While staying at Casa de Acacia, you can enjoy a wide
variety of relaxing activities. Wake up early to the beautiful
Caribbean sunrise. Spend the morning watching the iguanas
emerge from their homes in the rocks and join them as
they bask in the warm sunshine.
YAL-KU LAGOON
At the North end of Akumal is Yal-Ku Lagoon. This is a
calm, clear environment for the beginning snorkeler. The
lagoon is inhabited by multicolored tropical fish and
has nice coral formations near its mouth. If you are lucky,
you may see the huge king parrot fish. The lagoon is a
mixture of fresh and salt water and is refreshing after
a long day at the beach. It is a very special ecosystem
so please help protect this resource by not wearing sunscreen
or feeding fish. A smaller version of it's famous neighbor
Xel-Ha. Light tourist traffic, $5.00 (US) access fee.
AKUMAL BAY
Beautiful sugar white sand beaches and a scuba center
complete with diving, swimming, fishing and wind surfing
gear. Lol-Ha restaurant and beach bar, pizzeria and ice
cream shop on the beach - also a few small boutiques and
native goods from Mexico and Central America
ACTUN-CHEN Cave System
10 minutes S. of Akumal you will see a large green sign on
the right for the Actun-Chen Cave and Cavern system. You will
travel a well groomed dirt road 3.2 km through the jungle.
This area was once a "chicle" plantation. Actun-Chen
eco-park has been open 5 months and is a first class operation.
The cave itself is magic! It has a well groomed trail illuminated
with soft light to enhance the beautiful stalagmite and stalactite
formations. The last chamber is very large and has a crystal
clear blue pool of water with a bridge. Don't forget your
camera! The tour takes about an hour and is lead by very knowledgeable
Mayan guides. $15.00 US for the cave tour, $30.00 US for jungle
tour.
XEL-HA
Xel-Ha is a beautiful lagoon much larger than Yal-Ku. Heavy
tourist area, go early to avoid the bus loads from Cancun.
Lots of shops and eating areas. Restricted snorkeling and
swimming.
TANKAH
Look for the Blue "Casa Cenote" sign with yellow
letters and go left onto the dirt road. Drive to the beach,
go left and then it will be another 1/2 mile on the right.
Blue cenote and a nice beach, lots of mangroves and birds.
A great spot for lunch!
TULUM
Tulum is the most magnificent Mayan ruins on the Caribbean
Sea. The main pyramid, El Castillo, sits on a 10-meter cliff
and has an impressive view of the Caribbean. The pyramid is
also aligned with a natural break in the world's second largest
barrier reef and functioned as a lighthouse for Mayan boats.
Tulum means, "walled city". It encompasses the temple
complex and a sacred cenote. Post classic period 900-1200
AD. Large market at entrance, bargaining is expected. Gas
station here.
XPU-HA
Xpu-Ha is a gorgeous stretch of very soft sugar white sand
that is great for long walks. This beach is experiencing some
development and has a small restaurant with good seafood.
Xpu-Ha has choice snorkeling on a calm day. Take the X-5 dirt
road, veer right and park, 5 Pesos per person. Xpu-Ha also
has a cenote at the Northern end of the beach. The area is
being developed as an ecological park.
PUERTO AVENTURAS
This large development features a deep-water marina and 9-hole
golf course, soon to be 18 holes. It also has restaurants,
shops and the CEDAM museum displaying the artifacts from the
Spanish galleon Nuestra Senora de los Milagros that sank in
a violent storm near Akumal in 1843.
XCARET ECOLOGICAL PARK
Plan to spend the day at this attraction. X-caret is an ancient
Mayan port, it has a beautiful inlet and fresh water caverns
that you can leisurely snorkel through. The park has paddle
boats, floats and comfortable palapas with beach chairs. It
has a museum, zoo, gardens and marine life such as dolphins.($50.00
US)
www.xcaretcancun.com
PLAYA CAR
The brand new resort of Playa Car has an 18-hole championship
golf course, tennis courts and a clubhouse with delicious
lunches.
PLAYA DEL CARMEN and COZUMEL
This bustling port is the gateway to Cozumel. Cruise ships
also dock here. Catch the ferry for a nice day trip. Cozumel
is world famous for its coral reef ecosystem, and attracts
divers from all over the world. The city is a great place
to shop and has lots of restaurants and entertainment.
PUERTO MORELOS
If you are hungry from a long flight from the US or Europe
stop at Los Pelicanos Restauant for a delicious lunch. Puerto
Morelos is a small fishing village and the palapas restaurant
sits on the beach. Good drinks and local seafood. Gas station
here!
CANCUN
The busy resort city and hotel zone of Cancun is just 20 minutes
North of Playa Paraiso. Beautiful beach, great shopping, restaurants
and night life. New water park in South Cancun.
www.cancun.com
