Akumal, which is a small town on the Yutacan Peninsula of Mexico between Playa del Carmen and Tulum, means the “Place of the Turtles” in the Mayan language. The coasts of Akumal having the second largest reef area of the world are also nesting sites of turtles. Located right in the heart of Riviera Maya, this beautiful and famous resort is among the most important tourist destinations of the Mexican Caribbean. In Akumal, which has a developed tourism sector in terms of diving and deep-sea fishing, there are many sea grasses full of green turtles and stingrays. There are many diving companies in the resort, which is a holiday paradise with its white sandy beaches covered with coconut trees and clean turquoise waters. You are warned to be careful about the stingrays while diving. While enjoying diving in the clear sea, you will also see many creatures like blue tang, parrot fish and butterfly fish. You can walk along the beach in order to enjoy the nature and view.
Akumal, which was founded in 1959 after Pablo Bush Romero, a Mexican adventurer in the pursuit of old shipwrecks, came to the region and bought the land, is today a holiday destination having modern facilities and hotels. With its gorgeous villas, seafood restaurants, handicraft market and hot springs, the town still protects its ethnic structure remaining from the Mayas. The most famous part of Akumal is the main bay area which is an activity center. In this area known as Akumal Playa, you can enjoy snorkeling and swimming with the turtles. Yal-ku Lagoon, the point where the fresh water and sea meets in the northernmost tip of Akumal, and Half Moon Bay, which is a calmer bay, are among the places to discover in Akumal.
The closest airport to Akumal is Cancun International Airport, which is 90 kilometers away. It takes about 1 hour to reach Akumal from the airport. You can travel to Akumal from the airport by using a taxi, bus or airport shuttle. You can also rent a car at the airport.