Akumal - "Place of the Turtles"

BEACHES
Federal law allows anyone the right to walk and swim on any beach in Mexico, though in practice, some beaches can be hard to access. The Riviera Maya's world famous beaches are found in Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum, but the beautiful beaches of Akumal are picturesque and without the crowds of more visited areas. Much of the Akumal coastal area is rocky, yet the wide sandy beach at Akumal Bay is popular for sunbathing and swimming, as is the more narrow and isolated beach in front of the Vista Del Mar. Water shoes are recommended for water entry as sea plants and broken pieces of boulder coral can be unpleasant underfoot. To get a glimpse of some other gorgeous beaches in the area, check out Loco Gringo's aerial maps.   

Akumal Bay in the foreground and Half Moon Bay (Vista del Mar) in the distance.

DINING
One would expect a fishing village full of tourists to have excellent seafood, and that certainly appears to be the case in Akumal. Some notable restaurants include Vista del Mar's neighbor, La Buena Vida, a casual and inexpensive restaurant and beach bar which serves lunch and dinner and features chair swings, a resident dog, and a long happy hour. A short walk down the beach is La Lunita, a romantic bistro and popular spot for waterfront dining. Lol Ha at Akumal Bay is the largest and oldest restaurant in town. Lol Ha also has a palapa snack bar, juice bar and pizzeria. In Akumal's central plaza, Plaza Ukana, is La Cueva del Pescador, specializing in seafood dinners. Next door is Turtle Bay Cafe, where patrons rave about brunch and treats, including wedding cake!If you're craving Italian, Que Onda, close to Yal-Ku Lagoon, serves a romantic dinner. There are also countless restaurants in Playa del Carmen and Tulum. And if you're too hungover to leave your room, perhaps someone with a condo kitchenette will make you some huevos rancheros.
 
FAMILY FRIENDLY
With its slower pace, calm and shallow coves, and dozens of nearby activities, Akumal is recognized as a terrific destination for families. If you want a break from the kids, leave them at Hotel Akumal Caribe's Kid's Club at Akumal's main bay.  

SHOPPING
Akumal has a half dozen boutique and gift shops as well as two grocery and three convenience stores. The well-stocked Super Mar Caribe lies across from the main Akumal entrance. Las Dos Palmas and the larger Super Chomak are at the town's center. Midway Food is in Half Moon Bay, as is the Vista del Mar's Corner Store. All stores accept pesos or American dollars and a few accept credit cards.

SERVICES (Shopping, ATM, Wi-Fi, Phones)