Excursions, fun stuff, and general info about
Akumal • Puerto Aventuras • Tankah • Tulum
 Beach Life and Water Sports:
Snorkeling
In Akumal you're just minutes away from Yal Ku Lagoon where you'll find superb snorkeling. You can also venture to nearby beaches and try snorkeling in other locations as well, like Akumal Bay or Half Moon Bay. You'll see a variety of sea life which might include parrot fish, angel fish, trigger fish, lobster, sting rays, sea turtles, groupers, octopus and a number of other sea creatures. Please don't use sun screen as it can be harmful to the environment. There is an entrance fee to Yal Ku lagoon. There is also excellent snorkeling in the ocean in Half Moon Bay, Akumal Bay, South Akumal Bay and Jade Beach.
Snorkeling options are great in Puerto Aventuras, Soliman and Tankah, too. While you could snorkel in Playa del Carmen, you may want to head further south or even take the ferry to Cozumel for some great snorkeling.
 Life's a beach
You'll love just lounging around on the beach. There are excellent beaches in all of the areas. The beaches at Playa del Carmen will be more active with more people. With the international flavor of Playa del Carmen, you will have some topless sunbathers. Nicest beaches in Akumal would be Akumal Bay and south; though Half Moon Bay has a smaller sandy beach and good snorkeling and the Yal Ku Lagoon is near. Puerto Aventuras has several great sandy beaches that are not heavily used. The Soliman Bay and Tankah Bay areas would be the quietest beach areas with few people and a great beachside restaurant/bar. Tulum's famous beach starts just south of the ruins and is dotted with beach restaurant bars.
Diving
Akumal is noted for its vast underground cave system, but you can do ocean diving in this area, too. There are a couple of dive shops right in Akumal; if you are certified you are set to go. Cave diving requires specialized classes which are available through local shops. There is also diving south of Akumal in the Akumal Aventuras area and Tankah. Puerto Aventuras area has several dive operators as well.
Fishing
A variety of big ones are waiting out there for avid fishermen. You can catch marlin, sailfish, barracuda, king wahoo, bonefish, yellowtail and others. Dive shops can arrange fishing excursions for you; choose from deep sea, shore or fly fishing. In the Tankah area you can even fish from shore. You can also arrange for deep sea fishing at the marina in Puerto Aventuras.
 Golf, Tennis
There is a championship 18-hole golf course in Playacar. In Puerto Aventuras there is a 9-hole golf course and tennis courts. Tennis courts are also available at the Oasis Akumal Hotel. Fee for using facilities.
Visit a cenote
There are no rivers in the Yucatan because of the limestone; instead there is an extensive underground water system carved through the limestone forming caves and cenotes. You can dive or snorkel in these cenotes. One area just south of Akumal on Highway 307 is called Dos Ojos, where you'll be transported by truck through the jungle (about 20 minutes) where a guide will take you through the cenotes. If may seem a bit eerie as you lower yourself down through a hole in the ground to enter the cenote, but once in it opens up to a and your guide has an underwater light which will highlight the formations through the caves. There's also Gran Cenote, located on the road to Coba. A local Mayan family will charge you a few dollars for entrance to the cenote where you can enjoy a swim through a cave. The Manatee Cenote is across the road from the beach at Tankah. If you ask around, you'll find other cenotes scattered throughout the jungle in the area.
 Mayan ruins
TULUM is one of the most beautiful Mayan sites in Mexico. This ancient walled city is located on a cliff overlooking the Caribbean sea. It is the only known Mayan city located on the sea. Discover the Castle located at the highest point and the Temple of the Frescos with interior murals depicting Mayan Gods and symbols of nature. There is a wonderful beach that is accessible from the ruin area, too, so bring your suit! Food and beverages are available on site. The town of Tulum is a patchwork collection of shops and restaurants plus a new large San Francisco grocery market.
COBA is located about 40 minutes from Tankah and an easy day trip via the newly re-built road. Carved out of the jungle, much of this city has not yet been restored. The towering Nohoch Mul pyramid at 137 feet is the tallest temple in the Yucatan. This is a very large area, plan to do lots of walking. If you go early in the morning you'll find this this ancient Mayan city quite mystical.
CHICHEN ITZA is located about 2 hours from Akumal. This most famous Mayan city is one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. Hours at Chichen are 8:00 am to 5:30 pm plus there is a light show each evening at 7pm at El Castillo, The Castle of Kukulcan. Chichen Itza is a combination of nature and Mayan grandeur. The Ossuary, The Ball Court (with nearly perfect acoustics) and many other structures will astound you. You can take an organized bus tour or it is very easy to take a day trip in your rental car. Food and beverages are available on site.
Xel-Ha
Xel-Ha ecological park celebrates the wonders of a magical creation. Xel-Ha means 'The Place Where The Waters Are Born'. Lagoons, cenotes, caves and pools offer limitless water activities. This park is also home to over 100 species of birds, 350 species of plants and 99 different marine creatures. The park is located just south of Akumal and is open 365 days a year (hours vary according to the season).
Xcaret
Perhaps you've heard about Xcaret, an eco-archaeological park just south of Playa del Carmen. While this is quite touristy, you can have a great day of good clean fun. Float down underground rivers, swim with the dolphins (extra charge; get there early in order to make a reservation), lounge at the beach lagoon, snorkel or dive (extra charge for diving), explore the coral reef aquarium, museum, botanical garden, orchid farm, mushroom farm, jaguar island, wild bird breeding aviary, open air theater, butterfly pavillion or go horseback riding (+$). There are several shows and entertainment throughout the day and food is available at several restaurants. You'll also find numerous replicas of  archaeological sites on display. Xcaret is open seven days a week (closing time varies according to the season).
Bird Watching and Wildlife
Sian Ka'an Biosphere (Mayan for "Where the Sky is Born") here you can take a boat ride into a inland bay and visit a fascinating island bird refuge. This is the most important biosphere in Mexico. Tours of the biosphere are offered by a group called Friends of Sian Ka'an. This wonderful and peaceful place provides nesting sites for thousands of water birds including the roseate spoonbill, woodstork, magnificent frigatebird and boat-billed heron. The rare jabiru stork nests in the reserve as do endangered sea turtles along the beaches. Other inhabitants in this area include jaguar ocelot, margay, jaguarund and cougar, crocodile, howler and spider monkeys, tapir and West Indian manatee. Flora is abundant in Sian Ka'an as well.
Xaman Ha Aviary
Located in Playacar, this open air aviary is home to a wide variety of tropical birds. You'll spot Scarlet Macaws, comical looking Pink Flamingos and Snowy Egrets among many others. Both adults and children will love a visit here.
Aktun Chen
Located just 4 km. south of Akumal, this park offers guided guided walking tours through caves with abundant stalactites and stalagmites 5 million years old and an underground cenote. In Mayan, Aktun Chen means "the cave with the cenote inside". Before or after, you can explore the tropical jungle and exotic wildlife, but keep an eye on the monkeys-they will take anything they can get their hands on-glasses, hats-they aren't fussy!
Cozumel
An day trip to the largest island in Mexico is quite easy and convenient. You simply take the ferry from Playa del Carmen over to Cozumel (cost is about $20 roundtrip and takes about 30 minutes). You can shop, dine at one of the many restaurants or rent a car or scooter and drive around the island which is about 11 miles wide and 29 miles long. You can stop at one of the beach areas on the southern end of the island or explore the undeveloped east coast (there are several beach side bar/restaurants). If you like to snorkel or dive, Cozumel is the top spot in the Caribbean because of its vast reef system and abundant fish life.
Other suggestions
Hang out in a hammock. Make a trip to the colonial city of Merida. Try sky diving (yes you can do that in Playa del Carmen). Hop on a horse (there are a number of ranchos offering horseback riding). Interested in "clothing optional" beaches? There are several along the coast. Get up early and watch the sunrise over Caribbean. Take a hike on a beach. Just drive and stop and explore some of the smaller Mexican villages. Take a nap whenever you feel like it. Blow bubbles on the beach. Bring or buy a kite and fly it high above the palm trees . . . a week may not be enough time on the Mayan Riviera.
Miscellaneous Information . . .
Childcare is available in Akumal, so bring the kids. While you dive or snorkel or explore, your children can play at Kids Club Akumal or at the Beach School. Check details when you arrive in Akumal. Some properties may have staff who can babysit or help you make arrangements for child care.
Spas and Pampering You are on vacation, so go ahead, treat yourself to a visit to a Day Spa, de-stress in a Yoga class, have a soothing massage, visit a gym and tone those muscles. It's all available for you here in the Riviera Maya.
Groceries In Akumal, there are 2 grocery stores that are quite will stocked (Super Chomak has the better selection). Prices are higher here, but they are very convenient. Playa del Carmen has 2 large grocery stores (San Francisco and Chedraui) where you can buy just about anything you will need. A Sam's Club amd Walmart are also located in Playa. If you plan to do lots of cooking and eating in, it may be worth your time to stop in Playa on your way down the coast. There are a few stores where you can buy the basics in Puerto Aventuras. There are no grocery stores in Soliman Bay or Tankah Bay, closest groceries would be in Akumal and there are many stores in the nearby city of Tulum.
Charities in Akumal Many people ask about charities and how they can help. There are a number of worthwhile charitable organizations in the area. There are charities for children, wildlife, turtles, eco-conservation, animals, etc. If you have an area of special interest, please ask for more information.
Mary White • 763-295-2191
Call or e-mail, 7 days a week
E-mail: mary@travelmex.com
8224 Co. Rd. 39 N.E., Monticello, MN 55362
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