Yalku lagoon and turtles akumal sanctuary
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.8/5
Based on 4 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Yalku lagoon and turtles akumal sanctuary worth booking?
Yalku lagoon and turtles akumal sanctuary is a 3-hour experience in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, from $40 per person. It scores 61 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 4 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 61 / 100
- Rating
- 4.8/5 (4)
- Duration
- 3 hours
- From
- $40 per person
Enjoy swimming with turtles in akumal bay and tropical fish in yalku lagoon private tours not in large groups of large agencies accessible to the whole family,including children Feel free to enjoy these spectacular
What you get
- Local guide
- Access tickets to akumal Bay and Yalku Lagoon
- Use of snorkeling equipment
- Bathroom and shower services
About this experience
Enjoy swimming with turtles in akumal bay and tropical fish in yalku lagoon private tours not in large groups of large agencies accessible to the whole family,including children Feel free to enjoy these spectacular activities always accompanied by a local guide
What's included
Included
- Local guide
- Access tickets to akumal Bay and Yalku Lagoon
- Use of snorkeling equipment
- Bathroom and shower services
Not included
- Car parking in akumal Bay
- Photo service (you can request the guide a session if you want it is at additional cost
- Food and drink (you can bring your food if you want)
- Use of lockers (if customer wants a locker)
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Playa del Carmen
David Apple Reception Module We are located at the entrance of akumal we are the second module
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
David Apple Reception Module We are located at the entrance of akumal we are the second module
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en, it, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Nado con tortugas akumal guías locales
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 4 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
4 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
1 mentionReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
1 mentionThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Organization
1 mentionPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Food and drink
1 mentionThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Good for families
1 mentionReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Traveler reviews
4 verified traveler reviews for Yalku lagoon and turtles akumal sanctuary. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Excellent Trip would recommend
All arranged on the website. Met at correct place on time. Small group. Guide was excellent and looked after our 5 year old when she bacame a little tired with all the swimming. All life jackets snorkels and masks provided. Saw 7 turtles at akumal and lots of tropical fish at Yakul. Would thoroughly recommend.
via Viator
Fantastic family experience!
Such a great experience- would highly recommend!! We took our two boys ages 11 and 13. It was only the four of us on the tour so it was very personalized to us. The tour operator, David, and our tour guide, Angel, were extremely friendly and communicative right from the start. Both are local to the area and speak English well. David messaged me the night before with a location ping as to where to meet up so we could easily show our taxi driver. Angel knows the waters and lagoon area very well as he is from there so he was able to show the kids secret caves and tell us so much about the turtles, fish, and other wildlife. The first half of the tour you are snorkeling off the beach. We saw several sea turtles very close up, rays, and my son saw a huge spotted ray which is a rarity so he was very excited! Because it’s not one of the huge tour companies we were able to snorkel in a separate section off the beach that was a lot less crowded. The second half of the tour you are snorkeling in the lagoon area. We saw lots of beautiful fish. Angel was very good about making sure everyone felt safe and comfortable the entire time. There are lockers at the park to keep your things. Plan to spend a few hours there- lots of cool little restaurants and shops so you don’t need to bring food/drinks unless you want to. We’d definitely do this tour again!!
Response from the operator: Gracias por su apoyo a los guías locales de akumal 🐢🐟🤿🇲🇽 Estamos agradecidos por su recomendación y por su tiempo para escribir lo emocionante que fue para ustedes vivir está experiencia con nosotros. Angel es uno de nuestros guías estudiantes del grupo es muy paciente y conocedor ya que está ampliamente capacitado para poder brindarles un buen servicio de guía , En verdad para nosotros es muy importante saber que tuvieron una excelente actividad en akumal Gracias
via Tripadvisor
They had 2 guides for our...
They had 2 guides for our group of 8, ages 10 to 80. They were knowledgeable, and very attentive to our needs. We didn't realize that the package didn't include transportation between the 2 places. We were happy with them.
Response from the operator: Gracias por su apoyo a los guías locales de akumal 🐢🐟🤿 Hacemos que su visita a estos dos hermosos lugares de akumal sean bien atendidos por parte de nuestros guías Gracias por su visita
via Viator
All was perfect until the moment the guide asked us for money money for the 2nd photo session
All was perfect until the moment the guide told us we wanted to charge us 600 Mx for the first session of photos with Turttles and then another 600 Mx for the snorkle. He should have told us in the begining and not at the end with the payment. We ended up solving the topics but not giving any tip but I felt it was not professional. Guide should say very clear in the beginning it was 600 mx for the photo per activity.
Response from the operator: Gracias por su apoyo y preferencia a los guías locales de akumal Nosotros fijamos un precio cuando los clientes desean una sesión de fotos es ( opcional ) no obligatoria , entendemos que la actividad fue de su agrado más no el cobro de las sesiones Mejoraremos y aceptamos está recomendación con mucho gusto para mejorar día a día Gracias
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- 2+
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Price range
- $40 to $70
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 1
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 61
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Yalku lagoon and turtles akumal sanctuary: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Playa del Carmen.
How much does Yalku lagoon and turtles akumal sanctuary cost?
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Prices start at $40 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Playa del Carmen usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Yalku lagoon and turtles akumal sanctuary take?
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Plan for about 3 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Playa del Carmen is not rushed.
Is Yalku lagoon and turtles akumal sanctuary worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 61 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 4 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Playa del Carmen, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Yalku lagoon and turtles akumal sanctuary?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Yalku lagoon and turtles akumal sanctuary suitable for kids and families?
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The operator sets a minimum age of 2. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 3-hour running time when deciding.
How far in advance should I book Yalku lagoon and turtles akumal sanctuary?
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Around 1 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Playa del Carmen can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Playa del Carmen and add a light layer if any part of the 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Yalku lagoon and turtles akumal sanctuary start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Playa del Carmen within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Playa del Carmen?
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On Outty we rank every Playa del Carmen experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include VIP Chichen Itza Private Tour, VIP Tulum Private Tour, Chichen Itza Private Tour VIP. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Playa del Carmen?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Playa del Carmen?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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