Akumal was a dream! It is a perfect place for families, couples, and singles alike. We are a family of four, daughter (8) and son (4), and we all got so much out of this trip – especially the kids. Whether you want to lay around on the beautiful, white sand beach or explore the cenotes, you can’t go wrong. Akumal is on Mexico’s Riviera Maya and is known for it’s small, quiet beach town vibe. There are other nearby towns that are more well-known, like Playa del Carmen and Tulum, which have more nightlife, but I also found them to be more touristy. Another reason that drew me to Akumal is because you can snorkel with turtles! It is known as turtle bay – the breeding ground for turtles. It has earned the Mayan name “Place of the Turtle”.
Click these links to skip to Full Itinerary, All the Details, or Photo Dump
Day One:
Arrival
AFTERNOON
Arrive at Cancun airport
Enterprise – rental car pick up
Hotel Akumal Caribe – hotel check in
EVENING
(Playa Akumal)
Lol-Ha – tacos for dinner
Visited Local Shops
Lucy’s – homemade ice cream
Day Two:
Aktun Chen
MORNING
(Playa Akumal)
Morning walk
Turtle Bay Cafe – coffee & breakfast
LATE MORNING – ATERNOON
(Riviera Maya)
Aktun Chen – ziplining, underground caves, cenote
EVENING
(Pueblo Akumal)
El Ultimo Maya – tacos for dinner at a cute local restaurant (across the bridge)
Day Three:
Chill Day & Tulum
MORNING
(Playa Akumal)
Morning walk
Turtle Bay Cafe – coffee & breakfast
Snorkel at the beach in front of our hotel
Pool
AFTERNOON
(Playa Akumal)
La Piccolina – pizza for lunch
Akumal General Store – grabbed to-go breakfast for tomorrow
Lol-Ha – pina coladas & beach
EVENING
(Tulum)
Hartwood – high-end woodfired Mexican-Caribbean cuisine for first dinner
Tacos Papi – tacos for second dinner, just because – when in Tulum
Aldo’s Gelato – dessert
Day Four:
Xcaret Park
MORNING – EVENING
(Riviera Maya)
Yogurt/granola in the car for breakfast
Xcaret Park – full day of activities
Snacks for lunch
Oaxaca Buffet – all you can eat buffet at Xcaret for dinner
Day Five:
Chill Day & Playa del Carmen
MORNING
(Playa Akumal)
Lol-Ha – Easter breakfast on the beach
Snorkel at the beach in front of our hotel
Pool
AFTERNOON
(Playa Akumal)
La Piccolina – pizza for lunch
Akumal General Store – grabbed to-go breakfast for tomorrow
Loncheria Akumalito – grabbed sandwiches for on-the-go lunch tomorrow
Lol-Ha – pina coladas & beach
EVENING
(Playa del Carmen)
Shopping
Los Chachalacos – tacos for dinner
Day Six:
Chichen Itza, Cenote Ik Kil, & Valladolid
EARLY MORNING
(Yucatan Peninsula)
Yogurt/granola in the car for breakfast
Chichen Itza – self guided tour
LATE MORNING
(Yucatan Penninsula)
Cenote Ik Kil – refreshing dip in the cenote
AFTERNOON
(Valladolid)
Shopping
Los Portales – traditional Mayan food for lunch
Burrito Amor – trendy smoothie, burrito, and a round of UNO!
EVENING
(Playa Akumal)
La Taverna – Italian for dinner
Turtle Bay Cafe – seafood appetizers, drinks, dessert, and more UNO!
Day Seven:
Chill Day & Half Moon Bay
MORNING
(Pueblo Akumal)
Lavanderia Akumal – take clothes to be washed
(Playa Akumal)
Turtle Bay Cafe – coffee & breakfast
Pool/Beach
Rent golf cart – from Hotel Akumal Caribe
AFTERNOON
(Half Moon Bay)
Golf cart ride
La Buena Vida – Mexican seafood lunch
EVENING
(Pueblo Akumal)
Pick up clean clothes
(Playa Akumal)
La Cueva del Pescador – seafood dinner
Lucy’s – homemade ice cream
Night golf cart ride
Day Eight:
Departure
MORNING
(Half Moon Bay)
La Jungla – Mexican/American breakfast
Last golf cart ride
(Playa Akumal)
Pool
AFTERNOON
Drive to the airport
BEST TRIP EVER!!
Below is your ultimate breakdown of our trip, covering everything from lodging and dining to activities, shopping, and travel tips. Use these quick links to jump to each section of my guide.
Transportation
We rented a car from Enterprise Rental Car. I went with this company because it was the cheapest price for a well-known rental company. They did not disappoint either. We found their counter right after baggage claim and someone walked us out to the van to be taken to the off-site location, about 5 minutes away. The check-in process was also quick.
We decided to rent a car because we knew we were going to be doing a lot of adventuring, so for us, this was the cheaper option. You can also get a private or shared shuttle to your hotel destination. This is what we did in Puerto Vallarta. It is a very safe option, and they will make stops for an additional charge if you want to pick up groceries, pesos, etc.
If you are looking for transportation during your stay and you did not rent a car, colectivos are great. They are shard minivans that run all day with main pick-up points near attractions and popular destinations for low cost.
Akumal was about a 1.5 hour drive from the Cancun airport. The driving wasn’t too crazy either. My husband drove, but I am used to Baja Mexico, where there are huge potholes and people cutting you off constantly. There was one highway the whole way, Highway 307.
Where we Stayed
Playa Akumal -You have everything you need right in proximity. You really don’t need to leave if you don’t want to (although there is so much to do nearby). Playa Akumal has it’s own little town with plenty of dining options, shopping, convenience stores.
We stayed at Hotel Akumal Caribe in Playa Akumal and it was amazing! It is located right on the main beach. The hotel staff was so nice and super helpful. The hotel has both hotel rooms and bungalows available. We stayed in a bungalow. It was very simple. Basically, two beds, mini fridge, water jug, a dresser/closet, a bathroom, and some spotty Wi-Fi; but we didn’t need anything else. They also had free parking right next to our bungalow.
The main beach is where you will find the sea turtle tours, which get very crowded during the day. People are transported here from other destinations to see the sea turtles. We did not go on snorkeling tours, mostly due to my sons age (4). He can snorkel, but I don’t think he would be able to hang for the whole tour. Next time for sure!!
People that are not staying at the main hotel must pay $6/day to go to the beach here. We did not have to pay, because we stayed at the hotel.
We tried snorkeling on our own in front of the hotel. My daughter and I saw some cool fish but wasn’t super impressed with the conditions. They recommended we go early in the morning, which we did not, because we just didn’t make it, so I am sure the visibility is much better then.
They also have a beautiful pool right on the beach, we got more use of the pool than the beach. I don’t know if it is because we live at the beach also, but my kids always choose the pool over the beach on vacation.
You can also rent golf carts at the hotel to get around Akumal Bay and the more secluded areas like Half Moon Bay or Yal-Kú Lagoon.
They do not have a laundry service on site, but they did recommend a great local spot called Lavanderia Akumal across the bridge in Pueblo Akumal. We could have gotten away with not washing our clothes, but since we had so many wet clothes we didn’t want to pack, we decided to just head over on one of our “chill” days before we left and get our clothes cleaned. We dropped a ton of clothes off at 9am and they were ready to pick up at 4:30pm the same day.
You can also stay in Half Moon Bay, which is the condo section next to Playa Akumal. A few condos we will look into next time are: Del Sol and La Sirena.
Restaurants
HALF MOON BAY
Mexican/Mayan/Seafood – We had to visit this gem while in Akumal. I had seen so many great reviews abut this place and it did not disappoint! It is located right on the water with a beautiful view of Half Moon Bay. The atmosphere was laid back, with tables in the sand and palapas – super beachy, tropical vibe. There was a swimming pool on site, which made my kids very happy. Their food was also really good. This was one of our favorite meals of the trip.
We ordered the Mixed Ceviche, Fish Tacos, and Jose’s Havana Rice. Everything was so good! The rice dish was our favorite. It was similar to a paella and was so flavorful.
Side Note: We were looking into staying at the Del Sol condos right next door. Since Del Sol does not have a swimming pool of their own, guests of Del Sol have access to the pool at La Buena Vida.
Contemporary Mexican/American – This place was so cool! The menu was small, but great, and the atmosphere was magical. When you walk into the restaurant you are seated on a wooden deck immersed in a lush jungle setting, which overlooks a natural mangrove and a clear blue cenote. You wouldn’t expect this setting from the view of the outside. The cool part about Akumal is you can be on the beautiful Caribbean beaches one minute, then across a small road, and you are surrounded by the mystical jungle. Furthermore, the staff was super sweet and attentive. If we stayed here longer, we would have definitely eaten here more.
We ordered the Breakfast Burrito, Chorizo Scramble, Croissant, and Chocolate Muffin. The kids ordered the baked goods and loved them. Their baked goods are baked fresh daily. The chorizo scramble and breakfast burrito were so simple, but so fresh and delicious. We also have to take a moment to talk about their drinks. I love coffee. I drink it every morning. I’m boring and drink black coffee, but I appreciate Quality Coffee and this was it. They have an espresso machine, so they have all the fancy coffee drinks as well. I can’t wait to stay in Half Moon Bay next time and get their coffee every morning! That’s not the end of the drink talk. Tommy got Orange Juice, fresh squeezed – absolutely amazing. June got the Mexican Hot Chocolate – so bomb.
PLAYA AKUMAL RESTAURANTS
This convenient store was right outside of our hotel. It has everything from food/drinks to beach accessories and souvenirs. We didn’t need to get much from the store, because we brought pretty much everything we needed. This store was useful for the mornings when we were out early and did not have time to get breakfast – I grabbed some yogurts and fruit from here a couple times. I also grabbed some local organic coffee for souvenirs.
Fresh, local seafood – This restaurant specializes in Mexican and Caribbean‑style seafood, including grilled/fried whole fish, fish tacos, shrimp dishes, ceviche, calamari, and mini lobsters. We ate here for our last night in Akumal. It is a restaurant right next to the hotel. We loved its laid‑back, beach‑town vibe and it was SO good! It was definitely our favorite meal. They had huge portions of protein and tiny sides of carbs and veggies. If you know me, this is my jam – Load up on the protein!
We ordered the Whole Fried Fish and Garlic Sauteed Octopus – both dishes were so good. The fish had crispy skin and flakey meat and the octopus was cooked to perfection. We are both still craving it. The server came out with two huge fresh fish that were caught that day and asked which one we wanted – so cool.
Pizza – This was a cute local spot right outside the hotel. The pizza was good enough. It was no New York slice, but it hit the spot after a long beach/pool day. They sell thin crust pizza by the slice. The restaurants in Playa Akumal tend to be kind of pricey, so to be a bit more budget-friendly, we decided to grab a few slices for $2.50 USD each on the days we were lounging at the hotel.
We ordered the Pepperoni, Hawaiian, and Cheese. All good – my favorite was the Hawaiian.
Mexican/Yucatecan – This was a little hole in the wall restaurant right next to the general store outside our hotel. It was one of the only affordable spots in Playa Akumal, other than grabbing a slice of pizza across the street. We never ended up eating a full meal here, but if we were here one more day, we would have.
We ordered two ham and cheese sandwiches “para llevar” for our trip to Chichen Itza the next day. It was $11 for two sandwiches. They were simple ham and cheese on white bread with mayo and sliced tomato. To be honest, I forgot them in the fridge at the hotel, but it would have been a great idea.
Italian – We came here after a long day of exploring Chichen Itza, Ik Kil, and Valladolid. It is another one of the restaurants right outside our hotel. We really liked this restaurant. The atmosphere was open-air and had a rustic beach feel. They specialize in Northern Italian cuisine, featuring pizzas, pastas, and salads.
We ordered the Pepperoni & Sausage Pizza – really good pizza. Thin crust and made in a wood fired oven. We also ordered the Caesar Salad (add chicken). Although it is just a salad, it was amazing. I thought I was just jonesing for a salad after not having one for a week, but the family all loved it too. It is small. I would recommend getting at least two for a party of four.
Mexican/Seafood/American – This restaurant/bar is beachfront with a beautiful view of the white sand beaches and clear teal water of the bay. It is also part of our hotel, Hotel Akumal Caribe. We ate here twice- once for Easter breakfast and once the night we arrived, both for the view. The food was good, but we didn’t try much. Based on what we tried, my overall thought was that we were paying for the view more than the quality of the food. The food was pricey, but the view was exceptional, so worth it. We also liked to come here on our “chill days” after pizza at La Piccolina for some virgin pina coladas and Corona 0%, while the kids played at the beach.
For Easter breakfast, we wanted to treat ourselves to the beautiful view. We ordered Yogurt, granola, & fresh fruit. I love getting fruit in Mexico. We also got the American Breakfast, which you really can’t go wrong with. The Smoked Salmon Bagel was nice. Lastly, the Waffle was ok. Kind of thin. I liked Turtle Bay better for breakfast, but again the view here is on point.
For dinner our first night, we got Tacos (steak, pastor, fish). They were good. Nothing to write home about, but it was our first meal of the trip and it did not disappoint. I would definitely recommend having dinner here one night, because at that time of day the view is all worth it.
Mexican/American/Bakery – We loved this place! The kids wanted to come here for breakfast every morning and I don’t blame them. It was so colorful and charming. They have a bakery inside where they make freshly made pastries and desserts. They also have Lucy’s homemade ice cream that was delicious! We came here multiple times for breakfast and dessert.
For breakfast, we got the Continental Breakfast (cinnamon roll, fruit, and coffee). The cinnamon roll was huge and freshly baked that morning, and the fruit was delicious. We also got the Pancakes, these were also good. Since I am not a big eater in the morning, I got a side of Scrambled Eggs. These were the best scrambled eggs all trip. They were scrambled perfectly and had an orange tint, which means they are good quality eggs. The Omelet was also a hit. Michael got it with cheese, bacon, and avocado. He also had the Chilaquiles another morning. These were really good. It is a big, hearty meal, but hit the spot!
Ice Cream – This little gem is inside the bakery of the Turtle Bay Cafe. We had dessert here multiple nights. The ice cream is SO good. You can definitely tell the ice cream is homemade. I am a big time ice cream critic and I give it 5 stars! My family loves ice cream so we would have gotten whatever was there no matter what – it was a bonus that it was actually good. We got the cookie dough, strawberry, mint chip, and turtle tracks – all so good.
PLAYA DEL CARMEN RESTAURANTS
Mexican Street Style – This was an upbeat restaurant on Qunita Avenida in Playa del Carmen. There are a lot of nice restaurants that you can find in on the Playa del Carmen strip that you can also find in the US, but I am the type that appreciates the rustic, cultural spots, which is why we chose this place. The food here was really good! They have a street taco set-up in the front of the restaurant with al pastor cooking on a trompo to lure us in. They upsell you in the beginning with guacamole (which we got) and crispy cheese (we didn’t get). They also give you a bunch of different salsas from mild to spicy. I LOVE sauces, so I really liked the variety.
We ordered the Al Paster Tacos which were some of the best pastor tacos we had on Mexico’s Caribbean coast. The tortillas were homemade and the pastor we saw cooking as we walked in, was bomb. It also comes with some chopped fresh pineapple, onions, and cilantro. June got the Gringas (quesadillas), which were delicious, but it’s hard to make a bad quesadilla. Tommy got the Bean & Cheese Burrito. He devoured it. He actually kept asking to go back to that restaurant for the burrito for the rest of the trip. The kids also got the fresh fruit paletas (popsicles) for dessert.
PUEBLO AKUMAL RESTAURANTS
Home-style Mexican – We came here after our trip to Aktun Chen. I wanted to make it a point to come across the bridge to Pueblo Akumal, because this is where the more authentic restaurants are. The restaurants located in Playa Akumal have more of an upscale atmosphere, which is nice, but I love absorbing the culture when traveling by eating at quaint family-owned restaurants; and you can’t beat the prices! This restaurant is below a hotel. It was very cute and rustic. The food was good. We ordered pretty much the same menu items that we did at Lol-ha and I believe the flavor was comparable, except the prices were reduced by half.
We ordered steak, al pastor, and carnitas tacos. I enjoyed these, but they weren’t my favorite tacos on the trip. We also ordered quesadillas, which were good.
TULUM RESTAURANTS
Ice Cream – This is a chain gelato place that we saw a couple time down the main Tulum strip. I would have chosen something more local, but I didn’t see anything else appealing when we were walking around after dinner. This was your typical gelato place. It was good, but nothing special. We sat out front in their seating and enjoyed the tropical setting and people watching.
We ordered the Chocokinder, Pistachio, Cookies and Cream, and a Fruity one that I can’t remember.
Mexican/Caribbean – This place was unreal! It had a jungle-beachy atmosphere and the food was delicious. It is a Michelin guide recommended restaurant, meaning it was expensive, but it was so worth it. The menu is entirely cooked by a homemade wood fire oven and changes daily based on the morning’s harvest and catch. An interesting fact about this restaurant is it’s sustainability – they run entirely on solar power, no gas or electric, and they break down all waste into organic compost used for local farming.
We ordered the Mackerel Crudo, Octopus, and Ribs. Everything was so good! The flavors and textures were on point and it definitely reflected a Michelin recommended restaurant. Although the prices are high, they reflected the quality of the food and was well worth it. The kids liked what we tried, even though they did not have a kids menu. Reservations are required!
Mexican Taqueria – This was another one of our favorite taco places. We came here after Hartwood, because we were on a self-guided food (hehe). This place caught our eye because it as bright, vibrant, and fun-looking. Also, they had al pastor on the trompo our front, which always lures us in.
We ordered the al Pastor Tacos and Quesadillas. Both were really good. The pastor tacos were super bomb, carved right off of the trompo. They came with fresh chopped pineapple, onions, and cilantro. They also brought out a tray of fresh salsa, which I always love! I would definitely check this place out if you’re in the area.
VALLADOLID RESTAURANTS
Modern Mexican – This place was much different than I expected, but I had seen reviews about on a bunch of food blogs. It was in a cute, rustic-modern building with and artsy, chic vibe. They are known for their healthy, clean eating approach. Definitely not on theme with the typical authentic Mexican restaurants. It was a nice change. We came here after the Los Portales, so we weren’t super hungry, but Tommy was craving a burrito and we wanted to plat another game of Uno.
We ordered a Bean and Cheese Burrito and the Anti-Aging Smoothie (raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, house-made golden milk, spinach, spirulina, and date paste). Tommy prefers the classic bean and cheese burrito, but this one featured a homemade coconut tortilla wrapped in charred banana leaves keeping it warm and with a smoky flavor. I also appreciated their smoothie selection, with fresh, nutrient-dense ingredients.
Authentic Yucatan/Mexican – This restaurant was located in the Main Square. We chose it because it was a prime location with a great view of City Center. The atmosphere was cultural and laid back. We were looking forward to visiting Valladolid for the authentic Mayan/Yucatecan cuisine and it did not disappoint!
We ordered the must-try delicacy Longaniza de Valladolid (traditional smoked pork sausage) and the iconic Cochinita Pibil (slow-roasted pork dish) over panuchos (refried tortillas stuffed with black beans). Both of these dishes were so good! Like SO good. I love traditional, cultural meals from the homeland we are visiting and this was it.
Places & Activities
AKTUN CHEN
We went to Aktun Chen on our first full day in Akumal. I had seen a lot a great things about it on my activity search. It was so great! Aktun Chen is a natural eco-park, which is primarily famous for its massive, 5-million-year-old dry cave system, which National Geographic has ranked as one of the best underground walks in the world. There are other attractions as well including zip-lining, underground cenote, and wildlife sanctuary.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Ticket Discount: You don’t have to buy your tickets in advance to receive a discount here. Instead, they give you a 20% discount for buying the combo package (zipline, cave tour, cenote swim).
Admission: There are 2 admission types (single activity & combo). You can buy tickets for the individual activities – (1) ziplining through the jungle, (2) group underground cave tour, (2) swim in the clear blue cenote. We did the Combo Package, because we wanted to experience all three activities and they give you a discount. I would definitely recommend doing all three activities!
Activities:
– Ziplining – This was the first activity and it was so cool! They have 10 different view points in the jungle to zipline from. You have a couple dedicated guides that help you through all of the zip lines. Our guides were so friendly an fun. They are also very educated on the equipment and safety of the ziplines. You have the option to go upside down and spin on several of the lines. You can also go as doubles or singles. The best part was my 4-year-old son was able to participate. He went upside down on almost all of the ziplines. It was a beautiful experience!
– Animal Sanctuary – After the ziplining we had time to spare before the cave tour, so we walked through part of the animal sanctuary. It is a protected area dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of local wildlife. They have spider monkeys, white-tailed deer (many of which wander the park uncaged), wild pigs, reptiles, and a variety of birds.
– Underground Cave Tour – Next we walked back to the reception center (where our locker was) to get ready for the underground cave tour. This is where we took bathroom/snack/water breaks. The cave tour is 45 minutes to one hour. The walk is easy and they give you helmets for walking under the low points (the adults hit their heads quite a few times). All you really need otherwise is your water bottle and phone for photos. The guided tour was great. They explained the formation of the cave’s stalactites and stalagmites and its importance to the ancient Maya. It was a little long for my 4-year-old, but he made it! I have traveled a lot in my lifetime so far and this was one of the most surreal experiences. The caves were unreal and so beautiful. I just kept saying – WOOOW!
– Cenote Swim – We had to drive about 10 minutes to the underground cenote swim location. If you don’t have a car, there is a van that will take visitors. They have lockers and showers here. Before entering the cenote you take a shower and grab a life vest and snorkel. This underground cenote is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. The crystalline, turquoise water felt like I was in a dream. There were also cool fish to see while snorkeling, and stalactites and stalagmites right about your head. Honestly – breathtaking!
What to Bring:
– Snacks – We brought a couple bags of snacks that served as our lunch. We relied heavily on our snacks before and after the cave tour. They do not have a restaurant on site.
– Refillable Water Bottles – Bring a lot of water. They do not have a place to fill your water, but I think you can buy water on site. We had a 5 gallon water jug at the hotel, so we brought all our water bottles filled and ready to go.
– Waterproof Phone Case – This is great for the caves and the cenote. Even though you don’t get wet in the caves, I liked to be able to have it just hanging around my neck. This is the one we got on Amazon.
– Water Shoes – We wore these all day. They were great for all of the activities and they had good grip. We got these on Amazon for the whole family (Adults & Kids).
– Water Clothes – We all wore boardshorts. The girls wore sports bras and the boys wore T-shirts.
– Snorkels – We brought our own snorkels on this trip, so we didn’t have to reply on the companies/hotels to provide them. They were nice to have here; although, they will give you one, so it’s not mandatory. We bought these ones from Amazon (Adults). The kids already had full face snorkels that we also brought.
– Towels – Bring clean towels to store in the locker for after your shower. You can take a shower after the cenote and change out of your wet clothes and into dry ones.
– Change of Clothes & Sandals – Bring a fresh pair clothes and shoes for after the shower.
– Plastic Bag – We didn’t bring a plastic bag, but thought it would have been a good idea to bring one to put our wet clothes in.
Arrival: You don’t have to get here first thing in the morning. We had a slow morning the morning we went. We actually were contemplating going, because we thought it was going to rain. It did rain a little bit, but it ended up working out great, because we were underground when it rained the most. We got here around 11:30am and spent about 3-4 hours on site, so it is a good half day of fun!
Getting Around: When you enter the property it is about a 15 minute drive through the jungle to the main reception. You can check in by showing them your confirmation email and they will give you a wristband. They are very aware of your activities and we were guided to each one. They made it very easy to get around and there wasn’t much delay between activities, unless you wanted there to be.
Photos: There is photographer that takes pictures throughout the day. At the last activity, you can view them and decide if you want to purchase. We bought the total package. It was about $110. I think you can take better picture yourself, but we bought them because they took really good photos of us ziplining. Those are hard pictures to capture.
What we Missed: We noticed ATV tours through the jungle that looked fun.
CENOTE IK KIL
Ik Kil is a stunning natural sinkhole less than 2 miles from Chichen Itza. We came here after our Chicken Itza trek. We were so hot that it made a perfect stop to take refreshing dip and it was absolutely breathtaking. It is one of the most famous and photographed cenotes in Mexico. It was honestly one of the most majestic places I have ever seen, no wonder it is the most photographed cenotes.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Admission: You can just buy your tickets on site. There is not a cheaper option. Kids 4 and under are free. You have the option to add the buffet to your ticket price. We did not do that, because we were going to town of Valladolid after to eat, but it looked great.
What to Bring:
Since this activity piggybacks on our Chichen Itza trip, make sure to combine that section with this one for the full day guide. The items below were packed separately and left in the car.
– Waterproof Phone Case – This is amazing to take photos in the cenote. This is the one we got on Amazon.
– Water Shoes – These were very useful and did not fall off when jumping off the ledge. We got these on Amazon for the whole family (Dad/Mom & Kids)
– Water Clothes – We all wore boardshorts and rash guards.
– Towels – Bring clean towels to store in the locker for after your shower.
– Change of Clothes & Sandals – Bring a fresh pair clothes and shoes for after the shower.
– Plastic Bag – It is best to have to put your wet clothes in.
Arrival: Since we went to Chichen Itza first, we got here around 11:30am. It was great because there was barely anyone there. Supposedly the tour buses arrive around 1:00pm, so I would try to get there no later than 12:00pm.
Getting Around: After we got our tickets, we made our way to the lockers where we dropped off our belongings. Next to the lockers they have showers to rinse off and life vests to pick up for the cenote. This is all in one place next to the stairs that lead down to the cenote. Fun fact: There are 91 steps down to the cenote to mock the number of steps on each side of Chichen Itza. After our swim, we rinsed off and got changed into our dry clothes in the dressing rooms.
The Jump: There are two jumping ledges at Ik Kil, which my kids loved! One was 14 feet high, the other was 17 feet high. The cenote itself is 130-164 feet deep. They also have workers that monitor the ledges, because a line will start to form when it gets busier. Super cool addition!
What we Missed: The buffet. It looked really good. We would have eaten there if we didn’t plan to go to Valladolid.
CHICHEN ITZA
The adventure to Chichen Itza was an amazing change of pace for our trip. My husband is a very interested in the ancient Mayan culture, so this was definitely on his bucket list. It was also nice to educate the kids on Mayan history. Chichen Itza is one of the new seven wonders of the world, chosen for its architectural and cultural significance. It is known for the Temple of Kulkulcan, which is the pyramid that acts as a giant solar calendar with 365 step, one for each day of the year. This was an unforgettable experience for our family.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Admission: The only difference between the admissions types are general admission and guided tours. We just did general admission, because the tour would have been too much for the kids. We did walk by several guides though and they did have very interesting things to say. They also have apps, where you can do a self guided tour and they give you all the information.
What to Bring:
We went to Cenote Ik Kil after this activity, so make sure to combine that section with this one for the full day guide.
– Snacks – We brought a couple bags of snacks in a backpack to walk around with. These were mandatory for our kiddos. We also ate yogurt, granola, and fruit for breakfast in the car on the way to the park.
– Water Bottles – Make sure everyone has a water bottle. It gets hot! And you’re walking a lot.
– Light, Comfy Clothes & Shoes – Workout clothes and shoes are a great option.
– Hats – You are directly in the sun for long periods of time.
– Sunscreen – We don’t use much sunscreen, but I know people do use it, so I’ll add it here.
– Cash – For shopping! There are tons of vendors selling cool stuff. Some take cards, but some only take cash.
Arrival: It is about a 2 hour 20 minute drive from Akumal. We rented a car, so we left at 5:30am to get there right when it opened. Although, we were over an hour early! Why? Because there was an hour time change that we did not know about, when we crossed the state border between Quintana Roo and Yucatán which has different time zones. We could have left Akumal at 6:30am and been there by 8:00am. Lesson learned! If you don’t have a car, talk to your hotel or reception and they can give you other transportation options to get there, including tour buses. I would recommend getting there right when it opens at 8:00am. First, it gets super hot, so you can beat the heat. Second, the tour buses start to arrive around 10:00am, so you can beat the crowd.
Getting Around: If you are doing a self guided tour, make sure you walk all of Chichen Itza. When you first walk in you see the main attraction, which is the huge pyramid, but if you keep walking past, you will find other ruins that are also very interesting. Make sure to walk the perimeter and take lots of pictures. It’s so cool! We were there for about 3 hours. It started to get pretty hot around 10:00am.
Shopping: The shopping was really fun. All of the vendors have pretty much the same things. I always like to find the vendor that has the best story (and will bargain). The man we bought our souvenirs from was very kind, talkative, and his wife painted all of his items. In terms of price, it was moderate. Cheaper than Playa Akumal. There were stands outside of Chichen Itza, down the road, which I am sure were even cheaper, but we didn’t make it there; so I am glad we purchased them on site.
HALF MOON BAY
Half Moon Bay is a crescent-shaped beach section right next to Playa Akumal. It has more of a rocky beach but also has white sands. This is known as the condo section. They have some really nice condos, but it could be a bit of a walk (if you have kids) to Playa Akumal depending on where you stay. We rented a golf cart one day to cruise Half Moon Bay and try a few of their restaurants. We decided next time we come, we will stay at a condo in Half Moon Bay, but I am happy we experienced Playa Akumal for our first time staying here.
PLAYA DEL CARMEN
Playa del Carmen was an interesting change of pace. We decided to venture out from Akumal in the evening on one our chill days. It is about a 35 minute drive from Akumal. I am so happy we came here, because it was interesting to see how different the towns were. Playa del Carmen is more upbeat and similar to Baja Mexico in my opinion. La Quinta Avenida (5th Avenue) has a vibrant nightlife and a walk strip parallel to the beach with bunch of stores and street vendors. I must say, it was weird not seeing street vendors in Akumal, because that is the kind of Mexico I am used to, but they are here in Playa del Carmen in full force. My daughter got her hair braided here. Instead of the small braids with beads that I am used to, they have a new trend to add color extensions. My daughter loved these! I noticed Playa del Carmen is very Americanized. The have large department stores and chain restaurants that you can find in the States, but the street vendors keep in real. We did a lot of shopping and ate dinner while we were here.
PUEBLO AKUMAL
Pueblo Akumal is across the bridge (over the highway) from Playa Akumal. It is a small, local town where you can find a more grounded, affordable experience in comparison to the beachfront, luxury experience and higher prices in Playa Akumal. It is common to see kids playing soccer in the central plaza, neighbors chatting on porches, and dogs napping in the shade. We came over here for dinner one night to experience the local culture and street food style dining. We also came over here one day to drop our clothes off at the lavanderia. If you make it over here, you can’t miss the Akumal Art Walk, which are beautiful, colorful murals throughout Pubelo Akumal.
TULUM
Tulum has quite the reputation. We ventured out here one night because my friend recommended the highly esteemed restaurant, Hartwood; and we are so happy we did. I had read and heard about its transformation from a small, local fishing town to a high-end, boho-chic destination popularized by social media influencers. Aside from the trendiness, I found it beautiful, with an emphasis on the jungle scenery that makes you feel immersed in nature. It has a very jungle-tropical feel. We were there at night and it definitely had a party vibe, but it was fun, not obnoxious. There are many high-end restaurants and clubs, where you will spend a pretty penny (or peso). Personally, I would not choose to stay here, but I enjoyed our time here and I would definitely come back to visit.
VALLADOLID
We loved Valladolid!! This was our last stop on our full day of adventures to Chichen Itza and Ik Kil. It was about 45 minutes from Ik Kil toward Akumal, so it made our trip back to the hotel a little shorter. Valladolid is a vibrant, colonial-style city in the heart of the Yucatan Peninsula. You could feel the history and culture seeping through the colorful buildings and architecture. The tranquil environment was a nice change of pace from the bustling beach town tourism. We were finally able to get some authentic Mayan-Yucatecan cuisine and experience shopping from traditional artisan markets. This was such a fun and educational stop to see the authentic Mexican culture of the Yucatan Peninsula.
XCARET PARK
This place was amazing! It is a massive eco-archaeological theme park spanning over 200 acres with over 50 attractions. They call it the Disneyland of Mexico and it sure was, not because of rides, but there was so much to do. It was a full day of activities – we were there for 12 hours. There is a full list of attractions on their site.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Ticket Discount: Buy your tickets at least one week ahead and get a 10% discount. If you book more than one of their parks you also get a 20% discount.
Admission: There are 3 admission types (basic, plus, total). We got the Xcaret Plus Admission. It includes snorkeling gear, locker storage, and the all you can eat buffet. I would recommend this admission if you’re here all day. The buffet was key and it was good too. There was so much food to choose from. We ate at the Oaxaca Restaurant. We came to eat around 3pm and were starving, it served as lunch and dinner for us, so it was perfect. We ate so much – we left full and ready for more activities.
Side Note: They have an all-inclusive resort. It is definitely pricey, but I have heard great things. Keep in mind, you have unlimited access to the park for you entire stay,as well as free access to all of their other sister parks. They also have an amazing all-inclusive dining experience, as well as free airport transportation.
What to Bring:
– Snacks – We brought a couple bags of snacks that we left in the locker that came very handy. We came back late morning and plowed through almost all of our snacks that gave us prime energy until we got to the buffet late afternoon. We also ate yogurt and granola for breakfast in the car on the way to the park.
– Refillable Water Bottle – They have water refill stations across the park.
– Waterproof Phone Case – This is great for all the water activities. This is the one we got on Amazon.
– Water Shoes – We wore these pretty much all day. They were great getting in and out of the water, and they had pretty good grip. We got these on Amazon for the whole family (Dad/Mom & Kids)
– Water Clothes – We all wore boardshorts and rash guards. The girls wore bathing suits underneath also.
– Towels – Bring clean towels to store in the locker for after your shower. Some people choose to do do wet activities, shower, then do dry activities. We went in an out of the water all day, so we showered at the end of the day. It was so nice to be have a rinse and get in clean, dry clothes.
– Change of Clothes & Sandals – Bring a fresh pair clothes and shoes for after the shower.
– Plastic Bag – We didn’t bring a plastic bag, but thought it would have been a good idea to bring one to put our wet clothes in.
– Portable Battery Pack – I used my phone all day to take pictures/video. It died by the afternoon. Since there is nowhere to charge your phone, the battery pack becomes handy.
Arrival: I would recommend getting there when it opens at 8:30am. There are a lot of people with the same idea, but you will also beat the main crowd. We were able to get in, get to our locker, and do the river float with very minimal people at the attraction, which made it kind of cool and personal. There is also so many activities, you want to have time to do as much as you can.
Getting Around: First, you drop off your belongings in the lockers. Next to the lockers they have life vests to pick up for the river float. This is what we started with, and I am glad we did. It was a nice way to start. When you get out of the river float you will find super helpful maps with colorful trails to follow that get you where you want to go. It was very easy to get around.
Photos: Across the park there are photo ops. They have a place to scan your wristband and take your photo in front of a cool backdrop. At the end of the day, you can view your photos. We bought the full package for $90. We had about 40 photos. The pictures were cool, but I think I took better pictures on my phones, especially having a waterproof case. I think you can also buy a discounted package online beforehand.
What we Missed: We wished we could have gone to the kids zone, because it looked really cool. By the time we were ready to go it was too late and it was closed. Next time for sure! We also wanted to go to the underground aquarium, but realized we missed it after we left.
Night Show: By the end of the night we were beat, but we wanted to see the Cultural Mexican Night Show. I was so proud of the kids for making it all the way over there. We only stayed for about 30 minutes, because we were ready for bed, but the show was great and I am glad we checked it out.
Shopping
We LOVE shopping! Especially when we’re traveling. Keep in mind my suggestions are based on authentic, cultural Mexican-style shopping. I also like to feel out the vendors. I don’t settle on the first place. I like to choose the vendor or shop that has the best story, the most friendly, and is willing to bargain.
- Caribbean Mexico is generally more expensive than other regions of Mexico I have been to.
- When you are by the beach the cost of everything is higher. You are paying tourist rates.
- Most everywhere takes card now a days, even some street vendors. If you plan on shopping somewhere where there are street vendors, I would bring pesos, just in case. If street vendors do take card, there will most likely be a service fee.
- Chichen Itza has hundreds of competitive local vendors that are selling traditional Mayan-style textiles. This was one of my favorite places to shop not only because the bargaining was great, but it had more of an authentic Mexican shopping feel, and the prices were cheaper than beach prices. They also have vendors down the road from Chichen Itza, which I am sure are even less expensive.
- Payment- pesos
- Half Moon Bay has a few cute local sidewalk shops. The prices are about the same as Playa Akumal. We bought some shirts from a guy who does all of his own artwork and screen prints his own shirts. These were great, meaningful souvenirs. We were able to negotiate on price here.
- Payment- card
- Playa Akumal has local shops focused on authentic Mexican folk art, local artisan goods, and beach essentials. The shops were very cute, but the prices were high. We liked the shop right outside of Turtle Bay Cafe. They were very family oriented and friendly, which is why they got our business. We were also able to negotiate on price here, but there are some boutique shops in Playa Akumal that have fixed prices.
- Payment- card
- Pueblo Akumal does not have a lot of shopping, but you will find cheaper prices.
- Playa del Carmen has a unique blend of luxury international brands, open-air malls with retailers like Zara and H&M, artisanal boutiques, souvenir shops, and street vendors. Of course we stuck to the street vendors, because you know I like the more authentic shopping experience. I would prefer a street-side stall or booth over a shop, because there is more room for bargaining. There is also more of a story to their handcrafted pieces. The prices were still higher, because we were in a tourist pit.
- Payment- pesos for street vendors
- Tulum is more concentrated with high end jungle boutiques, offering eco-chic artisan linens, leather, and luxury home decor. We did not shop here, because it was too trendy for me, but I’m sure my husband would have loved to, because he is a bit more bougie than I.
- Valladolid had great shopping – I would highly recommend shopping here! We shopped at the artisan markets near main square. They had the best prices I had seen thus far and they were willing to bargain. They specialized in hand embroidered textiles and high-quality Mexican honey. They also had indoor shopping housed in historic, colonial style buildings that had other handcrafted items. I loved walking through to see what they had to offer. It gave me the feeling of being a kid in Mexico, back in the day.
- Payment- pesos for street vendors
Overall Travel Tips
- Payment – I prefer to use credit cards when traveling. Make sure you look at your exchange rate that your credit card offers, but most (especially travel credit cards) offer a better exchange rate than cash. You should always have pesos on hand in cause certain establishments or vendors do not accept card. Also, a lot of small vendors may accept card, but charge a 3-4% fee, which defeats the purpose of all the bargaining you just did!
- ATMs – There was an ATM on site of our hotel, but the receptionist recommended we go to GoMart across the highway. Their transaction fee is less. Although, the best bet is to go to a bank ATM and decline the conversion screen, which will allow your home bank to convert and it is the cheapest option.
- Safety– Akumal is considered one of the safest and most family-friendly destinations in the Riviera Maya. We felt very safe here. Traveling outside of Akumal in Quintana Roo and Yucatan, we also felt safe, because most places we went are very touristy and heavily guarded. When traveling you should always use extra caution. Be aware of your surroundings and research the area you are going to.
WATER ACTIVITES
- Swim Gear – This is not mandatory, but we brought our own swim gear, because we knew we were doing many water activities and did not want to have to rely on the hotel or activity sites to use theirs.
– Snorkels – We brought for the whole family. We utilized these at the beach out in front of our hotel and at the cenotes. We used the ones they had at Xcaret Park, because we didn’t want to carry them all around the park. These are the adult ones we bought on Amazon. These snorkels also fit my 8-year-old daughter. The kids already had full face snorkels that we also brought.
– Life Vests – We brought these for the kids. They came in handy when we snorkeled at the beach out in front of our hotel. The activity sites had the life vests covered, so we came to realize we didn’t need to lug these around. - Water Shoes – These were the best for getting in and out of the water. They serve as all-day shoes if you need them to. Highly recommend. We got these on Amazon for the whole family (Adults & Kids).
- Towels – Bring towels to dry off after water activities. The activity venues do not provide them. Our hotel supplied beach towels, so we brought these. Since they’re bulky, we found we only needed to share two towels between our family of four.
- Water Clothes – Rash guards and board shorts were the best for the water activities. We found that the kids started to get rashes under their armpits from the life vests when they wore them for a long period of time, like Xcaret. The rash guards were key for this. Rash guards and board shorts are nice, because you can wear them all day, in and out of the water, and they dry fast.
- Waterproof Phone Case – Must have for water activities! There are some activities when you have to leave your belongings behind and will be fully submerged in the water, but there are the best photo ops during this time! This is the one we got on Amazon. It worked so well. I didn’t get a drop of water on my phone.
- Kids Waterproof Cameras – These were a great idea, but the kids did not use them as much as we thought – they were just having too much fun in the moment. I would still recommend them, I wanted to give our kids the opportunity to take their own photos and get creative. These are ones we got on Amazon. The picture was pretty clear and it had camera and video capabilities. It also had all the accessories, including a neck strap and mounting kit so you can attach the camera to the snorkel or helmet.
SNACKS
- On-the-Go Breakfast – For the early mornings that we are heading out to an activity and can’t stop for breakfast, I like to grab yogurts and fresh fruit from the local market and make parfaits for the car. I also bring granola from home (because I am picky with my granola).
- Another tip is I always bring a small pack of paper bowls, plates, plasticware, and wipes for the hotel room from home.
- Packaged Snacks – It sounds silly (maybe not if you’re a parent), but we checked a separate bag full of snacks. My kids eat so much and they are hungry all day long. It is harder to feed them frequently when we are traveling, so I bring my own food. I’m big on fueling our bodies properly so we have the energy for all our activities, but we definitely don’t have ‘rules’ on vacation. For us, it’s all about balance, packing our own healthy snacks for the day so we can splurge the rest of the day. We were there for a week, so it was nice having familiar, healthier snacks. We brought a couple bags of snacks literally everywhere we went and I am here to tell you we went home with almost no snacks left.
This is what we brought:
– Lesser Evil Popcorn and Space Balls
– Simple Mills Sweet Thins
– Rice Cakes
– Bear Fruit Rolls
– Dried Mango
– Applesauce
– That’s it Apple Crisps
– Amara Yogurt Melts
– Mixed Nuts
– Chomps
– Epic Jerkey Bites
– Smash Protein Balls
– Jacob Protein Bars (20g Protein!)
– GoMacro Kids Protein Bars
– Dried Roasted Edamame
– Seaweed
Click on the links to see our picture from Playa Akumal, Aktun Chen, Pueblo Akumal, Tulum, Xcaret Park, Playa del Carmen, Chichen Itza, Ik Kil, Valladolid, Half Moon Bay
PLAYA AKUMAL
AKTUN CHEN
Pueblo Akumal
Tulum
XCARET PARK
PLAYA DEL CARMEN
CHICHEN ITZA
CENOTE IK KIL
VALLADOLID
HALF MOON BAY
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