Yal Ku!

Diego Moskito · 06-26-2012

Living in the Riviera Maya sometimes makes me forget the amazing places and beaches that are found here. There is nothing better than having friends come visit given that I always appoint myself official tour guide, and take them to the many places I enjoy visiting. Amongst the many day tours there is always one place that I always go to, hidden between houses, and trees there lays a massive fish tank. This might sound odd and although it’s not a fish tank per say, it’s the best way I can describe it.
Yal Ku is a small estuary, or as its known in Spanish caleta, at the end of Akumal. An exit point for various cenotes, fresh water flows out into the seawater creating a calm and safe environment for many types of fish. Upon entering the estuary you are immediately greeted by a school of sergeant-colonel these small black and yellow fish swim around you as if you where part of their group.
As you slowly make your way through Yal Ku you’ll realize that the water’s temperature will change suddenly, from warm to cold, this is because the water from the ocean is warm and the water flowing out of the cenotes is cold, thus creating a thermocline effect as you swim.
While snorkelling around you’ll begin to hear a crunching sound, turning left and right in hopes of locating this unexpected sound, you’ll see two huge parrot fish munching on the rocks at the bottom, red, yellow, blue, with big pursed lips, you could float for hours just watching these marvellous fish. If you don’t own snorkel equipment, there are plenty for rent at the entrance.
Yal Ku is a protected estuary, and its clear and clean water shows for it. Located at the end of a lush jungle, which is decorated with statues and orchids, small paths lead towards the many platforms for easy access into the water. One of the best features of Yal Ku is that even during rough sea-days Yal Ku is protected from the ocean and remains calm, this makes it perfect for families with kids or for adventurers who want a snorkel day even when the ocean is not in the mood to comply. The water itself is not so deep, ranging from 9 to 15 feet, making it the perfect place for not so experienced swimmers as well as for children. Because of the cenotes surrounding this estuary the underwater landscape has a lot to offer as well, scattered with underwater caves and small valleys it’s great fun to swim through this rocky landscape alongside blue tangs.
Yal Ku is a must see when in the Riviera Maya, and is easily accessible by car or taxi when staying at a Vacation Rental or hotel. As many times as I’ve gone it never ceases to amaze me.
Greetings from the tropical waters of the Riviera Maya!

Camila Pittman
Moskito Riviera Maya
www.moskitoplayadelcarmen.com

Babaloo · 06-26-2012

Just get there before the tour buses.

You should sign up for the Merchant Account

Pizzaman · 06-26-2012

Thanks for the description , sounds great

When I'm in Playa I always wanted to go to a cenote

Now I know which one to go to

Thanks

Babaloo · 06-26-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pizzaman

Thanks for the description , sounds great

When I'm in Playa I always wanted to go to a cenote

Now I know which one to go to

Thanks

It's not a cenote.
It's a lagoon.

lovesthesun · 06-26-2012

How do you get to Yakul from Akumal? I would be taking the collectivo.

Babaloo · 06-26-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by lovesthesun

How do you get to Yakul from Akumal? I would be taking the collectivo.

Taxi or a long hot walk

stargazer21 · 07-08-2012

Yal-Ku is an "always do" on any trip we make to the area. It was my first successful snorkel trip (after a rough attempt at Paamul!), and it still fascinates me. We usually head there first, when we first get to Akumal...not only because we love it, but it's calm waters are a great place to get snorkel gear adjusted before we head over to Turtle Bay later in the day.

The first time we went, Valentine83 took us. We used the colectivo to get to Akumal, and they SWORE it wasn't a long walk (it had been a few years since they had been). Seriously, that was one long hot walk...dragging our gear with us.

We still joke about it and give them a hard time, but now we all rent golf carts at the arches for the day so we can cruise anywhere we want. Highly recommended!

Can't wait to come back. December seems so far away...

miiskuli · 07-13-2012

If you want to rent some snorkling equipment to use at Yal Ku, should you rent them from Akumal gates, or are there some equipment to rent at Yal ku? And if you prefer to snorkle on different places during the day (for example at Akulmal bay, Yal Ku, Half Moon) can you take the same gear to all of them? HOw does this work?

lovetheroo · 07-13-2012

There are 2 dive shops located on the main Akumal Bay, when you first see water in Akumal. Either one of them will be happy to rent you gear for the day - just leave your driver's license as a deposit. Then you could easily trot around to each of these spots at your leisure and return them before you leave. That's a great idea - there is much to see at each spot - but we love lounging at Akumal Bay between snorkels and normally don't venture to the other two like we should.

Rissask · 07-19-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Babaloo

It's not a cenote.
It's a lagoon.

actually, I think it's a lagoon style cenote.

snappysammy · 07-19-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rissask

actually, I think it's a lagoon style cenote.

why do you think that?

Babaloo · 07-19-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rissask

actually, I think it's a lagoon style cenote.

What does that mean?

snappysammy · 07-19-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Babaloo

What does that mean?

i'm trying to figure out why it is called "laguna yal ku"

Babaloo · 07-19-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by snappysammy

i'm trying to figure out why it is called "laguna yal ku"

Well...it is a lagoon. I know that much.

Rissask · 07-19-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Babaloo

What does that mean?

Just that technically a cenote is just a sinkhole, somewhere where the 'ground' has collapsed, with fresh water.

Some are deep and water filled, some are deep and dry, even.... some are shallow, or even almost at ground level...but since there are no rivers in the Yucatan, and there is freshwater in Yal Ku and others, it is both a cenote and a lagoon...technically.

I just remember James pointing this out years ago, is all.

06-26-2012	#1 (permalink)
Diego Moskito sandflea Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo. Mexico Posts: 1	Yal Ku! Living in the Riviera Maya sometimes makes me forget the amazing places and beaches that are found here. There is nothing better than having friends come visit given that I always appoint myself official tour guide, and take them to the many places I enjoy visiting. Amongst the many day tours there is always one place that I always go to, hidden between houses, and trees there lays a massive fish tank. This might sound odd and although it’s not a fish tank per say, it’s the best way I can describe it. Yal Ku is a small estuary, or as its known in Spanish caleta, at the end of Akumal. An exit point for various cenotes, fresh water flows out into the seawater creating a calm and safe environment for many types of fish. Upon entering the estuary you are immediately greeted by a school of sergeant-colonel these small black and yellow fish swim around you as if you where part of their group. As you slowly make your way through Yal Ku you’ll realize that the water’s temperature will change suddenly, from warm to cold, this is because the water from the ocean is warm and the water flowing out of the cenotes is cold, thus creating a thermocline effect as you swim. While snorkelling around you’ll begin to hear a crunching sound, turning left and right in hopes of locating this unexpected sound, you’ll see two huge parrot fish munching on the rocks at the bottom, red, yellow, blue, with big pursed lips, you could float for hours just watching these marvellous fish. If you don’t own snorkel equipment, there are plenty for rent at the entrance. Yal Ku is a protected estuary, and its clear and clean water shows for it. Located at the end of a lush jungle, which is decorated with statues and orchids, small paths lead towards the many platforms for easy access into the water. One of the best features of Yal Ku is that even during rough sea-days Yal Ku is protected from the ocean and remains calm, this makes it perfect for families with kids or for adventurers who want a snorkel day even when the ocean is not in the mood to comply. The water itself is not so deep, ranging from 9 to 15 feet, making it the perfect place for not so experienced swimmers as well as for children. Because of the cenotes surrounding this estuary the underwater landscape has a lot to offer as well, scattered with underwater caves and small valleys it’s great fun to swim through this rocky landscape alongside blue tangs. Yal Ku is a must see when in the Riviera Maya, and is easily accessible by car or taxi when staying at a Vacation Rental or hotel. As many times as I’ve gone it never ceases to amaze me. Greetings from the tropical waters of the Riviera Maya! Camila Pittman Moskito Riviera Maya www.moskitoplayadelcarmen.com

06-26-2012	#2 (permalink)
Babaloo añejo Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Playa del Carmen Posts: 22,457	Just get there before the tour buses. You should sign up for the Merchant Account

06-26-2012	#3 (permalink)
Pizzaman way into it Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: New York Posts: 200	Thanks for the description , sounds great When I'm in Playa I always wanted to go to a cenote Now I know which one to go to Thanks

06-26-2012	#5 (permalink)
lovesthesun ruined Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Van Nuys, CA Posts: 94	How do you get to Yakul from Akumal? I would be taking the collectivo.

07-08-2012	#7 (permalink)
stargazer21 way into it Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Grapevine, Texas Posts: 127	Yal-Ku is an "always do" on any trip we make to the area. It was my first successful snorkel trip (after a rough attempt at Paamul!), and it still fascinates me. We usually head there first, when we first get to Akumal...not only because we love it, but it's calm waters are a great place to get snorkel gear adjusted before we head over to Turtle Bay later in the day. The first time we went, Valentine83 took us. We used the colectivo to get to Akumal, and they SWORE it wasn't a long walk (it had been a few years since they had been). Seriously, that was one long hot walk...dragging our gear with us. We still joke about it and give them a hard time, but now we all rent golf carts at the arches for the day so we can cruise anywhere we want. Highly recommended! Can't wait to come back. December seems so far away...

07-13-2012	#8 (permalink)
miiskuli sandflea Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 9	If you want to rent some snorkling equipment to use at Yal Ku, should you rent them from Akumal gates, or are there some equipment to rent at Yal ku? And if you prefer to snorkle on different places during the day (for example at Akulmal bay, Yal Ku, Half Moon) can you take the same gear to all of them? HOw does this work?

07-13-2012	#9 (permalink)
lovetheroo beachaholic Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Beaumont, Texas Posts: 317	There are 2 dive shops located on the main Akumal Bay, when you first see water in Akumal. Either one of them will be happy to rent you gear for the day - just leave your driver's license as a deposit. Then you could easily trot around to each of these spots at your leisure and return them before you leave. That's a great idea - there is much to see at each spot - but we love lounging at Akumal Bay between snorkels and normally don't venture to the other two like we should.

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