Swimming with Sea Turtles in Akumal! Marvels of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico.

The Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico is a breathtaking section of the Caribbean, filled with vibrant culture and history, incredible nature, and of course…amazing coastline.

From El Castillo at Chichén Itzá, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, to the beaches of Cancun, chances are that you have heard about the Yucatan Peninsula, maybe without even knowing it!

So now, it’s time to discover the Yucatan! In this series of posts, the Marvels of the Yucatan Peninsula, I’ll be sharing the inside scoop on some of the best destinations to explore and adventures to seek in paradise, on your next trip to Mexico.

Today, we’re talking about Akumal, a small fishing village about 30-40 minutes from Playa Del Carmen, which is famous for being home to numerous Endangered Green Sea Turtles. Intriguingly, the word “Akumal” actually means “place of the turtle” in Mayan. And in Akumal, the turtles truly are the stars of the show. Oh and the best part? Dreams do come true…you can swim with them! It’s EPIC, guaranteed.

When you get off on the side of the Federal Highway at the Akumal bus stop, there are two ways to go. On one side, there is the small village of Akumal. It is incredible to go for a walk in town, as there will likely be no tourists, and it’s extremely peaceful and homely. You can see small shops and family’s homes lining the roads off the main street, children running around freely and playing in the streets, and meet extremely kind local folk, especially if you speak Spanish!

Taking a stroll through the village of Akumal.

It’s incredible how stark the difference is between the humble and traditional village of Akumal, and the modernized, tourist-centric resorts and dive shops lining Akumal’s beaches on the other side of the highway.

The resorts are there for good reason though, because when you do make it to the other side of the highway, you encounter endless azure waters and bright white sand on a picturesque crescent shaped beach, which then breaks into a straight line and extends out into the distance.

Akumal's stretching coastline.

Akumal bay.

There are a number of locals’ fishing boats gently rocking while docked in the natural harbor, and only 200 feet offshore lies the home of some of the most majestic and incredible animals that you will ever get to hang with.

IT’S THE SEA TURTLES DUUUUUDE!

Time to get stoked, as all you have to do is rent out a lifejacket (required) and snorkel kit from a dive shop (or bring your own) and you can make your way out into the water to meet these incredible creatures! There are also guided tours if you prefer.

Spend as long as you want out there, and I’m telling y’all…it’ll be hard to leave.

Here are some quick shots of the action (watch in 1080p for best quality!):

My favorite thing to do was to just tread water while they were eating their sea grass, and then as soon as they had their fill and took off, I’d follow close behind, like only at a distance of a few inches. For a few short seconds, it makes you feel as if you’re one of them…just the sea turtle’s companion, along for a swim on a casual afternoon.

That being said, as cool as it is to be like a sea turtle, I’ll pass on the lunch of sea grass and algae. Human food is way better, so after your swim, go help yourself to some fresh tacos in town!

Please make sure not to touch the sea turtles if you visit and swim with them! Green Sea Turtles are an endangered species, and even a single touch can be very harmful to their health. Thanks for looking out for the incredible wildlife!

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I decided to start this series of posts because I know many people only think about all-inclusive resorts in Cancun when they hear about the Yucatan, but it is so much more than that. In fact, other than flying into the Cancun airport and visiting one of my favorite beaches there, Playa Delfines, I do not spend any time in Cancun during my visits to Mexico.

Instead, I’ve been visiting Playa Del Carmen and travelling around the state of Quintana Roo every 4 months for the last 2 years now. I love Playa Del Carmen because I have a group of buddies who own a hostel there, as well as a few friends who work in town and live nearby. Also, it is the perfect hub to explore the rest of the Yucatan.

That’s all for now, but I can’t wait to share more Marvels of the Yucatan Peninsula with y’all soon! All photos and videos are my own.

Hasta luego mis amigos!