For your next vacation, imagine flying into Cancun airport. After gathering your bags and taking your first few breaths of fresh Caribbean air, hail a taxi and, with a hint of pride in your voice, tell him to take you to Akumal. That's right, instead of heading to the mother of all Mexican tourist destinations, you'll be heading south to a quieter but no less lovely locale. You've decided to things differently, and that's a very good thing.

Akumal is on the Yucatan peninsula and is home to charming bays, ample diving, fishing, and exploring opportunities, and an array of incredible vacation rentals. One of these will provide you and your traveling companions with the ideal home base for your relaxing getaway, which is likely to end up ranking near the top of your all-time list of favorites. Escaping the crowds as well as the standard hotel arrangement will turn out to be the smartest decisions you've ever made.

Somewhere between Akumal Bay and Yal-ku Lagoon sits an attractive condo brimming with possibilities. The quiet road on Half Moon Bay overlooks the sea and a white sandy beach, and the people who have discovered this perch tend to keep their treasure to themselves. Luckily you glimpsed the gorgeous scene for yourself online and reserved one of the most appealing properties to be had. The place you'll be calling home for the next few days is filled with light and seems to welcome the warm breezes and sunshine with open arms. High ceilings and a spacious patio continue to keep claustrophobia at bay, as do the ample bedrooms, bathrooms and living spaces.

Unlike boxy rooms you've previously stayed in, this set-up has it all. A kitchen fit for fixing meals and keeping snacks on hand, wireless internet access, an outdoor shower for rinsing off the day's beachy residue, and all the towels, linens and basic soaps and shampoos that you'll need. Several stores nearby plus a perfect snorkeling cove just a few steps away will make driving around unnecessary, and you'll probably end up going shoe-less for days at a time. This is something that many high-heeled and be-suited office dwellers aspire to, so be sure to take full advantage.

A quick stroll will take you to the kinds of activities that will engage and relax you in that sun-dappled, eye-popping, smile-inducing way. Underwater cave exploring, scuba diving, turtle spying and jungle hiking are just a few, and short day trip will lead you through Mayan ruins as well as a biosphere and several parks. Souvenir shopping and sightseeing at some of the more popular places (Cozumel, etc...) will be worth the trip just to better appreciate your own peaceful situation in Akumal.

Returning to your vacation rental each day will be a pleasure. Unlocking to door to a roomy, homey casita will never cease to bring you joy. The good vibes will stem from the fact that everyone in your group is having a great time and won't have to pile into a sardine can, and from a few other sources as well. Many of these properties have been the site of family reunions, romantic interludes, and weddings and commitment ceremonies; thus, love is quite literally in the air. Bring your beloved person or people and continue the tradition of good times and fond memory-making.

Some may think that renting a villa on the Mayan Riviera is probably too expensive for "normal" vacationers, but this is hardly the case. Factor in all that you receive in the vacation rental package, divide it by the number of people who will be coming along, and think about what this trip will add to the quality of everyone's overall well-being, and you'll come up with numbers that are more than reasonable. Plus, there are special deals from time to time, so if you start planning early and get yourself acquainted with how things work, you're likely to uncover a true bargain.

Go online to seek out the Akumal Vacation Rental that will make your upcoming trip to Mexico complete. You're sure to enjoy both the preparation process and the fulfillment of your well-deserved holiday, so take the first step today.

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Gorgeous, quieter than the average resort area, sun-dappled and filled with all the beach activities a vacationer could ask for, Puerto Aventuras is a dreamy spot with much to offer. Not as tarnished by spring breakers and traditional tourist trappings as Yucatan Peninsula cities like Cancun, this diamond in the rough has the power to serve as an escape pod for all overwrought people out there.

Located on the Mayan Riviera, Puerto Aventuras is made up of three major bays covered with sugary white sand and sparse coastal developments. There is a build up of visitor-friendly operations, but unlike other towns in the Mexican Caribbean, the touch of civilization has been limited. Wide open swaths of lovely beach, clear blue water, and room to breathe all characterize this delicious region, and that's just the beginning.

Moving past initial impressions of the landscape, Puerto Aventuras has the goods to back up the good looks, too. This is where you'll find the only marina within several miles, so boaters and fishers thank their stars for the set-up here. A hundred yards from shore is a fabulous reef for diving, and a talented set of instructors make a living ensuring that visitors safely experience the wonders of these world-renowned underwater platforms. Boats can be rented for some sport fishing, sightseeing or wave riding, and when refreshments are needed a nearby restaurant will sate all appetites.

A golf course will allow those putting-obsessed people (you know who you are) to get their fix, but distractions like tennis, shopping, snorkeling and simply lounging on the peaceful beach will all compete for the chance to dominate your day in Puerto, as the locals call it. Fatima Bay will surely draw you to it like a magnet, so bring a good book, lots of sunscreen and the mindset of a true beach bum.

While you're here, it would be worth it to take a little day trip to Tulum, the ancient Mayan city. In addition to the fascinating temples and other structures, there is also a market, stretches of stunning scenery, and an area where the famous pole flyers do their thing. Explore this area to feel like you're in a whole other world, perhaps even another time. You can also head north to Playa del Carmen, a tourist-friendly area with a large shopping and entertainment district. From here there is a ferry service to Cozumel, so serious scuba divers will probably end up spending a little time here.

Back in Puerto Aventuras, be sure to visit the Shipwreck Museum, take a jungle hike, and participate in a session of swimming with the dolphins. Stroll around the town and relish the calm that pervades, making an effort to enjoy every lovely stress-free second. Remember, this trip won't last forever so don't let it be taken for granted.

All in all, this destination is perfect for those who want the cream of the vacation crop and substantially fewer crowds than many favorites tend to elicit. Peaceful, intimate and cozy are adjectives you'll be using to describe Puerto during your trip, and fond memories are what you'll have when you leave. This will be especially true if you take the step of renting a vacation property here instead of opting to stay in a regular hotel. Beach front villas with bonus amenities and condos that feel as if they were designed and decorated with your taste in mind are the best ways to truly relax into a holiday state of mind.

Going online to peruse the Puerto Aventuras Vacation Rental listings will get you in the mood for all that is to come. Read the descriptions, check out the maps and ogle the pretty pictures for a sneak peak of your future fabulous trip to the Mayan Riviera.

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