Wednesday, May 4, 2016 4:13 PM
Rob Kinnon
Why to Buy in Akumal
This month, BuyPlaya Real Estate Advisors
is sharing our new “Why to Buy” series. In these articles, we’ll showcase
different Riviera Maya destinations in order to highlight the perks of buying
property in the area, according to our very own Riviera Maya real estate
experts. Click here to read “Why to Buy in Playa del Carmen”.
What Akumal lacks in size, it makes
up for in charm.
This tiny beach community in the
southern Riviera Maya sits on some of the clearest water and whitest sands in
the entire Caribbean. With incredible snorkeling spots at every turn and lovely
local bars and restaurants like La Buena Vida or Turtle Bay Bakery, Akumal has
become a haven for buyers in search of that laid-back Mexico beach vibe.

We sat down with real estate advisor
and Scottish expat Marieke Brown to talk about why Akumal is such a great place
to buy a permanent home or a vacation home. Not only is she a local real estate
expert, Marieke has also been living in Akumal for 11 years! Below are Marieke’s
insights into buying a home in Akumal, Mexico:
What do you think is so special
about Akumal?
"Akumal is a small eco village
located between Playa del Carmen and Tulum, with each town an easy 20-minute
drive in either direction. It was the first tourist community to be developed
on the coast more than 55 years ago, long before Cancun, founded by a group of
adventure divers looking for gold on Spanish ship wrecks. Today both the
adventurous spirit and laid back beach vibe continues in Akumal, with its
beautiful beaches, Yalku Lagoon, eco center, good dive shops, spa, yoga, and no
less than nine delicious eateries along the mile and a half of beach road that makes
up the village."

What kind of properties can be found
in Akumal?
"Prices in Akumal range from casitas
as little as US$129,000 all the way up to large luxury mansions at
US$3million+. There are a great range of properties in the area to suit everyone’s
budget and needs. Akumal is a great investment as it is one of the few
communities where you can still find beachfront property at a very accessible
price. There are large 2-bedroom condos directly on the Caribbean here, with
pool, for under US$300,000, Akumal offers large, luxury homes, right on
the beach, without the hustle, bustle and overcrowding of the urban areas of
the coast."
What kind of lifestyle can one
expect when buying a home in Akumal?
"Akumal has been the Riviera Maya’s
secret place for many years. However many more people are discovering and
falling in love with Akumal. Akumal means “place of the turtle” in Maya,
and the bays are home to a large number of resident sea turtles that can be
seen all year round. Just last year, Akumal was declared a Federal Marine
Protected Area, further guaranteeing that Akumal will retain its pristine
beaches and low density charm for years to come.
"As Akumal was the first village to
be established, there is no place available for large hotels or commercial
operations to move in. With the exception of a handful of empty lots, the
beach community of Akumal is complete.
"When you buy into Akumal, you become
part of a safe, friendly, and inclusive community of expats and nationals
alike, with regular social gatherings, and always someone interesting to talk
to should you wish to.
"Properties in Akumal also enjoy
profitable rental programs and property management offered by local well
established companies, making ownership a breeze."
Thank you so much for the
information, Marieke!
If you’d like to purchase a beach
home or a vacation condo anywhere in Akumal, visit BuyPlaya Real Estate
Advisors at BuyPlaya.com. Marieke and our other Riviera Maya real estate agents
would be happy to guide you through the process.