Hotels near Akumal

Akumal Bay, whose Maya name means place of the turtles, is home to resident green sea turtles that graze on seagrass a short swim from the beach. They live here year-round, so an October visit is not tied to the nesting season, and the bay's shallow, sheltered water makes it one of the easiest places on the Riviera Maya to see turtles in the wild.

To protect the animals, swimming in the turtle area is managed through official guides, marked zones and small groups, and access should be bought from the official kiosk on the beach rather than from touts on the highway. Early October is also the end of the loggerhead and green turtle nesting season on Quintana Roo beaches, so early risers may still see late hatchlings heading for the sea.

Pro Tip: Arrive by 09:00, before tour buses from Cancun reach the bay, and keep at least 3 m from the turtles; touching or chasing them is prohibited.