Among the things that captivated me the most when I came to live in the Mexican Caribbean was knowing of a beach where we could swim with turtles almost on the beach. Does that exist in Riviera Maya? I could'nt believe it.

Akumal Bay is a magnificent half-moon beach, with coconut palms, crystal clear turquoise waters and a nearby reef that whitewashes it, the Caribbean postcard. Swimming with turtles in Akumal It must be the worst kept secret in the entire Mexican Caribbean, because when something is incredible, it is difficult for it to not reach travelers.

The ability to swimming with turtles in Akumal In the middle of nature, 100 meters from the coast, it is undoubtedly amazing, which few will want to miss on this Riviera Maya coast.

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swim with turtles in akumal
Akumal beach

HOW MUCH DOES THE ENTRANCE TO AKUMAL COST 2020 PRICE

Akumal beach is one of the best beaches in the Mexican Caribbean, and you can also swim with turtles, who gives more? Access to Akumal beach is through a booth where you must pay. At the entrance they offer changing facilities, lockers, toilets and showers, very comfortable and practical.

The entrance to Akumal beach is 100 pesos per person. Quintanarroenses with credentials do not pay

Very well, we already entered Akumal beach paying 100 pesos. Now we are going to see the rules of the place to enjoy this turtle sanctuary without problems.

swimming with turtles riviera mayaa

RULES FOR SWIMMING WITH TURTLES IN AKUMAL

Once you have paid the entrance to the beach you can enjoy it quietly and spend the whole day here. There is a restaurant and several palm trees that give you shade to spend the day. CAUTION that a coconut does not fall on your head, if you do not have a habit you do not think, but a coconut can do a lot of damage.

On Akumal beach you will observe an area delimited by buoys. Turtles are usually found there. To access this area delimited by buoys to observe these beautiful sea turtles you must comply with a regulation.

Since April of 2017 swim with turtles marinas within these buoys, it is mandatory to enter with an instructor authorized by SEMARNAT, in groups of no more than 6 people and only from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Two authorized circuits were delimited, which are the only areas allowed by Mexican law for swim with sea turtles. This is in order not to affect the ecosystems of this beautiful beach; in circuit 1 you cannot stay more than 55 minutes and in circuit 2 not more than 65 minutes.

What else to do in Akumal

akumal turtles tour

SWIM WITH TURTLES IN AKUMAL PRICE 2020

In this area of ​​buoys and circuits for swimming with turtles you must enter with a guide and with the necessary snorkeling equipment: life jacket, goggles, tube and short fins. The rules are: each group with its instructor must be at a distance of 10 meters within the circuits.

Once sea turtles are observed, tourists must maintain a distance of at least 3 meters and cannot observe the turtles for more than 5 minutes. All this is explained to you by the instructor before entering the sea.

These instructor tours cost 500 pesos per person

In this buoy area it is easier to see the turtles for a simple reason: in the coral reef there is a gap through which the turtles enter Akumal Bay. It is in that area that they stay, and where it is easier to observe them. It is practically safe to see them if you enter this area to swim with turtles.

ATTENTION: During the months of February and September they give rest to the turtle areas delimited by buoys. That means that tours do not come out at that time, so the turtles take a break from humans. You can also visit Akumal and swim to see turtles, but not in this area where you see them 100% safe.

Tips and rules you need to know to swim with turtles in Akumal 1

WHERE TO HIRE THE TURTLES TOUR IN AKUMAL

There are two basic ways to do the turtle tour in Akumal:

  • CONTRACT TOUR FROM YOUR HOTEL: almost all agencies in Riviera Maya sell the turtles tour in Akumal. This gives you the comfort that they pick you up from your hotel and you don't have to take care of anything else. Everything is made easy for you.
  • HIRE TOUR FROM THE BEACH: If you come to the beach for free you can hire the turtle tour in Akumal right there. Arriving at the parking area you will see different authorized guides that sell you their turtle tour. We have already seen that the price is over 500 pesos per person. The price includes the complete snorkeling equipment.

From your hotel you can hire this Akumal turtle tour

SWIM WITH TURTLES IN AKUMAL FOR FREE

Akumal Beach has the unique charm of power swimming with turtles for freeYou don't need any excursions as long as you are outside the buoy area. If in the buoy area it is almost 100% sure that you see them, in this area the possibilities are 60%. It is an authentic gift for everyone, it is one of the irresistible activities to do in Riviera Maya.

It is possible that arriving in Akumal they tell you that it is mandatory to go with a guide or rent a vest. Not so, that's only in the buoy area. You can enter freely to swim without a vest and without a guide.

WHERE TO ENTER THE WATER TO SWIM WITH TURTLES FREE?

On the beach you will see a diving center. It is a Dive Center that you locate about 150 meters from the entrance. Through that channel that you see just in front of the diving center you can enter, it is a free area for the visitor.

Personally I have had to see them at various points on the beach. This is the place where most people gather, but the beach is long and you can move freely. Not only do you see turtles, it is a good place to snorkel, connect with nature and enjoy the beach.

SNORKEL EQUIPMENT FOR SWIMMING WITH TURTLES IN AKUMAL

You can bring your own snorkeling equipment to the beach or rent the complete equipment at Akumal beach. For about 100 pesos you have a mask, vest and fins. TO SUMMARIZE: if you take your equipment and swim for free you ONLY have to pay 100 pesos which is the payment corresponding to the entrance.

swim with turtles akumal price
akumal turtles tour

WHAT ELSE WILDLIFE TO SEE AT AKUMAL BEACH

In the waters of Akumal beach there is a lot of marine life. In addition to swimming with turtles in Akumal You can do it with manta rays, rays, as well as observe corals and coral fish. It is a place where there is enough grass, the food of the turtles. That is the reason why they come, Akumal beach is a turtle feeding place. 

It is a luxury and enjoy going with your mask and enjoying swimming with turtles and other marine animals. The spectacular Akumal beach is a magnificent plan. Swim with turtles In this environment it is simply amazing, those who enjoy the safe nature will be one of the beautiful experiences to treasure. Time flies by these reptiles, it is easy to get out of the water like a wrinkled raisin without finding out.

Instructions to follow in turtle nesting season

swim with turtles in akumal
diving in the caribbean
swim with turtles in akumal price

HOW TO GO TO AKUMAL BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Akumal Beach is 24 kilometers from Tulum and 40 from Playa del Carmen. The entrance is well signposted from Federal 307, just under a bridge. If you go by your own car, at the entrance to Akumal you will see several parking lots. The price for leaving the car is 50 pesos.

Public transport drops you off on Federal Highway 307, at the bridge at the entrance to town.) From here you walk less than 1 km to the beach. The ADO (big bus) does not stop in Akumal, you must go in combi.

HOW TO GO TO AKUMAL FROM TULUM BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT

From Tulum the combis leave from the main street, in front of the ADO bus station. The price per person is about 20 pesos. The driver tells you where to get off in Akumal.

HOW TO GO TO AKUMAL FROM PLAYA DEL CARMEN BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT

In Playa del Carmen the bus stop is located on Calle 2, between avenues 15 and 20. There are two bus companies, almost one in front of the other. The cost is about 30 pesos per person. The driver will tell you where to get off if you ask.

HOW TO GO TO AKUMAL FROM CANCÚN BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT

If you go from Cancun, the buses leave near the ADO terminal. There is no direct route to Akumal, so you must get off at the last stop in Playa del Carmen and from here take another bus to Akumal.

Well you already know the secret of Riviera Maya, whenever you want this corner of the Caribbean awaits you. Swimming with turtles in Akumal is a real candy at the door of a school.

Tips and rules you need to know to swim with turtles in Akumal 2

Swimming with turtles in Akumal

LOCATION: Akumal Bay is located at 24 kilometers from Tulum and 40 from Playa del Carmen. The entrance is well indicated from the federal 307.
HOW TO GET IN PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION?  Buses leave from Tulum on the main street. If you go from Cancun, the buses leave near the ADO terminal) you must get off at the last stop in Playa del Carmen and from here take another bus to Akumal (from calle 2 between avenida 15 y 20). Public transport leaves you on federal highway 307, on the bridge at the entrance to the town (tell the driver, he knows). From here you walk 1 km to the beach. The ADO (large bus) does not stop in Akumal, you must go by combi.
DO I BRING SNORKELING EQUIPMENT? If you do not have snorkeling equipment rent in Akumal.
TIPS: One of the animals that inhabit the Caribbean are small rays, it is best to enter the water shuffling to avoid stepping on them, which is when they bite us.
SEASON DESOVE TURTLES: from mid-May to mid-September, they are usually seen more at night (it has red light, never white). Where and when to see turtles in Riviera Maya

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Sandra Salvadó Training photographer, traveler by vocation and certified tourism guide by the Government of Mexico. We promote natural wonders and contemporary Mayan culture. Great fan of pre-Hispanic history. Author of the blog and co-founder of The Shortest Path Travel, agency that guides you through alternative paths in Mayan lands. Social and sustainable tourism in the Yucatan Peninsula and Chiapas.
I am at your disposal for whatever you need. Let's talk.

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