"Sugary white sand gleams under the bright Yucatan sun, aquamarine water teems with tropical fish and lazy sea turtles, cold Mexican beer beckons beneath the shady thatch of palapas - it's hard to imagine a sweeter spot than Akumal, Mexico, to contemplate the joys of being alive." - by Claudia Wallis in "The New Science of Happiness" in the 2005 Special "Mind & Body Issue" of Time Magazine.
Akumal, "the place of the turtle" in Maya, is actually the oldest resort town along the Quintana Roo coastline, attracting travelers before anyone had ever heard of Cancun. First accessible only by boat from Cozumel, this coconut plantation transformed into a diver’s paradise for those lucky enough to be privy to its existence.
Through the past 30 years, eclectic groups of “expats” from around the globe have melded their styles with the local materials and traditional architecture to create a place like none other. Funky shops, sheik boutiques, worldly restaurants, legendary bars, and the finest accommodations along the coast are just part of Akumal’s charm. Combine those with an ecological center, dive shops, jungle tours, sailing adventures, and two stunning protected bays as well as Yal-Ku lagoon for snorkeling splendor and you’ve got a vacation spot for the whole family.
Still a one road town, Akumal has avoided the booming growth of other coastal towns and managed to hold onto much of its original relaxed, unhurried atmosphere synonymous with Mexico itself. Happy hour is a way of life. Golf carts and bicycle rentals are as prevalent as rental cars as chosen means of transportation. And, people are happy to help.
Rarely do you find a place that inspires such vacation loyalty. Perhaps it's the so visible mix of Mayan, Mexican, American ex-pat and tourist. Or it's the fact that while so much has changed along the Riviera Maya, Akumal stays the same. Or maybe it's just a vibe of some kind that draws us back again and again.
Akumal is located just one hour and ten minutes south of Cancun on the Mexican Caribbean coastline of the Yucatan Peninsula. It has long been a secret getaway, discovered only by those who dared to travel down the coastline in search of adventure. Once discovered, many travelers found themselves returning to Akumal year after year.
Akumal Bay is a beautiful sugar white sand beach at the heart of Akumal. It is Akumal's public beach area and offers dining, cocktails, diving, swimming and snorkeling. Many of Akumal's amenities are located on Akumal Bay, including restaurants and beach bar, pizzeria and ice cream shop, the bakery, grocery store, dive shops, children's center on the beach and a few small boutiques and native goods from Mexico and Central America.
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