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. Tell the driver where you are going (Akumal, por favor). Thirdly, just use common sense. 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. Being prepared for the Tulum Turtles Tours is the main element for you to fully enjoy these activities. Our visit to Akumal was a wonderful day in the sun and sea from our base in Playa del Carmen. 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. You may even be offered special souvenir photos. This tour doesnt include Tulum centro/Tulum beach-hotel areas. 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. 8.- How do I call from outside of Mexico? While you are visiting or snorkeling you can leave the things you dont need in the van. Between 3 and 7 years old is considered a child and the price is $70 USD or $1,400 Mexican pesos per person. Thankfully, new guidelines were put in place to clarify years of confusing rules and numerous problems. We recommend avoiding these offers. ), youll ultimately save money with a rental car versus booking tours, and youll save time over the colectivos. 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. It is not a very long excursion, a snack is included to ward off hunger and you can eat in the comfort of your hotel. We had such a great time, the lunch was delicious. Better still, this private tour is ideal for families and those who are new to snorkeling! In the blue-green haze, a black silhouette emerges in the distance. WOW, there is no form of payment that cannot be made with us. 12:00pm 01:30pm: Lunch in a restaurant 08:00am 10:00am: Visit of Tulum ruins There is no pickup in popular areas, only in hotels or hostels. The road will almost immediately fork. Due to COVID-19, this tour is available from Cancun only on certain days of the week, please send us a message for more information, The best price with the best quality, we are revolutionizing the market in the Riviera Maya. 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. There is almost no shade at the archaeological site and it is extremely hot. 3.- We are a big family, do you have group prices? Head through the white gate. And, wearing a life jacket will make it easier to snorkel with the turtles. As experienced snorkelers we aren't big fans of paying for a guide. We are in Akumal today January 28, 2022. 12.- Can we bring food into the archeological zone? Follow the main road as it goes slightly to the left. Private guided tour of Tulum ruins, followed by a swim with turtles at the Akumal bay and a delicious lunch at a local restaurant. The second way to get to Akumal is the colectivo. The truly unfortunate reality is that a national treasure was sacrificed in the name of profit. We saw about 6 or so which was totally rad. First of all, keep your distance. Mexico 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. 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. The problem with visiting Akumal and Tulum on the same day is one of timing. Tel/iSms/Whatsapp: +52 984 806 7432 The easiest way to find turtles is to look for the small groups of other snorkelers. For more info check this link. Check prices or Book selecting date, number of people and hotel. The driver will leave you on the side of the road at the base of footbridge. This is the new mantra. Home North America Mexico How to Snorkel with Sea Turtles in Akumal, Mexico. Pick up time is recommended time to avoid the crowds. This includes the CEA Center building, which charges $5 USD for the use of restrooms, lockers, and other facilities. This should be sacred for all those who love wildlife. 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. (So much for protecting the turtles.) 8.- Is food included in the Tulum Turtles tour? Rental cars in Mexico are very inexpensive and high quality (we had a brand new Volkswagen Jetta). It is advisable to have a specific day to guarantee your spaces on the transportation. Basically, youre on the local bus. 77710 Playa del Carmen. We had to pay ~$6 to get a wristband to enter the beach. If you have questions send us an email we are here to serve you. We will definitely be visiting again!!!! Corporate businesses have taken over establishments in the bay. 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). Where you find a group, youll find turtles. Ethical travelers and those searching for sustainable tourism will quickly see through this. We were here 10 years ago and things have changed dramatically. All entrance fees 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. All over Cancun and Playa del Carmen, youll be approached by people offering you tours to Akumal. Av 20 con calle 20. Arturo and Omar were our Guide and driver ..they both showed extreme patience with my daughter and i as we ran a little late they still made time to stop for coffee..Thank God..the day was truly pleasurable ..Arturo becomes an instant friend that goes out of his way to make sure you are taken care of and attends to your request as if he truly considers you his personal guest in his country..and even when hit with my daughters desire for an authentic coconut beverage in Mexico he made it a mission to make it happen..the turtle experience arranged by Absolute Adventures is a Wonderful Experience but make it A forever Memorable Day and ask that Arturo be your guide ..You will Be Grateful You Did! We were provided all the equipment needed and were able to keep our valuables in the van which was great! The colectivos depart Playa del Carmen from Calle 2 Norte at Avenue 15. Learn how your comment data is processed. We booked last minute for a Tulum/snorkel with turtles tour. The return price is the same as what you paid to get to Akumal. Well provide all of the equipment you need, and a professional certified guide will accompany you to ensure that everyone has a fun, safe time while snorkeling with these majestic creatures. Hello: My name is Paul, feel confident to send me an email, WhatsApp or call anytime of the day I am here to help you! 13.- How much time will we spend at each place? To find the turtles, look for where the ocean appears darker to find the sea grass on the bottom of the ocean floor. 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. Pick up and drop off at your hotel with private air-conditioned transportation Many of the Akumal turtles are endangered, and the area they swim in is their feeding area. It gets stirred up as the day goes on, cutting visibility significantly. Itinerary is based on a departure from Playa del Carmen. This is our favorite snorkel and mask set. Cross over the highway make a left for Tulum. Once your group is finished enjoying the wonders of Tulum, well visit Akumal, a protected bay nearby where you can go for a swim with turtles! The easiest and best way is by car. Our tour guide had a lot of interesting facts to share with us. Look for the white vans heading in the direction of Tulum. 4.- I do not have a credit card, how do I reserve it? This is where the sea turtles feed and where you should head for the best chance of finding them. If you get hungry, head to the Lol-Ha restaurant, where you can sit in comfy plastic chairs and drink the beverage of your choice while enjoying some pretty decent food. You wont go very far before people will start aggressively waving you down offering tours, parking, and information.. We do not recommend parking here. Ruins: In case you bring a go pro camera, a video camera or a phone with a selfie stick, there is a 50 pesos (less than 3USD) per device charged at the entrance of each archeological site, to be paid in pesos (INAH tax) Drones and Tripods for video/cameras are forbidden. But dont be fooled for a minute that any of the changes in were made for the benefit of the turtles. We put all the information of what is included and what is not included on our excursions to avoid uncomfortable surprises or misunderstandings. 2.- Can you guarantee that we will see turtles? Were Lance and Laura, two busy professionals who love photography and travel the world as much as our real world vacation schedules allow. It is best to stay at least 10 feet away, and do not hover immediately above a turtle while it is feeding. Yes, contact us to find a package tailored to your needs, and see what promotions are in force. ), Comfortable shoes and light clothes to visit the ruins, Flip flops or water shoes for swimming activities. To leave by colectivo, walk back up the road (its a gentle uphill) and flag any colectivo heading your direction. 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. Yes, as long as the owner of the card is aware of the transaction. Also, do not stand in the sea grass, as that destroys the very reason these gorgeous animals visit Akumal. 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. They traded all kinds of items here, from honey and textiles to precious stones and coffee beans. And thats what really saddens us about what is happening here. It was still early so we avoided crowds and heat. The Akumal turtles did not disappoint and it was the highlight of our trip to Mexico. Some visitors have also reported problems with the dive shop, so you might consider other options. They also have guides for the reef area which is a separate guide/cost from swimming near the turtles. Akumal Bay Beach & Wellness Resort This is the top-rated hotel in Akumal thanks to its location, quality of service, and excellent food (Check prices and book | Read reviews), Secrets Riviera Maya With a gorgeous beachfront and top-notch service, Secrets Riviera Maya is a great option (Check prices and book | Read reviews), Hotel Akumal Caribe With oceanfront rooms and spa services, Hotel Caribe is the perfect place to escape and relax (Check prices and book | Read reviews), Occidental at Xcaret Destination The Occidental at Xcaret Destination has been our hotel of choice. 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. Big waves cant penetrate the bay, so it is perfect for snorkeling. 4.- I am not a local do the same prices apply? There are some other points of entry for the beach. If you wish to pay using another type of currency please contact us to see if we accept that currency, Yes, without problem as this is the most common form of payment. After a couple of hours of snorkeling, we parked ourselves in the Lol-Ha restaurant to enjoy the shade, the view of the ocean, and some amazing lunch delights: chilaquiles and a cochinita pibil torta. Picking a Park on the Riviera Maya Xcaret or Xel-Ha? As long as you notify us that there will be a change or cancellation 12 hours in advance, no charges apply. But we also saw a lot of pricey tours being offered. Claire responded immediately and we were set to go. This article is very informative and accurate except now the entrance fee is $6.00 per person. We could choose anything we wanted at the Mexican restaurant! 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. Cool drinks in the van (waters, soda, beer) Overall I recommend this company, very professional and Dulce and Carlos were amazing! Under 3 years old is considered an infant and they are free, however, they will not be assigned a seat on the bus and must travel on your lap. Email: contact@absolute-adventure-mexico.com. Unless an individual produces a valid photo ID from PROFEPA (Procuradura Federal de Proteccin al Ambiente, the Mexican Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection) they have NO legal standing. We went first to Tulum. If you have questions please contact us, in any of our communication channels, Transparency and flexibility are the governing bodies of our company, with us there are no surprises. We take great care of our image and we will never sell you something that we are not sure we can fulfill. The rules are clearer (mostly), but there can still be problems. One of the most common questions we get are for hotel recommendations. By all means, go and enjoy it either independently or with a guide.
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