Akumal is a small town on the beach just north of Tulum, located in the region of Quintana Roo located 38 km (23 miles) south of Playa del Carmen.
The name Akumal derives from the Mayan language, in which means “place of the turtles” and boy this place is full of them, this is their habitat.
I visited from Playa del Carmen the first time and the great thing about coming here is that you don’t need a tour, so you can visit independently.
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Playa del Carmen to Akumal
In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to get to Akumal and even get some idea of the variety of cool and interesting things to see and do here.
For a long time, Akumal was one of the area’s best-kept secrets, and despite being more on the radar today, it’s still a great destination to visit.
If you didn’t already know, this is kind of what is happening with Bacalar at the moment, so why not try and visit there as well if you get the chance?
Below you’ll find more about the journey and the information you’ll need to get from Playa del Carmen to Akumal without any complications.
Akumal From Playa del Carmen Map
See the distance from Playa del Carmen to Akumal on the map below. I took the Ado bus to Tulum which took around 30 minutes.
From Tulum I found a collectivo on the roadside, literally right outside the Ado bus station in Tulum and made my way over to Akumal.
Since the distance from Playa del Carmen to Tulum is less than an hour, you can travel during the day without worring about getting back too late.
Now let’s look at some reasons why you may consider a trip to Akumal.
Why Travel to Akumal?
Located 2 hours south of Cancún airport, this area is fully accessible since many airlines offer daily flights from around the world to Cancún.
It is because of this that the area is so popular, with magazine brochures constantly featuring the white sand beaches and built-up touristy areas.
Whilst this may already deter some of the more off-the-beaten-path travelers, Akumal is still well worth the trip as flight prices are competitive between airlines and therefore cheap (around $200-$300 from the States).
Akumal itself offers miles upon miles of sandy beaches, palm trees, healthy coral reefs, diverse sea life and great temperatures all year round.
Although this rustic town is significantly less popular than the neighboring tourist hubs of Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum, the travel industry has already caught on.
As a result of this, there are more accommodation options and feels safer here than in some other parts of the region and surrounding areas.
Another reason to visit is the proximity to all things to do and see, such as the cavernous cenotes that offer some of the best diving in the world.
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Akumal From Playa del Carmen
Getting to Akumal is relatively straightforward once you are in Mexico. Take a look at this guide on visiting the Yucatan if you are at all concerned about safety and/or want to know about local scams that target tourists here.
Presuming you have not arrived yet and soon to be flying into Cancún, you simply head to ADO bus station near the end of the departures area and buy a ticket headed direct to Tulum.
The trip will take between one and two hours, and then you will need either a taxi or colectivo (local minibus) to finish off the trip.
Just remember that you can also take the bus to Playa del Carmen (it doesn’t matter which, as the next step will be the same for both options).
You can of course shave off time and any possible uncertainties by taking a taxi, however, these will dig into your pockets. I highly recommend that you pre-book a transfer here so you can guarantee the price that you see.
If you are already in the region or close by, then simply use the well-connected Ado bus to travel overland to Tulum or Playa del Carmen.
Again, if you are on a budget and/or not concerened about time, once you arrive at either one of these towns, just track down the colectivos which are seemingly always lined up on the main road.
⛱️ If you are already in Playa del Carmen…
By this point, you’ll already have encountered the majority of the main area in Playa del Carmen. It’s a hot spot for tourism. I’ve had even referred to it as a tourist trap before but compared to Cancún, it’s a breath of fresh air.
The key here is not to get overcharged for your journey from Playa del Carmen to Tulum. Just bear in mind that the ride takes around 40-50 minutes with the Ado bus. Or, alternatively you can book this half day tour with transport and access to Turtle Bay as well. It’s all a question of time.
Things to know before you Travel
As you may have already guessed, the best way to get to Akumal from Tulum is by using the local collectivos and let me explain why.
⤵️ Here are some things you’ll need to know:
- If taking a collectivo ask them to tell you when you arrive
- Make sure you have small domination bills with you
- Note these Mexico safety tips before travel
- Try not to bring big luggage or suitcases on the colectivos
- Private taxi is a good option if you want to make pit stops
- Carry a bottled water for the journey
- Ask the price before you get in any collectivo<>
Why are collectivos my favorite way to get to Akumal? The main reason is beause they are cheaper than Ado and help save cash for other activites.
If traveling with friends or as part of a larger group, it can somtimes make much more sense to pre-book a transfer rather than hiring a private taxi.
💡Smart Travel Tip
Aim to travel as early in the morning or a few hours before sundown if you can though. There is not much going on in Akumal at night.
If staying the night, have a pre-defined destination in the form of an Airbnb or a trusted hotel to arrive at. That way, when you arrive, you know exactly where you’re going and can avoid any taxi scams on arrival.
The last thing you want is to sound like you don’t know where you’re going. If you are at all worried about been able to communitate, or need help with your Spanish conversation learn some travel phrases before you arrive.
Where to Stay in Akumal
Accommodation is not tricky to find here, but if your location is important to you, as in my other guide I recommend you check out the Jungle Hotel.
Akumal Jungle Hotel
- Jungle-based location
- Breathtaking views
- Delicious food on offer
With its proximity to the beaches and restaurants, Akumal Jungle Hotel offers a superior option for those wishing to get from the town.
Also take a look at this list of hostels for more ideas of places to stay but if you have a set of specific preferences in mind for hotels.
Akumal Travel Tips
⤵️ Here are some useful tips to help you on your trip:
- Akumal is a good place to stay for you to explore the Riviera Maya region and one of my best recommendations is to visit a cenote. With such a variety of cenotes here, you’ll easily one that you’ll enjoy. Or if not then visit multiple as the entry prices are relatively cheap.
- Another great activity is snorkeling with turtles, as you can probably guess given its Mayan name. This is one of the best areas in the entire region to go and experience this. You can either go by tour or try to spot them yourselves around Akumal beach or Half moon bay.
- Want to see wildlife? There’s the Akumal Monkey sanctuary as well as the Yal-ku lagoon for spotting tropical fish and (of course) turtles.
- Visit some of the more off-the-beaten-path beaches. The touristy beaches of Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and Akumal can become overrun in the more popular months unless that is what you want! Why not try heading on over to Xpu-Ha or Puerto Aventuras for more chill vibes.
- Bring additional money in cash when going on a tour, you’ll probably want to buy souvenirs (so you can pay with Mexican Pesos).
- Avoid touching the coral or marine life and be conscious if the change in weather at anytime (especially September).
- Don’t forget to use sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays. Sunstroke can last 2 to 3 days and ruin your trip.
- Akumal is quiet and the nightlife here isn’t like Playa del Carmen but it makes the perfect place to relax during the day and evening.
- There is a locker service on the beach if you want to save your belongings while taking a sunbath and swimming. But actually, the beach is safe, especially if you don’t have valuables with you.
Playa del Carmen to Akumal
So, now you have all the info you need to be able to get to Akumal from Playa del Carmen, when will you go?
Aside from visiting cenotes and swimming with turtles, there are many cool things to do in Akumal that you get to take part in.
Hopefully, with my recommendations, you found this guide useful to be able to delve deeper into this region of Mexico.
See this list of other safe places to visit in Mexico while you’re here.
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