AKUMAL

While exploring the Riviera Maya, we continue discovering corners that have some particular feature that makes it an incredible place. First a beach with waters that appear transparent in photos, or the archaeological ruins next to a turquoise sea in Tulum are some of the wonders that we already highlight in the blog. It is the turn of "the beach of the marine turtles", perhaps the natural detail that has given more fame to this place of one of the most visited areas of the Caribbean.

Imagen AndresVilla92 via Wikimedia

Preserved Nature

During my stay in the Riviera Maya, I was able to visit Akumal three times for different reasons (always attracted by its natural wonders). And it is that Akumal is not only visited to see sea turtles, something that is achieved with relative ease and respecting certain rules to protect them (See the tips and frequently asked questions to see sea turtles in Akumal). The town, is above all a tourist development that resists the urban excesses of other points of the Riviera Maya, and that means (in spite of everything) nature better preserved, and tranquility for the visitors. It could indeed be the destination of our vacation in the Riviera Maya if we look for nature and tranquility with the aspect of the landscape without too many changes.

According to the brief and accelerated tourist history of this region, Akumal is the first point that begins to be thought of as a possible tourist development of the Riviera Maya a few decades ago, and yet, the growth was slow and non-invasive with the landscape, something that At least in my case, I value and much (and even leads me to recommend it). In Akumal there are no large buildings, and a rustic style is preserved, with small-scale hotels steps from the sea, houses for rent, small-scale tourist complexes. And a few meters, views like this:

It is located in the state of Quintana Roo, like other cities as famous as Cancun and Playa del Carmen. But there are barely 1300 residents here, and mostly in the "non-touristy" town that is a few hundred meters inland, connected to the coast by a quiet street that is easy to walk. The tourist area of Akumal is the coastal part, an area that extends about five kilometers but always with a rustic and quiet, with hotels of no more than two floors that hide among palm trees that earn them in height, or houses that seem hidden among the vegetation.

Ecosystems

Thus, Akumal defines a more natural and calm profile, far from large shopping areas or huge shopping centers and leisure areas. We will be connected every day with the sea and nature, with a reef barrier, with snorkeling areas, and a protected and controlled beach where snorkeling can be done on the surface observing marine turtles (in this zone it is obligatory to use a lifejacket and not do apnea or dives), all to not alter the fragile ecosystem, or at least, try to alter it as little as possible.

As for the beach, in the main bay of Akumal (the sea turtle), a reef barrier about 200 meters from the coastline and sand shelters from the waves, which makes this whole bathing area look like to an extensive pool of calm and crystalline waters. This is Akumal's greatest treasure, and the point at which organizations such as the Ecological Center of Akumal (CEA) deploy their activities to inform and help protect the ecosystem: the reef and marine life is abundant and you still have to work so he is not threatened.

That bay will be the epicenter of our days if we stay in this city. In fact, in my opinion, Akumal is highly recommended to plan a few days of stay in the Riviera Maya, which could perhaps be combined with other busier destinations such as Cancun or Playa del Carmen, to experience two very different styles.

Urbanized Bays and Cenotes

Along the coast of Akumal, there are also other urbanized bays always with that more rustic style. There are even more reefs and areas where we will hopefully see turtles, which choose this area of the coast to feed on its calm waters protected by the reef.

And still, to better combine our stay, in Akumal there are also cenotes inland, but above all, a must-see cenote connected to the sea just three kilometers from the main bay of Akumal (you can even walk there). It's called Yal-ku, and in the blog you can see the photos I made of the place, plus more information to organize a full day snorkeling among goldfish.

Maybe if we look for nature in its splendor, Akumal is completed as one of the best destinations to know and visit in the Riviera Maya. It is an opportunity to experience the most authentic and original coastal landscape of this region.

And if we still miss a bit of noise, at dusk we could make visits to Playa del Carmen, only about 25 minutes by public transport, to make some nightlife or shopping if we wish. But in that case I would insist, with not missing the peaceful sunsets of Akumal, the best image to close a day that we would definitely like to repeat.

In this map you can see the location of Akumal:

How to get there: there are several public transport options (taxi, minibus, bus). It is also easy to get to the highway that goes from Cancun to Tulum in a rental car (you can use this link to compare prices of rental cars in the best agencies in the area). From Cancún they are 104 kilometers, and from Playa del Carmen, 39 kilometers to the south. In addition, having a car is highly recommended for the amount of excursions to do in different parts of the Riviera Maya.

All images (except the one specified) are published on Flickr with Creative Commons licenses. They can be shared by naming the author (Matías Callone) and linking to the original images on Flickr.

AKUMAL MONKEY SANCTUARY
& RESCUED ANIMALS

fonte: http://akumalmonkeysanctuary.com/?lang=es

Our sanctuary is a place where you can find a great variety of primates and other animals rescued. From the majestic and emblematic Spider Monkey, Lémures de Madagascar, to beautiful capuchin monkeys. One of our great achievements is to be the home of animals rescued and donated from various species besides primates, such as goats, deer and macaws.

Come and have fun with them!

visit: http://akumalmonkeysanctuary.com/