Akumal Mexico Directory
Akumal Mexico Overview
Situated in the heart of the Riviera Maya, Akumal, "The Place of the Turtle in Maya", is located 100km (62 miles) south of Cancun. Akumal was the first resort on the Riviera Maya. It has grown considerably since it’s beginnings in the 1950’s as an exclusive resort for scuba divers, yet still maintains an unhurried, relaxed atmosphere. Akumal has escaped the hassles and hurries of most of the areas’ larger resorts. The Riviera Maya is the is what they call the Yucatan coastline from north of Cancun to just south of Tulum. Akumal is in the middle of the Riviera Maya and is convenient to Cancun,Playa Del Carmen, Tulum, Valladolid, Chichen Itza, and quite a few other smaller towns in between.
Akumal has 2 beautiful bays for snorkeling, tropical reefs for scuba diving, beautiful Yal-ku Lagoon with its calm clear waters for more snorkeling, and a world class beach at Akumal Bay. Jade Beach, South Akumal, and Aventuras Akumal are just a few minutes south from the main part of Akumal and are considered part of the greater Akumal area. Combined, Akumal offers vacationers a variety of beautiful beaches and tourist services, plus a selection of beach front hotels, condos and luxury villas. Akumal is a small slice of paradise on the Caribbean.
Akumal is situated between the beaches of the Caribbean and the inland jungle, creating an opportunity to see a wide array of tropical flora and fauna. The jungle is full of palm trees, bromeliads, and orchids, supporting animal life and providing the local population with many resources. The Mayans have long utilized these plants for food, medicine, and building materials. Examples of local architecture can be seen in the "palapa" style thatched roofs that are still used today.
Akumal is a major nesting site for sea turtles May through November. As more and more tourists pop up to witness the turtles more and more harm is done. Cenotes and Caves
The Yucatan Peninsula is made of limestone formations which have been eroded by the constant movement of water creating an extensive underground river and cave system. As a result, cenotes are the natural fresh and brackish water sinkholes that offer great snorkeling and cave/cavern diving. This unique hollow landscape has some of the most amazing dive sites in the world.
Attractions:
Tour Akumal by Bicycle
Take a walk to Yal-ku Lagoon
Robinson Crusoe Tour
Water Activities
Directions from Cancun Airport to Akumal:
A taxi costs about $65 and takes about 1 hour to reach Akumal. Some taxis will try to charge you more, so you need to negotiate. You can rent a car at the airport, but you should make reservations before you arrive. Most of the major chains have agencies at the Cancun airport. Akumal is about 90 kilometers (54 miles) southwest of the Cancun airport. Take 307 South from the airport - you will be on this almost the entire way. Following the signs for Tulum (though Tulum is beyond Akumal), you will pass Playa del Carmen and Xcaret. The exit for Akumal is about 25 kilometers after Xcaret. Following signs to Playa Akumal or Club Akumal, you will turn left from the highway, though you are supposed to first take a right in order to take a left, similar to a New Jersey jug handle.
Akumal Mexico Facts
Time Zone
Mexico spans three different time zones. Mexico City and Cozumel, for example, are on central time, putting them in the same time zone as Chicago, or 6 hours behind Greenwich mean time, 6 hours behind London, 3 hours behind São Paulo, 9 hours behind Moscow, and 16 hours behind Tokyo. Two of Mexico's time zones observe daylight saving time during the summer months; during that time clocks are ... more
Visas
Citizens of many countries - including the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Argentina, Chile and virtually all Western European countries - do not require visas to enter Mexico as tourists.
Emergency Numbers
Throughout the country, the number to call for any police emergency
is 18-39-54; to reach the fire department call 14-20-50; for any medical emergency, call the Red Cross at 15-20-55.
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