Activities
in and Around Akumal
Relax Our
favorite activities at Villa Paraiso are laying in the hammocks
and reading, sitting around the pool or walking on the beach. It's
true that this change in latitude will change your attitude.
Snorkeling
and Diving Akumal has been a destination for divers since the
1950's. The reef in front of the Villa is part of the largest
living reef in the Western Hemisphere and is the perfect place for an
introduction to snorkeling. The variety of marine life you will
see in these calm shallow waters will amaze you. Akumal has two
large dive shops which offer scuba instruction, equipment rentals and
tours. Akumal Dive Shop
Akumal Dive Center
Deep
Sea Fishing The area is world known
for fishing. You can catch sailfish, marlin, mahi-mahi, barracuda,
grouper, and snapper, all within site of the shore.
Call Carlos at El Pescador Restaurant 987-59204 or Capt. Rick's in Puerto
Aventuras 987-35195.
Mayan Ruins There
are many Mayan ruins in the Yucatan Peninsula. The three largest
near the Villa are Tulum, Coba, and Chichen Itza. Tulum is
the only walled city near the ocean the Mayans ever constructed.
It was a major seaport and the
last city occupied by the Mayans. 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 reef and
functioned as a lighthouse for Mayan boats. It's located only 20 minutes
south of the Villa. Coba means "water stirred
by wind," getting this name form the two beautiful lakes nearby. It
was one of the larger Mayan cities. Nohoch Mul is the
tallest pyramid in the Yucatan at 138 feet. Chichen Itza is
a huge complex of magnificent Mayan ruins. It was home to about
50,000 people and covers an area of more than 80 square
kilometers. In it's center is the majestic pyramid of Kulkulkan,
and its accompanying buildings.
Actun-Chen
Cave The Actun-Chen eco-park has
caves with a river flowing thru them surrounded by jungle. It has a well
marked trail specially illuminated to enhance the
beautiful stalagmite and stalactite formations. The last chamber is very
large and features a crystal clear blue pool of water. The cave and
jungle tours are led by
knowledgeable Mayan guides and take about an hour. This whole area was once a "chicle" plantation. Just
5 minutes south of the Villa.
Xcaret A 250-acre ecological theme park
located about 30 minutes north of the Villa. You can swim in an
underground river, snorkel in the inlet and get in the water with the
dolphins. It has a Mayan museum and village. Visit the Bird
Breeding Aviary, Bat Cave, Butterfly Pavilion, and see the sea turtles,
jaguars, and crocodiles. XCARET AT NIGHT is a "Mayan Fiesta"
of music and color show. Plan on spending the whole day.
Xel-Ha is
a beautiful nature park with a natural aquarium where you can swim
with a huge variety of tropical reef fish. A great place to snorkel. It's a heavy tourist area,
go early to avoid the bus loads from Cancun. It's about 10 minutes
south of the Villa.
Casa
Cenote Don't miss the Sunday afternoon
BBQ at Casa Cenote. Gary serves some of the best Texas
BBQ you have ever tasted! The lagoon is gorgeous and you can take
a swin in the fresh water cenote next to the restaurant. Just
15 minutes south of the Villa.
Punta
Soliman Spend
the afternoon at this beautiful bay just 15 minutes south of the
Villa. You can snorkel
or kayak in the lagoon or have a beer in the hammocks at the Restaurante
Oscar y Lalo.
Cozumel Island Cozumel has beautiful beaches with water sports of all kind,
world-famous snorkeling and scuba diving and a National Archeological
Park with Botanical Gardens. Catch the ferry in Playa del Carmen.
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