Attractions North of Akumal, Riviera Maya, Mexico

Yal ku Lagoon, North Akumal

Located at the northern end of Akumal is this spectacular blue water lagoon. With fresh water springs feeding it from the jungle and a natural channel entering from the Caribbean Sea, Yal ku lagoon is a must for swimming and snorkeling. This incredible lagoon attracts a wide variety of tropical fish and offers many caves to snorkel. There is a small fee to use the lagoon and is paid at the entrance. Please do not wear sun tanning oils into this magnificent eco-system and treasure of Akumal. If you encounter areas of poor visibility while snorkeling in the lagoon, this is the fresh water mixing with the salt water. Just continue swimming and you will pass through to clear waters.

Yal ku Lagoon Aerial View

Puerto Aventuras

This large country club development is located about 10 miles north of Akumal. It features a deep-water marina and 9-hole golf course. It also has some all-inclusive hotel complexes, restaurants, shops and the CEDAM museum displaying the artifacts from the Spanish galleon Nuestra Senora de los Milagros a.k.a. "Mantanceros", that sank in a storm near Akumal in the 1700's.

The Puerto Aventuras Golf Course is a 9 hole, 36 par golf course that was designed in 1991 by Thomas Leman. The Golf course opens every day from 7:30 AM until dark. Golf Carts are not mandatory and no reservations are necessary. Green fees $44.00. Cart rental $29.00. Club rental $20.00. Rates are subject to change.

Puerto Aventuras Tennis courts are of synthetic grass and are surrounded by lush vegetation. They are open daily from 8:30 am till dark. Special weekly and monthly rates are also available. Stop by the club at Puerto Aventuras for more details.

Xcaret - Ecological Park

X-caret Ecological Park

This eco / archeological park is a must for first time visitors to the area. Located only 15 miles to the north of Akumal, Xcaret offers a wide variety of sites and activities. Some of them are: museum, dolphins, ancient underground rivers, shows, Mayan temples and village, the Coral Reef Aquarium, sea-turtles, diving, snorkeling, beaches, Jaguar Island, Butterfly Pavilion, the Botanical Garden and Nursery, orchid farm, mushroom farm, and the Wild Bird Breeding Aviary. Xcaret is a full day of activities. We recommend that you get there early. Hours: Monday to Saturday 8:30am to 9:00pm, Sunday 8:30am to 5:00pm.

Playa del Carmen

This rapidly growing coastal city is located approximately 20 miles north of Akumal. The nearest city to Akumal, it offers hundreds of casual restaurants, shops, bars, several gas stations, banks and just about everything else you would find in a small city. Playa Del Carmen also offers a variety of bars and clubs for a night on the town. The bus station and taxis are at the town square (plaza). The two large grocery stores in Playa Del Carmen are Super San Francisco and Super Chedraui.

Ferry shuttles depart from Playa Del Carmen to Cozumel Island.

Playa del Carmen to Cozumel Ferry - Daily 5:00am, 7:00am, 8:00am, 9:00am, 10:00am, 11:00am, 1:00pm, 3:00pm, 4:00pm, 5:00pm, 6:00pm, 7:00pm, 9:00pm, 11:00pm

Cozumel to Playa del Carmen Ferry - Daily 4:00am, 6:00am, 7:00am, 8:00am, 9:00am, 10:00am, 12:00am, 3:00pm, 4:00pm, 5:00pm, 6:00pm, 8:00pm,10:00pm

Ferry schedules can change due to weather and other reasons. Ferry tickets can be purchased at the pier, on the corner of the Playa Del Carmen town square.

Playacar Golf Course

Playacar Resort is a very large country club development located adjacent to the city of Playa Del Carmen, about 20 miles north of Akumal. Playacar now has a selection of large all-inclusive hotel complexes and features an 18-hole championship golf course.

Playacar is an 18 hole, 72 par course designed by Robert von Hagge. Tee times begin at 6:00AM daily. Reservations are not required but are recommended, especially during the high season. To call the Playacar Golf Club from the U.S.A., dial; 011-52-984-873-0624.

Puerto Morelos

Puerto Morelos is a small town located about 15 minutes south of the Cancun Airport (45 miles north of Akumal). This town has a variety of small, local restaurants on the beach and around the town square. Also, the docking point for the car ferry to Cozumel Island.

Cancun

The largest city in the area, Cancun is one hour and a half from the tranquility of Akumal. This ever growing city offers miles of enormous hotel complexes, shopping malls, restaurants, night clubs, discos and markets. Formal attire is required at some of the night clubs and discos. Nightlife really gets going around 11:00 P.M. and continues until the early morning hours. Watch out for those tequila shots and slammers...they will catch up with you. For grocery shopping, Cancun has a Walmart, Sam's Club and Costco.

Web Site for Cancun Hotels Reservations

Cozumel Island

Located to the northeast of Akumal is Cozumel Island. Famous for its wall diving, Cozumel offers good snorkeling, shopping, fishing, scuba diving and night life. For day trips to the island, a people ferry runs back and forth from the city of Playa Del Carmen.

Yucatan Peninsula

The entire Yucatan Peninsula makes for great exploring.....from Cancun to the colonial interior city of Merida, the Riviera Maya, ancient Mayan ruins, Cozumel and much more!

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