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This Gorgeous Town South Of Cancun Is Getting A New Public Beach

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Semarnat (The Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources) has approved a new public beach in the community of Akumal, and this is set to be official on June 15, 2023.

Beach in Akumal

After the closure of Club Akumal Caribe a few years ago, the space hasn’t been made available to the public until now.

It will be used exclusively as public access to the beach, and the land will not be able to be used to pursue any installations or projects, so travelers can start to enjoy even more of what Akumal has to offer.

Akumal Beach

About Akumal

Akumal is a beautiful small beach town on the Mexican Caribbean coast, south of Cancun, equidistant from Playa Del Carmen and Tulum, and it really has a lot going for it.

It’s the epitome of paradise, offering natural beauty with a hint of adventure and a slice of relaxation.

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Akumal aerial view

Locally known as (a place for turtles), it really is a magical place for witnessing sea turtles, but it’s also one of the oldest coastal towns on the Yucatan Peninsula.

Where Is Akumal, And How Do I Get There?

It’s around 100km south of Cancun, nestled between the two towns of Tulum and Playa Del Carmen, so it’s a really ideal location as you have such close proximity between many of the bigger tourist hotspots within the Riviera Maya.

white sand beach, palm trees, and blue sky in Akumal in the Riviera Maya, Mexico.

You can either travel via private transfer from your hotel, rent a car, grab a taxi, or even hitch a ride on the ADO buses from Cancun.

Additionally, you’ll soon be able to travel north from Tulum’s up-and-coming International Airport, which is set to start operations later this year.

What Activities Are There?

Ironically, you can do absolutely nothing and enjoy its wide open beaches and series of bays dotted around the area.

If you want to explore, then you have Half Moon Bay and the stunning Yal-Ku lagoon in the south, which is full to the brim with all sorts of exotic marine life and tropical fish, also the nearby North Akumal Beach, with shallow waters, perfect for children and families to enjoy.

Akumal park

If you are an experienced diver, then don’t miss out on the nearby reef systems. It’s an incredible opportunity to explore some of the underwater beauty, which is also less busy than other popular spots in the region.

As well as the upcoming public beach, which is about to arrive in Akumal, you can enjoy Central Akumal Beach, which features ample restaurants, shops, and quaint beachfront properties.

Jade Bay is also worth a visit, with a much more residential feel to it. It makes for a gorgeous walk around the bay, especially during sunset, and walking past the backyards of some incredible properties.

For something a little more adventurous, you can step further inland to Aktun Chen Park, which is a beautiful rainforest park teeming with cenotes, caves, and an underground river for swimming in – you may even fancy a go on the zipline as well!

Cenote Aktun-Ha

If you fancy heading out of the Akumal area, you’re not too far from the Maya Ruins in Tulum and Coba or even Chichen Itza – it’s all at your fingertips.

Akumal has also got you covered if you’re just up for chilling on the beach, it has a super laid-back and chilled vibe, and the beaches will never be too crowded, so you can kick back and enjoy a peaceful atmosphere.

The only sound you’ll be hearing is the waves caressing the shore and your margarita arriving at your sunbed.

A clean and beautiful beach in Akumal during sunset

It’s the kind of place where you can really escape and switch off, soak up the sunshine, and enjoy some of the incredible food that Mexico has to offer as well.

It’s basically a hidden gem, and with a new beach arriving, it’s an exciting time for Akumal as it’s still deemed pretty chilled and not too touristy, so it’s a great time to head to Akumal and enjoy its calm vibes!

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Thomas Judge

Friday 16th of June 2023

Akumal is a very beautiful little town. I love it so much, I live there.