You may even be offered special souvenir photos. Head up the footbridge and cross over to the other side of the road. In the blue-green haze, a black silhouette emerges in the distance. If going by rental car, head south and follow the signs for Akumal. Under Mexican law (the Federal Maritime Terrestrial Zone), the beach is free to use, however, the businesses have organized to privatize (or close) nearly all public access points to the beach. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. To the right is the Lol-Ha restaurant. Combine a visit to the Mayan pyramids of Tulum with an underwater adventure snorkeling with vibrant marine life! Just past the parking lot on your right side, youll find the Akumal Dive Shop.
parasailing Private round trip transportation from your hotel on Suburban SUV up to 5 passengers or Mercedes Sprinter for large groups. Thank you for your clarity in describing access to the turtles. The collectivos now leave from the square on 2nd/45th. You do not have to wear a life jacket in the swimming zone (the first 150 feet from shore). When you book on the app you can save up to 25% on select hotels while earning double the points with every booking. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. As they come up for air, you can look them in the eye and see the strength and grace they project. Bring biodegradable sunscreen and insect repellent only, Bring extra cash with you to purchase souvenirs and photos, This private transportation service is available for hotels located in Cancun and the Riviera Maya, Cancellations made 48 hrs before = 100% refund. Bring swimsuit and towel and a extra change of clothes if is necessary. So, do not forget to bring your swimsuit! The answer is complicated, but answered below.]. In fact, it is one of the few examples of walled cities built by theancient Maya. This is where you can explorethe second largest barrier reef in the world, spot all the impressive tropical fish AND if you're lucky snorkel with giant sea turtles. This should be sacred for all those who love wildlife. Beyond that, it is required to go with a licensed guide. Akumal is where you see sea turtles as well as a stunning coral reef that gives life to hundreds of fish of different colors. After exploring the ancient city of Tulum you will enjoy more Cancun activities. The road to the town and beach is on your left (youll go past it about 200 yards, take the returno back and then make a right down the road to the beach. The licensed guides are there to show you the turtles, but also to protect the turtles from you doing something stupid. php Home North America Mexico How to Snorkel with Sea Turtles in Akumal, Mexico. In retrospect, we should have gotten there earlier. After a couple of hours of snorkeling, we parked ourselves in the Lol-Ha restaurant to enjoy the shade, the view of the ocean, and some amazing lunch delights: chilaquiles and a cochinita pibil torta. This is where the sea turtles feed and where you should head for the best chance of finding them. We will take you to sparkling Yal ku lagoon, where you will have the opportunity to see marine turtles in their natural habitat. And thats what really saddens us about what is happening here. Many of the Akumal turtles are endangered, and the area they swim in is their feeding area. Later, we will go to the next stop the beautiful Akumal BayThe Place of the Turtlesin Mayan. You're in good hands. We do not recommend parking here. You can swim alongside the Marine Turtles and learn how to care of them. Both sites should be visited first thing in the morning to have the best experience. Do not bring any valuables with you! These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Youll know youre in the right place because youll soon be accosted with offers for guided tours and life jackets.
cenote grand tulum tripadvisor Don't forget to bring your camera to Tulum ruins, as there will be lots of photo ops during this tour.

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However, staying closer to Akumal may make for a more enjoyable, convenient experience if snorkeling with the sea turtles is at the top of your Mexico to do list. It gets stirred up as the day goes on, cutting visibility significantly. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Were Lance and Laura, two busy professionals who love photography and travel the world as much as our real world vacation schedules allow. Lunch (pork or beef, chicken, fish) including one drink per person (soda, flavored water or beer) during the lunch, On board cooler with beers, sodas and bottled water, Due to the humid climate of the region it is recommended that you wear comfortable shoes and light clothes. A Playa del Carmen tour to discover all the best attractions in the Riviera Maya. They can wear any color vest they want or act as threatening as they possibly can, but they have no official or legal authority. While planning our trip to Mexico, wed heard about swimming with turtles in Akumal and that it could be done in the wild for FREE! All rights reserved. This is a great tour for kids that have at least basic swimming skills. Under Mexcian law, use of Akumal public beach is free. To leave by rental car, reclaim your vehicle and head back out to the highway. HOWEVER, getting actual access to the beach may incur fees. If you get hungry, head to the Lol-Ha restaurant, where you can sit in comfy plastic chairs and drink the beverage of your choice while enjoying some pretty decent food. Youll snorkel with sea turtles in Akumal as they graze on the underwater plants, an out of this world experience in nature. Located in the heart of the Riviera Maya, you can be able to rest or just relax on its extended white sand beaches, you will experience a completely natural experience for sure. Skip the fins. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Thankfully those days are over. Later you will swim close to the Marine Turtles and a variety of multicolored fishes into the natural beauty of the Akumal Bay. Following our amazing snorkeling Adventure, we will leave Tulum Beach, we will head out to swim in 4 unique cenotes, I will explain what cenotes are, and how vital they are to the ecology for the peninsula. Turn right for Playa del Carmen or Cancun.
beaches riviera tulum maya destinations Cancellations made between 36-48 hrs before = 80% refund. We recommend bringing your own snorkel gear. If travelling from Cancun add $10 per person on to the cost of your tour. Due to new socially distancing government rules from July 1st, the transport for this tour has a temporary additional cost as vehicles are running at reduced capacity to ensure your safety. I will guide you through the mysterious, well-preserved, ruins of temples surrounded by beautifully landscaped grounds, where we will be watched by the many inquisitive iguana that now call this temple home. Dont forget your sunglasses and hat. A journey which will take us around two hours where besides of learn about the Mayan Culture, you will be allowed to discover Tulum on your own! Many people go snorkeling, but how many people go snorkeling with turtles in Akumal? In the past, numerous vendors would rent gear directly on the beach, but they have been banned under the most recent set of rules for Akumal Bay. To find the turtles, look for where the ocean appears darker to find the sea grass on the bottom of the ocean floor. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. We were here 10 years ago and things have changed dramatically. Round-trip transportation in air-conditioned vehicles to/from your hotel*, Bilingualguides in Tulum and for snorkeling tour, Snacks (fruit salad, granola bars, vegetarian sandwiches), *Add $10 per person transportation fee if in Cancun. These tours are not accessible for people with limited mobility. Its in easy reach of Akumal and within minutes of Playa del Carmen at the Xcaret and Xlpor parks. A tour of the Tulum Mayan ruins brings you to a walled city that was once an important port for the Mayan civilization, connecting the Yucatan Peninsula to the wonders of the sea and the rest of the world. A journey which will take us around two hours where besides of learn about the Mayan Culture, you will be allowed to discover Tulum on your own! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The cost is supposed to be 35 pesos per person (less than $3), but some drivers may quote a slightly higher price. A Playa del Carmen tour of the Tulum Mayan ruins, this is one for the bucket list! All rights reserved; Privacy Policy Swimming in a cenote in the Riviera Maya is a one of a kind experience. -From Papaya Playa until Ana y Jose You will also enjoy a exquisite Mexican lunch in one of the best Akumal Restaurants. The Akumal scammers took this as an opportunity to push their agenda, threaten people, and make money. Cancellations made less than 24 hrs before = no refund. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Head through the white gate. The Akumal sea turtles are plentiful and theyre used to the presence of humans. Thanks for reaching out to us. Blvd. We have also seen several groups in the "protected" area. As they get used to you, you can appreciate their strong front fins that propel them through the water. Blog, How to Snorkel with Sea Turtles in Akumal, Mexico, Northern Ireland and Ireland Driving Itinerary, Best Snorkel Gear for An Underwater Adventure, Planning your Akumal snorkeling adventure, The most important thing to know about snorkeling, Check prices for the best deals on rental cars in the area, This is our favorite snorkel and mask set, full-day tour that includes Tulum, Cob, and a cenote visit. However, for safety reasons the snorkeling activity can be restricted to pregnant women, or people with any healthy problem which inhibit them to practice moderate physical activities such as swimming. TheMayan ruins at Tulumtower over the azure waters of theCaribbean Sealike an ancient fortress. Expedia and the Airplane Logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Expedia, Inc. CST# 2029030-50. Therefore, we recommend arriving as early in the morning as you can, ideally no later than 9:30am. If you plan to snorkel for a long time and feel that you may need a break, use the buoyancy of your life jacket to help you stay afloat. Under-age participants must be always accompanied by a responsible adult. This article is very informative and accurate except now the entrance fee is $6.00 per person. We will jump from the edge of this hidden crystal clear water hole, or swing out into it from a rope, or perhaps just have a relaxing swim. Kids 4 to 10 $89.00 dollars, Our first stop, will be the Archeological Zone of Tulum-Mayan Port City Ruins. This is our favorite snorkel and mask set. ), youll ultimately save money with a rental car versus booking tours, and youll save time over the colectivos. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Orient yourself so youre looking at the large white gate welcoming you to the village. You wont go very far before people will start aggressively waving you down offering tours, parking, and information.. -From Villas Pescadoresuntil Kore. No matter what you are told at the beach by those trying to make money, snorkeling on your own is still allowed for freeyou do not have to be part of a guided tour. At this place, you will be accompanied by a specialized bilingual tour guide. But we learned that you should never pass up a chance to see sea turtles. The small bay is protected by a reef. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. The situation changes frequently, so check back for updates. Our travel specialists are here to help. You can swim alongside the Marine Turtles and learn how to care of them. It is recommended that people that take the snorkeling tour, should have a basic swimming knowledge previously. And there were always so many turtles in the water and people for the most part were very respectful and watching them and now there is so many more people and I agree its a moneymaking operation. Over the next few years, various guidelines were put in place ostensibly to help protect the turtles, but they have caused a lot of confusion. As experienced snorkelers we aren't big fans of paying for a guide. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. If you want to go the private tour route, youll save some cash by pre-booking your half-day snorkeling trip. The road will almost immediately fork. 3.5, Centro Empresarial Nautilus Local 5 Zona Hotelera, Cancun, Mexico, Las Coloradas and Rio Lagartos Private Tour, Private round trip transportation from your Hotel, Lunch (pork or beef, chicken, fish) include1 drink per person (soda, flavored water or beer), On board cooler with beers, sodas and bottled water. Make sure you have BIODEGRADABLE sunscreen and mosquito repellent. Big waves cant penetrate the bay, so it is perfect for snorkeling. We had to pay ~$6 to get a wristband to enter the beach. Save 10% or more on thousands of properties with member prices. It is best to stay at least 10 feet away, and do not hover immediately above a turtle while it is feeding. There are some other points of entry for the beach. Theres something refreshing about food and drink after spending a few hours in the salt water.
Period. The easiest way to find turtles is to look for the small groups of other snorkelers. You will be transported back to the Pre-hispanic times while you are listening to the history of this great ancient Mayan City and its importance within the mayan culture. The parking here is pay-by-the-hour. This fee will be paid directly upon pickup to the transport provider..
Thirdly, just use common sense. By all means, go and enjoy it either independently or with a guide.