So you’re planning a vacation to sunny Mexico and are looking for that warm Caribbean ocean, white sandy beaches, and long hot sun shining days.
Planning which cities you want to visit in Mexico can be stressful, especially if it’s your first time visiting this tropical destination.
If you are planning to stay in an all inclusive resort, I recommend doing some research on the area you are staying in so that you have the option to leave your resort and submerge yourself in all this beautiful country has to offer.
Simply looking at a map and picking destinations that look decent will not be enough to plan your trip properly.
You could miss out on some of the best activities and things to do in Mexico that way. But fear not!
We’re breaking down all you need to know about Akumal vs Playa Del Carmen so you can decide how to plan your trip to Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.
The weather in this area is almost perfect. Average temperatures hover around 70℉ – 85℉ (20℃ – 30℃) all year long.
Some months will see more rain than others (we’re looking at you October) while others can be at the higher end of that intense heat (April – May).
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.
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
Playa Del Carmen – The Bigger, More Vibrant Town
Playa del Carmen is one of the best travel destinations in Mexico.
It offers a wide range of places to stay, eat, and things to do without having that overcrowded big city vibe you’ll find in Cancun.
With a cheaper price tag and a whole lot more authenticity than Cancun, Playa del Carmen is on the rise as one of the best travel destinations in Mexico.
Since 1995 Playa del Carmen’s population has exploded from around 17,000 to over 300,000 in 2020 making it one of the fastest growing places in Latin America.
This is mainly due to Playa del Carmen’s increased popularity with travel enthusiasts.
Playa del Carmen sees millions of tourists a year ranking in the top ten travel destinations for Americans.
Where Is Playa Del Carmen?
Playa del Carmen is located around 70 kilometers south of Cancun. The main way of getting to Playa del Carmen is through the Cancun International Airport.
We rented a car for our trip through the Yucatan Peninsula and drove 34 miles/55km south. There are also tour guides, taxis, and buses that will take you south from the airport.
Incidentally, if you are trying to decide between visiting Playa Del Carmen and Cancun, we do recommend staying in Cancun for a short trip if you just want to relax and not have to travel any further.
Depending on the time of day you arrive you can simply walk out of the Cancun arrivals gate and you’ll be met with a wall of taxi drivers – just be careful with the price.
- A private taxi from Cancun International Airport to Playa del Carmen will cost around $45 USD and is the most expensive option. This should take around 45 minutes to an hour depending on traffic. When we drove from Cancun to Playa del Carmen we were slowed down by a pretty serious traffic accident involving a tour bus and a truck.
- If you’re looking for a less expensive option you can take an ADO Bus (around 80 MXN/$4 USD) or a Collective (shared public van) which should cost only a few dollars as well.
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 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.
Top Things To Do In Playa Del Carmen
There is a wide variety of things to do in Playa del Carmen from enjoying the beach and snorkeling to exploring the eco-parks and visiting the Mayan ruins.
Playa del Carmen’s 5th Avenue is one of the top things to do in Playa.
It’s a long stretch of road that is closed to vehicle traffic and lined with some of the town’s best restaurants and shopping.
We found this to be some of the best shopping in the Riviera Maya. This is the place where we bought all of our souvenirs.
The prices are fair and easily negotiable, there are a lot of options and the quality is as good as anywhere in the area. 5th Avenue is an area where you can expect to find it all.
Large shopping malls with name brand clothing sit beside small locally owned stands that make handmade lights from dried fruit.
There is a large variety of restaurants in this area that range from small stands serving up tacos and burritos to 5 star restaurant experiences with live performances.
Generally speaking, the food on 5th Avenue is more expensive than if you went even a street away from the main strip.
There are tons of bars, nightclubs, hookah lounges, and other entertainment along this strip.
At nighttime, this street comes alive.
Street performers line the area with everything from signing, fire dancing, Cirque de Soleil style performers, and people dressing in costumes like your favorite Marvel characters.
There is a traditional Mayan performance that goes on at the beach on this street that includes fire dancers and a story of the Mayan culture.
Playa del Carmen’s central location makes it close to a lot of nearby amenities as well.
There are some of the best theme parks in all of Mexico in Playa del Carmen. Some of the most famous in the area are Xcaret, Xel Ha, Xenses, and my favorite Xplor.
Each park has its own overall theme and features many activities to keep you entertained.
The great thing about these adventure theme parks is that you pay one entrance fee for everything and it includes a buffet style lunch.
Playa del Carmen also has the port to nearby popular scuba diving and snorkeling island: Cozumel.
From downtown Playa, you will find 2 ferry companies offering transportation to Cozumel where you can go for a day trip or stay for a few nights.
This island gives access to the impressive Meso-American Reef, the second largest coral reef in the world, and offers the best snorkeling in Mexico.
Where To Stay In Playa Del Carmen
If you are planning to stay in an all inclusive resort in Playa del Carmen, you generally can’t go wrong with the one you choose.
All these resorts will have a full range of amenities and a lot will have a beachfront location, depending on what you choose.
If you are wanting to choose from an AirBNB or a regular hotel, we recommend staying close to 5th Avenue, but off the main strip as the noise can get quite loud throughout the night.
If you are wanting to stay in the mix of the nightlife and within walking distance, we recommend booking a hotel a block or two off 5th Avenue between the cross streets of Calle 2 Nte and Calle 20 Nte.
There are also options within the gated community of Playacar. This community has beachside resorts as well as vacation rentals at a fair price within walking distance of the beach.
Many travelers recommend top places to stay in Playa del Carmen such as Quinta Avenida for its vibrant atmosphere, or Playacar for its luxury resorts.
These areas offer convenient access to dining, shopping, and entertainment.
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 naturally flee to the coastal waters.
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.
Where Is Akumal?
The town of Akumal is a small fishing town 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.
Akumal – Main Features
The main activity to do in this area is snorkeling with turtles and stingrays, something you won’t want to miss. 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.
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.
When it comes to wildlife spotting near Cancun, Akumal offers unbeatable opportunities.
Our favorite thing to do in Akumal was swimming with turtles and sting rays. There is a 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 lifejacket, 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.
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.
Visitors can take a swim, go for a walk on the beach, or simply relax in a hammock and enjoy the view.
Whether you’re looking for adventure or relaxation, Yal Ku Lagoon is sure to have something for you.
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.
Half Moon Bay is also a popular spot for turtle nesting, and visitors often have the opportunity to see turtles hatching and making their way to the sea.
Whether you’re looking for an adventure or a place to relax, Half Moon Bay in Akumal, Mexico is sure to delight.
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.
Is Akumal Or Playa Del Carmen Better?
In our humble opinion, Playa del Carmen is better than Akumal.
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.
Whether you’re staying in Akumal or Playa del Carmen, consider taking a short trip to visit Chichen Itza.
This iconic Mayan ruins site is a must-visit for anyone interested in ancient history and culture. The well-preserved structures and rich history make it a truly unforgettable visit.
1. Overall Vibe Of Each Destination
Akumal has more of a small town feel while Playa Del Carmen is a more established city with highrises 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.
What makes Akumal appealing is the lack of touristy crowds and noise.
2. 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.
3. Beaches Compared
It is 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.
Visitors can also take a glass bottom boat tour to get an up-close look at the underwater world.
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.
4. 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
Which Is Better – Akumal Or Tulum?
Tulum is better than Akumal. Tulum is another excellent Mexican vacation destination that has much more attractions and things to see and do.
There is everything from boho hotels and restaurants to some of the most important ancient Mayan ruins on the peninsula.
But even if Tulum is better than Akumal we would still recommend visiting both as they have must see and do activities.
Final Thoughts On Visiting Akumal Versus Playa Del Carmen
The main differences between the two destinations are the vibe each offers and the level of activities they offer.
Choosing which to visit can be tough if you want to be active but have lots of peace and quiet so we would recommend choosing Playa Del Carmen but visiting Akumal as a short getaway for a couple of days.
You can easily visit Akumal to wind down after being in PDC and enjoying all it has to offer.
What Makes Playa Del Carmen And Tulum Both Worth Visiting?
When it comes to comparison between Playa del Carmen and Tulum, the key differences lie in the atmosphere and activities.
Playa del Carmen offers a vibrant nightlife and bustling city vibe, while Tulum boasts a more relaxed, bohemian atmosphere and stunning eco-friendly resorts.
Both are worth visiting for unique experiences.
Should I Choose Cozumel Or Playa Del Carmen?
Cozumel and Playa del Carmen both offer unique experiences for travelers.
Cozumel is known for its pristine beaches and world-class diving opportunities, while Playa del Carmen boasts a vibrant nightlife and trendy shopping scene.
Whether you prefer Cozumel or Playa del Carmen, both destinations have something special to offer.
Which Is A Better Vacation Spot: Playa Del Carmen Or Puerto Morelos?
When deciding between Playa Del Carmen and Puerto Morelos, consider the atmosphere.
Playa Del Carmen is lively and bustling with various entertainment options, while Puerto Morelos offers a more laid-back and relaxed vibe.
It ultimately depends on your preferred vacation experience.
Which Should You Prioritize: Tulum Or Holbox Island?
When planning your trip to Mexico, you may wonder whether to prioritize Tulum or Holbox Island.
Tulum is known for its ancient ruins and beautiful beaches, while Holbox offers a more secluded and laid-back atmosphere.
Consider your preferences for a relaxing beach vacation or exploring historical landmarks when choosing between Tulum or Holbox.
What Are Best Family Vacation Activities in Yucatan?
When visiting Yucatan, there are plenty of fun things to do with kids in Yucatan.
From exploring the ancient Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza to swimming in the beautiful cenotes, there is something for every family to enjoy.
Other activities include visiting wildlife sanctuaries and trying local cuisine.
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