Akumal, Mayan for "Land of the Turtles", is a beautiful bay protected by a reef. Its white sandy beaches make this spot a favourite place for turtles to lay their eggs.

It is an ideal place for snorkelling and scuba diving as there are approximately two hundred underground cave entrances, two beautiful bays (Akumal Bay and Halfmoon Bay), the Yalku Lagoon and a sunken Spanish galleon.

Some of the area's activities include fishing, snorkelling and scuba diving, windsurfing, kayaking, exploring natural pools, bike rides and walks through the jungle. It is also a spectacular place to just sit and rest under the shade of the slanted palm trees.

• Aktun Chen
• Cobá
• Playa del Carmen
• Tulum
• XCaret
• Xel-Ha
• Sian Ka’an