Swim With Turtles in their Natural Habitat

If you ask local people about the Mayan Riviera, they will say that it is full of special places, beautiful places, where free spirited people stay in tune with nature and discover their inner selves. And they are right! If you ask then for a recommendation for an amazing day trip, they will tell you to go to Akumal aka the place of the turtles. I can only say: follow their advice!

The beaches in the Riviera Maya have so many things to offer. All of them are different, and all of them are worth a visit, if only you had more time… So, what about Akumal? Well, it is a small fishing village perfect to enjoy a beautiful day on the beach. But wait, what was it about the turtles? Here you go.

Where is Akumal?

You won’t get lost looking for Akumal. Although it is much smaller in size than the rest of the popular destinations in the Riviera Maya, it’s shown right there on the map, close to the same main highway. In between Playa del Carmen and Tulum. Going with a tour is the most convenient option and the only way you can really y appreciate the turtles swimming right next to you.

What to expect?

As a local, I have visited Akumal many many times and every time I go back, I fall in love with the place over and over again. First, there is this gorgeous beach, and it is never too crowded. Its restaurants are delicious and several of them are located right on the beach. On the other side of town there’s a magical jungle. If you are an animal lover or you are traveling with kids, I also recommend paying a visit to the Akumal Monkey Sanctuary nestled in the middle of the jungle. You will see snakes, parrots, all kinds of monkeys, rabbits, and many other species that were rescued and now they are cared and loved in this new home.

Swimming with the turtles in Akumal

So what about the turtles? As you can imagine, swimming with wild turtles in their natural habitat is a wonderful thing to do. However, the impact that mass tourism brought to the bay caused a lot of damage. Thus, now the access is restricted and you need to pay to enter the area. If you go on your own, there is no guarantee that you will be able to see the turtles. So my advice is to book a guided tour. They’ll give you a snorkeling equipment and will take you to the secret paths where you will be able to swim around the protected turtle area and explore it on your own. You will get to see different kinds of turtles, colorful fish, coral and even sting rays.

It is important to read the information about the area and the marine life to respect their environment correctly.

Are you ready to swim with the turtles in their natural habitat in Akumal with us? Book your tour today!