MY HUSBAND AND I WILL BE VACATIONING IN AKUMAL AREA NEXT MARCH WITH ANOTHER FAMILY. WE HAVE BEEN LOOKING AT A FEW PROPERTIES AND I WANTED TO KNOW IF ANY ONE HAS STAYED OR KNOWS ANYTHING ABOUT THESE PLACES OR IF YOU HAVE ANY RECCOMENDATIONS FOR US. THE VILLAS WE HAVE LOOKED AT ARE... THE CASA, IGUANA... CASA CIELO,...AKUMAL BREAKERS,...CASA JIHEA AND KRISTI,...

THE CRITERIA WE ARE LOOKING FOR...
ON THE BEACH
THE BEACH MUST BE SWIMABLE AND SAFE FOR THE KIDS TO SNORKEL AND BEAUTIFUL AS WELL!!!
HAS TO HAVE A POOL OVERLOOKING THE BEACH, PALM TREES WOULD BE A PLUS
4 BEDROOMS OR MORE , WE HAVE 4 ADULTS AND 6 KIDS
WE ARE LOOKING FOR A NICE PLACE, BETWEEN 5K-8K PER WEEK. CAN ANYONE HELP i AM SOOO CONFUSED.

I'm not sure if you'd be happy with any of these (although I couldn't find Akumal Breakers).

Iguana is directly on ironshore in Akumal - there is no beach directly in front of the house.

Cielo is in South Akumal and has a sandy entrance, but know there are rocks, coral in the water - so water shoes will be a must for the kids (you know how kids hate to step on anything yucky). This house looks to be the one that's best suited for you since you can access the water dierctly and snorkle.

Jihea/Kristi is in Soliman Bay and entrance to the water is very grassy in this area. I would ask if they have cut a path through the grass, otherwise, you'll need watershoes again. Water in Soliman Bay is very calm and very safe.

This house looks like one that may be better suited for you:
http://www.locogringo.com/akumal/sal...Casa%20Salvaje

Keep in mind, it's next door to an all-inclusive resort. Click on the aerial view.

Keep looking at the aerials by clicking on the arrows. Dark spots in the water = rocks, coral and/or sea grass.

Try this site---it deals a lot with Akumal:

http://www.locogringo.com/forums/default.asp

hi. i've stayed in a villa on tankah bay (the one just south of soliman). we were in casa cavu and it is a great house. however only 3 brs.
both bays have swimming and very good snorkeling and as they are protected by close reefs.
for more snorkeling try yal-ku lagoon in akumal and i know the kids in your group would love xel-ha. the all-inclusive tickets gets you a good sized locker, all the dry towels you ask for plus ALL food and drinks including alcohol. we arrived when they opened in am, planning to leave after lunch. we ended up leaving just before 5pm. a wonderful day.
have you looked at www.bill-in-tulsa.com ? he lists quite a few houses in the area that might work for your group. you may also find 2 different villas on one bay. they are both easily walkable from end to end. would it matter if you were a house or 2 apart? unless the kids are really young they will be safe on either beach walking from house to house.
you don't want a house on yal-ku lagoon, as its all ironshore rock shore.
almost all the villas come with a maid and gardener/pool man. she cleaned meticiously every day but sunday. he was a very good cook and made dinner for us twice plus lots of salsa, guacomole and fresh chips. they live in a casita on the property, as with most houses. in addition a nice young man came each night to watch over us/the house. plus he made us little animals out of reeds and showed us the night crabs scampering around - and read alot as he was a student.
you will want to stop in playa del carmen on your way to the villa for groceries at soriana. your van driver will know where it is and for a few extra $$ will happily take you there. this is a huge new grocery, including liquor dept. they also have housewares, toys, electronics, pharmacy, etc. their cash registers will convert to dollars if you have not gotten pesos. do not take travelers cheques. atm card is the way to go.

Best location for children is the beach in front of Las Casitas condos. The water is rougher on Half Moon Bay.