For centuries the great sea turtles have come every year to the sugar fine sands of Half Moon Bay and Akumal Bay. Akumal means 'the place of the turtles' in Mayan.

More recently, many persons seeking beauty, comfort, adventure and relaxation also come every year to enjoy this unworldly paradise. Are you ready to give it a try?

From your home on the magic white sand of Half Moon Bay, magic because it never is so hot that it burns your feet, you can walk barefoot and look out over the clear blue water to the distant horizon. You will need your shoes to walk to the local wonder of Yalku lagoon.

The lagoon is a nationally protected area that resembles an outdoor aquarium. Snorkeling there will introduce you to the variety of colorful tropical fish that are part of this ecosystem. Another fascinating spot is Lagartos Lagoon. Ask at the ecological center for a guide to take you on the hidden paths through the jungle to this place that is from out of time.

These photographs give you a glimpse of Akumal's incredible beauty. A comfortable, energy renewing vacation though, needs more than beauty and here you'll find it all. Akumal's shopping and fun activities insure the fantastic vacation you desire.

There are two grocery stores, several boutiques and gift shops, an art gallery, The Turtle Bay Bakery Cafe and several international restaurants. The village offers a laundry, a travel agency, and a library. Every Wednesday and Saturday a produce market comes to Town and sets up business by the basketball court. The Ecological Center of Akumal makes several presentations a week on the flora and fauna of the area. The turtle presentation and the Maya Feast are the most popular.

Akumal will be your best vacation ever!

Things To Do and Places To Go

Half Moon Bay

This is a great place to hang out. The snorkeling is choice in the bay, you will see a multitude of colorful tropical fish and live coral reef. There are huge Brain coral heads in the center of the bay. To the left is a nice stretch of reef. If you are a very strong swimmer you can go behind the reef and snorkel into the mouth of Yal-Ku lagoon. This activity is not for the novice snorkeler! Please also remember that the coral reef is a live animal and can be harmed by human contact!

Yal-Ku Lagoon

Past Half Moon Bay and at the end of Akumal is Yal-Ku Lagoon. This is a calm clear environment for the beginning snorkeler. The lagoon is inhabited by multicolored tropical fish and has nice coral formations near its mouth. If you are lucky you may see the huge king parrot fish. The lagoon is a mixture of fresh and salt water and refreshing after a long day at the beach. It is a very special ecosystem so please help protect this resource by not wearing sunscreen or feeding fish.

Xaac Bay

Xaac Bay is 3km north of Akumal. This pristine beach is accessible by booking the Robinson Caruso cruise cookout party through the travel agency next to the dive shop in Akumal. This area once was a Mayan holy site. This is a walk, swim, and hike of about an hour. Bring your walking on coral rock shoes. Great chance to meet a diverse crowd. You can also go to Akumal beach and have a boat take you for a few hours of snorkeling. Highly recommended.

Xpu-Ha

Xpu-Ha, 8km north of Akumal, is a gorgeous stretch of very soft sugar white sand that is great for long walks. Xpu-Ha is experiencing some development and has a small restaurant with good seafood. Xpu-Ha has choice snorkeling on a calm day. Turn off the first dirt road past the 'Xpu-Ha restaurant', the restaurant also has local Mayan cuisine. Xpu-Ha is a great place to spend the afternoon.

Cenote Azul

Cenote Azul is part of a small chain of cenotes located across from Xpu-Ha. It's a nice short walk thru a wooded area to this beautiful secluded cenote. Plan to spend an hour or two here.

Puerto Aventuras

17km north of Akumal is a large development featuring a deep-water marina and a 9-hole golf course, soon to be 18 holes. It also has restaurants, shops and the CEDAM museum displaying the artifacts from the Spanish galleon Nuestra Senora de los Milagros that sank in a violent storm near Akumal in 1843.

X-caret Ecological Park

X-caret is 30km north of Akumal. Plan to spend the day at this attraction. X-caret is an ancient Mayan port, it has a beautiful inlet and fresh water caverns that you can leisurely snorkel through. The park has paddle boats, floats and comfortable palapas with beach chairs. It also has a museum, zoo, gardens and marine life such as dolphins. The two-headed headed green sea turtle and other endangered species reside here. They were originally residents of X'Cacel beach. They are the result of the dedication and hard work of the X'Cacel turtle project. The cost per day is $30.00 US.

Playa Car

30km north of Akumal is the brand new resort of Playa Car. The resort has an 18-hole championship golf course, tennis courts and a clubhouse with delicious lunches.

Playa del Carmen

This bustling port is the gateway to Cozumel; cruise ships also dock here. Catch the ferry for a nice day trip. Cozumel is world famous for its coral reef ecosystem, and attracts divers from all over the world. The city is a great place to shop and has lots of restaurants and entertainment.

Puerto Morelos

Puerto Moreles is 70km north of Akumal. Puerto Morelos is a small fishing village.

Akumal Bay

Beautiful sugar white sand beaches and a scuba center complete with diving, swimming, snorkeling, fishing and windsurfing gear. Lol-Ha restaurant and beach bar, pizzeria and ice cream shop on the beach - also a few small boutiques and native goods from Mexico and Central America.

Actun-Chen Cave System

10 minutes S. of Akumal you will see a large green sign on the right for the Actun-Chen Cave and Cavern system. You will travel a well groomed dirt road 3.2 km through the jungle. This area was once a 'chicle' plantation. Actun- Chen eco-park has been open 5 months and is a first class operation. The cave itself is magic! It has a well groomed trail illuminated with soft light to enhance the beautiful stalagmite and stalactite formations. The last chamber is very large and has a crystal clear blue pool of water with a bridge. Don't forget your camera! The tour takes about an hour and is lead by very knowledgeable Mayan guides. $15.00 US for the cave tour, $30.00 US for jungle tour.

X'cacel

Gorgeous bay with deep powder sand 6km south of Akumal. This beach is the prime nesting habitat for the endangered Green and Loggerhead sea turtles. X'cacel has the highest concentration of nests in this hemisphere. BoBo and BooBoo, the two headed turtle were born here. Their healthy existence was the result of the hard work and dedication of Pat Quattlebaum. Pat recently passed away and her death is a great loss. To honor her memory, please visit the following link to Turtle Disaster.Org Losing this beach and nesting grounds is a tragedy for the turtles and all who enjoy the wonders of nature.

Xel-Ha

17km south of Akumal, Xel-Ha is a beautiful lagoon much larger than Yal-Ku. Heavy tourist area, go early to avoid the bus loads from Cancun. Lots of shops and eating areas. Restricted snorkeling and swimming.

Tankah

21km south of Akumal look for the yellow Casa Cenote sign and go left onto the dirt road. Drive to the beach, go left and then it will be another 1/2 mile on the right. Blue cenote and a nice beach, lots of mangroves and birds. A great lunch spot.

Tulum

26km south of Akumal, Tulum is the most magnificent Mayan ruins on the Caribbean Sea. The main pyramid, El Castillo, sits on a 10-meter cliff and has an impressive view of the Caribbean. The pyramid is also aligned with a natural break in the world's second largest barrier reef and functioned as a lighthouse for Mayan boats. Tulum means, 'walled city'. It encompasses the temple complex and sacred cenote. Post classic period 900-1200 AD. Large market at entrance, bargaining is expected. Gas station here.