Akumal, Mexico
For families looking for a beach vacation that combines great price with more space, consider Akumal, which is a 10-minute drive to the Mayan ruins at Tulum, and is known for the sea turtles coming up onto the beach from May through August to lay their eggs. This in itself, just like the post on the same wonder happening at Jekkyl Island, Georgia, provides an incredible experience which most kids (and adults) don’t get to witness. Its like living in arid countries and having your first snow fall. Have a long talk with the kids about this endangered species and leaving their nesting locations alone. There are laws for protecting these turtles. If you fly into Cancun, you can head 66 miles south of the airport to Akumal, and check into the Hacienda de la Tortuga, which will provide a renovated, air-conditioned, one-bedroom apartment at the edge of the sandy beach. This apartment sleeps 3, but you can pay a bit more for a two-bedroom apartment that sleeps five. Low season is from 110.00 per night to 150 per night, depending on the space you desire. And as many families desire, there are fully-equipped kitchens to save a zillion dollars in before getting the kids off to the beach and sights with you. The beach is raked every morning, the snorkeling is plentiful with parrotfish and coral, the blue water and sun just what the doctor ordered, without the outrageous prices.
North Akumal includes Half Moon Bay, where this sweet accommodation is located. haciendatortuga.com
If you want an all-inclusive, the prices on this next resort are higher once you realize they mean per person per night, but meals will be readily available for everyone without thinking of cooking up the next meal. For some this is the ultimate in vacationing – not having to cook. Try the Akumal Beach Resort, with fully air-conditioned rooms, buffet style meals or a la carte, bars with unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, volleyball, aerobics, kayaking, free scuba clinics, jacuzzi, kids pool, kids club for children age 4 to 12, tennis courts, massage room overlooking the open expanse of ocean – the list goes on. The rates start at 78.00 per person for superior room, and go up depending on the season. It has everything however, for all age groups. It is in the heart of the Maya Riviera on one kilometre of beach owned by the hotel.
