Discover Akumal, Mexico: The Tropical Paradise You Need to Know About

Picture this: you, sprawled out on a sun-kissed beach, a fruity cocktail in hand, and the gentle murmur of the Caribbean Sea serenading your senses. Welcome to Akumal—a slice of tropical paradise tucked away in the stunning Riviera Maya, Mexico. Long overdue for an indulgent tropical getaway, once again we set our sights on Akumal, ticking all the boxes on our vacation wishlist:

• Easy travel planning: A short, direct flight from the San Francisco Bay Area. ✔
• All-inclusive resort pampering: Where relaxation meets luxury. ✔
• Sandy beaches and warm waters: The perfect backdrop for ultimate relaxation. ✔
• Wildlife encounters: Both in the water and on land. ✔

Yearning for a break from our usual hustle and bustle, we craved a vacation where simply being was enough, without the pressure of doing.

Easy Travel Planning for a Tropical Paradise

Planning our escape to Akumal was a breeze. Akumal is a known destination in Riviera Maya, so arranging flights, accommodations, and airport transfers through Expedia took just a few clicks. An under 5-hour United red-eye direct flight from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Cancun International Airport (CUN) landed us in Mexico in the early morning hours, followed by an hour jaunt down south to Akumal via reserved airport transportation.

PRO TIP: Sometimes, you can get a complimentary upgrade to a private shuttle via the travel site or shuttle service – a welcome perk after the flight there.

All-Inclusive Resort with Abundant Pampering

As seasoned travelers, we’ve come to appreciate the allure of all-inclusive resorts in Mexico, where every whim is catered to with effortless grace. Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya, our chosen sanctuary for this tropical sojourn, exceeded expectations. 

We arrived at the resort much earlier than the check-in time. After pre-checking at the front desk, we quickly changed into our beachwear, left our bags with the bellhop, and off we went to enjoy all the resort’s amenities until our room was ready.

A decent all-inclusive resort in Mexico would have all the meals covered throughout the day, from a well-stocked breakfast buffet, lunch spots, several onsite gourmet dining restaurants for the evening, bars, including swim-up ones, coffee shops, bakeries, ice cream parlors, and room service.

Some also have pop-up Taco nights or events where you can sample local Mexican cuisine! Stuffing your face with food and drinks with cute umbrellas is way too easy in these places, so keep moderation in mind.

That’s why it’s also important to us to have access to pristine beaches and pools on the property to help burn off some of those added calories. Your resort might also offer complimentary yoga, Pilates, SCUBA diving classes, and bicycle tours, include tennis and pickleball courts, volleyball areas, and gyms.

Hiking trails and pathways throughout the resort are a plus too. With Grand Sirenis – we really loved the magnificent size of their well-groomed grounds, discovering hidden trails every day. An all-inclusive resort will cover non-motorized water equipment, like snorkel gear, innertubes, kayaks, etc.

We also love some spa time. Massages and spa treatments are typically not a part of the all-inclusive fee (however, you might be able to find vacation packages that will include them or give you resort credits to use). We were pleasantly surprised to discover we had 1-hour access to the Grand Sirenis Spa water amenities because we booked through Expedia. So, of course, we did! 

You might engage in other daily activities at the resorts, like watching a dolphin show (included) or swimming with dolphins (additional charge), checking local artisans’ arts and crafts – resorts often arrange fairs on their grounds. And, after a night at the restaurant, you’d watch and/or participate in the nightly entertainment, whether it is a play, karaoke night, mariachi performance, circus show, or dance competition. Speaking of dancing, a nightclub, or a discotheque could be in your stars as well. 

Usually, there is so much to do on the property, that you might not even leave the resort. You can book countless activities and adventure packages right from the resort lobby or online ahead of time.

Sandy Beaches and Warm Waters

Sink your toes into the soft, powdery sand as you watch the waves dance in the sunlight, or take a dip in the crystal-clear waters that beckon with their warm embrace. Whether you’re snorkeling amidst vibrant coral reefs or simply soaking up the sun, Akumal’s beaches are sure to leave you feeling rejuvenated and refreshed.

One of the reasons we continue coming back to Akumal and Riviera Maya is the water! The crystal clear Caribbean Sea can reach temperatures up to 80+ degrees! It’s literally like stepping into a heated pool. But it depends on the time of year you go. We’ve traveled to the area on separate occasions between February and early June and would definitely recommend any of those months for planning a trip.

However, if you have an intolerance to humid heat – the earlier you go is best, as it starts warming up early into the season. Don’t forget the sunscreen—trust us, a surprise heat rash is no joke! Find one that is environmentally friendly. 

We do not recommend going during the summer months – late June through October. This is the region’s Monsoon season, and you may not have as good of a time as you’d been hoping.

Wildlife

Sure, many resorts along the Yucatan coast have their resident iguanas, but they just kind of… sit there, basking in the sun, thinking about life.

The Coatis, on the other hand, were without a doubt one of the most entertaining highlights of our stay. The little buggers are literally everywhere! Wherever we went, it was guaranteed we’d spot a band of coatis running a muck and causing a ruckus or enjoying a pizza they foraged from a nearby trash bin. Without fear of humans, they simply blend in and do their thing like it is no big deal.  But “What’s a Coati?” you ask? They resemble a mix between a monkey, a raccoon, and an aardvark, with a side of mischief. But are mostly related to the raccoon.  

The monkeys are smart. They hang out in the trees outside the lobby and buffet room, knowing guests will carelessly sneak bananas from the breakfast area to feed them. This makes for a fantastic photo opp, but please, (and we can’t stress this enough) do not feed them. As tempting as it may be to give the monkeys a banana or some fruit, they will fight over it and may hurt each other. 

The Agouti (or mini capybara) are pretty shy and mostly stay hidden in the shrubbery, away from the prying eyes of nosey humans. But, if you look through the trees, you’ll likely see one enjoying a quiet lunch.

The dense Yucatan jungle hosts many varieties of wildlife, such as Jaguars, Tapirs, Howler Monkeys, Crocodiles, Chupacabra, and even Boa Constrictors! Fortunately for us, most of those creatures are found deeper in the jungle and far from civilization. So if you run across any of them, chances are you’re either searching for ancient Mayan relics, or you’ve wandered too far from the resort. If you spot a Chupacabra, be sure to get a picture of it! 🙂

In the Mayan language, Akumal means “Land of the Turtles”, with many excellent snorkeling locations to check out! We usually bring our own gear, but most resorts will provide it for you for a day use at no or low cost.

All-in-all, in our opinion, it was the abundance of wildlife and interaction with exotic animals that made it feel like a true Caribbean getaway. Even after returning home, we still find ourselves subconsciously searching for Coatis or a lone Agouti poking around in the bushes.

Exploring Beyond Your All-Inclusive Resort in Akumal

Visiting Akumal in Mexico can be a lot of things for a lot of people. Are you looking to completely unravel by planting yourself on the beach and being pampered from head to toe? How about setting out on an experience of a lifetime by exploring hidden cenotes or the ancient Mayan pyramids?

Maybe you’re somewhere in between, like us, teetering between lazy beach bums and daring explorers. While lounging on the beach is a perfectly respectable way to spend your days, Akumal and the Yucatan Peninsula has so much more to explore! Think about diving into magical cenotes, those natural sinkholes with cool, clear water. If you’re up for a thrill, hop on an ATV and tear through the jungle, feeling the rush of the wind as you weave through lush foliage. Or get up close and personal with nature at Akumal Monkey Sanctuary, where you can watch these playful creatures in their natural habitat.

Prefer aquatic adventures? How about the Xel-Ha waterpark? And let’s not forget snorkeling in vibrant coral reefs, where a kaleidoscope of tropical fish awaits. And for a dose of history and culture, the Yucatan Peninsula is home to ancient Mayan temples and archaeological sites that will transport you back in time, way back! From the nearby Tulum to Chichen Itza you will hear the echoes of an ancient civilization.

In Conclusion

If you’re in the mood for sun-soaked relaxation with epic explorations sprinkled in between, Akumal has something for everyone. Pack your bags, grab your sunscreen, and get ready for the beach vacation of a lifetime! Be sure to save room for souvenirs!

If you have any questions about Akumal or staying in all-inclusive resorts in Mexico, feel free to ask! Looking for more ideas for a tropical beach vacation? Check out our articles on Tulum, Mexico, overview of the Hawaiian Islands, and Kauai, in particular, to start with. We love hearing from you! So, comment away below and subscribe to our blog!