Akumal Town - Diving Holiday Destination

Akumal Town (Mexico)

Akumal is located on the Eastern Coast of the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, on the 160km stretch of white beaches, clear blue waters and lush jungle which makes up the Mayan Riviera. The coast is dotted by small towns and seaside resorts.

62 miles (100km) south of Cancun, in between the towns of Playa Del Carmen and Tulum, lies Akumal, a quiet little beachfront resort town with lots of character, which offers a variety of accommodation, restaurants, grocery stores and small gift shops.

Akumal, meaning “place of the turtles”, was founded in 1958 for Scuba Divers by Pablo Bush Romero, a Mexican Businessman. He was also an amateur scuba diver and archaeologist.

Akumal has two quiet bays, Akumal Bay and Half Moon Bay, with beaches that are uncrowded and peaceful. Sea Turtles lay eggs on the beaches at nightime during April to October, with hatching running from June to November.

There are over 30 reef sites near Akumal, and some inland cenotes for which the area is famous. 14 miles away are the Mayan ruins of Tulum.

Climate

The average annual temperature of the Riviera Maya is 25.5 degrees Celsius (78 degrees F), with fluctuations of 5 to 7 degrees (July-Aug: high 80’s to low 90’s/ 32 degrees C) (Dec – Jan: Mid 70’s F/24 degrees C).

In June, July, and August visitors can expect hot sunny summer weather with occasional rainfall. Usually when it rains it rains hard for a little while then dries up quickly. This is also when the sea is the calmest.

The hurricane season runs September through December and the sky can change from clear to overcast in minutes. The ocean water is warmest in August-September and starts to cool down in November.

From July through September the temperature is highest, as is rainfall. This is also the mosquito season.

November, December and January are the coolest months here, which means it's very comfortable. There might be some rain, but not daily. This time of year, nights can be much cooler and a jacket required.

Spring (February to May) is a beautiful time of year on the Riviera, with very little rain and flowers everywhere. The ocean gets calmer and warmer, as temperatures rise. Nights can still be a little cool but the temperature is milder and more comfortable.

All year round the humidity level is very high, often around 90 per cent. Regardless of what time of year you get here, you will have great beach days and not so great beach days but the ocean is always warm enough to swim and snorkel in.

Dive Facts

Water temperatures range from 77°-82°F (25°-28°C) throughout the year. A 3mm wetsuit is suitable for the conditions.

Dive Attractions

The Riviera Maya is famous for the extraordinary cenotes cave and cavern systems, of which there are several near to Akumal including Dos Ojos and Taj Mahal. There are also many coastal reefs to explore if you can tear yourself away from the cenotes!

See More About Individual Tulum Scuba Diving Sites in Akumal, Mexico by looking in our Dive Guide.... go to Dive Guide, Dive Sites, Central America, Mexico, Akumal.... Akumal is close to Peurto Aventuras, Playa Del Carmen and Cozumel, so check out their Scuba Diving Sites as well!

For Akumal Scuba Diving Clubs, Shops and Operators, see our Dive Travel Destinations Directory.... go to Dive Guide, Dive Travel, Central America, Mexico, Akumal.

Other

Language: Spanish, but most stores have English speaking staff.

Currency: Mexican peso, but all stores accept US dollars.

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