Situated 100 km (62 mi) south of Cancún between Playa del Carmen and Tulum, Akumal is a small beachfront tourist resort community in the Tulum Municipality of Quintana Roo. Resting within Mexico's Riviera Maya area, this coastal sanctuary was officially founded in 1958 by Pablo Bush Romero as a community for scuba divers on the site of a former coconut plantation. Today, it offers travellers an accessible, historic getaway along Mexico's Caribbean coast.
The primary highlight of Akumal is its tranquil waters across Akumal Bay and Half Moon Bay. The destination is world-famous for snorkeling, giving visitors the remarkable opportunity to swim alongside endangered green sea turtles that gather in the bay to feed on sea grass. While these gentle creatures make the shallow waters a dream destination for snorkellers and nature lovers, the popularity of the activity has created environmental pressure on this delicate fragile habitat.
Akumal offers a distinct setting that blends marine conservation with local history and vibrant culture. Akumal Bay was officially declared a marine refuge on March 7, 2016, to protect its threatened turtle population. Beyond its waters, the community hosts the Akumal Arts Festival every November. Founded in 2018, this major event brings over 120 national and international artists together to create one of the world's largest mural festivals, filling the town with incredible public art.
01 Highlights & things to do
What makes this stretch of coast worth the trip — from the water to the walks, wildlife and the views.
Compiled from Wikipedia · conditions vary with weather, tides and the season.
Beach map & the area
The free OpenStreetMap layer below shows the beach and its surroundings — the coastline, access roads, nearby towns and where to park. Zoom in for detail, or open it live in a full map.
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL, free).
02 Getting there
| Option | Detail |
|---|---|
| Drive / Shuttle | Located 100 km (62 mi) south of Cancún along the coast between Playa del Carmen and Tulum. |
Getting there · Last updated: 2026-09-12 · always double-check access & ferries
03 Best time to visit & the water
| Season | When | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Festival Season | November | The annual Akumal Arts Festival takes place each November, attracting over 120 artists. |
Conditions vary with weather, tides & season · Last updated: 2026-09-12
04 Nearby & around
Other beaches, coves, towns and sights within easy reach — worth stringing together into a coastal day.
Good to know
- Akumal Bay was declared a marine refuge on March 7, 2016, to protect threatened green sea turtles.
- Snorkeling is extremely popular here, putting environmental pressure on the fragile marine habitat, so practice responsible wildlife viewing.