11 Best
Akumal resorts offer the best beach accommodations for those seeking a carefree beach getaway.
Even though Akumal is a popular tourist destination, it’s still small, intimate, and quiet, making it a perfect place for a secluded all-inclusive vacation.
Home to an incredible range of beautiful beaches and some of the best Mexican all-inclusive resorts, Akumal is one of the best places to visit in the Mexican Caribbean.
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*** Our editorial team independently selects all products listed. To determine the ratings and prices of our recommendations, we use independent research of various sources, expert opinions, and customer reviews. They are subject to change and should be used only as general guidance. If you buy something using the links included, we may earn an affiliate commission.
5 Best Overall Resorts in Akumal
With plenty of choices available, finding the right place to stay for your next trip to Akumal can be time-consuming. To make your search easier, we’ve hand-picked some of the best Akumal all-inclusive resorts.
The 420-suite Luxury Bahia Principe Sian Ka’an is a boutique-style adult-only resort that is peaceful and tranquil. It is the most exclusive resort inside the Bahia Principe resort complex on the Mayan Riviera. See more details
* Average Rating:
4.5/5
* Average Price: $638/per night
Akumal Bay Beach and Wellness Resort is a premium all-inclusive resort with a peaceful and serene ambiance, located along a long stretch of beautiful beaches with turquoise waters. The majority of visitors spend their days on the beach reading or relaxing in hammocks. See more details
* Average Rating:
5/5
* Average Price: $326/per night
The Sunscape Akumal Beach Resort & Spa is located on the beach in the Riviera Maya’s Akumal area. Suites with private pools, a thrilling Dino Land for kids with water slides, and an exclusive adults-only zone with Bali beds are all available at the all-inclusive beach resort. See more details
* Average Rating:
4/5
* Average Price: $360/per night
Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya is an adults-only luxury resort in Akumal, Mexico that overlooks a white sand beach and offers a large infinity pool, swim-out suites, and a great position along an award-winning coast. See more details
* Average Rating:
5/5
* Average Price: $699/per night
The Grand Palladium resort complex in Riviera Maya comprises five different resorts: Kantenah, Colonial, White Sand, Riviera, and Royal Suites. The Grand Palladium Kantenah, with its 422-rooms, shares space with Colonial, but guests staying at any of these four resorts have access to all of the other’s amenities, cuisine, beverages, and entertainment. See more details
* Average Rating:
4.5/5
* Average Price: $225/per night
Best Beach Resorts in Akumal
The Riviera Maya is renowned for its large-scale resorts and smaller luxury hotels. Among these are some of the best Akumal beach resorts offering numerous fine-dining restaurants and access to fabulous beaches for an outstanding all-inclusive vacation.
* Best for endless fun in the sun
This family-friendly resort is situated right in the heart of the Riviera Maya. Sunscape Akumal Beach Resort & Spa provides a unique vacation experience where beautiful tropical woods meet the blue Caribbean Sea.
Accommodations
Comfortable amenities, beautiful views, in-room minibars, and more are available in all 362 rooms and suites. Sun Club rooms provide exclusivity to visitors wanting a higher level of luxury and service.
Key features:
- In-room minibar
- Cable TV
- In-room safe
- Coffeemaker
- Hairdryer
- Iron & Ironing board
- Wake-up calls
- Air conditioning
Dining and Drinks
You’ll have no problem finding cuisines that will appeal to the entire family at seven eating alternatives, all of which are open to the public and do not require reservations. Choose from four à la carte restaurants, a grill, an international buffet, or a 24-hour café providing coffee, tea, snacks, and ice cream.
Key features:
- À la carte restaurants
- Poolside Grill
- Café
- Pool/Lobby Bar
- Swim-up Bar
- Kids’ Bar
Activities/Facilities
Water sports such as kayaking; paddle boarding, snorkeling, and more can be enjoyed by the entire family. Parents may relax and unwind at the Sunscape Spa by Pevonia while their children enjoy the Explorer’s Club for Kids and the Core Zone Teens Club. With arts and crafts, a playground, movie evenings, and sandcastle competitions, the Explorer’s Club is ideal for children aged 3 to 12. A splash park featuring waterslides, fountains, and trampolines is also available for the kids.
Key features:
- Outdoor Pool
- Waterslide
- Outdoor Whirlpool/Hot Tub
- Wedding Ceremonies
- Kids Club
- Teen Zone
- Full-Service Spa
* Best for adults-only looking for a beachfront escape
The idyllic, natural location of this resort sets the mood for an exceptional getaway in the heart of Riviera Maya. Set along the white-sand beaches and calm, clear waters of Akumal, this stunning resort offers adults a charming, picturesque escape.
Accommodations
The Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya has a total of 434 smoke-free suites, many of which have breathtaking views of the exotic scenery, pools, and ocean.
Key features:
- King-size bed or two double beds
- Private balcony or terrace
- Whirlpool for two in every suite
- Minibar
- Electronic tablet in-suite
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
- 42” satellite TV
- Nespresso coffee machine
- Air-conditioning
Dining and Drinks
The Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya is an all-inclusive resort where visitors do not need to wear wristbands. Meals at all restaurants, draft beer, house wine, and international-brand liquors are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Secrets also provide a ‘Sip, Savour & See’ package, including cocktails, supper, and live entertainment at various nearby resorts.
Key features:
- Seven bars
- Six restaurants
- In-room dining
Activities/Facilities
The spa is top-notch with well-stocked locker rooms, a fresh smell, high-end Pevonia products, and an outdoor hydrotherapy circuit. Couples massages, as well as certain salon services, are provided. The neighboring gym is modest, but it contains cutting-edge LifeStyle Fitness equipment. The resort also offers snorkeling with sea turtles of Akumal, other water-based activities, and dazzling entertainment.
Key features:
- Fitness Center
- Nightclub
- Three Pools
- Two outdoor whirlpools
- Full-service Spa
- Swim-Up Bar
- Championship Golf Courses
* Best for a complete escape from the ordinary
Hotel Bahia Principe Sian Ka’an is the most unique of the Bahia Principe resort complex on the Mayan Riviera. Named after a Mayan word that refers to the heavens’ origins, Sian Ka’an is the smallest and most relaxing resort within the complex.
Accommodations
Sian Ka’an’s 420 suites are luxe, modern, and have a rustic-chic style. Standout features include the Deluxe Penthouse Junior Suites’ large rooftop terrace, where guests have a private hot tub, lounges, and a table and chairs.
Key features:
- Air conditioning
- Ceiling fan
- Coffee and tea machine
- Plasma screen satellite TV
- Safe
- Minibar
- Balcony
Dining and Drinks
There are three restaurants, a coffee bar, and four bars. Sian Ka’an’s fundamental buffet eatery Yal-Ku serves up high-quality breakfast, lunch, and supper in a shining space with chic fashion.
Key features:
- Many À la carte restaurants are available
- Multiple bars
- Pool restaurant
Activities/Facilities
The resort has a private beach zone with a bar and water activities. Water aerobics, bodyboarding, catamarans, kayaking, snorkeling, windsurfing, and other water activities are available for free. The beach is approximately a mile long and 130-165 feet broad, with white sand. The ultimate relaxation is the spa and beauty salon, where couples may enjoy treatments and massages together. Golf is one of the most popular land sports; golfers can hit the courses at Riviera Maya Golf Club, which includes greens fees.
Key features:
- Nine pools
- Non-motorized Water Sports
- Golf
- Three pools
- Spa
* Best for active travelers who wish to make the most of their stay in the region in a luxurious setting
Luxury Bahia Principe Akumal is a substantial all-inclusive experience within the resort-packed Akumal area. It’s situated directly in front of a sprawling beach with turquoise waters, white sand, and rocky reefs.
Accommodations
Junior suites are available in two types: deluxe and beachfront. Alternatively, you can choose a deluxe junior room with partial sea views on the seafront. In addition, each room has a minibar filled with liquor.
Key features:
- Air-conditioning
- Balcony or Terrace
- Bathrobes
- Hairdryer
- King-size or 2 Double Beds
- Lounge Area
- Minibar
- Shower in Bath
- Tea or Coffee-making Facilities
Dining and Drinks
The buffet restaurant provides sea views and has a grill, a pasta counter, a vegetarian area, and a Mexican corner. Italian, Mexican, Mediterranean, and seafood are among the à la carte selections.
Key features:
- A la carte dining
- Nine bars
- Swim-up bar
- Poolside bar
Activities/Facilities
The luxury Bahia Principe Akumal features a huge beach area with beautiful white sand and rough, rocky coral borders, a wooden pier, and kilometers of the blue sea. The resort is surrounded by impressive natural areas and a championship golf course. Guests can take advantage of the services of its sister resorts, including pools, restaurants, and a water park for kids. To enjoy your time, you can relax by one of the pools, one of which is beside the beach, and you will find a casino within the hotel grounds, as well.
Key features:
- Three pools
- International entertainment programs for adults and children
- Spa
- Golf
- Children’s Waterpark
- Meetings and events
- Disco
- Outdoor whirlpool tub
* Best for couples to renew in romantic bliss
El Dorado Royale is Mexico’s only AAA Diamond Award-winning beachside resort for adults. Nestled amid rambling tropical forest and flanked by a white-sand beach with offshore rocks and coral, this adults-only all-inclusive resort offers a soothing alternative to the mega-resorts along the coast.
Accommodations
These rooms exude luxury, charm, and romance, along with a Caribbean wind. Junior suites have air conditioning, a mini-fridge, and a separate balcony accomodating up to three people. There are Premium junior suites and Premium swim-up suites available and pillow menus and pool butler service.
Key features:
- Air-conditioning
- Bathrobes
- Ceiling Fan
- King-size or 2 Queen-size Beds
- Lounge Area
- Minibar
- Shower
- Slippers
- Swim-up
- Terrace
- Whirlpool Bath
Dining and Drinks
Once you’ve gained an appetite, you can fuel up at the resort’s 11 restaurants and revel in unlimited meals and drinks. While El Dorado Royale offers an extensive array of cuisine, La Isla and Rincón Mexicano win particular favor from guests for the delicious Mediterranean and Mexican menus.
Key features:
- A la carte restaurants
- Swim-up bars
- Lobby bar
- Gourmet cuisine
Activities/Facilities
With an emphasis on personal service, this romantic beachfront resort offers many activities and entertainment options, from Jacuzzis, Balinese beds, swim-up bars to traditional loungers, a beachfront pool, saltwater pool, water sports, and hammocks. Suppose you feel a bit restless, recharge at Spa Royale with a signature Beachfront Sky Massage. Kayaking, snorkeling, biking, and tennis – all or any of the sports gear are included within the rate.
Key features:
- Valet parking service
- Hospitality Desk
- Six swimming pools
- Personal Concierge Service
- Daily and nightly activity program
- Green House Tour
- Cooking classes
- Fitness center
- Sauna, and Steam Room
- Non-motorized water sports
Best Family Resorts in Akumal
Even though no family is the same, the Akumal family resorts have something for everyone. There are opportunities for exploration, relaxation, adventure, and more. From zip-lining into cenotes to floating through calm, warm waters, there’s so much to do.
These are the best family resorts in Akumal for a one-of-a-kind journey within the Riviera Maya.
* Best for families seeking a memorable vacation
Surrounded by lush gardens of tropical vegetation spanning nearly half a mile of white-sand beach, this resort shares its grounds with sister resorts. The amazing Palladium Kantenah is situated along the beautiful Akumal coastline between Tulum and Cancun.
Accommodations
Every accommodation has a balcony or patio with views of the hotel’s garden or Mayan jungle. The deluxe double rooms have a king-size bed or two double beds, a bathroom with premium amenities, a TV with a movie channel, and a minibar restocked daily. Junior suites with a lounge and a double couch bed are also available.
Key features:
- Hydromassage bathtub
- Balcony or terrace
- King size bed
- Electronic safe
- Facilities for tea and coffee
- Minibar
- TV with flat screen
- Wi-Fi
Dining and Drinks
If you are looking for an extensive range of amenities and cuisine options, the Grand Palladium Kantenah Resort has many selections and cuisines to choose from. There are various buffet restaurants to choose from and up to nine different themed restaurants for the evening.
Key features:
- Nine à la carte restaurants
- Two buffet restaurants
- Swim-up bar
- Sports bar
Activities/Facilities
The all-inclusive resort is exceptionally family-friendly. Kids 12 and under stay, play, and eat free, while teens 13 to 17 stay for a reduced rate. Kids will enjoy Raggs-themed breakfasts, dance parties, pirate shows, and more during their stay. Enjoy a stroll through the ecologically friendly green paths and maintained gardens that have been meticulously laid. Indulge yourself at the state-of-the-art Resort Spa, or go snorkeling in our crystal-clear waters at Grand Palladium Kantenah Resort & Spa.
Key features:
- Seven pools
- Waterpark
- Mini-disco
- Mini-Club
- Black & White Junior’s Club
- Spa
* Best for a fun place for adults and kids together
The Grand Bahia Principe Coba is the largest resort within the Riviera Maya complex and is the most exquisite place for a family vacation on the Riviera Maya. It’s the ideal way for adventurous families to immerse themselves in a fascinating culture.
Accommodations
The 1080 rooms at Bahia Principe Grand Coba are spread among 30 three-story villas, including Family Master Suites sleeping up to four adults and four children. The select family suites provide space and privacy for parents, plus various amenities the children will love, like kids’ welcome gifts and a basket of sweets and a kids’ minibar with milkshakes.
Key features:
- Hydromassage bathtub with shower
- Hairdryer
- Bathroom amenities
- Air conditioning
- Living area
- Sofa bed
- Iron and ironing board
- Satellite TV
- Safe
- Minibar
- Balcony or Terrace
Dining and Drinks
When it comes to dining, you’ve got a buffet and six à la cartes. Plus, you can enjoy the à la carte restaurants at a neighboring hotel for even more choice.
Key features:
- Six à la carte restaurants
- Seven bars
- Kids’ dining
- Buffet restaurant.
- Poolside snack bar
- Bars
Activities/Facilities
This all-inclusive resort in Akumal has features like kids’, teens’ clubs, a water park playground; kids’ menus; and unique amenities kits in Family Suites with its focus on families. Then there’s the kids’ water park, complete with waterslides, themed swimming pools, and enough water features to make sure you get soaked. Kids also will love the activities found at Bahia Scouts, the property’s mini kids’ club. Two free-form pools merge to form a lagoon-style main pool area at Bahia Principe Grand Coba. The spacious solarium, which has sun umbrellas and pool loungers, is complemented by two enormous open-air Jacuzzis.
Key features:
- On-Site Water Park
- Fitness Center
- Golf
- Kids Program
- Nightclub
- Three Pools
- Full-service Spa
* Best for families who are snorkel enthusiasts
Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya Hotel & Spa is a true all-inclusive mega-resort, located along a rocky part of the coastline and within lush jungle grounds.
Accommodations
The Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya Resort & Spa has 955 rooms with private spa baths and jetted spas, as well as thoughtful details like complimentary minibar goods and slippers. Balconies, couch beds, and sitting spaces are among the other amenities accessible to visitors.
Key features:
- Air-conditioning
- Balcony
- King-size or 2 Double Beds
- Lounge Area
- Minibar
- Shower
- Sea View
- Tea or Coffee-making Facilities
- Television
- Whirlpool Bath
Dining and Drinks
The all-inclusive resort takes care of all of your family’s needs. Once you are hungry, you can head over to one of the ten different themed onsite restaurants. Two of the restaurants are buffets, while the others are à la carte. The menus will take you on a journey across the world, from Brazil to Italy.
Key features:
- A la carte dining
- Two buffet restaurants
- Ice-cream bar
- 16 bars
Activities/Facilities
This place sits on a palm-backed beach with a snorkel-friendly cove. Beyond the shore, you’ll see lizards and tropical birds beside a river-like pool. Try skin-diving at a PADI-approve center or relaxing in an exceedingly luxe sea-view spa. With a seemingly endless lazy river, a hairpin-shaped relaxing pool, and shallow fountain-style kids’ pool located within the kids’ club, Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya has the wants of every sort of family.
Key features:
- Three spacious pools
- Separate pool for children
- A lazy river
- SPA Grand Sirenis
- Non-motorized water sports: kayak and snorkeling
- Kids’ Club
- Disco
- Full Tennis Court
Wellness Resorts in Akumal
Akumal wellness resorts offer rejuvenation with massages and facials with exotic ingredients; body wraps, recovery treatments, fitness classes, saunas, whirlpools, and more at their magnificent full-service spas. Traditional beauty services are also available at several resorts.
* Best for a casual but upscale beach vibe
Akumal Bay Beach and Spa Center, situated along a long stretch of pristine beach with turquoise waters, is an all-inclusive resort providing a comfortable and peaceful feel.
Accommodations
The rooms include one King or two Double Beds and a couch that may accommodate one additional person. The rooms are Junior Suites and have upscale facilities, including outdoor hot tubs and ocean views. The penthouse has luxurious rooftop terraces with spectacular water panoramic views.
Key features:
- Mini-fridge stocked daily and free for use
- Jetted balcony tub
- Hair Dryer
- Iron
- Closet
- Safe
- Robes and slippers
Dining and Drinks
The magnificent seaside views from your accommodation will take your breath away. All rooms include one King or two Double Beds and a couch that may accommodate one additional person.
Key features:
- Multiple restaurants
- Lobby Bar
- Disco Bar
- In-room dining
Activities/Facilities
The beach is sprawling for such a small resort, allowing you to take a stroll and enjoy it any time you desire. The sand is white and beautifully soft. There is beautiful blue-green water in the bay with fantastic snorkeling spots where you can see turtles, rays, and coral. Overall, the mood here is peaceful and comfortable. Most visitors enjoy their days on the beach, relaxing on the hammocks spread between the palms or enjoying dips in the relaxation pools facing the ocean.
Key features:
- Wellness center
- Pools
- Beachfront
- Spa
- Snorkeling tours
* Best for a relaxing environment for families or couples alike
Located on the gorgeous Riviera Maya, Grand Palladium Colonial Resort & Spa has access to some incredibly gorgeous beaches—and it’s a straightforward chase away from both Tulum and Playa del Carmen. Colonial shares space with the Grand Palladium Kantenah, set within the large massive five-resort complex.
Accommodations
The Grand Palladium Colonial Resort & Spa offers 414 deluxe rooms and suites in low-rise cabanas. Most have a furnished patio or balcony and modern amenities like iPod docks and plasma TVs.
Key features:
- Hydromassage bathtub
- Balcony or terrace
- King size bed
- Electronic safe
- Facilities for tea and coffee
- Minibar
- TV with flat screen
- Wi-Fi
Dining and Drinks
During your stay, you may choose from a range of buffet restaurants for each meal, as well as up to nine different thematic restaurants serving a variety of cuisines for the evening. Gluten-free meals and a specific program for those with allergies and intolerances are also available.
Key features:
- Nine à la carte restaurants
- 25 bars
- Swim-up bar
- Room service
Activities/Facilities
You have all day and night activities, plenty of wildlife, soft sand and coral-rock beaches, nature-filled grounds, and a wonderful hydrotherapy-based spa with a gym. This Akumal all-inclusive hotel is great for couples and families, letting you choose how close you want to be to the kid’s club and Water Park. Besides the standard amenities, like a fitness center and a spa, you will find unconventional resort facilities – a soccer field, two shuffleboard courts, and archery and shooting ranges. Additionally, you can head to the beach and borrow snorkeling gear, kayaks, catamarans, and more for some water activities.
Key features:
- Eight freshwater pools
- One saltwater pool
- Spa and wellness center
- Children’s pool with water slides
- Fitness center
- Hot tub/jacuzzi
- Water sport facilities
* Best for couples or friends looking for a tranquil vacation
The Grand Palladium White Sand Resort & Spa is located on the edge of a white-sand and coral-rock beach, surrounded by sweeping tropical gardens. This beachfront resort section features a spa near the adults-only pool in the Grand Palladium Riviera Maya Complex, offering a tranquil retreat.
Accommodations
The Grand Palladium White Sand Resort & Spa’s 264 rooms have thoughtful details like complimentary minibar goods and bathrobes and free Wi-Fi and plasma TVs with cable channels. There are also furnished balconies, iPod docks, and room service available to guests.
Key features:
- Hydromassage bathtub
- Balcony or terrace
- King size bed
- Electronic safe
- Facilities for tea and coffee
- Minibar
- TV with flat screen
- Wi-Fi
Dining and Drinks
Enjoy delectable food at one of 14 restaurants, or relax with a beverage at several pubs. As a guest of the Grand Palladium White Sand all-inclusive resort, you’ll have access to the Grand Palladium Kantenah and Grand Palladium Colonial’s amenities and restaurants.
Key features:
- Eight bars
- Seven restaurants
- Swim-up Bar
Activities/Facilities
At the Palladium complex, there are several freshwater pools and one seawater pool where you may unwind. A lake-style pool with four built-in jacuzzis and a swim-up bar is available. The spa pool is reserved for adults. The mini-golf course, gym, and Zentropia Spa & Wellness Center are within walking distance, as is the departure point for a lake catamaran trip. As night falls, enjoy cocktails on the beach at Punta Emilia Bar while admiring the gorgeous Caribbean sunset.
Key features:
- Beachfront
- Fitness Center
- Kids Program
- Six Pools
- Full service Spa
Things to do in Akumal, Mexico
- Sunbathe at Akumal beaches
The beaches of Akumal are the crown jewels of the Riviera Maya coastline. Take a walk on the beach or go swimming and snorkeling in the beautiful, warm water.
- Go snorkeling
Nothing is stopping you from bringing your best snorkeling gear and seeing for yourself what lies beneath the crystal blue seas.
- Swim in Cenotes
They were formed millions of years ago and were initially thought to be gated to the netherworld by the ancient Maya. Today, they provide the most incredible freshwater bathing spots.
- Visit the Akumal Monkey Sanctuary and Rescued Animals
The wildlife refuge at Akumal is home to a diverse range of species, including monkeys.
- Swim with turtles
Akumal features a reef-protected natural sheltering harbor. It’s the ideal spot for snorkeling with sea turtles in their native habitat.
Need to Know/FAQ
Climate
The average temperature during summer ranges from 80 to 88 °F and the average during winter 68 to 75°F
Timezone
Eastern Standard Time GMT-5 hours
Language
Spanish is the official language spoken by locals, while English is spoken reasonably well by most people.
Currency
The local currency in Akumal is the Mexican Peso.
Average Flight Time
New York 4 hours 10 mins
Philadelphia 4 hours
Boston 4 hours 35 mins
Chicago 4 hours
Miami 2 hours
Los Angeles 4 hours 30 mins
Fun Fact
Did you know Akumal is home to many animal sanctuaries? The Akumal Monkey Sanctuary takes in rescued monkeys, birds, and different animals.
Travel Guidelines/Restrictions
Mexico does not need a test for travelers traveling in, although the U.S. recently announced that all travelers would need a test to enter the country. For more information and to stay updated, check the official websites regularly before your trip.
Safety
Akumal’s crime rate is incredibly low. It is a little beach city, and most of the resorts have security at every entrance to make sure guests feel safe. We recommend that you practice similar precautions you’d take back home.
Getting Around
You can find taxis everywhere in Mexico, and they are very reliable. The sole downside is that they are the most expensive way of getting around. However, if you plan on getting to and around Akumal, the cheapest way is public transport, the vans called Colectivos.
Many resorts on the Riviera are near something of interest within walking distance when it comes to walking. The only problem is that betting on what time of the year you visit; it might be treacherously hot, making even the shortest walk unbearable.
Best time to visit Akumal
While Akumal is a popular tourist destination all year, the months of December to March are the best for visiting for various reasons, including the weather, the cost of transport and accommodation, and the avoidance of peak holiday seasons. But if you want to visit Akumal when the days are the longest to get the most of the sun, August is the best month to go.
From exploring ancient Mayan ruins to diving on the second-longest coral reef in the world to snorkeling in an underground river, the Riviera Maya offers something for everyone.
With so many things to do in this little town that seems like light-years away, choosing to come and stay at of the all-inclusive resorts in Akumal is the next best decision you can make.
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