Akumal Beach is a stunning coastal destination located about 100 kilometers (62 miles) south of Cancún, in Quintana Roo, Mexico. Its name, which means “Place of Turtles” in the Mayan language, reflects the beach’s reputation as a sanctuary for sea turtles. From May to November, these magnificent creatures come ashore to lay their eggs, offering visitors a rare and unforgettable wildlife experience. Observing the turtles requires following conservation guidelines to ensure their protection and the preservation of the beach’s delicate ecosystem.
Renowned for its snorkeling and diving opportunities, Akumal Beach boasts shallow, clear waters ideal for swimming alongside sea turtles and exploring vibrant marine life. The calm Caribbean waters make it accessible for both beginners and experienced snorkelers, providing a safe and memorable experience in one of the Riviera Maya’s most iconic natural settings.
Beyond its marine attractions, Akumal Beach is celebrated for its commitment to ecological preservation and sustainable tourism. The serene environment, combined with the enchanting underwater world, makes it a must-visit location for nature enthusiasts, snorkelers, divers, and families alike. Akumal Beach truly embodies the magic of the Riviera Maya, offering both relaxation and extraordinary wildlife encounters.
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Aly Tam
in the last weekWe went to the beach for the day with our toddler. Had a great experience walking the beaches, looking for shells, swimming, had lunch at the one restaurant and saw lots of fish swimming.
Valerie Magrez
in the last weekHello We had a fantastic time thanks to Secretoo and their guide Jonathan. Everything was perfect, far from mass tourism and crowds, with a very friendly guide. We found you after a long search, and it was well worth it. We went out to sea, found a very quiet spot, and returned to the beach after all the other tourists had left. We then enjoyed watching the turtles all to ourselves! Thank you, Valérie
Reiseblog Worldonabudget
in the last weekAkumal Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches we've seen on the entire Yucatán Peninsula (and we've visited quite a few). Unfortunately, access to the beach isn't free. You either have to pay the entrance fee to the nature park, stay in one of the hotels directly on the beach, get in through a restaurant, or have a reservation for a snorkeling tour. There's a roped-off area on the beach itself where snorkeling is only permitted with a guide. This is where most of the turtles are found. We generally think it's a good thing that access to this area is only allowed under supervision, as we saw several people harassing and even touching the turtles, despite having a guide. Unfortunately, it seems you can't rely on people not to touch wild animals. At the same time, we question whether the focus is truly on animal welfare or not on commercial interests. We saw huge, jeering groups in the water and guides who didn't seem to care at all. Outside the protected area, you're allowed to snorkel on your own, and the further you move from the entrance of the nature park, the quieter it gets. We went snorkeling early in the morning with a dive school, which we highly recommend. It was very well organized, there were only two of us with the guide, and we saw lots of turtles. Afterwards, we went to a quieter part of the beach and snorkeled there. Unfortunately, we didn't see any turtles there, but we did see some fish and rays.
Matt Cooper
in the last weekReally good but it's not free to go onto the beach you have to pay and its very very busy. Also, not much parking and what parking there is, it's not free. We got told they would only allow one person to go have "a look" for free to see what the beach looked like. It's famous for swimming with the turtles but the beach was rammed. Just getting loads of tourists in as quick as they can. Possibly go early to beat the crowds.
Christopher Weese
in the last weekTerrible tourist trap... The beach itself is beautiful, but there are many boats, little space for swimming, and everything is cordoned off for hordes of snorkelers - if you've ever had a good snorkeling experience, this is definitely not for you... There are cheaper and better beaches.