Private Villa for Rent in Akumal, Mexico
January 6, 2009 by M Gravlee
Filed under Akumal Travel Articles, Travel Tips
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!
The Best Time to Travel to Akumal
November 29, 2008 by M Gravlee
Filed under Travel Tips
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, travelling 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.
Tips for Your Stay in Akumal, Mexico
September 11, 2008 by M Gravlee
Filed under Travel Tips
There are many tips that you may already know and many that you should know, which is why you should always know these tips before your stay in Akumal. These tips are not only helpful once you arrive in Akumal, Mexico, but they are also helpful when you are packing as well.
The first, and most important, tip is not to drink the water. Many people have heard that you should not drink the water in Mexico and they have heard it for a reason. Instead, have access to plenty of bottled water and remember that ingesting water can also happen when you are brushing your teeth, making your morning coffee, or taking a shower. While it is okay to bath or wash dishes with the tap water, you want to make sure that you do not directly swallow the water.
The next tip for your stay in Akumal is to pack a flashlight. From night travels on dimly lit roads to the frequent power outages and lack of generators, having a flashlight with you is always a good idea. Although this flashlight does not need to be big, it should have a fresh set of batteries and be able to fit in whatever you plan to take with you, like a purse or a bag, throughout the duration of your vacation.
Another tip for your stay in Akumal is to make sure your health insurance covers you while on vacation. If something were to happen, most businesses that provide medical services will not cost what they would in the United States. However they will still need upfront payment for service to be performed. You can then take the receipt to your insurance company and request a reimbursement.
Furthermore, on your way to Akumal, and even while you are there, you should insure that you have the proper documentation for everyone in your family, including any minors who may be traveling with you. Not only will they need their passport, but each airline traveling to and from Akumal may have a unique set of requirements so it is important that you know what those are ahead of time.
The last tip for your stay in Akumal is to know when to go. Akumal typically has a low season and a high season, which means that it will either be rainy or dry. The dry season is usually from December to March and will prove to be the best time for your vacation. You can find several hotels and accommodations for throughout the year at HotelsCombined.com.
Visit my Travel on the Tide Travel Blog.
Shopping Tips for Your Akumal Vacation
September 1, 2008 by M Gravlee
Filed under Travel Tips
For many people, shopping is on the list of things to do while on your Akumal vacation. Whether you plan to only purchase a few souvenirs for others back at home or you want to buy something new for yourself, here are a few shopping tips for Akumal, Mexico.
The first of many shopping tips for your Akumal vacation is to purchase all of your souvenirs from one of the many gift shops in the center of town. These shops include everything from souvenir t-shirts to hand-crafted jewelry. They also include the popular sarongs, which make great gifts and do not cost a lot, and original pieces of art. This folk art ranges in price, but can often be more on the expensive side.
If you plan to purchase alcohol on your trip, one of the best shopping tips for Akumal is not to search too hard for anything other than beer. “Cervesa” can be found anywhere throughout Mexico, but wine and other types of hard liquor may be harder to locate. Therefore, your shopping tip for alcohol in Akumal is also to try something new. Although beer may not be your favorite, you should embrace the local customs and have a few drinks with your meals during your stay.
Another one of the shopping tips in Akumal is to be careful of the groceries that you purchase in town, especially local fruits and vegetables. From convenience stores to pueblos to supermarkets, there are several places that you can buy the items that you need. If you cannot find the produce that you need in Akumal, feel free to travel a short distance to Playa del Carmen. However, no matter where you purchase your fruits or vegetables, you should always soak them in an anti-bacterial solution for approximately 15 minutes before you cook or eat them. This will help ensure that they are safe to eat and that you will enjoy the rest of your trip.
The last shopping tips in Akumal are related to clothing. Purchasing local clothing can be an exciting venture and help you feel at home in the Akumal area. There are several local shops from which you can choose and many high-end stores, like Sak’s 5th Avenue, if you want to travel to nearby Playa del Carmen. The items you purchase can be what you need while on vacation, just for fun, or to take back with you. Regardless, you should be able to get a good deal on any item that you buy.
Rent our luxury Villa in Akumal, Mexico.
Travel, Safety and Health Tips for Akumal Tourists
July 2, 2008 by M Gravlee
Filed under Akumal Travel Articles, Travel Tips
Akumal is a safe place to travel and is not known for crime like some other larger resort areas. It is always a good idea to be smart about your cash and valuables when travelling anywhere, and Akumal is no exception. Violent crimes like muggings are virtually non-existent in Akumal, but theft is a possibility like any tourist area. If you rent a car, don’t leave valuables inside the car and make good use of the safes that hotels provide. Wearing a money belt is also another good tip to make sure your money stays with you and you can avoid being pick pocketed.
One health tip that is a must not just for Akumal, but for all of Mexico is not to drink the tap water. This sounds like a cliché, but it is one that is true. Drink only bottled water or purified water and even use that to make your morning cup of coffee. It is okay to take showers or wash dishes with the water, but to avoid any illness, do not ingest the tap water. Hotels and other accommodations usually offer plenty of bottled or filtered water to their guests.
Another important travel tip especially for Akumal is to bring a small flashlight with you, especially if you do not plan to rent a car. While everything is within 15 minutes walking distance, at night you will most likely be walking along unlit roads. There are no streetlights along these roads, so it’s important to have this flashlight handy so you can see where you are going and motorists can see you traversing along the road. Some of these roads, especially the North Akumal road, need paving and can be rough walking at night. You need the flashlight to make sure you don’t trip over anything or fall into a pothole. Put a flashlight at the top of your things to pack list, especially if you do not plan to rent a car.
In terms of renting a car, you can decide to rent a car and there are plenty of rentals in town, or you can take advantage of the many taxis or collectivos available. Collectivos are white vans and are less costly than taxis or car rentals. They can be hailed from the street and are often available to take you to popular tourist destinations. For only $2, you can take a collectivo from Playa de Carmen to Tulum. This is definitely a bargain for the traveler on a budget who doesn’t mind sharing a ride with others. If you are going to rent a car, especially during high season, it is best to make your arrangements in advance as availability can be limited when there are a lot of tourists in town.
If you follow these tips, pack a lot of sunscreen, and travel smart and safe, you can enjoy your trip to Akumal and not have any unfortunate incidents or illnesses.
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