Before you go

Your trip to Akumal.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

Akumal – Quintana Roo Destination Riviera Maya (Playa del Carmen and Cozumel) about 280 km from Chetumal

How to get there

Aeropuerto Internacional de Tulum (TQO) Tulum · 60 km
Parada de ônibus de Akumal (rodovia 307) 1 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

It lies on highway 307, about 37 km from Playa del Carmen and 26 km from Tulum. Buses and colectivos stop at the village entrance, a few minutes’ walk from the bay.

How many days

Half a day or a full day to snorkel with the turtles and visit Yal-Ku lagoon. Many make it a day trip from Playa del Carmen or Tulum.

When to go

Turtles are present in the bay year-round. The sea is typically calmer and clearer from December to April. Sargassum can arrive between April and August.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

No. Colectivos on highway 307 stop at the village entrance. A car makes it easier to combine Akumal with regional cenotes in one day.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Akumal

Morning
Snorkeling with turtles
Arrive early at Akumal Bay and snorkel in the designated areas, wearing a life vest and accompanied by a guide, while the turtles feed on the seagrass.
Afternoon
Yal-Ku lagoon
In the afternoon, go to Yal-Ku lagoon north of the village to swim in the mix of freshwater and seawater among fish and sculptures.
Late afternoon
Bay beach
In the late afternoon, stay on the bay’s sand when the tour groups have already left.
Evening
Dinner in the village
Dine at one of the village restaurants near the beach before returning to Playa del Carmen or Tulum.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

Is it guaranteed to see turtles in Akumal?

Green turtles usually stay in the bay year-round because they feed on the seagrass near the beach. As wild animals, their numbers vary from day to day.

Do you need a guide for snorkeling in Akumal?

The bay is a protected area with rules: snorkeling is done in designated zones with a life jacket, and a guide’s accompaniment is required in much of the bay. Confirm the rules at the entrance.

Is Akumal far from Tulum?

No. It is about 26 km from Tulum and 37 km from Playa del Carmen, on highway 307.

What is the Yal-Ku lagoon?

A shallow cove north of Akumal where freshwater from underground rivers mixes with the sea, good for calm snorkeling.

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