"Akumal" means "place of the turtles" in Mayan. Over the years, the area called "Akumal" has grown both north and south of the original "Akumal" along the Caribbean coast. La Sirena is located in the original "Akumal" which was the first development in the area now called the Riviera Maya or Mayan Riviera. "Akumal" was established many years before there was a Riviera Maya.
In the beginning "Akumal" was a beach community offering the same thing that it is known for now – great beaches, snorkeling, diving, ruins, food and being centrally located to visit the rest of the Yucatan Peninsula. Akumal is now officially considered part of the Tulum municipality. With "all-inclusives" now covering the coast to both the north and south, this "Akumal", to those who love it, is still the BEST place to be.
Like all of the Riviera Maya, Akumal is located in Quintana Roo, the youngest State in Mexico and a virtual wilderness until 40 or so years ago. With Yucatan and Campeche, the other two States comprising the Yucatan Peninsula, Quintana Roo and Akumal are in the Land of the Maya, and Akumal is an easy drive from several archaeological sites.
Being in the heart of the Mayan Riviera, Akumal is sixty miles south of Cancun International Airport, on the four lane, newly renovated highway 307. It is 20 minutes south of Playa del Carmen, 15 minutes north of Tulum, and 10 minutes north of Tulum Ruins. It is very easy to get to, accessible directly off the main highway.
Comprising locals and expats, visitors and year-around residents, Akumal is still very low density, and has preserved much of the original charm of Mexico. Akumal consists of Akumal Centro (the facilities on Akumal Bay, at the end of the Akumal Playa entrance road from Route 307)) and North Akumal (the area extending north from the Centro, including Half Moon Bay and Yal Ku Lagoon.) Across the highway is Akumal Pueblo, a growing local town with a pharmacy and doctor, grocers, laundries, shops, restaurants, and support facilities.
Distances within Akumal are short, less than two miles south to north, and there are numerous shops and restaurants. Many visitors rent a car, in order to easily reach local super markets, archaeological sites, other beaches, cenotes, and other activities. Others are happy with transfers, local bus services, called "collectivios", rented golf cart or bike or just walking.
All of Akumal lies within a Marine Ecological Zone, which helps to maintain the magnificent diversity of marine life in the two bays, as well as flora and fauna on land. Close to the shore lies the second largest barrier reef in the world, the Meso American reef, making Akumal a mecca for divers and snorkelers. The bays are home to two species of endangered sea turtles, the green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) and the loggerhead (Caretta caretta). These magnificent animals graze on the "turtle grass" in the bay, and females excavate nests on the beach where they lay their eggs.
In addition beaches, snorkeling and diving, cenotes, and Mayan ruins, there are many other things to do including various nature and adventure parks, and health and wellness activities, as the Mayans consider Akumal as a special place for healing and balancing. Akumal is also home to the famous and beautiful Yal-Ku lagoon, which is less than a three minute walk from our complex, La Sirena!
We, have learned over the years to truly enjoy Akumal, you should try to do some of both, the exciting and planned, and also the unplanned experience of nature.
This truly is the perfect place to create lifetime memories!
