Akumal Travel

Get a massage in Akumal

Friday, January 23rd 2009 at 12:09 pm

There are few things more relaxing than a good full body massage, especially when you're on vacation in Mexico! But you want to make sure you don't just throw your money away for a crappy massage. So where is the best place to get a massage around Akumal and the Riviera Maya?

Buddha Gardens is in Akumal Bay, just south of the Hotel Akumal Caribe. Buddha Gardens is the best place to get an amazing massage inside Akumal. "My friend gets massages monthly as part of his employee perks in USA, but he said Buddha Gardens was the best massage he had ever gotten".

Getting a massage at the Buddha Gardens isn't going to be cheap. It costs just as much as a massage in America costs but it's worth every penny. Getting a quality massage on vacation in Mexico while you're laying on the beach is pure serenity.

The treatment areas are not walled in little rooms with re-circulated air, they are open to the ocean breezes, discreetly closed off with yards and yards of cool fabric so your skin feels even more pampered by the natural breeze flowing through.

If you're staying in Half Moon Bay, go to the front desk of Vista Del Mar and they can arrange to have a massage therapist come to your condo and give you a massage there instead. Doing this will still cost the same as Buddha Gardens.

There is a woman in Puerto Morelos named Claudia who gets amazing reviews from all her clients. She spends time with you before your massage to get to know you, and find out what parts of your body are in main and need extra attention. She will then target your custom needs during your massage, and she'll even teach your spouse to give the same type of massage. The only downside here is you have to travel to Puerto Morelos to get a massage from Claudia. It's only 15 minutes south of the Cancun airport though.

Get a massage in Akumal Written by and Copyright Akumal Travel

Vista Del Mar in Akumal

Friday, January 16th 2009 at 1:46 pm

I've stayed in many different condos in Akumal during my time, they all have their own perks but of all the places I've stayed Vista Del Mar is probably my favorite beach condo in Akumal. On your vacation you should look for a place that suits your needs, but here's all the Vista Del Mar information so you can decide if you want to stay here on your trip.

Most condos in Akumal are individually owned. This means that even each separate room inside the condo is owned by a different person, so one room might have free internet and cable TV, while the room right next door doesn't. But Vista Del Mar is different, the entire condo is owned by the same person, which means every room in the condo will be the same so you don't have to worry about which room to stay in, they're all the same.

If you get a chance to choose your room, try to get one facing the ocean. Not only do you get an absolutely amazing view, you can also spend a lot of time sitting on your deck looking at sea turtles in Akumal Bay and enjoying the beauty of mother nature.

Being on the first level is cool because you can walk right out of your room into the beach and into the ocean, but you have to be more alert staying on the first level. Anybody who walks on the beach could come up to your room and and spy on you inside your room, or even come inside and try to steal something. It's very unlikely but it has happened to me before so if you stay on the first level, be extra cautious. Double check the locks on all your doors and windows and you'll be fine.

There are no hair dryers in the rooms of Vista Del Mar, so make sure you pack your own if you're staying here. They do provide a refrigerator, dish washer, toaster, blender, coffee maker, stove and microwave so you can cook and save any kind of food. The showers work very well, even if the water pressure does kind of suck. Of course every unit has an air conditioning unit so if it gets too hot outside, relax inside with the AC for a while.

They have rooms to accommodate everybody. If you're traveling to Akumal alone, they have 1 bed / 1 bath condos for about $180. 2 bed / 2 bath units are going for about $220. And you can get a 3 bed / 3 bath unit for about $290. These condos can fit up to 7 people comfortably, so bring the whole family!

The Vista Del Mar allows pets to stay with you, but I don't know how many people bring their pets to Akumal with them. Just remember it is an option if you stay here. Smoking is not allowed inside the condos at Vista Del Mar and if you do smoke, you should respect their policy so the condos are suitable for future guests. Just step outside or go on the roof and have a cigarette if you need to.

Vista Del Mar in Akumal Written by and Copyright Akumal Travel

Akumal Beach Resort

Tuesday, January 13th 2009 at 1:18 pm

After all the planning, packing, and money you spend to get to Akumal and enjoy your vacation, the last thing you want to do is keep planning and managing your entire trip. That's where the all-inclusive Akumal Beach Resort comes in.

Some people aren't sure if the cost of an all-inclusive resort is worth the price. It depends on how long you're staying in Akumal, and what you plan to do on your vacation to the Riviera Maya. The longer you stay, the more your all-inclusive will cost. And if you want to take day trips out of Akumal, you're paying for an all-inclusive and your day trips.

But if you do decide to stay in Akumal for the duration of your vacation, you need to consider Akumal Beach Resort. Just like the condos in Akumal, the Akumal Beach Resort is built right on the beach so you're never more than a few feet away from the beautiful ocean. If you don't want to take an adventure in the ocean, they have a beach-side jacuzzi and swimming pool. Their swimming pool is absolutely enormous, and it's sure to please your entire family.

All-inclusive of course means you get as many free drinks and as much food as you can handle. The Akumal Beach Resort has a couple of restaurants and three bars for their customers. The main restaurant / bar is on the beach and has an absolutely amazing view of Akumal. You can start your day with a full buffet with fresh fruits, eggs, sausage and more. Then end your day in their bar with as many margaritas you want. What's better than eating breakfast, lunch and dinner on the beach every day!?

The Akumal Beach Resort provides tons of stuff for you to do during your stay too. They have two tennis courts, pool tables, ping-pong tables, and volleyball courts. If you want to get wet, you can also play water polo, go kayaking, snorkeling and even scuba diving. If you're bringing your kids to Akumal, the Akumal Beach Resort has a kids activity center and a kids swimming pool by the main beach jacuzzi. There is definitely something for everybody here.

There is cable television in every room, as well as an internet cafe so you can stay in touch with family and friends who couldn't come on your awesome Akumal vacation. Wi-Fi is not free here, so you might consider having lunch at the Turtle Bay Cafe since they provide free WI-Fi internet to customers. Safety deposit boxes are included in every room so you don't have to worry about losing valuable information like passports or money.

If you've ever stayed at the Akumal Beach Resort, tell me how you enjoyed (or disliked) your stay, and why. Just leave a comment at the bottom of this page!

Akumal Beach Resort Written by and Copyright Akumal Travel

Sharks in Akumal

Saturday, January 10th 2009 at 4:22 pm

When you're about to go swimming in the ocean, it's common for your first thoughts to be "are there sharks?" and "will I be safe?". Discovery Channel's "Shark Attacks" and movies like Jaws make us all think as soon as we get in the ocean, sharks will eat us alive. You have nothing to be worried about, especially in Akumal.

You see, sharks generally like deep water, and in Akumal's bays the water is pretty shallow for the most part. On top of that, there are very few sharks indigenous to the Riviera Maya area. To see a shark in Akumal, you have to go searching for one one a deep-sea scuba diving trip.

Over the last year, some people have reported seeing a nurse shark in the area of Akumal Bay. She's about 5 feet long, but totally harmless. She usually hides under deep rocks waiting for small fish to swim by. Humans are way to big for a nurse shark to consider attacking.

To put this into perspective, the chances of being attacked by a shark are 1 in 2 million. This means you're more likely to die in a car accident on the way to the airport, or in an airplane crash on your way to Akumal. You've even got a better chance of dying in a flood or being stuck by lightning, than you do of being attacked by a shark.

Akumal is way too beautiful and has too much to offer for you not to go into the ocean. If you're really scared of seeing a shark, snorkel in the bay instead of scuba diving. As I said before, sharks prefer deep water so if you stay in the shallow bays you'll still be able to enjoy everything Akumal has to offer.

Sharks in Akumal Written by and Copyright Akumal Travel

Akumal Riviera Maya

Thursday, January 8th 2009 at 11:53 am

The Riviera Maya runs along the coastline of the Yucatan Peninsula for about 72 miles. It starts just south of Cancun, and goes all the way past Tulum to a small fishing village, Punta Allen. Riviera Maya means "Birth of the sky", and Akumal is right in the heart of the Riviera Maya. Up until 1999, the Riviera Maya was called "The Cancun / Tulum corridor". It was renamed by a lawmaker in Mexico, and the start and end locations also changed. Cancun was no longer included, and the borders went past Tulum to Punta Allen.

Stating the obvious, the Mayan's used to live in this same location, hence the name and all the Mayan temples in the area. The Mayan's are widely considered to be an extremely smart civilization and way ahead of their time. This is just one reason why seeing their caves and temples is such an amazing experience.

The entire Riviera Maya is filled with white sand, crystal clear ocean water and amazingly vast forests. There are cenotes everywhere, and you can even visit and explore the old Mayan ruins and caves at Aktun Chen. The Belize Barrier Reef also runs the entire length if the Riviera Maya.

It is a huge tourist attraction, and the second largest reef in the world. Other tourist attractions that draw people to the Riviera Maya area include jungle tours, snorkeling, scuba diving, swimming with dolphins and archeology. You can do things like snorkel and scuba dive anywhere, but you should do them in the Riviera Maya because of all the amazing fish and wild life you see here.

There is something for almost everyone here. Even though the Riviera Maya doesn't include Cancun, you can still have a great time at clubs and bars in Playa del Carmen which is probably the most populated, and popular cities in the Riviera Maya. For dads, if you want to spend a day golfing there are plenty of well maintained courses, and golfing in a different country is quite the experience. For moms, there are spas everywhere, and the best time to pamper yourself is while you're on vacation so go wild! And kids in Mexico can always find something entertaining.

The Riviera Maya is also known for its all-inclusive resorts. There are at least 5 all-inclusives in Akumal alone, and close to 50 throughout the Riviera Maya. All inclusive means you don't have to do anything but spend money. Once you pay the fee when you arrive, drinks, food and activities are all "free". This is the way to spend your time in the Riviera Maya, assuming you can afford all-inclusive prices.

If you want to spend a week in paradise, the Riviera Maya is definitely the place to do it. They have things for every member of your family vacation, and price ranges that everybody can afford. I, of course, like visiting Akumal the most. I know a lot of people there and everybody is so friendly it's hard not to fall in love with it. But paradise is paradise, and that's what the Riviera Maya gives you!

Akumal Riviera Maya Written by and Copyright Akumal Travel

Advice for your first Akumal vacation

Tuesday, January 6th 2009 at 3:11 pm

I decided to ask other Akumal regulars to share their advice for people who are making their first trip to Akumal. These tips will ensure you have the best vacation of your life if you decide to give Akumal a visit.

You have to find and swim in small hidden Cenotes. I found one walking on a trail through the trees for about 10 minutes and spent hours jumping off trees and snorkeling around. Just bring bug spray or you'll get eaten alive.

If you get tired of sea food and AI food, go to Turtle Bay and get their cheeseburger.

Most first timers try to plan to much, filling ever minute of vacation with some activity. Plan just a few things and let the rest just happen.

Pack half of what you think you need.

Bring binoculars and a flashlight, the flashlight so you don't hurt yourself walking the beach at night.

Tip and smile at the staff.

If you plan to rent a car, do your research about insurance, driving tips, gas scams and police.

Always keep cash, travel docs and any other valuables in the safe when not in use.

Go with a positive attitude, an open mind, and don't sweat the small stuff. You're in paradise!

Don't forget sunscreen and bring a lot of it, and with a high SPF number.

Treat the locals with respect, especially if they happen to be your wait staff.

Advice for your first Akumal vacation Written by and Copyright Akumal Travel

US Dollars or Pesos in Mexico?

Monday, January 5th 2009 at 2:58 pm

Even though it's been a while since my last visit to Akumal, the local exchange rate hasn't changed since then. Even with all economic panic all around the world, the USD / Peso exchange has stayed the same... or has it? If you've been to Mexico before, you know that almost everybody accept Pesos as well as US Dollars, but which one should you be using to get the most bang for your buck?

So you've arrived in Akumal but you forgot to stop by the bank on your way to exchange some of your US Dollars for Pesos. So you head to the bar and ask them what their exchange rate is, and 90% of the time they'll say "10 pesos per dollar". Doesn't sound bad, and you're on vacation so you don't want to waste time driving to a bank. But if you did go to the bank, you would get the real exchange rate, which is almost 14 pesos per dollar (as of January 2009). It doesn't sound like a big difference, but it is.

If you do not use the bank you'll get 100 pesos for $10 dollars. If the bar charges 40 pesos per drink, you could buy two and a half drinks with that exchange rate. If you go to the bank you'll get 138 pesos for $10 dollars. At 40 pesos a drink, you could buy THREE and a half drinks for the same amount of money. See how fast that money can add up for the duration of your vacation?

Say you take your family out for a nice expensive meal one night. You have some drinks and the best food you could ask for, and your bill comes to 2000 pesos. If you pay them with US Dollars, you would pay $200. If you paid them with pesos at the 13.8 exchange rate, you would have 760 pesos left over, almost $75 US Dollars. Then you could use that money the next day at the bar!

The bottom line is, you should always exchange your US Dollars for Pesos at a bank. If you spend $1000 dollars on your vacation, exchanging at a bank would save you $375, that's enough for a round-trip airplane ticket, which you can save for your next trip to Akumal!

US Dollars or Pesos in Mexico? Written by and Copyright Akumal Travel

A great spot for a family vacation

Sunday, January 4th 2009 at 10:48 pm

Akumal is perfect for a nice quiet family vacation.
The beaches are uncrowded, the water is
shallow, and most of the time it is very calm.
The condos and villas have full kitchens so you can
prepare meals for the little ones (we know about picky eaters!)
The local grocery stores even carry many American brand name items.

You will have no trouble finding breakfast cereals, macaroni and cheese,
spaghetti fixins, and peanut butter and jelly. Really, you can find the
same products there as here, they just may taste a little different.
Take a chance on the Mexican brands - some even taste better!
We always stop at Chedraui in Playa del Carmen on the way to
Akumal to stock up on groceries. (It is on the left at the second
stop light as you are going through town.) There are two small
convenience grocery stores in Akumal, but they are very expensive.
We still end up going to the Super Chomak or Las Palmas
grocery stores (both in Akumal) almost every day for ice or something,
and they both are great for souvenirs and t-shirts.
If you are planning a trip with another family, definitely look at the
villas; most sleep 10-12 and many have their own private pool which
is nice to keep the little ones entertained! It is fun to vacation with
another family and there is plenty of space in all the beautiful villas.
We have also rented two condos instead of a villa and that has
worked nicely as well.
Some fun family activities to look into when you go:
Yal-ku lagoon - a very calm place to snorkel, but go early in
the morning or in the afternoon to avoid the tour bus crowds
that come in about 10 am and stay for a few hours.
Xel-ha or Xcaret Water Parks - both fun places for the kids.
Plan on spending the entire day there and definitely look
into the all-inclusive packages they offer. It is nice to be
able to eat and drink all over the park and not worry about paying.
Fresh-Water Cenotes - there are so many in the area and all
of them are refreshing and fun little treasures hidden away
in the jungle! Bring bug spray in case the mosquitos are bad.
Tulum or Coba Ruins - fascinating places to visit, especially if
you know a little history of the Maya. I strongly suggest
reading up on it at least a little. It makes the experience
so much richer! At Coba you can climb the main pyramid;
very tall (230 feet high I think!) What a view over the jungle!
Tulum is the only site that overlooks the ocean and it is
one of the most beautiful beaches on the entire coast!
As you can see, there is plenty to do in Akumal.
Our favorite is just hanging out on the beach together.
We have made many wonderful memories together in Akumal.

A great spot for a family vacation Written by and Copyright Akumal Travel

Kids activities in Akumal

Saturday, January 3rd 2009 at 6:17 pm

If you have kids and you tell them you're going to Mexico, there's usually only one response you'll hear from them. "I want to go"! And it's not very nice to leave them behind (unless you're planning an adult-only Mexico trip). There are plenty of things for kids to do in and around Akumal, so bring them along and let them try some of these things.

The best, easiest and cheapest activity for kids in Akuaml is snorkeling. Depending on the age of your children, you should buy a life vest of them so there's no chance of an accident happening. The life vest will protect your kids from sunburn as well as drowning. Snorkeling in the Yal Ku Lagoon is great for children because the water is very calm, and there are no waves or rough waters.

Kids love just playing in the sand on the beach, so let them have at it. Bring some buckets and let them make a giant sand castle. They can play there for hours while you sit on the beach with a margarita, reading a book or just relaxing in the sun. Just make sure your kids do not play near any turtle nests. Stepping on these nests can crush the eggs buried in the sand.

If your kids like animals, you have to visit The Jungle Place. They have a big tour with wild animals everywhere. They are all either in cages or on chains so you don't have to worry about being attacked by a wild animal. You can play with monkeys, talk to big beautiful parrots, and much more.

People with adventurous kids might consider taking an eco tour. This tour will take them through the jungle to different cenotes, they have a big zip-line in the jungle to play on, and you even get a traditional Mayan lunch. It's great to let them waste some energy for half a day.

Xel Ha is usually a hit with everybody, young or old, but children especially love it. You can do almost everything in this resort like swimming with dolphins, tubing down the river, jumping off cliffs and ice cream shops everywhere! It's a little expensive, but a perfect way to spend a day in Mexico.

Kids activities in Akumal Written by and Copyright Akumal Travel

La Bahia Principe in Akumal

Friday, January 2nd 2009 at 1:29 pm

There are many places to stay on your vacation to Akumal, so it's important to find a place that will keep you happy for your entire trip. In Akumal, they don't really have hotels, they have condos. The difference isn't big, hotels usually have hundreds of rooms, while the condos in Akumal usually have about 10 rooms per building. The condos also feel more like a home, not just a room you're renting.

When you're deciding where to stay for your vacation, there are a few things to consider. If you're planning on leaving Akumal to take day trips to Playa del Carmen or Tulum, you might consider renting a condo on the south side of Akumal. You will have less distance to travel when leaving and returning to Akumal. But if your plan is to spend as much time as possible in Akumal, you should consider staying at La Bahia.

La Bahia is located a little farther north than most other condos, but this definitely has advantages. You can walk almost anywhere on the "Half Moon Bay" side of Akumal. The Yal Ku Lagoon is only a five minute walk north from La Bahia, and Central Akumal is a five minute walk south. This puts you in a prime spot for snorkeling in Akumal, because you're right next to almost all the hot spots.

Like most other condos in Akumal, La Bahia is located right on the beach, so you're never more than a few feet from the beach and the ocean. But because these condos are farther north than the other condos, you will have less company on the beach. If you do want to socialize, you can walk south on the beach for about 10 minutes until you find La Buena Vida. There are always a lot of people at the restaurant and bar, and it's right on the beach too!

Every unit in La Bahia has air conditioning, so if it gets too hot outside you can retreat to your condo for a siesta. You can take a nap or watch some TV, because every room also has a color television with a satellite dish. A great way to beat the heat, and keep the kids entertained for a while. La Bahia also provides wireless internet access, which is something many other condos do not provide. They also provide you with a full kitchen, including a dish washer, oven, refrigerator, sink and everything else you need in the kitchen. This is great if you want to save a little money and make your own lunch or dinner, instead of eating out.

Prices for a stay at La Bahia are about $150 a night for a 1 room, and $180 a night for a 2 room condo. I've stayed in many condos during my visits to Akumal. Most of them offer similar services and perks, but La Bahia is a lot farther north than most other condos. The added isolation can be very good if you want to spend time alone with your family or spouse on your vacation.

La Bahia Principe in Akumal Written by and Copyright Akumal Travel