Akumal Bay is one of the best-known spots on the entire Mayan Riviera. This is not only because of its sandy beach, but above all because of the sea turtles that feed on seagrass in the shallow bay.

At first glance, however, a visit seems unnecessarily confusing.

The beach is public and you can access it for free, whilst the main entrance is subject to a charge. You can swim in the sea on your own, but you may only enter the protected area where turtles are most likely to be found with an authorised guide.

If you really want to see the turtles, the easiest option is to book an approximately 90-minute trip directly in Akumal. The price usually includes admission, a guide, snorkelling equipment, a life jacket and photographs.

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Akumal Bay at a glance

Frequently asked question	Answer
Is the beach public?	Yes
Is entry free?	Yes, via the southern public access point
How much does the main entrance cost?	7 usd for foreign visitors
Can you swim without a guide?	Yes, in the public swimming area
Can you look for turtles without a guide?	Only outside the protected area
Price of a local turtle-watching trip	from 25 usd
Are there turtles all year round?	Yes
Best time to visit	from 8.00 am to 10.00 am
All-day parking	100 mxn

What Akumal Bay beach is like

Akumal Bay has fine, light-coloured sand, palm trees and, thanks to the coral reef, generally calmer waters.

For general swimming, the best spot is the designated area near the shore, whilst snorkelling routes lead further out amongst the seagrass beds.

It is precisely this seagrass that attracts turtles. The dark patches beneath the surface are therefore neither debris nor sargassum, but an important part of the local ecosystem. Because of them, however, Akumal does not look like a perfectly turquoise swimming pool straight out of a travel brochure everywhere you look underwater.

I wouldn’t rank Akumal’s beach itself amongst the best beaches in Tulum’s Zona Hotelera.

However, thanks to the combination of the beach, calm waters and a very high chance of spotting turtles, it’s one of the most memorable day trips in the Tulum area.

Is there sargassum in Akumal?

Yes. Akumal Bay faces the Caribbean Sea and is particularly prone to sargassum from spring to autumn.

The bay is not as well protected from the seaweed as the north- or west-facing beaches near Cancún and on Isla Mujeres.

Hotels clean their sections of the beach regularly, but after a strong tide, seaweed can appear here too. The current amount varies practically every day.

Is entry to the beach free?

Yes, but it depends on which way you approach the beach.

The main entrance via Tsúuk Akumal

The most convenient way in is via Tsúuk Akumal Nature Park, which is open every day from 8.00 am to 5.00 pm.

Foreign visitors pay 7 usd per person. The price includes access to toilets, showers, changing rooms and lockers, as well as chairs and parasols, subject to availability. Lifeguards and first-aid staff are on duty on the beach.

The admission fee itself does not include a guide or entry to the protected turtle area.

• Location of the main entrance on the map

Free public access

Officially, all Mexican beaches are free to access, but in the case of Akumal, it’s a bit complicated.

In theory, you can access the beach for free from the south of Jade Bay (see location on the map), where you’ll find several unblocked passages through the resorts.

However, you then have to walk about 800 metres across sand and stones to Akumal Bay.

Personally, in this case, I’d probably opt for 7 usd and access the beach via the nature reserve, which is much more convenient.

Is it possible to swim with the turtles without a guide?

In the public swimming area of Akumal Bay, you can swim and snorkel on your own. Turtles may also appear here, as they naturally pay no heed to tourist buoys or marked routes.

However, you must not enter the protected area above the main seagrass beds without a guide. This is where the turtles most often feed, and it is here that organised groups head.

So the practical answer is:

• if you just want to go for a swim and consider a chance encounter with a turtle a bonus, you don’t need a guide
• if your main aim is to see the turtles, book an authorised guide

Your stay within the protected area lasts a maximum of 55 minutes. A life jacket is compulsory, and you must keep a distance of at least 3 metres from the turtles.

You must not touch, feed or chase the turtles. Diving below the surface is also prohibited. Organised trips into the protected area do not usually take place on Mondays, when the underwater ecosystem is given a rest from tourist groups.

Turtle-watching trips and their prices

Prices are indicative and per adult.

Option	Price	What’s included
Local excursion in Akumal	from 37 usd	Entrance fee, guided tour, guide, equipment
Full-day trip from Playa del Carmen	from 95 usd + 40 usd	Tulum, Cenote Mariposa, lunch, turtles and transport
Full-day trip from Cancún	from 103 usd + 40 usd	Transport from Cancún / Puerto Morelos, Tulum, cenote, lunch and Akumal

For full-day trips, always check for any mandatory surcharges. Some offers may appear cheaper at first glance, but an additional 40 or 50 usd for entrance fees and environmental charges is payable upon boarding.

We always compare trips via GetYourGuide, as most local agencies operate on this site and the prices are usually the same as those charged on the spot.

Which option should you choose?

If you have a car or are travelling from Tulum or Playa del Carmen by colectivo, the best option is a local tour departing directly from Akumal.

You’ll only pay for the activity itself, you won’t waste a whole day on the bus, and after snorkelling you can stay on the beach.

A full-day trip is particularly worthwhile if you don’t have your own transport and haven’t yet visited the Tulum archaeological site or any cenotes.

For some tours, the pick-up point in Tulum is only at the Super Akí supermarket.

In Playa del Carmen and Akumal, it’s more common to be picked up directly from your hotel.

Book a turtle-watching trip to Akumal

Accommodation right by Akumal Bay

Staying right by the bay has several very specific advantages over a day trip:

• you don’t have to pay the entrance fee t 7 usd via Tsúuk
• you can walk straight onto the beach via the hotel
• you can head into the water in the morning before the organised groups arrive
• you have access to the hotel’s sun loungers, showers and swimming pool
• You don’t have to pay for parking or a taxi

However, your accommodation does not automatically include entry to the protected turtle reserve.

You can go snorkelling on your own in the permitted area, but you still need an authorised guide for the official tour.

Hotel prices in Akumal itself are also higher than in the surrounding bays.

Which hotels are actually situated on the bay

• Hotel Club Akumal Caribe – A smaller and usually the most affordable hotel right in the central part of Akumal Bay. It’s the best choice if you want to stay by Turtle Bay but don’t need a large all-inclusive resort.
• Akumal Bay Beach & Spa Resort– An all-inclusive resort in the quieter southern part of the bay. All the buildings are situated right along the beach and the rooms face the sea. A good choice for families and couples who want to spend most of their stay at the resort.
• Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya– A luxury all-inclusive adults-only resort right on Akumal Bay. The advantages include a very good beach, calm waters and the chance to snorkel right in front of the hotel. However, it is one of the most expensive options in Akumal.

Compare all hotels in Akumal

Always check the location on the map when booking. The name ‘Akumal’ is also used by resorts located several kilometres from the bay.

For example, the Bahia Principe Akumal, where we stayed, is not located on Akumal Bay, and it takes about 15 minutes by car to reach the turtle beach.

A day pass to a large resort isn’t worth it just for access to the beach. You can visit the beach for free or for 7 usd via Tsúuk, and even a hotel day pass is no substitute for a guide within the protected area.

How to get to Akumal Bay

Akumal is situated on the main road 307, roughly halfway between Tulum and Playa del Carmen.

By car

It takes about 25 minutes from the centre of Tulum and about 40 minutes from Playa del Carmen. The nearest car park at the entrance costs 100 mxn for the whole day or 40 mxn per hour.

If you want to combine a visit to Akumal with a trip to Aktun Chen, Dos Ojos or Xel-Há, it’s worth hiring a car.

• 👉 Compare car hire prices at Tulum Airport (TQO)
• 👉 Compare car hire prices at Cancún Airport (CUN)

By colectivo

Colectivos between Tulum and Playa del Carmen stop on the main road at the turn-off for Akumal. The journey from either town costs approximately 40 mxn.

It takes about 15 minutes to walk to the beach from the main road. When you get on, simply tell the driver “Akumal”.

These small minibuses run along the route on average once every 5–15 minutes.

By taxi

The official taxi fares from Akumal are per car for up to 4 passengers and per journey:

Destination	Price
Tulum town centre	850 mxn
Tulum archaeological site	800 mxn
Playa del Carmen town centre	950 mxn
Tulum Airport	1 800 mxn
Cancún Airport	3 100 mxn

If travelling in the opposite direction, the price may vary, so please agree on the fare before boarding.

When to arrive and what to bring with you

The turtles live in the bay all year round. The best conditions are usually in the morning between 8.00 and 10.00, when the water is calmer, visibility is better and most of the day-trippers haven’t arrived on the beach yet.

For a day trip, bring your swimming costume, a towel and your own water. A mask, snorkel and life jacket are usually included in the price.

Do not apply sun cream within the protected area. Many operators also prohibit the use of biodegradable products. The best protection is a long-sleeved swim shirt.

Is Akumal Bay worth a visit?

If you’re just looking for a nice beach, you’ll find more beautiful and less complicated spots on the Mayan Riviera.

However, Akumal Bay is one of the easiest places in Mexico where you can watch sea turtles right from the beach and in their natural habitat.

I think the best option is to arrive on your own early in the morning, book a short trip to the protected area and then stay on the beach afterwards.

A full-day organised tour is particularly worthwhile for visitors without a car who want to combine Akumal, Tulum and a cenote in a single day.

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