Ya Kul Lagoon and Akumal try

  Akumal, Mexico
Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Caught Collectivo (bus) on highway by resort. Van packed with locals going about their business. Nothing but spanish spoken in here. Told driver "playa publico, Akumal".

Akumal highway pedestrian bridge

Highway pedestrian bridge @ Akumal

After several stops dropping off and picking up people along the highway, we got off on the highway by Akumal beach access road. Cost of ride $20 Peso each. Used the cross-over pedestrian bridge to get to the east side of the busy highway for the walk down to beaches.

Ya Kul Lagoon entrance

view of Ya Kul Lagoon

snorkeling @ Ya Kul Lagoon

stingray @ Ya Kul Lagoon

Walked from highway to arches, about 3/4 of a km. There we took a cab to Ya Kul Lagoon (cost $60 pesos). At the lagoon paid the $80 peso each admission. Also rented a locker for $50 pesos. Snorkeled around the lagoon for about and hour and half. We saw lots of fish and a stingray. We tried to make it out to islands where the ocean waves break but got tired and headed back to access point. Lots of people had showed up on a tour and it was really crowded. Met this nice couple, Chris and Randy, from Cologne, British Columbia. We ended up getting a ride with them in their rental car to La Buena Vida restaurant on Half Moon Bay. This saved us about 1 kilometer walk.

view from La Buena Vista Restaurant

Us at La Buena Vista Restaurant

treehouse @ La Buena Vista Restaurant

At La Buena Vida restaurant we relaxed and had drinks and lunch. Two beers, pop, water, Shrimp Taco and a Nacho platter - cost was $360 pesos. Beer was good and the food was good. This restaurant is right on the beach at Half Moon Bay. The view and atmosphere are great.

While we were sitting there black clouds started rolling in over the water.

funnel cloud over ocean

What looked like funnel clouds were forming and then disappearing. It looked like some touched the water. Boats were coming and going so I guess they must be benign. After a time we decided to walk down to the public beach at Akumal bay. Just as we started walking down the road, it started to rain hard. We ducted for cover at the Dive Centre. It kept raining and raining. We decided to head back to the resort. Hailed a cab. This cost us $200 pesos with tip.