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Akumal is a small beach village on Mexico’s Riviera Maya, 100 km south of Cancun and 25 km north of Tulum, known for the green sea turtles that graze on seagrass in Akumal Bay. Temperatures hold between 23 and 28 °C year-round, the sea stays above 26 °C, and the rain splits into a dry season from December to April and a wet season from June to November. This guide covers the climate, the best time to visit, and where to stay, with seven focused guides linked below.
Welcome to Akumal
Akumal was founded in 1958 by diver Pablo Bush Romero as a scuba club, and the name means place of the turtle in Yucatec Maya. Sixty years later the turtles are still the draw, along with the Yal-ku lagoon, the Cenote Dos Ojos cave system, and the Tulum ruins 25 km south. Unlike Cancun, Akumal has no high-rise hotels; the bay is ringed by a handful of resorts, beachfront condos, and dive shops, and the town still goes quiet after dark.
Weather at a Glance in Akumal
Akumal has a tropical savanna climate with little seasonal change in temperature. The coolest month, January, averages 23.3 °C (73.9 °F) and the warmest, August, averages 27.8 °C (82.1 °F). Rainfall is the real season: February gets 35 mm over 8 rainy days while September gets 198 mm over 18 days. The wet season lines up with Atlantic hurricane season, June 1 to November 30, with the highest storm risk from mid-August to late October. The sea ranges from 26.4 °C (79.5 °F) in February to 29.3 °C (84.7 °F) in September, so swimming is comfortable every month of the year.
Seasonal Snapshot
- Winter (December to February): 23 to 24 °C, driest and busiest, prices peak over Christmas and New Year.
- Spring (March to May): 25 to 27 °C, dry through April, afternoon showers start in May.
- Summer (June to August): 27 to 28 °C, hottest and wettest, turtle nesting season in full swing.
- Fall (September to November): 25 to 27 °C, September is the wettest month, November turns dry again.
Akumal Travel Guides
- Akumal weather by month: month-by-month temperatures, rainfall, and sea conditions.
- best time to visit Akumal: the windows for good weather, low prices, and turtle season.
- things to do in Akumal: turtle snorkelling, cenotes, and the Tulum ruins.
- events and festivals in Akumal: the Sea Turtle Festival, Carnival, and Day of the Dead.
- Akumal neighborhoods: Akumal Bay, Half Moon Bay, and the resort corridor compared.
- where to stay in Akumal: hotels by area and budget, from all-inclusives to condos.
- Akumal travel tips and FAQ: airports, colectivos, money, and safety answers.
Location Context
Akumal sits at kilometre 104 on Highway 307, the Carretera Cancun-Tulum that links the whole Riviera Maya. It is 37 km south of Playa del Carmen, 25 km north of Tulum, and Cancun International Airport (CUN) is about 100 km and 1 hour 15 minutes north. The town fronts a shallow, protected Caribbean bay, and its weather is shaped by the warm Yucatan current and the steady trade winds. The flat limestone terrain leaves nothing to block the sea breeze, which keeps evenings cooler than inland towns at the same latitude.
Quick Facts
- Best months to visit: February to April.
- Warmest month: August at 27.8 °C (82.1 °F).
- Coolest month: January at 23.3 °C (73.9 °F).
- Wettest month: September at 198 mm.
- Driest month: February at 35 mm.
- Sea temperature: 26.4 to 29.3 °C (79.5 to 84.7 °F).
- Sunshine: 7.2 to 10 hours a day.
- Turtle season: May to October nesting, August to November hatching.
Where to Stay in Akumal
Akumal’s lodging splits into three zones: Akumal Bay, Half Moon Bay, and the Aventuras Akumal and Kantenah resort corridor to the south. The where to stay guide compares each area with hotels for every budget, from all-inclusives to beachfront condos and jungle cabins.
Suggested Hotels in Akumal
Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya
An adults-only all-inclusive on Aventuras Akumal beach with swim-out suites, a spa, and snorkelling from the shore near Akumal Bay. Best for couples and honeymooners who want a luxury all-inclusive without kids. Check rates and availability
Akumal Bay Beach and Wellness Resort
A four-star all-inclusive on Akumal Bay where every room faces the ocean, with two beachside pools and direct access to the turtle beach. Best for families and first-time visitors who want the town centre on their doorstep. Check rates and availability
Hotel Club Akumal Caribe
The original 1958 property on Akumal Bay, with simple beachfront rooms and bungalows, an on-site dive shop, and direct access to the turtle sanctuary zone. Best for snorkellers and divers who want a low-key base steps from the water. Check rates and availability
