Akumal is a beach bay on the Caribbean coast between Playa del Carmen and Tulum, known for the chance to swim near wild green sea turtles in seagrass. To get there from Playa del Carmen, take a bus or colectivo toward Tulum on Highway 307 and confirm the drop-off point before you travel.
- Suites Corazon is an aparthotel in Playa del Carmen with apartment-style rooms.
- Public transport options include a colectivo to the Akumal turn-off; bus stops can vary, so verify the details with the operator.
- The walk from the turn-off to the beach is described as short.
- Swimming near turtles is subject to local rules, and guides or life jackets may be required in protected areas.
How do you get from Playa del Carmen to Akumal?
You can travel south toward Akumal on Highway 307 by bus or colectivo, but check the destination and drop-off before boarding. The road from Playa del Carmen to Tulum passes Akumal, and ADO recommends combining a bus to Playa del Carmen or Tulum with a colectivo to the Akumal turn-off.
ADO says it has no stop at Akumal, while a separate schedule listing advertises Oriente and Mayab services from Playa del Carmen ADO Alterna to Akumal. Those journeys take 30 minutes, but the difference in stop information makes it important to verify the particular departure and drop-off with the operator.
Another option is an ADO bus from Playa del Carmen toward Tulum, then a colectivo. ADO says about 14 daily buses run from its 5th Avenue station to Tulum town, taking about 1 hour 5 minutes, with fares from MX$76.
These buses go to Tulum, not Akumal, so you would still need onward transport. For a separate outing, you can plan the trip from Playa del Carmen to the Tulum Ruins.
Colectivos for Cancún and Tulum do not depart from the Quinta Avenida ADO station. They start about 500 metres away near Chedraui. Playa del Carmen has two ADO stops, so check the station or stop printed on your ticket before setting out.
Finding the beach and visitor access
The colectivo drop-off for Akumal is at the turn-off from Highway 307, followed by a short walk to the beach. Ask the driver to confirm the Akumal turn-off when you board, then follow the local access route toward the shore.
Because bus stop descriptions differ, confirm that your ticket or the operator’s instructions match the place where you plan to get off. If you are taking a colectivo, make sure you know which side of the road you need for the walk toward the beach.
What to do in Akumal
Akumal’s main draw is the chance to swim near wild green sea turtles in seagrass. Follow local rules for turtle swimming: ADO warns that protected areas may require guides and life jackets.
Other water activities have designated limits in the Akumal Bay Refuge. CONANP’s management plan says kayaking, kitesurfing, paddleboarding, freediving, sailing, windsurfing and similar activities in the public-use subzone may take place only outside swimming circuits and the strip set aside to protect turtles and seagrass.
Practical tips for the return trip
Before you travel, confirm your departure station, destination and drop-off with the bus or colectivo operator, especially if you are relying on a bus service to Akumal. Keep the return leg in mind when choosing where to get off, since the beach access involves a walk from the highway turn-off.
Bus schedules and fares can change. Check the official site before you go, and confirm the ticket’s printed stop because Playa del Carmen has two ADO stations.
FAQs
Is there an ADO stop in Akumal?
ADO says there is no ADO stop at Akumal, although a secondary schedule listing advertises services to Akumal from Playa del Carmen ADO Alterna. Verify the specific departure and drop-off with the operator.
How far is the Akumal beach from the highway?
ADO describes the walk from the Akumal turn-off on Highway 307 to the beach as short.
Can you swim with turtles in Akumal?
Akumal is known for the chance to swim near wild green sea turtles in seagrass. Follow local rules; guides and life jackets may be required in protected areas. For ideas on the shoreline back in Playa del Carmen, consult this guide to Playa del Carmen beaches.