Showing posts with label Riviera Maya. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Riviera Maya. Show all posts

Friday, February 13, 2009

Activities for Kids in Akumal Mexico

If you bring the children to Akumal on vacation, there are many activities here which are great for the younger members of the family. It’s important to keep the kids occupied and entertained in all of the fun activities here in Akumal.

Aside from touring the local Mayan ruins, snorkeling is maybe the most popular activity for all travelers to Akumal, and some of the places are especially fitting for the children. With a few safety measures, the kids can partake in this activity with little chance of injury or accident.

Well fitted life jackets should be worn by each child. Most villas provide these life jackets free of charge. These will not only prevent deadly accidents in the water, but will help to cover their torso and prevent sunburn in this area. It should also be applied frequently to avoid serious skin damage from the tropical Caribbean sun!

Yal-Ku Lagoon offers an outstanding location for young snorkelers. The calm waters of the area are free of choppy waters and multiple waves, allowing them to see the colorful ocean life easily. The bay in front of the houses in South Akumal also is perfect because of the reef blocking the waves.

A day at the beach is loved by all, and the children can occupy themselves with the white sand all day long. Buckets and shovels provide the chance to make sand castles while you rest and watch the children play. A sandy beach in front of your rental is a big plus. Most rental villas also have a fresh water pool with a Jacuzzi for the family to enjoy. Many also have kyacks for you to enjoy.

Always discuss with the children the importance of being aware of your surroundings before a day at the beach. They should not walk on turtle nests or dig around in them for fear of breaking eggs buried beneath the sand.

The Jungle Place is a great place to take the animal-loving children in the family. It is a sanctuary for spider monkeys situated four miles south of Akumal neat the pubelo of Chemuyil. Here, they can see many of the local wild animals which are caged or chained for safety. They may also play with the monkeys and talk to the many colorful parrots located here.

Places like Xel Ha, Hidden Worlds, Dolphin Adventures and Actun Chen also offer excitement for everyone in the family, and are good for even the smaller children. Hike the jungle to cenotes, tour a cavern, ride the zip-line in the jungle, swim with the dolphins, tube on a river, jump from a cliff, or eat homemade ice cream made at many of the local eateries. They are all within a ten minute drive of Akumal.

Depending whether your children are adventurous, interested in animals and nature, or simply happy to play in the water all day will help you to choose the proper activities for them to engage in. Talk with your kids about what they would like to see and do while in Akumal, and try to oblige at least one activity that even the children want to do.

Rent our house in Akumal Mexico!

Akumal Dream Vacation

Monday, January 26, 2009

Exploring the Mayan Ruins in Tulum Mexico

Tulum, located 15 miles south of Akumal, was once called “Zama”, meaning “place of the dawning”. This spectacular place which sits on a cliff facing the east Caribbean shoreline offers many Mayan ruins and ocean views for a day or short visit.

It is generally accepted that Tulum was an major city in Mayan culture between 1000 A.D. and 1600 A.D. Only the wealthy Mayans lived there, where the vast views of the ocean suggest the remains of an ancient country club. However, a 20-foot wall surrounds the site to keep invaders from both land and sea from entering Tulum.

This place was one of the first Mexican towns discovered by the Spanish Conquistadors, though the high walls dissuaded them from exploring it. At that time, Tulum was the only city still thriving when it was discovered.

It was the major area of resistance during the 19th century War of the Castes, though later surrendered and signed a treaty with the Mexican government in 1935. In recent years, Tulum has become a major tourist attraction in the Mayan Riviera for those who like ancient architecture and craftsmanship.

Buildings throughout Tulum boast several columns and intricate carvings. The most famous building ruins in the city include the Temple of the Frescoes, Castillo Pyramid, and the Temple of the Diving God.

The Temple of the Frescoes is well-known for housing multiple 13th century murals which picture ancient ceremonies highly regarded by the Mayans. One such mural depicts the Mayan goddess of fertility and medicine, Ixchel, which is extremely unusual. Outside, pieces of the stucco are still painted red; it is believed that at one time the entire city was covered in this same paint.

The Castillo Pyramid is known as a scenic place offering multiple breathtaking picture sea invaders.

The Temple of the Diving God boasts a figure above the main doorway which shows a man diving headfirst toward the earth. Two similar frescoes are found at Coba in the Grand Pyramid, and are believed to reference the planet Venus. The figure may also be called “the bee god” or “the god descending”.

Tulum offers a unique view into the lifestyles and living spaces of the elite Mayan civilization members. Contrasted with the intricate carvings and superb architecture, the surrounding walls speak to the city’s resistance to influence from outsiders over several thousand years.

It is only about a 15 minute drive from our villa in Akumal to the Tulum ruins.

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Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Private Villa for Rent in Akumal, Mexico

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!

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Condo and Home Rental Features in Akumal, Mexico

Staying in a hotel or resort is a wonderful choice for any vacation, but home and condo rentals offer a number of other features in Akumal, Mexico. Many of the benefits, though, include the privacy that you are afforded during your stay. In fact, privacy is among the top features for a home and condo rental.

One of the most important home rental features that you will find is the ability to have multiple bedrooms. Whether you want two, three, four, or more bedrooms, you can find homes or condos that provide those options for you. This is most beneficial for families who want the space and privacy they need to fully enjoy their vacation.

Similar to the number of bedrooms, home and condo rentals also provide multiple bathrooms. Including both full and half baths, there are plenty of baths for everyone in your group to get ready each day. Most home and condo rentals feature fully furnished kitchens, provide all linens and towels for your stay.

Indoor features include satellite television, wireless connections for laptops, computers with Internet capabilities, and stereo/radio systems. For those who enjoy the outdoors, many home rental features include the use of a swimming pool, kayaks, sunbathing, and much more. They can even be found on the white sandy beaches with amazing ocean views. An outdoor shower can help everyone clean up before heading into the house.

If you are looking for a little more luxury, some home rentals features in Akumal include air conditioning, maid service, and even complimentary massages. To determine what you need, you can conduct researches on home rentals to see what is available, what those features add to the cost of your rental, and much more.

Finding your accommodations is one of the most important steps for planning your vacation in Akumal, Mexico. Given the outdoor beauty in Akumal, you may not believe that you require many of these features, but depending on the length of your stay, you will soon find out that these home rental features will make the difference between a good and a great vacation.

We have a Villa for Rent in Akumal, Mexico.

Sunday, December 28, 2008

The Best Time to Travel to Akumal Mexico


Like many other vacation spots in the world, Akumal and the Riviera Maya region definitely has it high season and low season for travel. This is based mainly on the fact that this region of the Yucatan does not have the traditional four seasons, but two – rainy season and dry season.

Obviously, high season is when dry season is happening. Dry season begins in the middle of December and lasts through April. The weather is pleasant, with the average temperature being 80 degrees and every day is sunny. It’s almost guaranteed the every day will be a beach day, diving day or day for exploring the jungles and ruins of the area. It’s also guaranteed that hotel rooms and villa rentals are a lot higher in high season, and shop owners are less likely to want to bargain when selling their wares.

Low season is rainy season and that lasts from late April through November. It used to be the case that accommodations during low season were much cheaper to come by in Akumal and throughout the region because of rainy season, but with the area’s increasing popularity, hotels and other accommodations are less likely to come down too much in price as people are willing to chance taking the trip during low season. You will still have less crowds and it will be easier to find accommodation during the low season. However, extreme discounts like 50% off on hotels and other accommodations are a thing of the past.

There are deals to be found during low season if you are willing to take the chance on the fact that there will be rainy weather, and when there is no rain, temperatures can soar to a sweltering 110 degrees. There are fewer tourists in town during low season as compared to high season, so this can make access to the jungle tours, ruins, accommodations and wildlife preserves a little easier. While fewer hotels are slashing their prices during low season, there are cheap accommodations that can be found if you do a little homework.

If water temperature is important to you, traveling during low season may be a better option. While the weather during high season is dry and pleasant, many find the water temperature of the ocean too cold to comfortably swim and snorkel in. The low season offers hotter temperatures and the water is a lot warmer. People who want to take advantage of swimming in the natural sinkholes known as cenotes will appreciate an icy dip in these fresh water sources that dot the landscape surrounding Akumal. They can be refreshing on a hot 100 degree day, but may be too cold for bathers in the high season.

Choosing when the best time to travel to Akumal depends on your preference. High season offers sunny weather, dry conditions but very cold water for swimming. Low season offers extremely hot temperatures and the possibility of a lot of rain, but warm water for swimming and snorkeling. Whichever season you travel to Akumal in, you are bound to enjoy this beautiful town located in the Riviera Maya on the Yucatan Peninsula. For more information on hotels and lodging in Akumal, visit HotelsCombined.com.

Monday, December 22, 2008

Experience the Wonders of the Riviera Maya

The Mexican Caribbean has long been a popular destination for tourists with Cozumel, Cancun and Playa de Carmen booming with tourism and nightlife. While many people enjoy the exciting pace of these popular destinations, they also enjoy paying a visit to the small, laid back town of Akumal, known for its quaint shops and restaurants, the best snorkeling and diving in the region, and its jungles and Mayan ruins that harkens back to the days when Akumal was a major trade route for this ancient civilization.

A day trip to Akumal is only 20 minutes away from Playa de Carmen and offers quieter beaches, unspoiled ecological sights and some of the best diving in the world. Day tours can be arranged from Cancun and other destinations in the region and is the perfect opportunity to escape the overcrowded beaches of the more bustling resort towns. You can explore the lush jungles and the ancient Mayan ruins of Tulum, which is conveniently located just 20 minutes away. Exploring the jungle and the Mayan ruins can give you a taste of the ancient civilization that once thrived here and see a part of Riviera Maya that you can’t see in Cancun or Playa de Carmen.

Akumal is a diver and snorkeler paradise and has the world’s second largest reef located just off its coast. Cancun does not offer much in the way of diving and snorkeling, but Akumal has many opportunities to explore shipwrecks, caves and the largest number of cenotes on the Yucatan peninsula. Cenotes are naturally occurring sinkholes that dot the landscape surrounding Akumal. The Mayans believed them to be sacred, and they still provide fresh water swimming, diving and snorkeling today. They have many underwater cave diving experiences that hardcore diving enthusiasts or even the novice diver are bound to find fascinating.

A day trip to Akumal offers travelers the opportunity to explore the turtle beaches, the natural habitat of several species of sea turtles who come from the sea in April to nest and leave with their hatchlings in November. Akumal is a town that prides itself of its ecological heritage and preservation of natural marine habitats. It’s the perfect day trip excursion for the ecotourist, with a large natural aquarium where you can observe marine life in their natural protected habitat.

The quaint town of Akumal offers shops and restaurants that are sure to please any traveler. With the beaches and bays within walking distance, you can buy Mayan crafts and dine on traditional Mayan cuisine. Spending a day exploring Akumal and its pristine beaches and beautiful jungles may lead the day tripper to consider Akumal as a destination for a longer stay in the future.

Why not rent our house in Akumal Mexico and bring the family?

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