Linda Mulgrew

When leaving the Cancun airport there is one road out that ends with two options. Hotel Zone or Playa del Carmen. You will be heading south on the HWY 307 (carreterra) towards Akumal. The drive is about one hour and fifteen minutes from the airport to the entrance of Casa Christensen. Akumal will be identified by large green hwy signs along the route. It is a straight drive with no turns until you reach the entrance of Akumal.

Akumal has a Uturn or Retorno Entrance. Which means you drive past the entrance and then turn into a median and then return to the entrance of Akumal. You also have the option of turning right into Akumal Puebla after the pedestrian bridge that runs across the highway and then making your u turn in the puebla and entering Akumal over the traffic bridge.

Once you are on your way to the archway that leads into Akumal veer to your left towards the home owners road. You will follow this road to the very end and turn left again. You will know you have passed Casa Christensen that is behind a large stone wall if you reach the park access to Yal Ku lagoon. You will know you are there as there will be statues and signage.

Casa Christensen has a sign and you will check in with Pedro and Octaviana.

Yes, Akumal is safe. Cancun and Playa del Carmen have crime. However it is usually less then most large to mid size cities in the USA and Canada. Akumal is a very quiet resort area with many residents that live in and around the community.

There are police and security in the village of Akumal that reports very little violence and the occassional theft. The Mexican government has been working diligently to maintain some control over the tourist zone of Cancun and the Maya Riviera and have increased the presence of the military over the past few years.

When visiting Akumal and Mexico I pass on the same advice that I would to my children when traveling abroad. (Europe, other sun destinations, etc.) Be sure to lock up your accomodation. There is not a lot of night life in Akumal. If you are planning to go to Playa del Carmen or Tulum for dancing and partying consider the road the biggest danger due to traffic, poor lighting and confusion over driving signals. Driving signals are another reason for higher incidents of accidents. One example being the left turn signal. This is used not only to indicate that a car is turning left, but it could also can mean pass me or I am pulling out of my lane. There is also not a lot of space for pulling over onto the shoulder. Do try to drive in the right hand lane and leave the left lane for passing but many will be wanting to drive at a good pace.

One of the biggest activities in Akumal by locals is Yoga. Be prepared to inhale deeply and enjoy the beauty of the nature and the culture in Akumal.

Yes you can rent snorkeling equipment. However, you are going to be staying in a location that has not just one great beach to snorkel from but also Yal Ku lagoon. If you are a competent swimmer and or skin diver or snorkeler you will not want to miss the snorkeling out the front door of Casa Christensen or from the two main beaches in Akumal. Playa Akumal, best location to see sea turtles and Half Moon Bay.

Given that snorkeling is a must I usually recommend that guests invest in snorkeling equipment. That consists of mask, snorkel and fins. Do not think that snorkeling will be easy without fins and plan to bring only your mask. Snorkeling does extend your airway and if you have to be kicking very fast and hard to keep yourself above water you will not be able to breath in the relaxed mode that snorkeling requires.

You can visit the dive facilities on Akmal main beach or next to the lagoon they will rent you snorkeling equipment for the day. If you are not a competent swimmer please do bring a PFD (Personal Floatation Device) Not only could a life jacket save your life but it could also increse the pleasure of the experience of seeing a wonderful natural underwater aquarium.

Yes there is wyfi available at Casa Christensen. When you arrive to the property you will find a binder that has all kinds of information for your stay. The code for hooking up the internet is in the binder.

Yes, Pedro and Octaviana the custodians of the property are very excellent cooks. They sometimes work as a team or Octaviana will come on her own to the house to prepare a meal for you. She and Pedro are Maya and speak the language and know how to make some of the most delicious dishes from the local ingredients.

The Yucatan has a milder set of spices like achiote, and cilantro or for those with a passion for heat in their food salsas like pico de gallo that are made in Yucatan with havanaro chilli peppers are available. Tamales, meats and fish cooked in banana leaves and sometimes under the earth are refered to as Pibil. (Pee- Be- il) Fish cooked Veracruz style with peppers, onions and tomatoe is another favourite dish along with Tik n Chik/

Guacamoli made from fresh avacados, tomatoes, onion, garlic, limes and cilantro is another staple to the Yucatan diet.

I often recommend that upon arrival guests stop along the way at one of the big grocery stores in Playa del Carmen or Puerto Aventuras. Pick up some staples and have them on hand for cooking light meals yourselves or having Octaviana and Pedro cook for you.

The cost for the service of having Pedro and Octaviana cook for you in house is $8.00USD per person per meal. This includes the tip but not the cost of the food. Sometimes if Pedro and Octaviana are not too busy they will be able to do the shopping for you. However, if you have the food available it helps.

There is a fruit and vegetable market in Akumal on Saturday's and Wednesday's. (all day-not after dark)

I also would say that for your first night arriving I usually recommend making your way out to one of the very good restaurants in Akumal.

There are several to choose from in Akumal. I will list them in order of distance from Casa Christensen:

Ondarte/ Que Onda restaurant is across the street from Casa Christensen. If you like tacos de pastor they have the best on Sunday afternoons from 1:00-5:00 pm.

The restaurant is going to be reopening and will have Italian cusine nightly.

La Lunita inside Las Tortuga Condominiums has always had great specialty dishes but has recently renovated and offer a very elegant beach restaurant to dine. They are open most evenings for dinner and are available for breakfast some days during the week. Don't miss this great dining opportunity.

La Buena Vida has entertainment and a very fun ambiance. The bar has swings and there is sand throughout the main floor of the restaurant. There is a happy hour daily and karioke night is very popular. They will often bring in bands and other entertainment. Check out the happenings there!

Downtown Akumal:

Loh Ha restaurant is the grand belle of the restaurants in Akumal. The restaurant provides entertainment on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday nights. There is a wide selections of local and international flavours and the ambiance is very nice.

Loh Ha Beach Bar is happening during the day. Lunch at the beach bar offers a great choice of hamburgers, Mexican and Tex Mex food. There is now a selection of Vegan options on the menu and the drinks are cold and good! Don't miss out on a visit to Loh Ha at least once if not daily. They offer breakfast in the Loh Ha Restaurant which has tables on a deck over looking the ocean. There is a pizzaria that can be ordered to go...a common take out item after Happy Hour.

Turtle Bay Cafe
Turtle Bay Cafe started as a bakery and still produces great sweet treats to go or sit and enjoy with a good cup of coffee. They are now open all day and night and have a bar with satelite tv. They are even able to tune into great northern sports like curling on their satelite and offer some great dinner staples.

La Cueva De Pescador
La Cueva is a very happening place in the evening and offers one of the strongest margarittas in Akumal. La cueva is fresh sea food from the ocean. They offer ceviches, fish, scallops, lobster, and calimari. Enjoy!

La Lonchoria
This lunch counter originally was for the employees of the hotels and restaurants of the area. The homemade frijoles(beans), rice and fresh daily tortillas are the specialty but if you mix them up with some of the home style egg dishes, sandwiches or stuffed chilli's. You get a good meal!