Akumal
The destination was once part of a large coconut plantation, and was first developed back in 1958 by Mexican divers salvaging a sunken Spanish galleon just offshore. Luckily for future visitors, they formed CEDAM, an internationally acclaimed society of divers dedicated to community service and ecological preservation. Today, Akumal is home to a tight-knit population of expats and snowbirds who have been coming here for years and want to protect the community, the flora and the marine life, which bodes well for keeping the area as pristine as possible while permitting development. There are shops, galleries and arts and crafts, as well as a few hotels, resorts and private residences strung out along the coast.
The biggest draw is its silky, white-sand beaches, protected by offshore reefs, making it a haven for divers from around the world who come here year round. In fact, they’ve been coming here for decades—even before there were roads to get here! Back then, though, they’d have to stash their flippers, masks and tanks on a boat and come over all the way from Cozumel.
| Languages spoken | Spanish |
|---|---|
| Currency used | Mexican Peso |
| Country name | Mexico |
