Guest Services Directory

The front desk is open from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

In a medical or safety emergency, dial 911: from your villa phone, 9 + 911; from your cell phone, domestic or foreign, 911 directly.

For any other issue, call the front desk at ext. 300 from your villa, or 984 120 6482 from your cell phone. Outside front desk hours (7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.), reach hotel security, on site throughout the property.

On checkout day, please vacate your villa on time, as a courtesy to guests arriving that day. Need a little more time? Just ask the front desk about a late check-out.

If you'd like to stay past 12:00 p.m., let the front desk know so we can arrange a late check-out, subject to availability that day. There's an extra charge of $20 USD per hour, or the peso equivalent, up to 5:00 p.m. at the latest.

Need a hand with your luggage? Contact the front desk and we'll send someone right over.

Many guests come here to relax by the beach or the pool. We ask that you keep noise down and avoid playing music on your terrace before 8:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m.

Drug use is illegal in Mexico.

Bonfires and fireworks are not permitted on the beach.

You'll receive up to two keys to your villa for your stay. Any key not returned is charged $5 USD, or the peso equivalent.

We accept American Express, Visa, and MasterCard.

We're not responsible for damage to your vehicle or theft of its contents. Please park in the spaces marked with the blue LVA sign.

Each villa has a safe inside the main closet for your most valuable belongings. Instructions for use are posted right beside it. If you have any questions, contact concierge at extension 300 or via WhatsApp at 984 120 6482.

Jade Beach and Akumal are safe, low-crime areas. Even so, keep valuables in your safe and lock doors and windows when you go out or at night. Security staff cover the common areas from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.

Your villa has central air conditioning. Keep doors and windows closed while it's running, and turn it off when you leave the villa. Ask the front desk if you need help with the controls.

Villas run on 110 volts. Please turn off all electrical appliances completely before going out. When you return at night, you'll find one light on inside the villa and another on the terrace; both turn off automatically.

Outlets in the villas are US-style. If your device uses a different plug, ask the front desk for an adapter.

Use the bottled water for drinking, making ice, or washing fruit and vegetables. Staff check daily to make sure you have drinking water on hand.

Please don't swap or remove kitchen items between villas. If you need extra plates, cutlery, or anything else, just ask the front desk.

The items in your villa (linens, towels, glassware, etc.) are for your use during your stay and are part of our daily inventory. If anything goes missing or gets damaged, it will be charged to your account.

We're happy to provide extras for your stay: towels, pillows, hangers, a hair dryer, toiletries, or anything else you need. Call ext. 316 or ext. 300.

Out of respect for our guests' privacy and quiet and as part of our commitment to the environment, housekeeping on 4-night reservations is provided halfway through the stay, and every third day on stays of 5 nights or longer. One, two, and three-night reservations do not include housekeeping.

Housekeeping staff enter villas between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. If you need a specific time, please let the front desk know.

As part of our commitment to the planet, we change bath and beach towels as needed. Hang your towel and we'll reuse it; any towel left on the floor gets replaced.

Every bathroom has a hair dryer for your use. Taking it home costs $50 USD.

Next to the phone you'll find a laundry form with space for your villa number, garment type, price, and date. If you can't find one, ask the front desk. The hotel is not responsible for delicate fabrics.

If anything in your villa isn't working properly, let the front desk know and we'll follow up.

Your villa has a fire alarm. If it goes off, notify the front desk.

The kitchen area has a fire extinguisher. There are more outside the villa and in common areas; find the one closest to you. Report any issue with the doors. In case of fire, the meeting point is the parking area.

Contact the front desk, ext. 300.

Free wireless internet throughout the villa.

We offer a selection of national and international channels. If the TV or signal gives you trouble, report it to the front desk.

Las Villas Akumal has two pools for guests of all ages. Depth markers are posted around each pool.

The hotel has no lifeguard, at either the pool or the beach. Keep an eye on children at all times and take the precautions needed to avoid accidents.

Always respect the flag color: it tells you the tide conditions.

• Red: danger.
• Yellow: caution.
• Green: calm waters.

Las Villas Akumal offers guests life vests and a few kayaks at no charge, as a courtesy. Please return them once you're done using them. Stop by the front desk to check them out and sign a waiver. Since there's no lifeguard, wearing a life vest is required for all water activities.

By checking out the equipment, you accept full responsibility and release Las Villas Akumal from liability for any accident. If it's not returned in good condition, the following will be charged to your account: kayak $1,000 USD, life vest $50 USD, paddle $70 USD.

Loungers and umbrellas are free for guests to use.

Please use plastic cups and cans in the beach and pool areas, to help prevent accidents.

The reef is very close to the beach. As a precaution, we recommend wearing water shoes, available for purchase at the front desk.

• Hours: 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• No entering with clothing, shoes, or anything else that could contaminate the water.
• Don't rinse or clean personal items in the pool.
• Use only plastic containers and cans in this area.
• Return items to the correct villa.
• Rinse off sand and sunscreen before entering.
• No diving.
• Children must be supervised by an adult at all times.
• Don't swim right after eating, drinking, or consuming alcohol.
• Topless swimming isn't permitted in the pool area.
• For any emergency, contact front desk staff.
• No playing music in the pool area.
• There's no lifeguard at the pool or beach.

Walk toward the far end of the bay and enter where the bottom is sandier. We recommend water shoes, available at the front desk for an extra fee. Help us protect the flora and fauna: please don't step on the coral.

Out of consideration for other guests, sports activities aren't permitted in the garden area between 12:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Call ext. 300. Our concierge offers personalized help with hotel services and recommendations for places, restaurants, beaches, cenotes, transportation, and more.

The front desk sells beach and personal items: sunscreen, water shoes, beach bags, insect repellent, toothbrushes and toothpaste, cigarettes, and more. Pay in cash or charge it to your villa.

We'll bring it to you! Just give us your list and we'll take care of the rest. Please order at least two days in advance so everything's ready when you arrive. The service costs $500 pesos on purchases under $3,000 MXN. Contact the front desk via WhatsApp at 984 120 6482.

We have trusted, experienced staff available to care for your children. The cost is $15 USD per hour, plus $20 USD for transportation.

Cribs and high chairs are available on request. Ask the front desk.

Want someone to prepare your meals? We have specialized staff available. Ask the front desk for details.

Grills are available for $10 USD and $15 USD depending on size. Includes lighting service and charcoal. Order at the front desk, ext. 300 or ext. 307.

We offer a spa, gym, and office space, with body and facial treatments and a variety of massage techniques. It's up the stairs from the front desk. Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Please book a day in advance; ask the front desk about pricing and availability.

We have a meeting room that seats up to 40, depending on the setup. It includes lighting, air conditioning, and wireless internet. Food and beverages are available for an additional charge.

The hotel's own restaurant, up the stairs from the front desk, on the third floor. Open 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Everything is prepared fresh to order. Offers villa delivery. ext. 313.

Quick service, fresh and tasty food at a good price. Small spot with bar-style seating. Located next to Super Chomak.

A must-visit gathering spot in Media Luna Bay, right on the beach or on the terrace. Happy hour 5 to 7 p.m., with the "Swing Bar". Wednesdays: karaoke night. Come ready to walk on sand.

Try the catch of the day. Owner Carlos has been fishing these waters for years and knows them well.

The town's first restaurant, on Akumal's main beach, a local landmark. International and Mexican dishes plus a pizza menu. Wednesdays: flamenco night. Fridays: jazz night.

Pastries and bread straight from the oven. Gourmet breakfasts and lunches, with a very creative menu.

A great pick for a romantic dinner, with an excellent view, indoors or on the terrace. Located in Media Luna Bay.

Restaurant and bar, a local favorite with great atmosphere. Located in the town of Akumal, near the highway.

Just steps from our hotel. Seafood, ceviche, nachos, and burgers. Open 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

In downtown Akumal, just steps from the beach. Pizza and Italian food.

A local favorite in Chemuyil, with good prices. Just 8 minutes south of Las Villas Akumal. Delivery starts at 3:30 p.m. Call 984 875 4000 or ask the front desk for the menu.

Just a few steps from Pizza Leo. A pleasant atmosphere with personal attention from the owners.

Elegant and sophisticated, one of Tulum's best spots for Thai fusion cuisine. Oceanfront drinks in the afternoon, candlelit romantic dinners at night. Fridays: DJ, electronic music.

One of Tulum's most famous restaurants. A fresh take on menu and preparation; fish is a central ingredient. Also serves wood-fired gourmet pizzas and vegetarian dishes.

Traditional Mexican specialties, right on the beach, every night. Sundays: free salsa lessons at 6:30 p.m. and live music at 8:00 p.m.

Under a breezy palapa, with your feet in the sand. Ideal for a casual breakfast, lunch, or dinner, with ocean views and food prepared fresh.

Outstanding quality and originality, an irresistible fusion of flavors. Located on the road toward Boca Paila.

Oceanfront, with a cozy, homey decor. A great spot to enjoy a relaxed meal.

The suggested tip is 15%.

Akumal means "Land of the Turtles" in Maya. It's a paradise for swimming, snorkeling, diving, or fishing, with a clear-water bay and a nearby reef.

A great spot for swimming and snorkeling. It's an inlet where fresh water travels through underground rivers to meet the sea. It's a few kilometers from Las Villas Akumal, whether you walk, taxi, or drive. Rock formations and marine life are easy to spot in the crystal-clear water. Admission costs about $10 USD. No snorkel gear? You can rent it there; lockers are also available. Skip the sunscreen and lotion — they pollute the lagoon.

Bike rentals available at TSA, inside the Akumal Ecological Center.

Spend a great day on the water and, with any luck, reel in your dinner. The best months are April through July, dorado, wahoo, tuna, sailfish, and marlin season. The front desk can help you contact Captain Luis in Akumal; there are also options in Boca Paila or Puerto Aventuras.

The Riviera Maya has several golf courses. The closest, a 5-minute drive away, is the Riviera Maya Golf Club, on federal highway 307, across from the Bahía Príncipe hotel. Ask the front desk about pricing or to book.

The Akumal Ecological Center offers informative talks about sea turtles. The front desk can help you get in touch and check availability and schedules.

With more than 4,293 books in English and Spanish, available to browse or borrow. It also offers children's story time and a cultural exchange program. Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Located 100 m from the entrance to Akumal.

The reefs of the Mexican Caribbean promise a memorable adventure. Even first-timers can learn in just two hours. Many dive shops offer full certification courses, with expert guides who teach the gear, communication, and safety rules.

Professional diving, snorkel gear, ocean diving, cenotes, and caverns. Located next to the Lol Ha restaurant. Offers showers, parking, and a pool for dive instruction.

Open-water diving at shallow or deep depths, in the ocean or in cenotes. Also offers night diving, fishing and snorkeling excursions, and dive tours to Cozumel island. Located next to the Akumal Ecological Center.

Cenote comes from the Maya word "dzonot", meaning "abyss": freshwater sinkholes formed by the erosion of limestone. There are open-air, semi-open, and cave cenotes, some suited for swimming and snorkeling and others requiring an experienced diver. Among the best known in the area: Cenote Dos Ojos, El Gran Cenote, and Jardín del Edén. Ask the front desk how to get there.

A nature reserve with a semi-flooded cave of crystal-clear water, stalactites, and stalagmites. Touring it requires specialized cave-diving training; most of the Río Secreto tour is done on foot.

"Aktun Chen" means "natural well inside a cave" in Maya. This ecological park is 25 minutes from Playa del Carmen, 4 km south of Akumal, and 16 km before Tulum. It has a 6-hectare wildlife sanctuary dedicated to preserving and breeding more than 15 species, some of them endangered.

Just 15 minutes south of Akumal, Tulum was the only Maya city built on the coast: a walled city inhabited mainly between the 13th and 15th centuries. Afterward, you can swim at the beach right in front of it.

45 minutes northwest of Tulum, set between two lakes in the middle of the jungle. Bring repellent, good shoes, and water — there's a lot of walking, though bikes can be rented. Cobá was once home to nearly 50,000 people and covers an area of 80 km². The Nohoch Mul pyramid, the tallest in the Yucatán, can still be climbed.

176 minutes away, in the state of Yucatán, one of the most renowned and visited archaeological sites. A guide or informational booklet is recommended. Get there by continuing past Cobá to the highway toward Valladolid. In 2007 it was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Gates open at 8:00 a.m.

At 528,000 hectares, it's the largest protected area in the state of Quintana Roo. Tour it by boat through its many habitats, learning about the ecosystems, birds, plants, and Maya culture.

A calm, peaceful day in a beautiful bay. Snorkel or kayak along the reef. There's also a camping area.

Take the ferry from Playa del Carmen and spend the day on the island, snorkeling and diving in one of the best spots in the world for it.

Walk along Fifth Avenue, with a huge variety of restaurants, bars, clubs, and shops, buzzing day and night.

An ecological park with natural attractions, local wildlife, an aquarium, and an underground river for swimming through rock caves, plus swimming with dolphins for an extra fee. At night, it hosts a Mexican cultural show.

A natural park with both salt and fresh water, ideal for snorkeling among tropical fish or swimming with dolphins. Shops and restaurants on site.

Adventure set among ancient rock formations: drive and swim 400 m through ancestral caverns. Recommended for adventure travel.

A community built around a marina, with a relaxed, upscale feel. Home to three bays, hotels, a golf and tennis club, shops, restaurants, and bars.

Dolphin Discovery is located in the heart of Puerto Aventuras, surrounded by shops and local restaurants — the perfect spot for swimming with dolphins.

From May to October, sea turtles nest on our beaches at night. To avoid disturbing them, keep lights off and stay quiet — they're very sensitive and may return to the sea without nesting if disturbed. If you see one coming ashore or on the beach, stay behind her without moving, never at her sides or in front.

After about 60 days of incubation, hatchlings leave the nest at night or in the early morning. It's important that all lights stay off: hatchlings orient themselves by light, and artificial light can disorient them, putting them at risk of dehydration instead of reaching the sea. Don't keep them or release them into the water yourself — they need to be released on the beach, so they can imprint on where they were born and return to it as adults.

Your participation matters for the conservation of these endangered species.

• Turn off the lights in your villa and terrace at night.
• Stay at least 5 meters away, calm and still, until she's done.
• No flash photography.
• Use a red filter on flashlights.
• Avoid excessive noise.
• Don't let pets roam freely during nesting season.
• Don't touch hatchlings: germs on your hands can harm them.
• Pick up trash from the beach and sea.
• Report anything unusual to the hotel or the Akumal Ecological Center.
• Touching, handling, or taking a turtle is a federal offense.

Las Villas Akumal supports the preservation of sea turtles and invites our guests to help with this important effort. Contributions are collected and sent to the Akumal Ecological Center (CEA), which is responsible for putting them to proper use.

Ask the front desk for the approximate fare to your destination before calling a taxi.

Buses stop at the main entrance to Akumal roughly every hour. You can also take a combi or colectivo heading north or south (red, green, and orange routes); these are second-class and stop wherever flagged down. First-class buses run station to station with no stops in between; they cost a bit more, with assigned seats, air conditioning, restrooms, and sometimes movies. Catch them at the Playa del Carmen or Tulum stations. Some destinations: Cancún, Cobá, Felipe Carrillo Puerto, Chichén Itzá, Mérida, Chetumal, Palenque, Villahermosa, and Mexico City.

Need transportation to or from the airport, or anywhere else in the Riviera Maya? Contact the front desk, ext. 300, and we'll be glad to give you pricing and availability.

We can arrange the best and safest vehicles for exploring the Riviera Maya. Ask the front desk about pricing.

The road between Cancún and Tulum is in good condition, but take precautions — conditions may not be what you're used to.

• Turning left on a two-lane road? Slow down, signal, and pull to the right side of the road, yielding to oncoming traffic.
• If the car ahead signals left, it may mean it's safe to pass.
• Side roads are narrow and rarely have a shoulder.
• Watch for pedestrians and animals crossing or along the roadside.
• Watch for speed bumps at the entrance and exit of every town.
• You may encounter occasional military checkpoints: be courteous and cooperative; they're mainly checking for weapons and drugs.

In Mexico, a 16% VAT (value-added tax) is added to the price of most goods.

The town of Tulum has three nearby branches: HSBC, Bancomer, and Scotiabank. Ask the front desk about other banks.

The closest ATMs to the hotel are in downtown Akumal: one at Super Chomak and another at Super "El Pueblito", both near the arch. There's also an ATM at Go Mart.

The hotel doesn't offer this service. There's an exchange office at the Akumal Ecological Center and another in the town of Akumal. Most places accept dollars. Ask the front desk how to get there.

Tipping is common in Mexico, especially for waitstaff, bellhops, housekeepers, and tour guides. For waitstaff, tipping in Mexico usually runs 10 to 15% of the total bill depending on service, and at restaurants in the area the hotel suggests 15%; restaurants rarely include it, so check your bill before paying. For housekeepers, the standard is $1 USD per person per day. If you'd like to leave a tip for the Las Villas Akumal staff, you can do so at the front desk, where they'll give you an envelope for it.

To make local or long-distance calls from your villa phone and have them charged to your account, arrange the service at the front desk with a cash deposit or credit card.

You can receive messages directly on your phone. When you pick up the receiver, the system will let you know if there's a message waiting. To retrieve messages, dial 350 and, once connected, enter code 1234#.

• 1. Listen to message
• 2. Next
• 7. Delete
• 9. Save

From the villa phone, dial 9 first to reach the outside numbers in this table, as explained in "How to Make a Call." Extensions (300, 302, 020, 040) only work from the villa phone; from your cell phone, call or message 984 120 6482.

From the villa phone, always dial 9 before any call: that's what gives you a line.

• Local call: 9 + 984 875 70 50
• Domestic call: 9 plus the phone's 10 digits.
• Cell call: 9 plus the phone's 10 digits.
• International dialing — USA-Canada: 9 + 001 + #
• International dialing — Argentina: 9 + 0054 + #
• International dialing — France: 9 + 0033 + #
• International dialing — Italy: 9 + 0039 + #

Domestic calls are free of charge. For the cost of international calls, please check with the front desk.

For anything else, ask the front desk; they'll be glad to help.