Attractions South of Akumal, Riviera Maya, Mexico

Aktun Chen Cave System

Ten minutes south of Akumal you will see a large green sign on the right for the Aktun-Chen Cave and Cavern system. You will travel a well groomed dirt road 3.2 km through the jungle. This area was once a "chicle" (gum) plantation. Aktun-Chen eco-park and the cave itself is magic! It has a well groomed trail illuminated with soft light to enhance the beautiful stalagmite and stalactite formations. The last chamber is very large and has a crystal clear blue spring of water. Don't forget your camera! The tour takes about an hour and is lead by very knowledgeable Mayan guides.

Actun Chen web site

Xel-Ha Eco Park

Xel-Ha Ecological Park is located about 10 miles south of Akumal and is well marked with signs. This large lagoon, natural aquarium offers; snorkeling, shopping, restaurants, water sports and Mayan ruins.

Xel-Ha Aerial Map    Xel Ha web site

Dos Ojos Caves

Just beyond the entrance to Xel-Ha (south of Akumal) on the right, is Diver's of the Hidden Worlds, Dos Ojos Caves. This underground river offers spectacular fresh water snorkeling and cave diving. Guided tours are available at the road side building.

Hidden Worlds web site

Xcacel Beach

Xcacel is a beautiful beach located about 7 miles south of Akumal. During the spring and summer months, Xcacel beach is a nesting ground for endangered sea turtles. Xcacel is a great place to spend the day swimming, snorkeling or just playing on the beach. During turtle season, please do not walk on the nests. There are restrooms and a small fee to use this beach.

Xcacel Aerial view

Tankah & Soliman Bay

Tankah Bay and Soliman Bay are several beach developments located about 15 miles south of Akumal. These beaches offer some houses, good snorkeling, several restaurants, a blue cenote (lagoon), lots of mangroves and birds. Some good, beachfront restaurants for lunch include; "Casa Cenote" Restaurant, "Oscar y Lalos" Restaurant and "Blue Sky" Restaurant. See our restaurant section and villas section for more details. Be sure to bring your snorkeling gear!

Soliman Bay Aerial view

Caleta Tankah Beach & Restaurant

Caleta Tankah Restaurant, bar and beach is located just south of Tankah Bay, between Akumal and Tulum. This beach front establishment is open for lunch and dinner daily. Be sure to bring your snorkeling gear to this one as well. This is a great place to spend the afternoon on the beach and snorkeling in the Caleta (inlet). There is small fee to enter Caleta Tankah but it is well worth it.

Tulum Mayan Ruins

Tulum is the most magnificent Mayan ruins on the Caribbean Sea. The main pyramid, El Castillo, sits on a 10-meter cliff and has an impressive view of the Caribbean. The pyramid is also aligned with a natural break in the world's second largest barrier reef and functioned as a lighthouse for Mayan boats. Tulum means , "walled city". It encompasses the temple complex and a sacred cenote. Post classic period 900-1200 AD. Large market at entrance, bargaining is expected. Gas station here.

Coba Mayan Ruins

Coba ruins and village are located about 1 hour and 15 minutes southeast of Akumal.

Coba was the capital of the largest Late Classic empire in the Northern Lowlands. Coba is a mammoth ruined city and is located 30 miles inland from Tulum. This archaeological site sits amid 5 small, shallow lakes and is very impressive. Coba is known for its great length of occupation. The earliest stele dates to a.d. 623 and Coba was occupied until the late Postclassic times, around the 14th century.

The main group at Coba is dominated by the Castillo complex. From this area a series of "white roads" or sacbeob radiates in five directions. Coba is famous for these raised roads, of which 16 are known. Coba also has a large late Post Classic temple known as Nohoch-Mul, it is one of the tallest structures in the Northern Yucatan. The view from the top is stunning. You can see the outline of the city in the jungle. This site is currently under excavation and is mostly covered by vegetation. Good bird watching and great photo opportunities.

Coba is a great day trip from Akumal to include hiking the ruins, shopping at the village and dining authentic Mayan cuisine.

Hotel Club Med Villas / Coba

El Paraiso Beach, Restaurant & Bar

El Paraiso is home to one of the most perfect beaches on the Riviera Maya coast. With its casual restaurant, bar and beach, El Paraiso is a great place to spend an afternoon. To get to this hideaway, go past the Maya ruins on Hwy. 307. Just past the ruins turn left on the Coba highway. When the road ends, turn left (north) on the Tulum coconut road. El Paraiso will be on your right hand side about two miles up.

Que Fresca / Zamas Tulum Restaurant & Bar

Zamas Tulum is located about 10 minutes driving south of the Mayan Ruins of Tulum, on the dirt road to the Saan Kaan Reserve. Zamas has awesome food and a lovely beach. The cuisine includes seafood, Mexican dishes and pastas. It's worth the drive!

Mixik Artisans / Tulum Beach Shops

Mixik Artisans is one of a number of little shops scattered along the Tulum coconut road, south of Tulum Ruins. To access this area, drive south on the coastal highway to Tulum Ruins. Stay on the highway and go past the ruins. Before you enter the village of Tulum you will intersect the Coba highway. Turn left towards the sea. This road will take you to the Tulum coconut road.

Tulum Area Beaches

Explore the road south of Tulum ruins and find miles of beaches

Sian Ka' an Biosphere Reserve

Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve is located on the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, south of Akumal and Tulum. Consisting of hundreds of thousands of acres of protected wilderness area, including tropical jungle, miles of coral reefs, beaches, mangrove and two large wetlands. Sian Ka'an can be accessed via the coconut road to Punta Allen or from highway 307, south of the village of Tulum. The coconut road runs south along a peninsula that separates the Caribbean Sea and beaches from the inner wetlands and jungle of the reserve.

Sian Ka'an is home to hundreds of species of birds, butterflies, fish, fauna and a wide variety of animals. Some of the animals which inhabit this region include; spider monkeys, howler monkeys, jaguar, puma, ocelot, margay, coatimundi, manatee and crocodile. The beaches within Sian Ka'an are also nesting grounds for such sea turtles as green, loggerhead, hawksbill and leatherback. Fisherman have long ventured into the bays within Sian Ka'an for bone fishing, leaving out of Boca Paila or Punta Allen.

Links to Sian Ka' an Tours and Information & Fishing

Centro Ecologico Sian Ka' an    Amigos De Sian Ka'an

Ascension Bay Bone Fish Club (ABBC)

Captian Victor Barrera    Pesca Maya Fly Fishing

Tulum Village

Tulum Village (Tulum Pueblo) is located about twenty miles south of Akumal and remains a small and quaint little town. Offering a variety of local restaurants, shops, markets, groceries stores, pharmacies, a few internet cafes, and a post office, the village of Tulum is a great place to have lunch, shop, and experience some local flavor.

Attractions North

See Tulum Village