches cleaner which will allow access to the water.
The most famous beach would be Playa Akumal (Akumal Bay) just a bit down from Half Moon Bay.
Playa Akumal is a beautiful beach in Mexico that is perfect for a day of adventure. The pristine white sand and clear blue water are perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and snorkeling.
And there’s plenty to see beneath the surface; Playa Akumal is home to a diverse array of marine life, including turtles, rays, and tropical fish.
Playa Akumal is the perfect place to enjoy a day in the sun and explore the amazing underwater world. Overall, Akumal has better beaches.
Playa Del Carmen has several beaches that can be accessed by walking down one of the side roads off of 5th Avenue (depending on which part of town you are in).
Compared to the gorgeous beaches of Akumal, they fall short in beauty. What they do offer is easy access to tons of shopping and many restaurants.
Activities Compared
- Cenotes: Cenote Dos Ojos is a popular one near Akumal
- Adventure Parks: Xel-Ha is close to Akumal but not very far from Playa Del Camen
- Water Activities: Snorkeling and SCUBA are best done in Akumal bay
- Mayan Ruins: Akumal is in close proximity to Tulum and Coba ruins.
- Day trips: Fun day trips from PDC include visiting Cozumel Island or Valladolid. Tulum is a great day trip from Akumal
Is Akumal better than Playa del Carmen?
In our humble opinion, Playa del Carmen is better than Akumal.
Akumal is quieter and more focused on nature, while Playa del Carmen is livelier, with more nightlife, restaurants, and shopping options.
But we still enjoyed our time in Akumal and would recommend it as a day trip from either Playa del Carmen or Tulum.
We found that there isn’t enough to see and do in Akumal to make us want to stay longer.
So we would recommend staying in Playa del Carmen but visiting Akumal as a short getaway for a couple of days.
Akumal Travel Guide FAQ
What is the difference between Tulum and Akumal?
Tulum is larger and more developed than Akumal, with a wider range of hotels, restaurants, and nightlife options. Akumal is smaller and more focused on nature, with fewer crowds and a quieter atmosphere.
Is Tulum or Akumal better?
In my opinion, Tulum is better than Akumal because it has more things to do. Akumal is a quieter destination famous for its snorkeling opportunities with sea turtles. The best option is to visit both.
Is there a lot of seaweed in Akumal?
Seaweed levels in Akumal can vary depending on the season. Generally, the seaweed problem is not as severe in Akumal as in other parts of the Riviera Maya.
Do I need pesos in Akumal?
While many places in Akumal accept US dollars, having some pesos on hand is helpful for smaller purchases and tipping.
Are there mosquitoes in Akumal, Mexico?
Yes, there can be mosquitoes in Akumal, especially during the rainy season (May-October). Pack insect repellent and consider wearing long sleeves and pants in the evenings.
Is Akumal, Mexico safe in 2024?
Akumal remains a safe destination for travelers in 2024. However, as with any travel destination, it’s important to be aware of your surroundings and take precautions.
What is the crime rate in Akumal, Mexico?
Akumal has a relatively low crime rate compared to other parts of Mexico. However, petty theft can occur, so it’s important to remain vigilant and take precautions.
Is Akumal safe for kids?
Yes, Akumal is a family-friendly destination. The calm waters and shallow beaches make it suitable for children. However, it’s always important to supervise children closely in any water environment.
What does the word Akumal mean?
Akumal means “place of the turtles” in the Mayan language.
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