riggsie

Hi -We will be in Akumal first week of May! Never been to Mexico before. We have snorkeled on Maui and you can rent fins, snorkel and Optical Mask for about $30.00 for seven day. Do you usually bring your own gear or is there a place in Akumal to rent gear for the week or day? How much $ was the rental? We are staying the condo, Hacienda De La Tortuga on the north end of Half Moon bay. How far is it to Akumal Bay? Would it be an easy walk for dinner/drink or to the dive shops? Do most places prefer passos or dollars or credit card. Any other advice or pointers on the area would be appreciated. Thank you!

zootsi

We brought our own snorkelling gear with us. However Akumal and North Akumal have several dive shops that rent equipment. I believe they even rent at Yalku Lagoon. I would guess the north end of Half Moon Bay is about a 15 minute walk to the Buena Vida restaurant, and about a 1/2 hour walk to the center of Akumal and Akumal Beach.The road is not much more than a paved walkway with lots of speedbumps, so it's very safe walking. There is a dive shop next to the Buena Vida, and one in the town center - there may be more. Most places will take dollars as well as pesos, and some places (not many!) also take plastic. There is only one ATM in town. Half Moon Bay is beautiful and quiet, but a little tricky getting in due to the rocks and coral in the water. Akumal beach is all sand bottom.The whole Akumal area is very laid back and relaxing.

riggsie

Thanks Zootsi- Sorry I posted twice. Wasnt sure if 1st one went thru. Can you tell me more about currency. Did you wait and exchange at ATM in Akumal or at Airport? What did you use most Dollar or Pesos or Plastic. What currency to you suggest we use?

zootsi

We got some pesos at the Phila airport currency exchange, and then got a lot more at the Cancun airport ATM. Pesos are definitely the way to go, but stock up on them before you get to Akumal, which has one rinky dink ATM machine that's often out of order!

NanfromNapanee

Hi we just got back a week ago from Akumal. As far as money goes do not count on using your Visa card. Most places in Akumal don't accept it. I would suggest either getting traveller's cheques for the trip or $USD. Like a previous poster said the ATM at the Super Chomak frequently runs out of money. Twice I went to get more pesos and it wasn't working.

The condo you are renting looks very nice. We were just before it at Lol Ka'naab. There is very nice restaurants in Akumal. Lol Ha at Akumal Beach is very nice. We walked there one night but most nights we drove. It really only took us 20 minutes and from where you are staying I would say 30 minutes but that's a quess. Drive to Soliman Bay and check out Oscar Y Lalos. The setting is so beautiful. Have a great time! The weather at this time of year is beautiful.