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Akumal’s event calendar is thin compared to Cancun or Playa del Carmen, but it has two anchors: the Sea Turtle Festival in October and the town’s Maya heritage celebrations. Most events tie to the turtle nesting and hatching cycle, which runs May to October. Here are the main events and festivals in Akumal through the year, with dates and what to expect. The best time to visit Akumal guide tells you which months line up with each one.
Events and Festivals in Akumal: Sea Turtle Festival (October)
The Akumal Sea Turtle Festival, held every October in Akumal and Tulum, is the town’s signature event. It marks the peak of hatchling season and typically runs for one day with turtle releases, educational stands run by the Centro Ecologico Akumal (CEA), beach cleanups, and family activities. Dates move year to year, so check the CEA website in September. Hatchling releases are usually at dusk, and attendance is free. If you want to see nesting or hatching in the wild, the things to do in Akumal guide explains the guided night walks that run in the same season.
Events and Festivals in Akumal: Carnival (February or March)
Carnival lands in late February or early March, tied to the date of Easter. Akumal’s parade is small compared to Playa del Carmen or Cozumel, with decorated floats, costumes, and live music along the beach road. The bigger action is in Playa del Carmen 37 km north, which holds several nights of parades on Quinta Avenida. If you are in Akumal for Carnival, expect restaurants to be full and book dinner early. The Akumal weather by month page confirms February is the driest month, and the Akumal travel tips guide covers the colectivo for reaching the Playa del Carmen parades.
Events and Festivals in Akumal: Day of the Dead (November 1 to 2)
Dia de Muertos, November 1 to 2, is celebrated across the Riviera Maya with ofrendas (altars), marigolds, and candlelight vigils. In Akumal you will see altars at hotels, restaurants, and the town square, and some resorts run their own celebrations with pan de muerto and hot chocolate. The largest public events are in Playa del Carmen and Tulum, both short drives away. November weather is mild at 24.6 °C (76.4 °F), so the evening vigils are comfortable. The Akumal neighborhoods guide points you to the town centre where most altars go up.
Events and Festivals in Akumal: Seasonal Highlights
Turtle nesting (May to October) and hatching (August to November) are the closest thing Akumal has to a season-long event. Green and loggerhead turtles crawl ashore at night to lay eggs, and guided night walks run in June and July under strict rules to avoid disturbing nests. Whale sharks migrate through the waters north of Akumal from June to September, with boat trips departing from Cancun and Isla Mujeres. On New Year’s Eve and Christmas, the resorts put on gala dinners and fireworks. The where to stay in Akumal guide lists which resorts throw the biggest holiday parties, and the Akumal travel guide has the full destination overview.
