Xel-Ha is known as a unique eco-park located south of Playa del Carmen, about 15 minutes from our villa in Akumal. It lies on the eastern coastline of the Yucatan Peninsula, the archaeological site of the Mayans in pre-Columbian Mesoamerica.

Multiple leisure, ecological and natural attractions offer activities for the entire family to enjoy themselves. The unique open-sea aquarium allows visitors to view ocean life in their natural habitats unaltered and not disturbed.

Swimming with trained dolphins is also a popular activity for tourists, which is not found easily in surrounding areas. Animal and nature lovers enjoy spending time in the water with these gentle creatures, and have a wonderful story to bring home to their family and friends!

Snorkeling is also ideal in the local lagoon. The coral is dead there, but regular feeding keeps the many types of colorful fish returning for more. Some snorkelers will have another party feed the fish while they view the swimming visitors from below.

There is a river which starts in a natural spring, and inner tubes are available to float to the end. This provides a relaxing complement to an afternoon nap in a hammock on one of the local beaches as well.

More adventurous spirits enjoy climbing and diving from the local cliffs in Xel-Ha, exploring the Mayan cave, and touring the local Xel-Ha ruins. These ruins are largely untouched and totally original, with a unique look into past centuries and architectural contributions.

Hammock Island, Xpa, Bay of Caprices and The Beach are popular hotspots for those who wish to lounge and experience the leisurely activities at Xel-Ha. Chacah Garden, the Mayan Wall, the Apiary and Plant Nursery provide unique ecological attractions for plant life lovers. Natural wonders are also seen at the Inlet, El Dorado Cavern, Ixchel’s Gulf, the Mayan Cave, Chaac Mangal, and many Cenotes.

When visiting Akumal, Xen-Ha is an easy day trip that will please the entire family and offer plenty of varying activities. Reasonably priced and unique to the area, activities center around relaxation, fun and exploring historical and natural wonders.

Water sport lovers will enjoy the inner tube ride, cliff diving and snorkeling in the lagoon. Nature lovers enjoy swimming with the dolphins and exploring the multiple forms of plant and animal life in the area, and those curious of the historical roots of the Peninsula have plenty of opportunity to explore Mayan ruins and advanced architectural influences for that era.

Our kids and grandchildren always plan spending the whole day at Xel-Ha every time they visit Akumal. There is so much to do they never get tired of returning year after year. They enjoy riding a bicycle through a path in the jungle, jumping off cliffs into the limpid blue sea, swimming with the dolphins, and walking through stingrays on the bottom of the sea.

This year for the first time they signed up for the Sea Trek. They wore a technologically advanced helmet that looks like deep-sea diving equipment. Sea trek required no previous training, diving or otherwise. Experts will be close at hand at all times during the walk, aiding them in every way and satisfying every curiosity concerning the aquatic walk of a lifetime. They all said it was a walk they would never forget!

We highly recommend you visit Xel-Ha on your next trip to the Yucatan.

Read more about Akumal.

More Travel Articles.

The more you know about Akumal, Mexico, the more exciting you will be to vacation in this land of paradise. Therefore, the months or weeks leading up to your trip should be spent doing research so that you can learn more about Akumal.

To learn more about Akumal, Mexico, you can easily turn the Internet. The Internet is a wealth of information, providing historical and accurate information as well as tips and reviews from other travelers who have taken a trip to the area. This site, AkumalVacation.com, has many interesting articles about the Akumal Mexico area.  This type of information can provide all you need to know about many parts of your vacation, including the best places to eat, stay, shop, and explore. We will tell you what we have enjoyed and what to watch out for, while the other sites will tell you all about other areas that you plan to visit.

In addition to this type of information, you can also learn more through Akumal hotel, resort, and tourism websites. Each hotel will provide you with pictures of their accommodations, a list of local attractions and activities, and typically, a brief history of the area. They may also provide information about items that they provide, which will not only help you learn more about Akumal, but also help you plan your daily activities while on vacation.

Although their objective is to pull you into the area, the information that they provide about their hotel and the area needs to be accurate or they will begin to lose business. Therefore, you can typically trust the information from a website, including the information that they provide about local attractions and the history of the area.

Another way that you can learn more about Akumal is through a travel agent. It is the job of a travel agent to know a wealth of information about their top destinations or at least be able to provide that information to customers. Even if you do not plan to book your trip through a travel agent, you can still find a lot of information through them.

A trip to Akumal, Mexico can be a learning and bonding experience for the whole family. Discover the history and culture of the land. Learn about the sea and what activities you can enjoy in the water. Plan your days based on the information that interests you most. The more you learn about Akumal, the more fascinating it will be once you finally arrive.

Browse the Travel Links at http://linkroo.com/Travel/.

Akumal Traveler

Villa Paraiso in Akumal

You can enjoy a memorable vacation in our private villa located directly on a white sandy beach in South Akumal, Mexico. Villa Paraiso is truly a “house in paradise” set in a lush tropical paradise usually associated with the South Pacific! The blend of brilliant sunlight, emerald and turqouis water, cool ocean breezes and lush tropical vegetation is breath taking.  You walk through the garden filled with hibiscus, orchids and bougainvillea and into an authentic Mexican villa!

Our four-bedroom luxury home is decorated with rich red, green and white colors of Mexico and filled with local art. The ground floor has an open plan living and dining room area with a splendid view of the Caribbean Sea. Our colorful Mexican hand carved wooden dining table seats eight and the large fully equipped gourmet kitchen is a chef’s delight.  Why not have the staff cook for you?  They prepare wonderful Yucatan style food as well as Mexican and American delights!

The four bedrooms all have comfortable king size beds.  There are two identical master bedroom suites with sitting areas.  One of the other bedrooms has a ocean view and the fourth bedroom has a garden view. The villa is complete with a computer with a DSL connection, WiFi Hotspot, satellite TV, VCR, stereo system, a pair of two person kayaks and a large selection of books to read. The entire house is fully air conditioned.

Step out of the living room or downstairs master bedroom onto the marble terrace surrounding the swimming pool with it’s Jacuzzi and waterfall. This is the perfect place to swim, sun and relax!  The sandy beach in front of the pool is a perfect place to nap or read a book in the shade of a palm tree and listen to the ocean.

Mix yourself a cocktail at the wet bar and sip it in one of the double hammocks on the upstairs terrace while listening to the waves lap on the white sand beach.

In front of the villa is a spectacular reef that runs from Belize to Cancun. This world-famous barrier reef protects the lagoon and keeps the warm crystal clear water calm and safe for swimming, snorkeling, diving and leisurely cruising around in one of our two person kayaks.  The roof-top patio is a perfect place to watch the sun rise over the Caribbean or set over the jungle while listening to the tropical birds sing.  The area around Akumal is home to many spectacular Mayan ruins, golf courses and world class diving and snorkeling.

You can rent Villa Paraiso in Akumal, Mexico… a tropical paradise!

A Candid Review of Akumal’s Eateries

We take a look at all the places to eat in the town of Akumal, Mexico.  All are owned by locals who also operate them.  These are just our opinions… other people’s opinions may vary!

Lol-Ha Resturant in Akumal

Lol-Ha on Akumal Bay Our favorite!  The Beach Bar has a large palapa style outside dining area surrounded by palms with a great ocean view and cool ocean breeze. The menu offers a wide selection of well prepared foods. For more elegant dining, the main dining area offers a beautiful indoor dining room and a full menu. Their breakfast is a delight. The staff are friendly and helpful.  Friday Happy Hour is a Local’s Favorite.  The Lol-Ha Pizzeria offers freshly baked pizzas.  Located on the right just inside the arch in central Akumal.

La Buena Vida, “The Good Life”  This restaurant has a gorgeous view of Half Moon Bay. The shrimp tacos are wonderful!  The beach bar has swings instead of bar stools.  A fun “night life” place that rocks from Happy Hour to closing everyday.  Wednesday is karaoke night.  Dining on the beach or upstairs in the dining room.  They have a gift shop across the street with some fun stuff for sale.  It’s located on the beach road in the north of Akumal.

Cueva de Pescador, “The Cave of the Fisherman”–Freshest fish in Akumal!  Pescador is a seafood restaurant offering local fresh seafood caught by their own boats daily.  Grouper, Red Snapper, Boquinete (a local favorite), Atun (Tuna) and Dorado (Mahi Mahi) are usually available depending on the season.It is owned by Carlos Danú, a professional fisherman in Akumal since 1982, who for a fee will take you fishing and cook your catch for dinner!  We have fished with Carlos several times.  Always fun and inexpensive compared to the States.  Book fishing trips at the resturant.  Located on the left in the center of Akumal.

Turtle Bay Bakery & Cafe. They bake their own breads, cakes, cookies and pastries daily. Come early for the best selection.  Their breakfast is a treat. Open for breakfast andlunch.  Dinner in the high season.  Located in the center of Akumal behind Cueva de Pescador.

La Lunita, an intimate beach cafe serves contemporary style Mexican cuisine. Indoor or beach seating.  La Lunita is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner during the winter. Dinner only summer and fall.  It’s located in Hacienda Las Tortugas condos on Half Moon Bay in north Akumal.

Que Onda! specializes in Italian cuisine and is personally attended by owners.. Enjoy fresh pastas made daily in house and a nice selection of Italian wines. Enjoy dining in a beautiful garden setting and with an illuminated pool. Que Onda is located in a tropical garden setting at the north end of Akumal near Yal-ku Lagoon.

Loncheria Akumalito is a small breakfast/lunch bar located next to Super Chomak Grocery.  It is inexpensive with simple, delicious meals.

Lucy’s Kitchen Shrimp Tacos and handmade gormet ice cream.  Located by the basketball courts on the left before you go through the arch.

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