Akumal

The name Akumal means “Place (land) of the Turtle”.

The name comes from the Mayan language and reflects the area’s long-standing deep connection to sea turtles, which have been returning to Akumal’s bays for centuries to feed and nest here each year between late April and October.

The town of Akumal has a rich and fascinating history. Akumal was originally a seaport and trading center of the Maya. However, in the 16th century, a historic event occurred that had a lasting impact on the area.

In the year 1513, a Spanish galleon shipwrecked off its coast. Seventeen sailors made it to shore and were promptly made slaves by the Maya. Only two of these sailors survived their ordeal; one of these men, Gonzalo Guerrero, married a Mayan princess.

Their union created the first mestizos. Gonzalo so integrated himself with the Mayan people that he no longer considered himself a Spaniard. Today, a statue of Gonzalo Guerrero greets the visitor at the entrance to the town of Akumal.

Akumal historically is the first tourist destination of the coastal strip of the Yucatan Peninsula, bathed by the Caribbean Sea.

It was originally a huge coconut plantation owned by Don Argimiro Argüelles until 1958, when it was discovered by CEDAM (Exploration and Water Sports Club of Mexico), an exclusive diving club. Akumal hosted this group, whose interest was the search for underwater treasures.

Pablo Bush Romero, a Mexican businessman, diver, writer, historian, archaeologist, and one of the founders of CEDAM, bought thousands of hectares around Akumal.

The town was officially founded in 1958 as a community for scuba divers by Pablo Bush Romero, a Mexican businessman, diver, writer, historian, and archaeologist. Pablo Bush’s family still owns a portion of Akumal, including the Hotel Club Akumal Caribe.

Long before Cancun was in the Mexican government’s plans in response to the disappearance of Cuba as a pleasure destination for Americans, Romero flew over the shores of the state of Quintana Roo today and chose Akumal Bay as his future place of residence.

In the sixties, before the Cancun project, the Akumal coast was accessible only by sea.

Akumal was considered to be developed as a tourism destination before the start of Cancun, but was discarded due to a large number of mosquitoes produced in nearby wetlands.

On December 17, 2015, the residents of Akumal blocked the road to Akumal Bay, since the Akumal Ecological Center (CEA) has locked one of the accesses that has been used as a street for more than 4 decades, claiming it is private property.

There is currently a dispute over access to Bahia between residents and the CEA. The City of Tulúm indicated that its position is to continue allowing all the people in the town to enter.

Akumal is also home to the ONDARTE International Artist Residency.

Akumal, Mexico, in the Yucatan Peninsula, has been the sanctuary of the green turtles for hundreds of years. The sea turtles nest here each year from the end of April to October. The green turtles come ashore to lay their eggs, and they are protected as an endangered species.

These magnificent creatures can frequently be seen swimming in the shallow waters near Akumal.

Centro Ecologico Akumal is dedicated to protecting these animals. The coral species and the endangered lionfish are also under turtles government protection, and the Akumal Ecological Center (CEA) makes every effort in this respect as well.

Akumal is a tourist destination that still retains its natural beauty. Swimming and snorkeling are great options in its bays, such as Kantenah, Xaak, and Crescent Bay, but the most famous is Yalku Lagoon north of the city.

Yalku Lagoon, which is 2 km north of Akumal, has a freshwater eye in its rocky terrain, and in this environment, a large number of colorful tropical fish live away from predators.

Diving along the Akumal coast offers a unique experience due to coral formations shaped like caves and canyons. These natural structures rise like underwater mountains and provide an extraordinary landscape for divers exploring the Mexican Caribbean.

The rich biodiversity in these waters includes countless species of marine life, with sea turtles being frequent and iconic inhabitants. Divers often find themselves swimming alongside these gentle creatures as they glide through their natural habitat near Akumal.

There is a Mayan shrine built on a rock island in the Xaac cove, which is a clear example of how the Maya inhabited this site.

To the west of Highway 307, there is a large complex of caverns or cenotes, in which swimming, snorkeling, and cave diving can be practiced, examples of which are the “blue” cenote and the “Eden” cenote.

To the 2 km south of the coastal town of Akumal, there is the “Akumal Adventures” bay. This bay is protected by a shallow barrier of coral, which forms “gardens” very close to the coast.

By 1985, it began its development through the construction of a hotel, but its growth has spread through the construction of houses, villas, and condominiums.

Four kilometers to the south is the Aktun Chen natural park (in Mayan it means “cave with cenote inside”), of 400 hectares, the visiting area has a serpentarium, and spider monkeys coexist with visitors.

The cave has three galleries with formations of stalactites and stalagmites formed by water and calcium carbonate over five million years. In the main gallery, you can see a cenote.

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However, what makes Akumal charming and fascinating for tourists from around the world is its spectacular bay with clear waters and underground rivers. Akumal is one of the most peaceful places in the Riviera Maya: a protected shallow bay with a secluded beach and a nearby reef.

Akumal’s shallow bays are a popular destination for scuba divers and for those who enjoy snorkeling. The water is an incredibly brilliant turquoise blue color with fantastic clarity.

The world’s second-largest barrier reef occupies these waters, and the abundance of sea life is amazing. There are over 500 species of fish and 4 different species of sea turtles that can be seen here.

For those who prefer fresh water, there are a number of cenotes (sinkholes) that provide entrance to underlying cave systems, offering the cave diver fantastic opportunities for exploring.

Adventures on land include exploring the surrounding jungle, where hidden caves can be explored and where exotic flora and fauna can be seen. Deep-sea fishing is an active sport in these waters as well.

The promise of a day’s catch might include Mahi Mahi, Kingfish, Marlin, or Sailfish.

Sections of the reef and the main feeding ground of the sea turtles are completely closed to the public due to severe overcrowding by humans and the resulting spread of diseases in the turtle population. This is enforced by the federal military.

With the destruction of hurricanes and popularity, the reefs near Akumal have been damaged, but are protected and gorgeous. Sea life abounds.

A snorkeling trip is worth the time and expense. Snorkeling is free, life vests are suggested but not mandatory.

Go on a guided tour. The guide will attempt to find the famous sea turtles for you and show you different corals and fish. Make sure you are comfortable swimming with flippers, as the guide may swim quickly from site to site.

Rent or buy your equipment and swim out alone. The coral reefs are not too far from the shore and can be easily accessed by swimming, especially with the help of a life preserver. Much of the bay is not more than five feet deep.

Be extremely cautious to avoid the “fire reef,” which is marked by buoys and recognizable by its red coral; contact with it can cause painful stings, and in some cases, excessive exposure may even be life-threatening.

Sea turtles inhabit the bay and are often visible while snorkeling, giving visitors the chance to witness these graceful creatures up close and enjoy an unforgettable experience in the calm, clear waters of Akumal.

Respect nature. Since coral dies from human contact, you should avoid touching coral at all costs. It is also illegal to touch wildlife, such as sea turtles, so please do not try to ride them or bother them in any way.

• Scuba diving
• Cenote/cave diving
• Sunbathing: enjoy the sunny beaches
• Birdwatching tours
• Deep-sea fishing tours
• Sailing tours
• Whale shark tours

Visit Ecological Center (Centro Ecológico Akumal or CEA) at the end of Akumal Bay.

One of the finest places to go swimming and snorkeling, in addition to the main bay and half moon bay, is the Yal Ku lagoon about 2km north of the town, where you will find sweet water well among the rocks and many colorful tropical fish.

Not far away from Akumal town to the west, you will get to the cenote “Azul” and cenote “Eden” and many more, where you can also enjoy swimming, snorkeling, and cavern diving in a vast cavern area.

Natural park Aktun Chen with spider monkeys, whitetail deer, iguanas, wild pigs, and tropical bird species. The park also contains a huge cave of three galleries with stalagmites and stalactite formations, and in the main gallery, you will discover a beautiful cenote.

Among the most famous cenote cave systems worth visiting is Kantunchi, located in the Maya Zone—also known as the Felipe Carrillo Puerto Zone—a region rich in underground rivers, limestone caves, and unique cenote formations near Akumal.

The area called Río Secreto features an extensive network of underground caverns and cenotes scattered throughout, offering spectacular guided tours in a surreal environment—all located just a short distance from Akumal’s main attractions.

Roughly 6 km south of Akumal lies the pristine beach of Xcacel; within walking distance from this peaceful shoreline, visitors can discover a small cenote with clean, cool freshwater—ideal for a refreshing dip amid natural surroundings.

Xcacel is a protected natural reserve where green sea turtles return at night to nest during the season; visitors may quietly observe this moving event, making it a truly unforgettable experience for children and adults who value nature.

• By bus from Valladolid (via Tulum), approx. 2:15/2:55 hours
• By bus from Tulum, approx. 0:25 min
• By bus from Chetumal (via Felipe Carrillo Puerto), approx. 3:30/4:00 hours
• By bus from Cancun, approx. 1:50/2:10 hours
• By bus from Playa del Carmen, approx. 0:35 min
• “Colectivos” or taxi from Tulum or Playa del Carmen.

Unless you plan on just staying in Akumal, you will need a rental car to get around. The closest sights are at least a 20-minute drive. However, if you’re not comfortable driving in a foreign country, there are plenty of taxis to take you wherever you need to go.