16 Top Tips To Ensure You Get The Best Monthly Rentals In Akumal Mexico

Recently, Travel Weekly voted the Riviera Maya the Best Destination in Mexico.  And over 25 million people visit the Riviera Maya each year.  It's a fabulous place to stay or visit for lots of reasons.  Primarily for the year-round weather and the incredible beaches.  But also for the many other reasons as well.  These include:

• Easy access through Cancun International Airport and the newly opened Tulum International Airport
• Good road infrastructure allows you to get up and down the coast quickly.  And now this is getting augmented by the Maya Train, which is also due to open soon.  This will transfer travelers up and down the coast without you having to drive.
• Fabulous powder white sand beaches and azure water of the Caribbean Ocean along 100 km of coastline
• Great water activities, including
• – Scuba diving
• – Snorkelling
• – Paddleboarding
• – Big game fishing
• – Water Parks for the kids
• Cenotes – underground freshwater pools to relax in and explore
• Many Ancient Mayan Ruins and Archeological Sites
• Great Restaurants, Bars and Beachclubs
• Wonderful nature experiences.  For example, The Sian Kaan Biosphere is home to 103 mammals, 345 species of birds, and more than 1,400 species of plants.
• Several Adventure and Theme Parks

As a result, demand for rentals in Akumal Mexico, Tulum, and Playa Del Carmen, and the surrounding area is increasing.  Finding the right place can be very challenging and often means you have to book several months in advance.  Especially if you want to stay in the high season between December and the end of March.  This past year, for example, monthly rentals in Akumal, Mexico, at Ocean Breeze Akumal were fully booked from mid-December to March, over 6 months in advance!  With the increased demand, prices have risen accordingly and continue growing.

As mentioned above, many people come to the Riviera Maya, looking for rentals in Akumal, Mexico, or nearby Tulum or Playa Del Carmen. But the type of place and area will vary greatly depending on whether they're young remote workers or retirees.

Young remote workers interested in the party scene will gravitate more towards the party hotspot of Playa Del Carmen, or Tulum, rapidly catching Playa up. Snowbirds, retirees, and Mexican residents looking to escape the city will likely prefer the quieter, quaint town of Akumal to its louder and larger neighbors 15 minutes away. Those looking for real estate will be interested in areas depending on their primary goal. If they are interested in a place to primarily use themselves, they'll want to check out monthly rentals in Akumal, Mexico. But if rental income is the primary driver, then Tulum or Playa might be options too.

Below are a few considerations for comparing rentals in Akumal, Tulum, and Playa Del Carmen.

Pro's

• Party central
• Lots of services, bars, restaurants etc.
• Lots of accommodation options, including 1 bedroom and studio apartments

Con's

• Party central
• It's bustling in Playa Del Carmen – 30 + years ago, it was a small fishing town, now it's a major metropolis
• Crime capital of the area

Pro's

• It is much safer than both Tulum and Playa Del Carmen
• Still has a quaint beach town feel
• You can still get inexpensive restaurant food in Akumal Pueblo
• It is still a quiet place close to beaches, cenotes, ruins, and services
• It's well-located near several great beaches, cenotes, Mayan Ruins, etc. Having a car allows you to explore the area easily

Con's

• Fewer accommodation options than Tulum and Playa Del Carmen
• Unless you're staying in Akumal Pueblo or in one of the few accommodations at Akumal Bay, you'll have to drive 5-10 mins to restaurants, grocery stores, etc
• Beachfront accommodation can be expensive as there aren't many of them

For most people, you will want to look for a furnished apartment unless you're moving full-time into a rental situation. Fortunately, it's easy for rentals in Akumal Mexico, Tulum, and Playa Del Carmen. The vast majority are furnished. However, if you are one of the few who's looking for un-furnished, then you'll have a more limited selection to choose from.

How important is safety and security to you? Crime in Mexico is like crime in many parts of the world. Often, it is higher in cities and towns with larger populations. And crime rates in Mexico are lower than you may perceive. As you might expect, there is more crime in a large city like Cancun than in smaller towns. Likewise, while there is less crime than in Cancun, it’s higher in Playa Del Carmen than in smaller communities in the rest of the Riviera Maya. Crime in Tulum has recently increased as that area has grown significantly in the last 5-10 years. So, when finding monthly rentals, make sure you find a place in a safe neighborhood. Or look for monthly rentals in gated communities or small neighborhoods outside the major centers. In this regard, one of the big pluses of monthly rentals in Akumal, Mexico, is that this area is safer than both Playa Del Carmen and Tulum. However, even when looking for rentals in Akumal, some communities are more secure than others.

While everyone wants to be beachfront, if you stay for several months, you don't have to be on the beach.  As long as you have easy access to a beach or beaches, staying a few minutes walk or drive to the beach can be much more affordable, and you have much more to choose from.

But, you want to make sure that where you stay has access to the beaches.  In Mexico, while all beaches are public, the land in front of beaches is not.  Resorts and property owners often buy the land in front of a beach then, many restrict access to those staying at their properties.  For example, in Playa Del Carmen and Cancun many beaches aren't accessible to the general public.  Most monthly rentals in Tulum aren't on the beach but are several blocks away.

So, look for rentals a little off the beach but within easy walking or driving distance to public beach entrances.  Also, look for direct access to small bays/beaches within a few minutes' drive of some of the more spectacular beaches in the area.  For instance, rentals in Akumal are located around several beaches.  Either within easy walking or driving distance.  They are accessible free or for a nominal fee.  However, even here, you will likely want to find a place on the beachside of the main Highway 307 that runs from Cancun to Tulum.  Many monthly rentals in Akumal, Mexico, may seem more affordable initially, but check if they are located on the opposite side of the highway from the beach.  While this means a much longer walk or a car ride to the beach, it can also mean more bugs, as they can be deep in the jungle side.

For example, rentals in Akumal, Mexico, are popular as Akumal is 15 minutes south of Playa Del Carmen and 15 minutes north of Tulum. It's known for the sea turtles on the beaches and in the many bays and coves. You can enjoy the quieter environment, with the ocean on one side and the Mayan jungle on the other. And be conveniently located not only to Playa and Tulum but to all the other activities in the Riviera Maya.

Ensure your accommodation is well-equipped when looking for monthly rentals in Akumal, Mexico, Tulum, or elsewhere along the coast. For example, do you have a washer-dryer, or are you within walking distance of a laundrette? Is the kitchen modern? And does it have appropriate appliances, such as a large fridge-freezer? While you won't often find an oven here, you should ensure you have an excellent-quality cooktop. If possible, a gas cooktop will be cheaper than electricity for your utility costs. If you like to cook, then prioritize places that have well-equipped kitchens. The last thing you want to do is buy bowls, whisks, can-openers, salad bowls, serving platters, cutting boards, and a quality knife set....

While most monthly rentals in Tulum, Mexico, Playa Del Carmen, and Akumal will have Wi-Fi, please don't assume it's the same standard you have at home. In some places, the internet connection is poor or available only for parts of the day. Or completely non-existent for long stretches! Definitely ask about it unless you are looking to disconnect completely!

And if Wi-Fi is important to you, ask if they have fiber-optic cable in the accommodation and who the service provider is. Telmex often has the most reliable service for rentals in Akumal Mexico, Tulum and Playa Del Carmen.

One of the main reasons for Wi-Fi outages is due to power failures in the electricity grid. When those occur, which can happen intermittently, there are often surges in the electricity that can affect your personal electronic devices. Occasionally, you will find accommodations that have built-in surge protection. While an expensive addition for the property owner, it gives guests peace of mind. And it demonstrates a commitment by the owner that they care about a guest's experience and are willing to invest in ensuring a great experience.

As mentioned, renting a car or buying your own is highly recommended. Having a car allows you to visit the many activities within the region. So, you also want to determine which monthly rentals have free and accessible parking. For example, most monthly rentals in Playa Del Carmen have limited parking. Monthly rentals in Tulum, will have some street parking. While most rentals in Akumal, Mexico will have lots of parking access. If you aren't using a car, you will want to ensure you have access to other forms of transportation. Taxi’s are often popular, and collectivos run up and down Highway 307 between Tulum and Playa Del Carmen. Another option is to rent or buy a scooter.

If accessibility due to mobility or other challenges is important, then make sure you ask lots of questions about accessibility of the building and surrounding area. Building codes in Mexico are not as advanced as in North America or parts of Europe, and accessibility is not considered. Ramps, elevators, wide hallways, etc., should not be assumed.

If you plan to take along your pet, you will find it harder to secure monthly rentals in Akumal, Mexico, Tulum, or Playa Del Carmen. Many rental owners don't allow pets. Some will allow small dogs, but often not large ones. And most won't allow cats. Since you will be looking for furnished accommodation owners avoid pets that could damage furniture. Also, expect to pay a little extra, or at least an additional pet damage deposit.

Rates for monthly rentals in Tulum, Akumal, or Playa Del Carmen vary based on the season, how well furnished they are, the size of the accommodation, services offered, etc. Also, they vary based on whether they are beachfront or not and in which area they are in. In general, rates for monthly rentals in Playa Del Carmen are higher than in Tulum and Akumal. Rentals in Akumal on the ocean side of the highway will be a little higher priced than those across the highway. But they are usually worth it unless you are on a very restricted budget. Similarly, monthly rentals in Playa Del Carmen close to 5th Avenue will be more expensive than those further away.

With your budget in mind, you must assess how the different accommodations meet your list of criteria. You may have to compromise on some of your criteria with a limited budget. Or you may decide that paying a little more is worth it to get what you want. This can be challenging to do when comparing different properties. That's why this checklist on "29 Things To Check Before Signing On To A Long-Term Vacation Rental" is useful. You can use it to rate each property you are looking at and compare the results to find the best one.

Besides the monthly rent, utility costs will be an addition to the monthly rental cost. Many property rentals will bill you an amount after they receive the utility costs. Some, however, will charge you a flat monthly fee, which they add to the monthly rent. This simplifies payment. You will be billed for the difference if your usage is a lot more than the amount charged.

Utility costs for monthly rentals in the Riviera Maya can vary a lot. Usually, the most expensive item is the amount of electricity used. This is often due to how much you use the air conditioning. Monthly rentals with insect screens allow you to open windows and reduce your need to use the A/C.

As well, gas is often less expensive. So, finding monthly rentals in Akumal, Mexico, that have a gas cooktop or range that uses gas to heat the hot water and run the dryer is helpful. All of these will result in less expensive utility costs. Also, ensure that the property you select has a CO monitor, just in case.

Utility costs can vary a lot based on usage and the applied rate. If you use a lot of electricity, CFE (the electric company) will charge you at a higher cost per KW hr than if you generally use less electricity. Also, in the slightly hotter but more humid months, A/C use increases typically. Even toasters here use a lot of electricity! For modest electrical use, expect to pay $100 – 200 USD / month for electricity, gas, and Wi-Fi costs for a 2-bedroom apartment.

Reviews are essential in finding the best monthly rentals in Tulum, Playa Del Carmen, and Akumal. Properties rated highly and consistently are what you want to focus on. If they have several consistently excellent reviews, have most items on your list, and are affordable, then you have a winner!

While we've provided 16 top tips for choosing monthly rentals in Akumal, Mexico, and nearby, below are a few things to avoid.

• Avoid agreeing to a long-term rental agreement while sitting at the bar late at night
• Avoid a handshake deal. You may be able to get a cheaper cash price, but if something goes wrong, having paid with a credit card could save you thousands of dollars. The cash economy in Mexico is undoubtedly alive and thriving, but only enter into cash transactions with someone you genuinely trust
• Don't avoid considering health insurance. If you decide not to buy insurance, at least know the costs if you need medical help
• Check the Wi-Fi if you have specific requirements or need Wi-Fi for critical work or other related activities.
• Avoid the depths of the jungle unless you want to use lots of bug spray
• While for many Millenials, collectivos are a great and inexpensive way to travel, most Gen X'ers boomers and others are better off avoiding collectivos and better off renting a car

A one-month stay can often receive a 30-40% discount over short-term rates. For example, in the high season, prices are in the following ranges.

Prices in the low season are more affordable and include a monthly discount

Low season, one-month rental, 2-bedroom apartment

Akumal $1,400 - $3,000 USD /month

Tulum Near Beach $1,500 - $3,500 USD / month

Tulum Jungle Side $1,500 - $2,500 USD /month

Playa Del Carmen Near Beach $1,500 - $4,000 USD /month

For longer-term stays, you can often receive additional discounts. However, you will usually have to pay your utility costs (gas, electricity, Wi-Fi). For example, typical prices for rentals in Akumal between 3-12 months are

3 months high season $2,200 - $3,500 USD / month

3 months low season $1,300 - $2,000 USD / month

12 months $1,400 - $2,200 USD / month

About Our Blog

Exploring The Riviera Maya is Ocean Breeze Akumal's Blog. Here we explore the diversity of Mexico's best tourism destination to highlight the best beaches, cenotes, restaurants, attractions, Mayan ruins, etc., etc. We provide information to help you explore this spectacular part of the world and give you tips and tricks that only the locals know. Helping to give you the vacation experience of a lifetime including on how to find the best rentals in Akumal Mexico.

If you would like to get a notification each time we post a new article enter your email address in the subscribe box at the bottom of this page and we'll make sure you don't miss a post. If you have requests for future blog posts email us at info@oceanbreezeakumal.com. We'd also really appreciate it, if you find one of our posts to be interesting and informative, if you'd like and share it to your social networks.

Contact Us

For information about accommodation, vacation options, or questions about the Riviera Maya, contact us.

Email info@oceanbreezeakumal.com

WhatsApp + 1 250 538 8159

Phone + 1 250 538 8159

Facebook.com/oceanbreezeakumal