AdventureBacalar: Lagoon of Seven Colours
Sailing Bacalar lagoon: Pirates' Channel, Black Cenote, Bird Island and the stromatolite sanctuary.
8h
From
$1,910.00 MXN
per person
Adventure4 hoursTransport included
Akumal: Reef and Turtle Sanctuary
Transportation
Included
Duration
4 hours
Food
Not included
Frequency
Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays
Tour summary
Akumal: Reef and Turtle Sanctuary is a 4 hours tour in the Adventure category.
Prices: Child (3–11 years): $1,210 MXN; Infant (0–2 years): free; Adult (12+ years): $1,560 MXN.
Included: Round-trip transport in an air-conditioned vehicle, Certified bilingual guide, Snorkelling in the turtle sanctuary, Snorkelling on the coral reef, Life jacket and snorkelling gear, Two bottles of water during the transfer.
Not included: Eco fee of USD 25 per person, payable in cash on the day of the tour, Food and drinks, Tips, Souvenirs, Any service not mentioned.
Meeting point: Hotel pickup in the Riviera Maya area. This tour does not depart from Cancún. The exact point and time are confirmed when you book.
Information updated on
About this tour
Akumal means "place of turtles" in Mayan, and the name is not decoration: green turtles graze on the seagrass in this bay a few metres from the shore, all year round.
The tour is two guided snorkelling sessions: one in the turtle sanctuary and one on the coral reef, part of the second largest reef system in the world. Snorkelling gear and a life jacket are included.
Before you book
- It is a short tour, about 4 hours: it fits into half a morning and leaves the rest of your day free.
- It departs from the Riviera Maya only.
- There is an eco fee of USD 25 per person that is not included and is paid in cash on the day of the tour.
- The turtles are wild animals: they are not touched or chased, and sightings depend on the day's conditions.
Akumal is a protected bay: sunscreen must be biodegradable, and in some seasons the authorities limit how many people may enter the water.
What's included?
- Round-trip transport in an air-conditioned vehicle
- Certified bilingual guide
- Snorkelling in the turtle sanctuary
- Snorkelling on the coral reef
- Life jacket and snorkelling gear
- Two bottles of water during the transfer
Not included
- Eco fee of USD 25 per person, payable in cash on the day of the tour
- Food and drinks
- Tips
- Souvenirs
- Any service not mentioned
Schedule
Operating days
Sunday, Wednesday, Friday
Hotel pickup
Includes pickup at your hotel and drop-off afterwards.
What to bring
- Swimsuit and towel
- Comfortable clothes and shoes
- Biodegradable sunscreen
- Sunglasses, a cap or a hat
- Cash for the USD 25 eco fee, drinks, souvenirs and tips
Itinerary
We pick you up in the Riviera Maya area. The exact point and time are confirmed when you book.
Guided snorkelling over the seagrass beds of Akumal bay, where the green turtles feed.
A second snorkelling session over the reef, part of the second largest reef system in the world.
Return to your hotel in the Riviera Maya. The whole tour takes about 4 hours.
Highlights
- Snorkelling in the Akumal turtle sanctuary
- A second session over the coral reef
- Snorkelling gear and life jacket included
- Just 4 hours: the rest of the day is yours
Pricing
| Type | Age | MXN | USD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child | 3–11 | $1,210 | $69 |
| Infant | 0–2 | Free | — |
| Adult | +12 | $1,560 | $89 |
* Prices per person. Subject to availability.
FAQ
Which days does this tour run?
Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, with a Spanish- or English-speaking guide. The booking calendar only lets you pick those days.
How long does it last?
About 4 hours. It is a short tour, ideal if you want the rest of the day free.
What is the USD 25 eco fee?
It is the access and conservation fee for Akumal bay, which is a protected area. It is USD 25 per person, not included in the tour price, and paid in cash on the day of the tour.
Where does it depart from?
From the Riviera Maya area only. If you are staying in Cancún, there is another tour that includes Akumal departing from there.
Are turtle sightings guaranteed?
No. Akumal is one of the easiest places in the Caribbean to see them because they feed close to shore year-round, but they are wild animals and nobody can promise them.
What is the difference between the sanctuary and the reef?
In the sanctuary you swim over the seagrass where the turtles feed. On the reef you snorkel over coral, with fish and other species. They are two different environments and the tour includes both.
Is snorkelling equipment included?
Yes, the life jacket and snorkelling gear are included, along with transport and two bottles of water.
Do I need to know how to swim?
A life jacket is included and the guide stays with the group, so you do not need to be a strong swimmer, but you should be comfortable floating in the sea.
Is food included?
No. It lasts about 4 hours and includes two bottles of water; bring cash if you want to buy anything.
Why does sunscreen have to be biodegradable?
Akumal is a protected bay: regular sunscreens damage the coral and the seagrass the turtles feed on. That is why only biodegradable sunscreen is allowed in the water.
How much do children pay?
Children aged 3 to 11 pay the child rate. Infants aged 0 to 2 do not pay for the tour. The USD 25 eco fee does apply per person.
How long is the Akumal: Reef and Turtle Sanctuary tour?
The Akumal: Reef and Turtle Sanctuary tour lasts about 4 hours.
How much does Akumal: Reef and Turtle Sanctuary cost?
Prices: Child (3–11 years): $1,210 MXN; Infant (0–2 years): free; Adult (12+ years): $1,560 MXN.
What does Akumal: Reef and Turtle Sanctuary include?
Included: Round-trip transport in an air-conditioned vehicle, Certified bilingual guide, Snorkelling in the turtle sanctuary, Snorkelling on the coral reef, Life jacket and snorkelling gear, Two bottles of water during the transfer.
What is not included in Akumal: Reef and Turtle Sanctuary?
Not included: Eco fee of USD 25 per person, payable in cash on the day of the tour, Food and drinks, Tips, Souvenirs, Any service not mentioned.
Where is the meeting point?
Hotel pickup in the Riviera Maya area. This tour does not depart from Cancún. The exact point and time are confirmed when you book.
Meeting point
Hotel pickup in the Riviera Maya area. This tour does not depart from Cancún. The exact point and time are confirmed when you book.
There is a compulsory eco fee of USD 25 per person that is not included and is paid in cash on the day of the tour. Departures are exclusive to the Riviera Maya. Akumal is a protected bay: sunscreen must be biodegradable and access to the water may be limited by the authorities. The turtles are wild animals and sightings depend on the day's conditions.
Cancellation policy
General conditions for changes, weather and refunds: Policies
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