ACTIVITIES AROUND AKUMAL

Mayan Ruins - Snorkeling - Scuba Diving - Golf

MAYAN RUINS

The Yucatan Peninsula is literally teaming with Mayan Ruins. You will find them along the highways, in cities, or while walking through the jungle. While staying in Akumal, you may want to take a short trip to see some truly magnificent ruins. The most popular and best known of the local ruins are at Tulum and Coba. Chichen Itza is inland and more than a short drive, but it’s definitely worth the trip.

Tulum (15 miles (26 km) south of Akumal)
Only about a 20-minute drive south of Akumal, the ruin at Tulum was the only Mayan City built directly on the ocean. Tulum is surrounded on three sides by a stone wall built by the occupants. The water side has a natural barrier formed by a high vertical Cliff. A small break in the Cliff and a small narrow beach provide access to the sea. The site was a location for Mayan leadership and religious retreats. It is believed to date from 400-900 AD.

After you have toured the grounds and admiring some of the most spectacular views along the Riviera Maya, you can take a refreshing dip in the inviting waters of the Caribbean Sea. There is a beautiful beach lying directly in front of the site and has recently become accessible by way of a new stairway, which has been completed this last year.

You should plan to visit the ruins early in the morning ( 9 to 10am) before it gets too hot and before all of the tour bus crowds arrive from Cancun and Playa del Carmen. If this is your first time, we suggest using a guide for the tour through the ruins. Guides are available at the front gate at reasonable fees. There are also many shops for souvenirs just outside the ruins.

Coba (Located about 50 km northwest of Tulum)
To get to Coba, watch for the highway sign to Coba on your right, about 2km past the entrance to Tulum. Coba in Mayan means “Waters Stirred by the Wind” or “Ruffled Waters”. Coba is located between two lakes in the middle of the jungle providing a very unique and rewarding experience. Make sure you bring along some insect repellent, good walking shoes, and drinking water, as you will be doing a bit of hiking. I don’t recommend swimming in the lake, as it is inhabited by some rather unfriendly crocodiles.

Coba was a thriving city from around A.D.600 and was once home to about 50,000 people and covers an area of 50 to 80 square kilometers. There are believed to be over 6,500 structures at the site. The ruins were not discovered until the late 19th century and even today, only a small fraction of the many structures have been excavated. Those that have been excavated and restored are amazing.

Coba is also home to the tallest Mayan Pyramid in the Yucatan (Nohoch Mul). Nohoch Mul is a staggering 136ft (42m) high. Coba also has the greatest concentration of Sacbeob (Mayan roads). A Sacbeob is a raised road built from stones and paved with white mortar. The Sacbeob were the superhighways for foot transportation. The Mayan’s were didn’t use the wheel, because round objects were considered sacred items in their culture.

Allow at least a half day to see the main structures and try to avoid the heat of the day. Opening times are the usually 8.00am to 5.00pm . Entrance to the ruins costs $4. Bringing in a video camera costs an extra $4 (Prices subject to change) and there is an additional small fee for parking. Toilet facilities by the entrance are basic but clean. A small fee is charged for their use so bring a few pesos.

Chichen Itza
Chichen Itza is one of the best known as well as the most visited archaeological site in the Yucatan. We recommend that you hire a guide at the front gate or at least buy a booklet to better understand this exceptional site. A visit here is well worth the trip.

Chichen Itza is home to the most recognized, 90 ft tall Mayan pyramid, “El Castillo” (The Castle). This is the famous temple where a silhouette of the sacred serpent Kukulan appears along the side during the spring and fall equinoxes. (March 21-22 and September 21-22). Every year, thousands of people make the trek to the great pyramid to watch in awe as the snakes diamond backed body slowly appears on the day of the equinox.

Chichen Itza covers approximately 6 km square. Only about 20 of the hundreds of structures at the site have been fully explored and restored. The most prominent are the El Castillo, The Temple of the Jaguar, The Temple of the Warriors, The Observatory, The Nunnery, The Ball Court, and the Cenote (Their water supply)

Driving Directions:
Driving to Chichen Itza from Akumal is not difficult; however you will need to plan for a full day for the round trip. I recommend leaving about sun-up so you arrive before the bus tours arrive and before it gets hot. It gets quite hot because it is inland away from the sea breezes. (Take your sun screen) Follow the same route that you would take to Coba. At the round-a-bout just before Coba, follow the signs to Chemax. At Chemax follow the signs for Chichen Itza and highway #180. The entrance to Chichen Itza will be to your left. Continue on highway #180 to thru Valladolid , and Kaua to Chichen itza . The gates open at 9:00 am .


WATER ACTIVITIES

SNORKELING

Snorkeling in Akumal Bay , Half Moon Bay, and Yal-Ku Lagoon is one of the most popular activities, so when you head out for Akumal, bring your snorkeling gear. You will of course need a mask, fins and snorkel. If you don’t have your own gear or don’t have room to fit it in the luggage, the Original Akumal Dive Shop has quality equipment for sale at prices that are competitive with those in the US . If you prefer, quality equipment is available for rent at The Original Akumal Dive Shop, the Akumal Dive Center and Akumal Dive Adventures. A snorkeling equipment package will rent for about $8.00 US per day or $40.00 US per week (Prices subject to change). Comfortable, life vests are also available for rent at The Akumal Dive Shop for those that don’t feel comfortable floating without some help.

Both Akumal bay and Half Moon Bay are protected by a coral reef so the water is always reasonably calm and the water is very clear. The maximum depth is both bays are between 10-15 feet so you have an excellent view of all of the sea life from the surface.

Yal-Ku Lagoon
Yal Ku Lagoon is just North of Half Moon Bay and within easy waking distance of the condo. Snorkeling in the lagoon is a must. Yal-Ku is a narrow inlet, through which fresh water traveling via underground rivers to reach the Caribbean Sea . Yal-Ku averages about 14 feet in depth, but has no beach. Steps are provided which makes it easy to get in and out of the water.

In the deeper water, toward the mouth of the lagoon, it is common to encounter Sea Turtles and an occasional Stingray gracefully swimming along the bottom.

Inland, toward the source of the fresh water into the lagoon, you will see much higher concentrations of brightly colored tropical fish.

There is an entrance fee of $5.00 US per adult and $2.50 US per child to enter the lagoon entrance (Prices subject to change). Yal-Ku Lagoon entrance is open 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM everyday. They do ask that you leave the sunscreen at home, as the sunscreen is very damaging to the health the fish.

If you are going to rent equipment, you may want to rent for the entire week and take your snorkel equipment with you everywhere you go. There are beaches and "cenotes" to explore all up and down the Riviera Maya.


SCUBA DIVING
Scuba divers have known Akumal for years. The calm water and gentle current make Akumal a great place for drift diving and an exceptionally nice place for new divers. Dive sites are less than ten minutes by boat along the world's second largest barrier reef.

Akumal’s local dive shops are well run and seldom crowded. Whether you come as an individual or with a group, you get personal attention from trained Divemasters with extensive experience in these waters.

Typically currents are not strong and there are abundant reefs to enjoy a slow pace. Water temperature averages 82°F. Visibility ranges from 50' to 150' weather depending.

Full certification courses are available at all of Akumal’s local dive shops. If you aren’t sure, start with a resort course. This is a four-hour course that includes an academic lecture, practice water session in Akumal Bay and an open water dive along Akumal’s shallow reef. It’s a great way to spend the day and get a glimpse of what it’s like to fly through the water.

You might also want to check with your local dive shop about a universal referral course. This gives you the opportunity to obtain a full certification by doing your classroom and pool work locally and completing your open water training over two days during your visit to Akumal. The referral course is a great way to learn to dive in Akumal’s warm clear water without using too much of your vacation time.

If you are interested in finding out more about scuba diving and Akumal’s local dive shops, please check out the following links or visit the shops once you arrive.

PADI:
PADI is the world’s leading certification agency. The website has up-to-date dive information and is a good way to find information on dive centers and resorts; Weekly dive related news; Monthly email newsletter and lots more.
http://www.padi.com/

Akumal Dive Shop:
Their Website offers a complete description of services and current pricing.
http://www.akumal.com/

Akumal Dive Center
Provides cavern and cave diving, dive instruction, and cavern snorkel tours.
http://www.diveace.com/

Akumal Dive Center
Located on Akumal Bay with and has a pier for easy entry to boats.
http://www.akumaldivecenter.com/

Cenotes
A cenote is a natural well or reservoir, common in the Yucatán Peninsula, formed when a limestone surface collapses, exposing water underneath.

Cenotes are a great place for swimming, and especially snorkeling and/or scuba diving. There are countless cenotes in the Yucatan Peninsula . You will see signs along the highway for various cenotes. Some of the more popular are Cenote Azul, Dos Ojos, Cenote Cristal & Car Wash Cenote. There are also numerous undeveloped Cenotes for those who like to explore.