Picolo recommends · Villa in Akumal
Villa Aaktun: a private villa with a grotto pool in Akumal
The whole villa is yours, with a pool carved into the limestone, Tempur beds and room for nine. Akumal Beach is a five-minute drive away.
Tulum
The coast from Akumal to Tulum is turquoise all the way.
You wake up in a Tempur bed, walk barefoot across the stone and lower yourself into the grotto pool while the jungle is still quiet. Villa Aaktun sits in a residential area of Akumal on the Riviera Maya, and Akumal means «place of the turtles» in Maya. You will understand why the first time you snorkel in the bay.
Whole villa · sleeps 9 · private host · indoor and outdoor pool · restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner
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Book the villa: See rooms at Villa Aaktun
The living room
High ceilings and room for the whole group.
The bar
A view of the water from the bar.
The bedroom
Tempur beds in every room.
The master bedroom
Large, bright and quiet.
Picolo’s verdict
Why we like Villa Aaktun
The whole house is yours, with two pools: one in the limestone grotto outside and one indoors. Breakfast is cooked to order, and golf and caves are within walking distance.
Best for groups of friends or extended families of up to nine. Good to know: the villa is in a residential area, a five-minute drive from the beach.
The sea turtles
They graze on seagrass along the coast, including the bay at Akumal.
A day at Villa Aaktun
Morning: Breakfast by the pool, then a five-minute drive to Akumal Beach. Snorkel in the bay where sea turtles graze on the seagrass, and keep your distance when they come up for air.
Late morning: Walk the fourteen minutes to Aktun Chen, where caves and a cenote offer a cool break from the sun.
Afternoon: A round at Riviera Maya Golf Club, the same distance on foot. If you would rather snorkel in a lagoon, Xel-Há Park is a ten-minute drive away.
Evening: Dinner at the villa’s restaurant and a last swim in the grotto pool as night falls.
Book the villa: See dates at Villa Aaktun
Book the villa
Villa Aaktun, Akumal
The whole villa, room for nine and breakfast cooked to order.
The cenotes
Fresh water in limestone: the Riviera Maya’s natural pools.
What you get at Villa Aaktun
Outdoor grotto pool and indoor pool
Restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner
Breakfast cooked to order
Beds with Tempur-Pedic mattresses
Fridge, freezer and microwave
Airport transfer can be added when you book
Where is Villa Aaktun?
The villa is in Akumal, between Playa del Carmen and Tulum on Mexico’s Riviera Maya. It is more than an hour’s drive from Cancún airport, so it is worth booking a transfer along with the villa.
Akumal Beach: 5 minutes by car
Aktun Chen: 14 minutes on foot
Riviera Maya Golf Club: 14 minutes on foot
Xel-Há Park: 10 minutes by car
To see more of the coast, read our guides to Cancún and Azulik Tulum.
When to go to Akumal
The dry season from December to April is high season on the Riviera Maya, and a villa for nine books up fast around Christmas and Easter. For quieter beaches, November and May are good choices. June to November is hurricane season in the Caribbean, so read the terms carefully before you book. See also where is hot in December.
Alternatives
Would you rather stay in a hotel?
Three hotels on the same stretch of coast, each picked for a different reason.
Villa Aaktun FAQs
How many people can stay at Villa Aaktun?
Villa Aaktun sleeps nine, and you rent the whole villa. It suits extended families and groups of friends who want to share the pools and restaurant but have their own rooms. Extra guests may cost more, depending on the host’s rules.
Are meals included at Villa Aaktun?
Breakfast is included and cooked to order. The villa’s restaurant also serves lunch and dinner. Check what is included in the rate you choose on Hotels.com, as terms can vary.
How far is the beach?
Akumal Beach is a five-minute drive away. The villa is in a residential area rather than on the beach, so plan on a car, taxi or transfer when you want to swim in the sea.
Can I cancel my booking at Villa Aaktun?
The villa is let by a private host, and the host’s own cancellation policy applies. Read the terms carefully on Hotels.com before you book.
Where should I stay on the Riviera Maya?
For peace and space for a group, a private villa in Akumal such as Villa Aaktun is a good choice. For all inclusive on the beach, look at Conrad Tulum or Secrets Akumal. Couples will like small beach hotels in Tulum, such as La Valise.