We were provided all the equipment needed and were able to keep our valuables in the van which was great! Europe Walk down the road approximately a half-mile. Its only about a half-mile to parking. ), youll ultimately save money with a rental car versus booking tours, and youll save time over the colectivos. The Akumal turtles did not disappoint and it was the highlight of our trip to Mexico. I will point out, the snorkeling with turtles is off the bay where there is sea grass that the turles like to eat is, you do not get on a boatyou swim from the beach. We have tried to stay in the "free swim" areas outside the 150 ft line and have been chased away. Its a carefully prepared speech about protecting the turtles and why a guide (a guide just like him) is absolutely necessary. The Akumal scammers took this as an opportunity to push their agenda, threaten people, and make money. The guide will carry a buoy and can help tow you to the area where the turtles are,it varies, but they are usually found at less than 100 meters from the shore, you will also have a life jacket, All snorkeling equipment, life vests, mask, fins, in addition to the beach club facilities and the guided tour of the reef by an expert guide to look for turtles.
USA Orient yourself so youre looking at the large white gate welcoming you to the village. Thats why our final stop is a local restaurant, where you can sit back, relax, and enjoy a traditional Mexican lunch with your friends and family. 
If you want to speak to the central offices in Playa del Carmen dial (+52 1) 987 112 9491. A little bit, you don't have to be an expert swimmer as long as you know how to float and are calm in the water is more than enough. The prices are the same for all the parking lots (50 pesos; less than $3 for the full day), but the parking on the left has the bonus of having spots in the shade if you head to the back. Cool drinks in the van (waters, soda, beer) Swim with turtles tour with Tulum ruins! Mexico Blog, How to Snorkel with Sea Turtles in Akumal, Mexico, Northern Ireland and Ireland Driving Itinerary, Best Snorkel Gear for An Underwater Adventure, Planning your Akumal snorkeling adventure, The most important thing to know about snorkeling, Check prices for the best deals on rental cars in the area, This is our favorite snorkel and mask set, full-day tour that includes Tulum, Cob, and a cenote visit. Consult, Pick up and drop off at your hotel with private air-conditioned transportation, Experienced certified private guide all day long, Akumal bay cooperative fee and CONAP fee (mandatory), High quality snorkeling gear (mask, snorkel, life jackets), Cool drinks in the van (waters, soda, beer), Lunch in a restaurant with one main course a la carte and one drink (water, soda or beer) per person. Snorkeling with the sea turtles was so cool. Overall I recommend this company, very professional and Dulce and Carlos were amazing! Prices for guides varies just like the price of trinkets in Mexico we were told anywhere from 300 -500 pesos to swim in the turtle area. We will be in hot places and it is always better to come prepared so that you feel comfortable and can enjoy the day with your loved ones. We do not recommend parking here. Head through the white gate. You do not have to wear a life jacket in the swimming zone (the first 150 feet from shore). Claire responded immediately and we were set to go. 9.- Are drinks included in the Tulum Turtles tour? HOWEVER, independent snorkelers are limited to the first 150 feet of the shore. Just visited the bay and I'd recommend just paying the ~$30/person for an hour excursion through the dive shop all of the turtles were further past the "free area" in the bay. We always put ourselves in your shoes and try to be the fairest in our cancellation policies. Its in easy reach of Akumal and within minutes of Playa del Carmen at the Xcaret and Xlpor parks. All over Cancun and Playa del Carmen, youll be approached by people offering you tours to Akumal. Thank you so much for this amazing experience and fun day with the two of you. Yes, as long as the owner of the card is aware of the transaction. You can make a direct deposit to our bank accounts, you can also pay with a debit card or you can pay in cash at the time of the tour (Restrictions apply). Check our blog for more information, In the Tulum Turtles Tour we try to be as detailed as possible to avoid misunderstandings, below we have a list as to what we have included in this excursion. The 2016 designation as a marine protected area was the legal pretense to begin privatizing much of Akumal Bay. If you are going to lots of different places (Tulum, the cenotes, Xcaret, etc. This tour doesnt include Tulum centro/Tulum beach-hotel areas. 
Many of the Akumal turtles are endangered, and the area they swim in is their feeding area. Both sites should be visited first thing in the morning to have the best experience. It gets stirred up as the day goes on, cutting visibility significantly. Tennessee We loved having the van to ourselves and getting to take as much time as we needed everywhere. If you are going with a tour operator and they cant get you there by 10:30 or 11:00 am, look for someone else. 5.- I am very apprehensive I have had bad experiences in the past, can I pay for the tour the day of? As a last resort, you can leave them on the rocks on the left outside the dive shop. Therefore, we recommend arriving as early in the morning as you can, ideally no later than 9:30am. 
Additional fee may apply. In March 2016, Akumal Bay was declared a marine protected area. The colectivos depart Playa del Carmen from Calle 2 Norte at Avenue 15. The snorkel guy carries a life buoy in case anyone gets tired from the swimming. Skip the fins. Tell the driver where you are going (Akumal, por favor). Basically, youre on the local bus. Av 20 con calle 20.
Thank you for your clarity in describing access to the turtles. We saw about 6 or so which was totally rad. It is true, and you know why the price is like this, because we are the direct providers of the excursion which allows us to offer the lowest prices on the market. Over 7 years old is considered an adult and they pay $75 USD or $1,500 pesos per person, between 3 and 7 years is considered a child and they pay $70 USD or $1400 pesos per person ( if the child is under 7 years old, but measures more than 5ft 4 inches the must show proof of their age for child prices to be applied). This all-inclusive package, which combines a guided tour of Tulum with the chance to go snorkeling with sea turtles, will check both of those activities off your list. Use of facemasks are mandatory in public areas, Guide are required to use facemasks during the excursion, Temperatures will be taken before entrance into Tulum, All personnel will have their temperature taken before when they arrive to work, Over the age of 7 years old will be charged adult prices of $75 USD or $1,500 pesos mxn per person, Ages 3-7 will be charges child prices of $70 USD or $1,400 pesos mxn per person, Under the age of 3 is considered an infant and will be free of charge, please note that they will not be assigned a seat on the transportation and must travel on your lap, Over the age of 7 years old will be charged adult prices of $85 USD or $1,700 pesos mxn per person, Ages 3-7 will be charges child prices of $80 USD or $1,600 pesos mxn per person, The meeting place is the the lobby of your hotel (hotels located in Cancun, Playa del Carmen, or Riviera Maya), The time that we will pass for you depends on the location of your hotel, If we know the address and are allowed to pass we will pick you up otherwise we will designate a nearby pickup area, Round-trip transportation to hotels located in Cancun, Playa del Carmen, or Riviera Maya, Comfortable vehicles with air conditioning, Early departures to take advantage of the entire day, Access to the archeological zone of Tulum, Guided visit with a guide certified by the archeological zone of Tulum, Free time at Tulum (you can swim at the beach), Snorkeling equipment (masks, life vests, fins), Snorkeling guide who are experts at finding the turtles, Use of umbrellas and beach chairs at the beach, Train from the parking lot to the entrance of Tulum, In the ruins if you bring in a video camera there is an extra charge, In the restaurant on the beach in Akumal neither food nor drinks are included we have a snack and drinks included on the van, If it is not specified on the included list, it is not included, Light comfortable clothing we will be walking in temperatures that can reach the high 80s, Comfortable shoes (tennis shoes, or sandals), A backpack or bag for bottled water (inside the archeological zone there might not be any available, or it could be expensive), Swimming suit (you can swim at the beach in Tulum and Akumal) if you want you can wear underneath your clothing, If you are apprehensive you can pay the total cost of the tour the day of, Entrance into the archeological zone of Tulum, Guided visit with a certified guide in Tulum, Archeological zone of Tulum, guided visit, free time in the zone, Visit the beach of Akumal where you will swim with the turtles, For the complicated terrain in the ruins it is not advisable for people in wheelchairs, Need to have the ability to walk in rough terrain including hills and gravel, There is a a 10 minute walk from the parking lot to the entrance of Tulum, Under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult, Tripods, and special video equipment are prohibited in the ruins, It is strictly prohibited to climb the ruins in Tulum, If you are going to swim out far from shore you should know how to swim otherwise you should stay where you can stand, No charge for cancellations with at least a 12 hour notice, If there are very heavy rains you have the option to cancel without any type of penalty, Health problems apply to the individual and not the entire group. 10.- Can I pay with someone else's credit card? In addition to this we offer you the following, pay everything at the time of pickup. Some posts on this site contain affiliate links, meaning if you book or buy something through one of these links, we may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). Tulum is very exposed. HOWEVER, the guides are frequently willing to look the other way if it gets them a big tip. I agree they needed to do something to protect the reef but this situation now is simply the exploitation of a beautiful area. As long as you notify us that there will be a change or cancellation 12 hours in advance, no charges apply. The layout was pretty obvious, except for figuring out where to access the beach (hint: you go through the dive shop or through the CEA Center building; see instructions below). Safe, professional and most of all FUN!!! The goal of our self-guided Akumal snorkeling adventure was to encounter these graceful creatures in the wild. Scroll down for all information & itinerary. 01:30pm 02:00pm: Transportation to your hotel. Learn how your comment data is processed. If youre going into the Akumal snorkel zone with a licensed guide, they will be leading you. We had such a great time, the lunch was delicious. You will pay a premium for the convenience, but youll skip much of being hassled by the guides in Akumal. We recommend bringing your own snorkel gear. Well start the day by visiting the ancient Mayan ruins of Tulum, a key trading post that was used by the famous civilization during their Post Classic period. The small bay is protected by a reef. The easiest and best way is by car. To avoid misunderstandings, we try to be as upfront as possible about what is included and what's NOT included on the excursion, The simple answer is NO, THERE IS NO TRICK, if you have any questions please contact us. Juan was knowledgable and fun. 7.- The price seems very low. Chris and Claire run an amazing tour. We also ate at a local restaurant in Akumal and it was wonderful. Its really pretty amazing. The problem with visiting Akumal and Tulum on the same day is one of timing. We could choose anything we wanted at the Mexican restaurant! Where you find a group, youll find turtles. The second way to get to Akumal is the colectivo. 2.- Can you guarantee that we will see turtles? You are required to wear a life jacket while in the Akumal snorkeling circuit. Yes, without issue as long as both parties are in agreement and you inform us. The going rate for these licensed guides is $50 for a family of four/group. So this is essentially useless. One of the most common questions we get are for hotel recommendations. Enter name and address of the place. Yes, especially during the holidays we tend to be full on all our tours. As experienced snorkelers we aren't big fans of paying for a guide. We recommend leaving your gear/towels in the rental car. No matter what you are told at the beach by those trying to make money, snorkeling on your own is still allowed for freeyou do not have to be part of a guided tour. Being prepared for the Tulum Turtles Tours is the main element for you to fully enjoy these activities. They traded all kinds of items here, from honey and textiles to precious stones and coffee beans. There is no other company that offers you all these flexible options. Charges will incur for no shows, but each case is analyzed separately in case of exceptions, We have all the means available, you can call, send a text message, by WhatsApp, email which is the most recommended, or you can come in person to our offices located in Playa del Carmen, Yes, just send us your number and a time to call and one of our operators will gladly contact you. Look no further, you have reached the best place, Once the deposit has been made, you will be sent all the necessary information about the pickup place, telephone numbers, photo of the guides and everything else you need to know in case you need assistance, Depending on where your hotel is located, if it is Cancun or Playa del Carmen, but it lasts approximately 6-7 hours since 2 fantastic places are visited. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Walk up the steps of the dive shop on the left side (see photo below) and head out to the beach. About Travel Addicts This is important to note, because there has been a rash of people impersonating government officials, demanding on-the-spot-payment of supposed fines, demanding payments for just walking on the beach, and illegal acts. While planning our trip to Mexico, wed heard about swimming with turtles in Akumal and that it could be done in the wild for FREE! Other companies are super restrictive with their customer service policies, come with us, here we will treat you in a professional way. Tulum and Akumal. If you visit Akumal, it wont be long before the guides who hassle you for business will quickly begin lecturing you on conservation and ecology. Snorkeling with turtles in Akumal is easy. Here are some options to consider. Unfortunately, this is greenwashing. 3.- How many turtles and what sizes will we see? One of the best adventures every! Check prices for the best deals on rental cars in the area. Privacy Policy We have no problems in this regard, only that, restrictions apply. You wont go very far before people will start aggressively waving you down offering tours, parking, and information.. If you need a toilet, Lol-Ha has a pay toilet (5 pesos). Theoretically, you could visit Tulum after Akumal, but theres just one problem: heat. You are looking for the Akumal Dive Shop. 7.- Can I transfer my ticket to another person? (So much for protecting the turtles.) We take great care of our image and we will never sell you something that we are not sure we can fulfill. Dulce was very knowledgeable and answered all our and ours kids very inquisitive questions. If you would prefer to take a tour to Tulum, check out this full-day tour that includes Tulum, Cob, and a cenote visit or this half-day express tour of Tulum. When we confirm your deposit, an email will be sent to you with all the information about the meeting place, schedules, photos of the guide, etc. However, staying closer to Akumal may make for a more enjoyable, convenient experience if snorkeling with the sea turtles is at the top of your Mexico to do list. Everything was well timed and organised by our guide Juan. The driver will leave you on the side of the road at the base of footbridge. When it comes to making the most of your trip to the Riviera Maya, there are two things you should definitely do: visit a Mayan archaeological site and enjoy the stunning natural beauty of the Caribbean Sea while snorkeling. 15.- What are your cancellation and refund policies? We will check if there is availability and you only have to pay a deposit to guarantee your reservation, the rest of the money can be paid in cash at the time of pickup, or you can pay the full amount before the excursion. There is almost no shade at the archaeological site and it is extremely hot. Contact us for more information, Yes, we will apply the exchange rate for the day. The road to the town and beach is on your left (youll go past it about 200 yards, take the returno back and then make a right down the road to the beach. To find the turtles, look for where the ocean appears darker to find the sea grass on the bottom of the ocean floor. Big waves cant penetrate the bay, so it is perfect for snorkeling. 8.- Is food included in the Tulum Turtles tour? We booked last minute for a Tulum/snorkel with turtles tour.
Work With Us You can get close to the turtles (while still respecting their space!).
Of our entire trip in Mexico, snorkeling in Akumal with the sea turtles was the highlight of the trip. We were picked up exactly on time at our hotel lobby and arrived at the ruins early which was great because it got hotas in super hot quickly! If you have not hired a guide elsewhere or not come on a guided tour, this is where you can hire a licensed guide. Access to the beach, protected by Mexican law, has been significantly impaired, often illegally. :) This post certainly helped add this to our list of activities! There is a cooler with water and soft drinks on board the bus, however in the Akumal beach club you are not allowed to bring in drinks. We have also seen several groups in the "protected" area. Thanks Absolute Adventure Mexico! There are several ways to get to Akumal, but there are really only three good waysrental car, a colectivo (the shared local mini-vans), or a private tour. Destinations The cost is supposed to be 35 pesos per person (less than $3), but some drivers may quote a slightly higher price. There are now gates on the left side of the dive shop and a $5 admission charge to access the beach through the dive shop. Always up for an adventure, we set out to do the snorkel trip our own and will share our secrets with you. There have always been several colectivo terminals in Playa del Carmen. And there were always so many turtles in the water and people for the most part were very respectful and watching them and now there is so many more people and I agree its a moneymaking operation. We are in Akumal today January 28, 2022. 3.- We are a big family, do you have group prices? Required fields are marked *, Absolute Adventure Mexico What does this mean? We can leave later if you want to. Just keep walking. This implies spending more money, and we try to save you as much money as we can, with tips and recommendations. It is our third time here in 14 years Today was our first day to snorkel and we were so shocked and surprised to see all the people out there an orange vests and I got yelled at in the water just like your article that I wasnt allowed out there even though were staying at a hotel Caribe. Some visitors have also reported problems with the dive shop, so you might consider other options. 08:00am 10:00am: Visit of Tulum ruins We will see turtles for sure, how many, it will be a matter of luck, as well as size, there are turtles from small to large, but luck plays a very important role. Tel/iSms/Whatsapp: +52 984 806 7432 Each experience is mesmerizing. PRIVATE TOUR: Early access private tour! She took many family pictures of us and was just overall a pleasure! All entrance fees The Akumal sea turtles are plentiful and theyre used to the presence of humans. Swimming closer, the clear form of a green sea turtle begins to take shape. Our visit to Akumal was a wonderful day in the sun and sea from our base in Playa del Carmen. Were certified scuba divers, and the very first thing you learn in diving is that you are a guest in the ocean. In the blue-green haze, a black silhouette emerges in the distance. Thankfully those days are over. In retrospect, we should have gotten there earlier. Also, do not stand in the sea grass, as that destroys the very reason these gorgeous animals visit Akumal. 12.- Can we bring food into the archeological zone? We were here 10 years ago and things have changed dramatically. Times are approximate and depend on many factors, however, we can give you an average itinerary based on our previous experiences, Send an email, call or WhatsApp to the numbers that are on the screen, indicating the day and the number of adults and children. In the archeological area of Tulum you are only allowed to bring in water, Yes, in Tulum and Akumal we will have free time that you can use to swim, we will also be swimming with the turtles, YES, we are aware that babies eat on different schedules. Under Mexican law (the Federal Maritime Terrestrial Zone), the beach is free to use, however, the businesses have organized to privatize (or close) nearly all public access points to the beach. Secondly, be very mindful of your feet. Yes, we are flexible with our payment methods, however all we ask is that you show our online advisors that you are really going to show up at the time of the excursion ( restrictions apply) but if we have this option. We decided to do this private tour to Tulum and Akumal bay. 2.- If I purchase online how do I get my tickets? If you dial from the United States we have US phone numbers. As they get used to you, you can appreciate their strong front fins that propel them through the water. Lunch with one main course a la carte and one drink (water, soda or beer). While you are visiting or snorkeling you can leave the things you dont need in the van. It is worth your time to study the map for a few minutes before you head out. And who would want to? 6.- What hours are customer service agents available? First of all, keep your distance. CCPA Compliance Information, Quick Links They provided us with lots of water and other drinks to keep us hydrated. See our in-depth hotel review (Check prices and book | Read reviews). All of this will ensure the health of the turtles and that people can continue to snorkel Akumal Bay for years to come. Our tour guide had a lot of interesting facts to share with us. The truly unfortunate reality is that a national treasure was sacrificed in the name of profit. Unfortunately NO, there are almost no garbage cans and a lot of garbage would be generated within the archaeological zone, food is not allowed in Tulum or Coba. Private guided tour of Tulum ruins, followed by a swim with turtles at the Akumal bay and a delicious lunch at a local restaurant. In the past, numerous vendors would rent gear directly on the beach, but they have been banned under the most recent set of rules for Akumal Bay.
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