Hi all,

Hope someone out there can help us with a few questions regarding a possible trip to Akumal.

We are trying to find a good place to stay. AI is out. We are hoping for a nice condo or villa (maybe around $300 a night). We are really into snorkeling, so hoping to find something with great walk-in snorkeling close to our doorstep. We definitely prefer oceanfront, and really enjoy a decent pool. The perfect place would also be walkable to a few good restaurants and bars to hang out at night.

Are we asking for too much? Does this place exist in Akumal? Any help is greatly appreciated.

Check this forum:
http://www.cancunandrivieramaya.com/

And check this website (this one is especially useful):
http://www.locogringo.com/

Vista del Mar is oceanfront, has a pool, and comes in studio, 1bd, 2bd and 3bd, all of which should be in your price range (unless you are going in peak holiday season).


You can find out more information (and specials) about VDM on locogringo.com, which is the best resource for the beach communities south of Cancun that I found when planning out trip in 2006 to the area. Akumal is great, but there wasn't much of a bar scene.

Have you looked at Tulum?

Thanks folks.

I've actually been looking at locogringo.com for a couple days, but can't figure out where the best snorkeling is compared to the condos/villas. Any ideas where the best reefs are located?

There's a good reef right in front of the original thalapas/villas/bay at Akumal, with resident barracuda, albeit there's more development there now with condos/hotels/villas. Zamas south of Tulum is a funky alternative.
Xel-Ha also is great snorkelling, if beset by flotillas of RVs from Texas. The further south one goes, the more pristine the area.

There is very good snorkeling in Akumal Bay and at Yal Ku lagoon.

the lg people are really helpful. if you email them and ask they will tell you which places have good swimming vs. good snorkeling beach directly in front. be real specific - tell them you want to be in akumal, beachfront, pool,
?#br's, near bars and restauratns, your dates, etc.

yal-ku lagoon in akumal is wonderful to snorkel. go as soon as they open to avoid crowd. this is true for everything you do in mexico. the resorts organize bus loads of folks going to all the sites daily but they don't arrive until 10 or so.
we had fun at lol-ha and la buena vida. both had good drinks and yummy food. la buena vida's is hotter.

if you would consider going closer to tulum look at the villas on soliman bay beach and tankah bay beach. both offer great snorkeling and swimming. all villas on both are beachfront. there are 2 mini-hotels on tankah - blue sky and tankah inn. one on soliman - maya jardin. all these places require a car and there is no nightlife!

fyi: oceanfront could mean on top of a 30 foot rock cliff.
beachfront is beachfront.