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Transportation
Although taxis are available at the Cancun Airport and at the entrance to Akumal, most visitors to Akumal rent a vehicle for their entire stay. Having a rental car provides the ability to explore the many sites along the Yucatan, Caribbean coast. Most major rental car agencies have offices at the Cancun airport. During the high season it is best to reserve your car prior to arriving. When reserving your car, keep in mind that the most economical are the compact cars. The VW Beetle, Chevy Pop, Chevy Manza, and Nissan Tsuru are the most economical. The rental agencies are very inconsistent on their prices, so always shop around. Be sure to ask to pick up and drop off your car at the Cancun Airport. A few of the rental agencies are:
Budget 1-800-472-3325,
Hertz 1-800-654-3001, Avis 1-800-331-1084, Thrifty 1-800-367-2277, Dollar 1-800-800-4000, National 1-800-227-7368.
Rental Car Web Sites
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Other Transportation
If you do not wish to rent a car there are airport shuttles available at the Cancun Airport. After you go through immigration and customs you will enter a room before going outside. In this room is the yellow booth with a sign “Airport Taxis”. They will take any number of people to Akumal but are quite expensive (about $110. one way to Akumal, for up to 6 people, NOT per person). If you go past the yellow booth and go outside you will see tour operator representatives . They are usually in white pants and turquoise shirts. If you tell them that you need a ride to Akumal, they will send you to a driver. Expect to haggle with them. For 5 to 6 people you should be able to get the price down to about $70.00. Again this is for 5 to 6 people, one way, NOT per person.
There are also buses available from the airport to the city of Playa Del Carmen for about $8. per person. You can then grab a taxi from Playa Del Carmen to Akumal for about $25.00 (4 to 5 people in a taxi, NOT per person).
To return to the airport from Akumal there are taxis sitting at Akumal’s entrance archway. They charge about $60.00 to run you to the airport and will hold 4 to 5 people with luggage.
Once you are in Akumal you can use the local buses to get up and down the coast or the local taxis. The buses run about every hour and are very economical. They do not enter Akumal. You have to walk out to the highway to catch them. The highway is about 1/4 mile from Akumal’s entrance archway. There is a bench on the north bound side of the highway and a bench on the south bound side of the highway. These buses are fine to get up and down the coast but do not go into the Cancun airport.
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Airport Transfers
Tours / Bikes / Golf Carts / Horseback Riding
Selva Maya Expeditions
For off the trail adventures, try Selva Maya bicycle and horseback riding guided tours, departing from Akumal. Visit beautiful cenotes (sinkholes) and crystal clear underground rivers and wonderfully decorated caves. Selva Maya specializes in small groups and personalized attention.
For bike and golf cart rentals in Akumal, please contact Selva Maya.
Internet Access / Telephones in Akumal
Most accommodations in Akumal do not have telephones, however, the front desk for your accommodations has a phone and fax for you to receive emergency messages. In addition, there are two internet access and phone offices in Akumal. One is near Akumal's entrance archway and the other is located on Half Moon Bay, across the street from the condominiums. Here they have computers or you can hook up your laptop.
To call the United States you can use one of the phones as mentioned in the previous paragraph. You will also see Telmex phones around Akumal and along the coast. These look like pay phones but are marked TELMEX / LADATEL. You can purchase phones cards at the Akumal area grocery stores and use these phones. To dial the USA from a Telmex phone, simply insert the card, then dial 001+ AREA CODE + NUMBER. Cellular phones are also available for rent from Travel Services of Akumal (see below).
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CyberAkumal Web Site
Cellular Phones
There are cellular towers along the Riviera Maya coast so cell service is available. We are unable to tell you if your cell phone will work or not. You will need to either check with you cellular provider or just take your phone with you and try it.
To call the USA from your cell phone, dial 001 + Area Code + Phone Number. |
Cellular Phone Rentals
Cancun Valet offers cell phones for rent and provides your phone number ahead of time.
Travel Services of Akumal
Tours, Bike Rentals, Money Exchange, Cell Phones
The Travel Services of Akumal office is located on Akumal Bay, next to The Original Akumal Dive Shop. "T.S.A." offers telephone service, bike rentals, tours, information, money exchange, cell phone rentals, car rentals, airport transfers, and a variety of other services.
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The Akumal Kid's Club
The Akumal Kid's Club is located on the public beach area of Akumal Bay. The facility includes a small activity center and playground. Morning, afternoon and evening programs are available. Activity programs and baby-sitting must be arranged while in Akumal. Some of the activities include; crafts, beach activities, board games, children's movies and field trips within Akumal.
MORNINGS
Age:Infant to 10 year olds From 9 AM to 2 PM $6.00/Child/Hr
Crafts, beach activities, field trips within Akumal and an introduction to local customs and culture.
AFTERNOONS
On request
EVENINGS
All ages From 6PM to 9 PM $6.00/Child/Hr.
Supervised dinner in Pizzeria (cost of meal not included), board games and movies in children's activity center next to Lol-ha Snack Bar.
All prices are in U.S. dollars.
There is an excellent turtle watch and release program from May through September in Akumal
Prices subject to change without notice.
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Passports / Immigration
A current passport is always the best proof of citizenship, however, it is our understanding that prior to January 1, 2007, U.S. citizens are not required to have a passport to travel to and from Mexico. A state issued birth certificate in conjunction with a photo I.D. or driver's license is acceptable proof of citizenship. Please check with your airlines or with the following agencies;
United States Postal Service / Passports
Or call the National Passport Information Center
1-877-487-2778
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Immigration / Tourist Visa
A tourist visa will be given to you by your airlines. Upon arrival in Mexico, the Mexican Immigration Department will stamp your tourist visa. You will be given a copy. Please keep your copy, as you will be required to turn it in upon departing Mexico. |
Directions to Akumal
When leaving the Cancun Airport, turn right (south) on coastal Highway #307 toward Chetumal and Tulum. At approximately 60 miles, you will come upon Akumal. Although Akumal will be on your left, exit to the right, check both directions, then cross the highway into Akumal. Akumal can also be reached via the airport on Cozumel island. This route requires a 40 minute ferry ride to Playa Del Carmen. |
See Riviera Maya Map
Drinking Water
An unlimited supply of purified, bottled drinking water is provided with your accommodations. All of Akumal's restaurants and bars use purified, bottled drinking water for drinks and ice. Purified bags of ice are available at Akumal's grocery stores. The tap water is fine for bathing and for doing the dishes but as a precaution we suggest the bottled water for drinking.
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Dress and Things To Bring
Dress is very casual in Akumal and the surrounding area. T-shirts, sandals and shorts are fine for all the local restaurants. Sneakers are good for visiting the archeological sites. A light sweater or jacket is fine for a cool night in the winter months. Be sure to bring sunscreen lotion, a hat, a few beach towels, water shoes, and a flashlight is handy for walking at night. |
Water Sports / Dive Shops
The Akumal Dive Shop
The Akumal Dive Center
Money Exchange
The Akumal Money Exchange is located behind the Original Akumal Dive Shop on Akumal Bay. U.S. dollars and travelers checks can be exchanged for Mexican Pesos. Most establishments will exchange dollars into pesos for you. Check around, as the exchange rate can vary from shop to shop. The banks in Playa Del Carmen and Tulum will also exchange for you. We do not recommend that you exchange all of your money into pesos, rather exchange a little at a time as needed. U.S. dollars are widely accepted along the coast, therefore, exchanging your dollars into pesos is not essential.
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