Day One at Akumal

It was a long day of traveling that started at 3:30 a.m.  The air travel was uneventful.  Upon arrival, I was anxious to get through customs and immigration, pick up our rental car and head to the beach.  Customs and immigrations was a breeze, but I hadn't anticipated having to make our way past eager, helpful people trying to earn their commissions by steering us to their kiosks or services.  I forgot that the economy operates a bit differently here.  It also took me a while to realize that we are back on Caribbean time, meaning there is no sense in trying to get things done efficiently or in a hurry.  We made it out with all of our money, although we did make a commitment to have a free breakfast at a resort in Tulum tomorrow morning in exchange for considering the place for our next vacation and getting a substantial discount on our rental car.

View in front of our condo

We purposely avoid the well-manicured, all-inclusive, fake-decor resorts most of the time, and my research of places to stay resulted in a great find.  We are at a low-key, older resort right on the beach in Akumal Bay--Las Casitas Akumal--where we are staying in a charming two-bedroom condominium with an large patio facing the water, shaded by tropical trees and bougainvillea.  An added bonus for Matthew and Katya is that there are cats roaming around who love to be petted.  The bay is well protected by a barrier reef, and I am looking forward to snorkeling first thing in the morning.

Katya petting one of the cats outside our condo

Walking along the beach, we found a couple nice restaurants, and we enjoyed a delicious dinner al fresco with the sea breeze cooling us as the water lapped quietly at the shore just below us.  Adjacent to one of the restaurants I found a great little shop with a wide variety of Mexican arts and crafts.  We will be going back there again!

After dinner, we decided to see what was happening in the main part of town just inland from the beach hotels.  ¡Nada!  It was not just quiet, it was closed up and dark.  This is indeed a sleepy little resort town, and we love it!

Off to bed now so I can swim with the colorful tropical fish as soon as possible!