Popular Town Near Cancun Named Among Mexico’s Most Stunning Destinations By Travel Experts

Share The Article

If you’ve been wondering whether it’s worth leaving Cancun’s Hotel Zone for a day, we at The Cancun Sun have some very good news: travel experts just named the tiny beach town of Akumal as one of the most stunning destinations in all of Mexico.

And the best part?

It’s close enough to Cancun to visit as an easy day trip – or to use as a quieter home base on your next Riviera Maya vacation.

Where Exactly Is Akumal?

Akumal sits on the Mexican Caribbean coast about 65 miles (105 km) south of Cancun, roughly halfway between Playa del Carmen and Tulum. That means you can pair it with resort time in Cancun, a Playa shopping day, or a Tulum ruins visit without spending your whole trip in transit.

We’ve been following Akumal for a while at The Cancun Sun – from when it was approved for a new public beach to its rise as a laid-back alternative to busier hotspots. Now, this latest shoutout from travel pros is simply catching the rest of the world up.

Why Travel Experts Are Raving About Akumal

So what makes Akumal stand out in a country packed with gorgeous beach towns?

• Postcard-perfect bay: Calm, clear water and soft sand make Akumal Bay one of the most photogenic stretches of coast in the Riviera Maya.
• Sea turtle encounters: Akumal literally means “Place of the Turtles,” and you still have a good chance of spotting them grazing on seagrass just offshore.
• Nature first vibe: Beyond the main bay, you’ll find mangroves, lagoons, and nearby cenotes that have helped Akumal grow into a leading eco-focused destination south of Cancun.

Travel Off Path’s recent feature highlighted Akumal as one of Mexico’s most beautiful getaways, calling out its low-rise resorts, relaxed pace, and easy wildlife viewing as a big contrast to busier resort strips.

Swimming With Sea Turtles – The Right Way

Let’s be honest: most travelers hear “Akumal” and immediately think “turtles.”

If that’s you, start with our own guide to Cancun’s sea turtle nesting season and best places to swim with them, which includes Akumal and breaks down when they’re most active, what to expect, and how to be a good guest in their home.

Key things to know before you go:

• You’ll need to go with a certified guide to access the main turtle area. Rules are enforced to protect the animals.
• Look, don’t touch – that means no chasing, grabbing, or boxing turtles in for photos.
• Use reef-safe sunscreen or a long-sleeve rash guard to avoid harming coral and seagrass.
• Bring pesos for entrance fees and tipping your guide.

For families, this can be one of the most memorable days of the entire trip – you’re in shallow, usually calm water, and kids can often see turtles even with a basic mask as long as they’re comfortable in the sea.

How To Get From Cancun To Akumal

Getting to Akumal is easier than ever, you just need to pick your style:

• Private transfer or rental car: The most straightforward option from Cancun’s Hotel Zone or airport – hop on Highway 307 and you’re there in about 1.5–2 hours depending on traffic.
• Maya Train + transfer: The Maya Train has exploded in popularity and now moves over a million travelers around the Yucatán with far fewer hiccups than at launch.

You can ride the train to a nearby hub like Playa del Carmen or Tulum and then grab a taxi or transfer the rest of the way. Our breakdown of why now is one of the best times to try the Maya Train from Cancun can help you decide if that route fits your itinerary.

• Colectivo (shared van): The budget-friendly, more local option from Playa del Carmen or Tulum – not as comfortable with luggage, but great for day-trippers who don’t mind a simple ride.

Whichever you choose, remember that the train stations are often outside main resort zones, so our guide to the Maya Train’s “last mile” problem is worth a quick read before you lock things in.

Where To Stay If You Make It More Than A Day Trip

If Akumal steals your heart (very possible), it’s worth staying a night or two. We’ve already highlighted Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya as one of the top all-inclusive resorts in the entire region, alongside other standouts in our TripAdvisor-backed roundup.

Between adults-only escapes and larger complexes that bundle beach time, golf, and nature activities, Akumal gives you that “away from it all” feel while still keeping Cancun, Playa, and Tulum within reach.

How Akumal Fits Into Your Cancun Itinerary

Think of Akumal as your “reset day” on a Cancun vacation:

1. Busy pool and party day at the resort
2. Akumal for turtles, quiet beach time, and cenotes
3. Then maybe an Isla Mujeres boat day (we’ve broken down why that island keeps racking up awards and safety shoutouts, too).

With travel experts now calling Akumal one of Mexico’s most beautiful destinations, the secret is officially out – but for now it still feels calmer than the big names around it.

If you’re planning Cancun for 2025 and want at least one day that feels completely different from the Hotel Zone, this is the side trip we at The Cancun Sun would put at the top of your list.