Beach Life and Water Sports:

Snorkeling:

In Akumal you're just minutes away from Yal Ku Lagoon where you'll find superb snorkeling. You can also venture to nearby beaches and try snorkeling in other locations as well, like Akumal Bay or Half Moon Bay. You'll see a variety of sea life which might include parrot fish, angel fish, trigger fish, lobster, sting rays, sea turtles, groupers, octopus and a number of other sea creatures. Please don't use sun screen as it can be harmful to the environment. There is an entrance fee to Yal Ku lagoon. There is also snorkeling in the ocean in Half Moon Bay, Akumal Bay, South Akumal Bay and Jade Beach. Snorkeling options are great in Puerto Aventuras and Tankah, too. While you can snorkel in Playa del Carmen, you may want to head a south or even take the ferry to Cozumel for some great snorkeling.

Life's a beach:

You'll love just lounging around on the beach. There are excellent beaches in all of the areas. The beaches at Playa del Carmen will be more active with more people, but far from crowded. With the international flavor of Playa del Carmen, you will have some topless sunbathers. The nicest beaches in Akumal would be Akumal Bay and south though Half Moon Bay offers good snorkeling and the Yal Ku Lagoon is near. Puerto Aventuras has several great sandy beaches that are not heavily used. The Tankah area would be the quietest beach area with few people and a great beachside restaurant/bar.

Diving:

Akumal is noted for its vast underground cave system, but you can do ocean diving in this area, too. There are a couple of dive shops right in Akumal, if you are certified you are set to go. Cave diving requires classes, which are available through local shops. There is also diving south of Akumal in the Akumal Aventuras area and Tankah. Puerto Aventuras area has several dive operators as well.

Fishing:

A variety of big ones are waiting out there for avid fishermen. You can catch marlin, sailfish, barracuda, king wahoo, bonefish, yellowtail and others. Dive shops can arrange fishing excursions for you; choose from deep sea, shore or fly-fishing. In the Tankah area you can even fish from shore. You can also arrange for deep sea fishing at the marina in Puerto Aventuras.

Golf, Tennis:

There is a championship 18-hole golf course in Playacar. In Puerto Aventuras there is a 9-hole golf course (soon to be 18) and tennis courts. Tennis courts are also available at the Oasis Akumal Hotel. Fee for using facilities.

Visit a Cenote:

There are no rivers in the Yucatan because of the limestone; instead there is an extensive underground water system carved through the limestone forming caves and cenotes. You can dive or snorkel in these cenotes. One area just south of Akumal on Highway 307 is called Dos Ojos, where you'll be transported by truck through the jungle (about 20 minutes) where a guide will take you through the cenotes. If may seem a bit eerie as you lower yourself down through a hole in the ground to enter the cenote, but once in it opens up to a and your guide has an underwater light which will highlight the formations through the caves. There's also Gran Cenote, located on the road to Coba. A local Mayan family will charge you a few dollars for entrance to the cenote where you can enjoy a swim through a cave. Casa Cenote is across the road from the beach at Tancah. If you ask around, you'll find other cenotes scattered throughout the jungle in the area.

Mayan Ruins:

Explore the ruins at Tulum or Coba, both within about 40 minutes from Akumal, 60 miles from Playa, and only about 20 from Tankah. The ruins at Tulum are located high on a hill overlooking the ocean. There is some fine beach areas in this area, too, so bring your suit! Coba is located in the jungle and if you go early in the morning you'll find this ancient Mayan City quite mystical. We would suggest a morning outing to either location in order to avoid the hot afternoon sun.

Xcaret:

Perhaps you've heard about Xcaret, an Eco-archaeological park just south of Playa del Carmen. While this is quite touristy, you can have a great day of good clean fun. Float down underground rivers, swim with the dolphins (extra charge; get there early in order to make a reservation), lounge at the beach lagoon, snorkel or dive (extra charge for diving), explore the coral reef aquarium, museum, botanical garden, orchid farm, mushroom farm, jaguar island, wild bird breeding aviary, open air theater, butterfly pavilion or go horseback riding (+$). There are several shows and entertainment throughout the day and food is available at several restaurants. You'll also find numerous replicas of archaeological sites on display. Xcaret is open seven days a week (closing time varies according to the season).

Bird Watching and Wildlife:

Visit the Sian Ka'an (Mayan for bird of the sky) Biosphere where you can take a board ride into a inland bay and visit a fascinating island bird refuge. Tours of the biosphere are offered by a group called Friends of Sian Ka'an. This area provides nesting sites for thousands of water birds including the roseate spoonbill, woodstork, magnificent frigatebird and boat-billed heron. The rare jabiru stork nests in the reserve as do endangered sea turtles along the beaches. Other inhabitants in this area include jaguar ocelot, margay, jaguarund and cougar, crocodile, howler and spider monkeys, tapir and West Indian manatee. Flora is abundant in Sian Ka'an as well.

Cozumel:

A day trip to the largest island in Mexico is quite easy and convenient. You simply take the ferry from Playa del Carmen over to Cozumel (cost is about $12 roundtrip and takes about 35 minutes). You can shop, dine at one of the many restaurants or rent a car or scooter and drive around the island, which is about 11 miles wide and 29 miles long. You can stop at one of the beach areas on the southern end of the island or explore the undeveloped East Coast (there are a couple of beach side bar/restaurants). If you like to snorkel or dive, Cozumel is the top spot in the Caribbean because of its vast reef system and abundant fish life.

Other suggestions

Hang out in a hammock. Make a trip to the colonial city of Merida. Try sky diving (yes you can do that in Playa del Carmen). Hop on a horse (there are number ranchos offering horseback riding). Interested in "clothing optional" beaches? There are several along the coast. Get up early and watch the sunrise over Caribbean. Take a hike on a beach. Just drive and stop and explore some of the smaller Mexican villages. Take a nap whenever you feel like it. Blow bubbles on the beach. Bring or buy a kite and fly it high above the palm trees . . . a week may not be enough time on the Mayan Riviera.

Miscellaneous Information . . .

Childcare is available in Akumal, so bring the kids. While you dive or snorkel or explore, your children can play at Kids Club Akumal or at the Beach School. Check details when you arrive in Akumal. Some properties may have staff who can baby-sit or help you make arrangements for child care.