Half Moon Bay
You have a choice if you plan to visit Akumal as a tourist. Stay in an all-inclusive, or rent an Airbnb-style condo? Half Moon Bay is the Airbnb option, and Nothing2DoHere recommends that approach! We stayed here in 2014 and again in 2022. During the week of Christmas (high-season) in 2022, we found a beachside one-bedroom, one-bathroom, full-kitchen condo for $175 USD per night – basically the same cost as a random Home2Suites room in a mid-size US city!
When staying in Half-Moon Bay, the closest full grocery store is Chedraui in Puerto Adventuras. That’s also the best place to exchange cash (bring your passport). Closer is a General Store in the Plaza, so don’t worry if you realize you’ve forgotten something.
The Akumal Dive Center (PADI) is also at the entrance to the bay, which is absolutely worth checking out. If you are not into diving, you can explore the bay on your own (bring booties, though, because there are rocks on the beach) or book a snorkeling “adventure.”
Links
The view looking north from about the midpoint on the crescent.
Same view looking north, but at night.
Snorkeling
Amazing coral on the north end of the bay.
There is plenty to see just out in the bay if you have a snorkel and fins.
Wildlife like squid are hiding everywhere!
This weird spike-headed fish (that’s not the technical name) hides along the shallow reefs.
Apartments
One road meanders behind the beach-side residences. There is a security checkpoint with 24-hour manning, so the area feels quite safe.
Most apartments have a waterside patio.
One of the condo buildings, as seen from the road at night.
View along the patios.
Full kitchen and living room in an AirBnb.
Beach access from the condos.
The Plaza
At the entrance to Half-Moon Bay is a plaza with several restaurants, a 7-11, several gift shops, a general store, dive shops, and more.
No matter what you need, you can probably find it at the local pharmacy! 🤣