Discover sea turtles in their natural habitat.
The Mayans named it Akumal, the place of turtles. Today, this quiet beach town, which lies some 75 miles south of Cancun, is known as one of the best places in Mexico to swim or snorkel with these aquatic reptiles in clear, shallow waters.
Most activity centers around aptly named Turtle Bay, where snorkelers can find both green and loggerhead turtles. Most commonly seen are the youngsters, but there’s always a chance of seeing one of the big females, who can weigh in at more than 500 pounds.
These big mammas come ashore between April and October to lay their eggs in the sand. In addition to turtle watching, the area offers diving, kayaking, windsurfing, fishing and a low-key vacation alternative to the big resorts of Cancun and the Riviera Maya.
