The Riviera Maya has long lured travelers with Caribbean-blue water, limestone cenotes, and a tapestry of Maya history. Today, coral reefs still hum with life off Akumal and Cozumel, while the jungle hides temples that once tracked the stars. It’s a region made for slow mornings, salt-kissed afternoons, and nights of music and mezcal.

Hidden Beach Resort, set just south of Akumal, is one of Mexico’s most discreet adults-only, clothing-optional stays; nearby, Akumal Bay is among the country’s most reliable places to snorkel with wild sea turtles. Pair that with a day at Chichén Itzá—one of the New Seven Wonders—and you have a week that balances nature, culture, and total relaxation.

Practical notes: Fly into Cancún (CUN). Expect 1.5–2 hours by road to the Akumal area. Use reef-safe sunscreen, give turtles a respectful 10 feet/3 meters of space, and follow local guides’ instructions. Credit cards are widely accepted; bring pesos for small purchases and tips (10–15% at restaurants). Sargassum seaweed is seasonal (spring–summer peaks); your hotel or beach club can advise on current conditions.

Akumal (Hidden Beach Resort area)

Akumal means “place of the turtles” in Maya—and it delivers. Calm bays, offshore reefs, and nearby cenotes make this a snorkel paradise. Base yourself near Hidden Beach Resort for a quiet adults-only retreat, then dip into Akumal Pueblo and Half Moon Bay for tacos, ceviche, and beach bars on the sand.

• Top sights and swims: Akumal Bay turtles, Yal-Kú Lagoon, Xpu-Ha Beach, Cenote Azul and Jardín del Eden.
• Dining highlights: Turtle Bay Café & Bakery (legendary cinnamon rolls), La Buena Vida (treehouse tables and swings by the bar), Taverna Akumal (wood-fired pizzas and Mediterranean plates), El Fogón (al pastor) in nearby Playa del Carmen if you pass through.
• Stay nearby: Search stays in Akumal on Hotels.com or browse beach condos on VRBO. If you’re eyeing Hidden Beach Resort, look for properties listed in the Kantenah/Chemuyil–Akumal corridor.

How to arrive: Fly to Cancún (CUN) using Kiwi.com or Trip.com Flights. Private transfer to Akumal is ~1.5–2 hours (about $80–120 per vehicle). Budget route: ADO coach from CUN to Playa del Carmen (~1 hr 15 min, ~$15), then taxi to Akumal (~35–45 min, ~$30–60).

Day 1: Arrive in the Riviera Maya

Afternoon: Land at CUN and transfer to the Akumal/Hidden Beach Resort area. Check in, then stretch your legs on the sand. If you want a low-key first dip, Yal-Kú Lagoon’s calm, brackish water is ideal for spotting sergeant majors and parrotfish.

Evening: Dinner at La Buena Vida on Half Moon Bay—grab a treehouse table, order the fish tacos or grilled octopus, and watch the bay darken. Nightcap at the swing bar. Early night to be fresh for turtles tomorrow.

Day 2: Swim with Sea Turtles + Cenote Cool-Down

Morning: Coffee and a pastry at Turtle Bay Café & Bakery (try the conchas or banana bread). Then head out on a guided turtle/snorkel and cenote combo to maximize sightings and learn best practices.

Recommended tour: Half-Day Sea Turtle and Cenote Snorkeling Tour from Cancun & Riviera Maya — small-group snorkel with turtles, then a freshwater cenote dip.

Book on Viator. Tip: Wear a rash guard and skip sunscreen in the bay to protect the reef; maintain 3 meters distance from turtles.

Afternoon: Lunch at Taverna Akumal (Mediterranean bowls, calamari, wood-fired pizza). Lounge at Akumal Beach or wander Akumal Pueblo for paletas (fruit pops) at local stands.

Evening: Sunset margaritas at La Lunita on the sand, then dinner at El Último Maya (in Akumal Pueblo; homey Yucatecan dishes like cochinita pibil and sopa de lima).

Day 3: Chichén Itzá, Valladolid, and a Cenote

This is a full-day excursion into the Yucatán’s heart. Expect ~12 hours with transport.

Recommended tour: Chichen Itza by Van: Reduced Group, Tour Guide, Fast Trip & Lunch — a smaller-group pace that saves time without the big-bus shuffle.

Book on Viator. You’ll tour El Castillo’s astronomical design, cool off in a cenote, and stroll colonial Valladolid for pastel facades and marquesitas (crispy crepes). Bring cash for lockers and life vests at the cenote, and a dry change of clothes.

Day 4: Beach-Hopping and Lagoon Life

Morning: Breakfast at Café Ole (Puerto Aventuras marina; hearty omelets and strong coffee). Head to Xpu-Ha Beach—arguably the prettiest stretch of sand nearby—for a lazy swim. Rent loungers from a beach club if you want shade.

Afternoon: Simple, superb ceviche at Costa Xpu-Ha Beach Club. Then drift through Yal-Kú Lagoon (bring snorkel gear or rent on-site). If you haven’t had your cenote fix, swing by Cenote Azul for a late-day dip.

Evening: Dinner at La Cueva del Pescador (grilled whole fish a la talla). Nightcap at Imelda’s Ecocina for a homemade dessert or a quiet stroll under the palm trees back to your resort.

Cozumel

Cozumel is the Caribbean’s laid-back diver darling: coral gardens, eagle rays in winter, and breezy beach clubs by day, mellow dinners by night. Town has a low-rise, pastel charm; outside it, the coastal road loops to wild east-side beaches where waves crash and time slows.

• Why go: Clearer water than the mainland most of the year, great offshore reefs (Palancar, Colombia), and easy day passes for effortless beach time.
• Eat and drink: El Coffee Cozumel (espresso and pastries), Kinta (modern Mexican), Buccanos at Night (fine dining with sea views), La Choza (traditional Yucatecan comfort).
• Stay: Find hotels and resorts on Hotels.com or oceanfront condos via VRBO.

Getting there from Akumal: Taxi or transfer to Playa del Carmen ferry terminal (~40 min, $30–60), then ferry to Cozumel (~45 min, ~$16–27 one-way). Taxi on arrival to your stay ($8–15). Ferries run frequently; morning departures are calmest.

Day 5: Transfer to Cozumel + Town Tastes

Morning: Check out and ride to Playa del Carmen. Grab a ferry; sit on the shaded lower deck if seas are choppy.

Afternoon: Check into your Cozumel hotel or condo. Espresso and a sandwich at El Coffee Cozumel, then stroll the waterfront malecón and San Miguel’s zócalo for souvenir browsing—look for hand-embroidered huipiles and vanilla extract (ensure it’s pure, not imitation).

Evening: Sunset cocktails at El Palomar in a restored wooden house, then dinner at Kinta (order the pork belly sopes, octopus, and a mezcal cocktail). Gelato at Amparo’s for a sweet walk back.

Day 6: All-Inclusive Beach Club Day

Morning: Leisurely breakfast at your hotel or Rock ’n Java (ocean-view pancakes). Then settle into a full day of sand-and-sea at a beloved beach club.

Option 1: Mr. Sanchos Beach Club All-Inclusive Day Pass — unlimited food and drinks, pools, and calm water for floating.

Book on Viator.

Option 2: Paradise Beach Club All-Inclusive Day Pass — table service, big pool, and soft sand; great for a stress-free beach day.

Book on Viator.

Evening: Clean up and head to Buccanos at Night for refined seafood (lionfish when available, tuna tostadas, and a strong wine list). Nightcap at Wet Wendy’s for live music and margaritas, or keep it quiet with a starry walk on the malecón.

Day 7: Snorkel and Fly

Morning: Early snorkel from shore at The Money Bar (Dzul-Ha reef) where clear water reveals angelfish and sometimes turtles. Quick brunch there—chilaquiles are reliable—then check out.

Afternoon: Ferry back to Playa del Carmen (~45 min), private transfer to CUN (~50–60 min), and fly out using Kiwi.com or Trip.com Flights. If your flight’s late, stash bags at the ferry terminal and grab one last taco al pastor at El Fogón en route to the airport.

Where to Stay (Quick Picks)

• Akumal/Hidden Beach area: Adults-only resort stays and oceanfront condos via Hotels.com and VRBO. Search for properties between Kantenah and Half Moon Bay to stay close to Hidden Beach Resort and Akumal Bay.
• Cozumel: Waterfront hotels near San Miguel for walkability or quiet north-shore condos for sunsets—compare on Hotels.com and VRBO.

Good-to-Know Tips

• Turtle etiquette: No touching, no chasing, and avoid diving down over turtles. Guides may require life vests; always follow local rules.
• Cash and tipping: ATMs are easiest in towns; carry small bills for taxis, cenotes, and tips (10–15%).
• Reef-safe habits: Use mineral sunscreen and rash guards; many cenotes prohibit lotions of any kind.
• Weather: Brief tropical showers pass quickly; bring a light rain layer and sandals with traction for cenote steps.

In one week you’ll savor adults-only calm near Hidden Beach Resort, float alongside Akumal’s famed sea turtles, peer into the genius of the Maya at Chichén Itzá, and finish with easy island days on Cozumel. Sun, salt, and stories—Mexico at its most irresistible.