Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya
Akumal, Mexico·Secrets
One of the best picks for couples, strongest for the value.
Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya feels like an adults-only resort built around two things people actually remember after the trip: the beach and the staff. The setting is lush and green, with jungle-like paths, roaming wildlife, and a swimmable stretch of Akumal Bay where snorkeling with turtles is a real part of the experience, not just brochure copy. Guests consistently rave about the service, spacious rooms, and food that lands above the usual all-inclusive standard, especially at places like Portofino, Himitsu, and the breakfast buffet. The three-pool setup also helps, since you can choose between quiet and lively without the whole resort feeling like one big party. That said, it is not flawless. The transfer from Cancun can be long, some guests found the vacation club sales pitch irritating, and drinks get more mixed reviews than the food. A few repeat visitors also felt the atmosphere has become busier and less peaceful at times, especially during private events or conventions. Still, for couples, honeymooners, and beach lovers who want an upscale stay with real snorkeling and consistently warm service, this is one of the more distinctive options in the Riviera Maya.
Will it be good when you go?
Scored by the month guests actually stayed, not the day they wrote. Here the season matters for Beach and Value and Location; the rest barely move.
Pick a month to see how guests who stayed that month rated it for adults. Best in February, weakest in December.
Is it right for you?
The same nine dimensions, ranked within each traveler type. The lists genuinely differ.
Overall fit, by traveler type rank within type
For couples: #17 of 197 resorts ranked for that trip type. Business travelers are left out, since this site is for holidays.
Dining, by traveler type same restaurants, different verdict
Ranked among the resorts with dining reviews from that traveler type. Solo lists are thinner, so read them as a hint, not a verdict.
What guests love, and what you won’t
Both columns come from the same reviews, at the same size. Burying the cons would waste the honest work upstream.
- Beautiful beachfront in Akumal Bay with excellent snorkeling and frequent turtle sightings
- Warm, attentive service that guests repeatedly describe as the standout feature
- Spacious, well-kept rooms and lush grounds with a distinctive tropical feel
- Dining is stronger than average for an all-inclusive, especially breakfast and select specialty restaurants
- Three distinct pool areas make it easy to choose between quiet relaxation and more social energy
- Long airport transfer from Cancun, often around 70 to 90 minutes
- Vacation club or timeshare-style sales pitch can be an annoying start to the stay
- Cocktails and premium drink quality get more mixed feedback than the food
- Some guests report noise or a less peaceful atmosphere during conventions or private events
- A few extra fees and Preferred Club perks may not feel worth the upgrade for everyone
Nine dimensions, ranked out of 202
Each on its own scale: a rank is comparable, a raw score isn’t. Dimensions with fewer reviews rank fewer resorts, so the “of N” differs. Click a dimension for what reviewers say.
This is an expensive resort, and multiple guests said recent rates have risen sharply.
There are several pools with distinct atmospheres: the main pool is the social hub with activities and a pool bar, while the others are noticeably quieter.
Food quality is consistently described as above average for an all-inclusive, with plenty of variety across buffet and specialty restaurants.
Wide range of activities, including archery, kayaking, paddle boarding, water aerobics, Spanish lessons, dance classes, and water biking.
Rooms are widely described as spacious, comfortable, and clean, with very positive feedback on bed comfort.
Excellent for couples celebrating honeymoons, anniversaries, and birthdays, with frequent mentions of romantic touches and personalized celebrations.
Transfer times from Cancun were usually about 1 hour 10 minutes to 1.5 hours, but delays from traffic, storms, or accidents can stretch that much longer.
Heavy sargassum is the main downside and, during bad periods, some guests said the beach was unusable and smelled terrible by midday.
There’s no strong evidence of kids’ clubs, child-centered pools, or organized children’s programming in these reviews.
5,489 guest photos
Unfiltered and dated by stay: the honest counterweight to the resort’s own photography.
Taken by guests and labelled with the month they stayed. Guest photos are the only gallery source we have. The resort’s official gallery isn’t in our data.