Tulum, Playa del Carmen or Akumal: where to buy
Let us start with the honest part: Joy Tree is not in Tulum nor in Playa del Carmen. It is in Akumal, in the middle stretch of the corridor. If you are comparing areas before deciding — which is the sensible thing to do — this page sets out what distinguishes each one and why the middle may suit you.
- Where Joy Tree is
- Akumal
- From Tulum
- ~30 min
- From Playa del Carmen
- ~35 min
- From Puerto Aventuras
- ~15 min
What sets each area apart
All four sit on the same road, Federal Highway 307, and they are still different decisions:
- Playa del Carmen. The most urban and the best served: hospitals, schools, retail and nightlife. Also the densest and the one with the heaviest traffic.
- Puerto Aventuras. Marina, golf course and an established residential profile, with gated communities going back years.
- Tulum. The heaviest tourist weight and the fastest growing in recent years, with its own airport since 2023. Also the most expensive on the first line and the one under the most urban pressure.
- Akumal. The middle stretch: low density, standing jungle and beaches that still resemble what they were. Fewer immediate services than Playa del Carmen, and in exchange, space.
The distances, which are what really decide
From the Joy Tree entrance, along Federal Highway 307:
- Downtown Akumal, with the town and services: 6 minutes.
- Puerto Aventuras: around 15 minutes north.
- Tulum: around 30 minutes south. Its airport, 1 h 05 away.
- Playa del Carmen: around 35 minutes north.
- Cancún and its airport: 1 h 15.
Put another way: you live in Akumal and have Tulum and Playa del Carmen half an hour away, rather than living inside them and paying for their density every day.
What there is in Akumal, specifically
Joy Tree is a residential lot development with Reserve I in pre-sale: single-family lots from 272 to 300 m² starting at $1,350,000 MXN, premium lots up to 1,018 m² and multi-family lots from 2,940 to 4,603 m².
A gated community with controlled access, more than 59 amenities, cenotes within the development itself and a private beach club for owners. Built entirely with the Kineki system in FSC-certified pine.
Approved Federal EIA, State EIA and Master Plan, and title deeds issued before a notary.
Advice that does not suit us
Drive all four before signing anything. A Saturday on Highway 307, stopping at each one, will tell you more than any page — including this one. Areas feel different at nine on a Tuesday morning than at eight on a Saturday night, and that does not show up in any render.
Want to see the distances on the map?
The site's map traces the real route from the project entrance to every point along the corridor.
Frequently asked questions
Is Joy Tree in Tulum?
No. Joy Tree is in Akumal, municipality of Tulum, Quintana Roo, about a 30-minute drive from the urban area of Tulum along Federal Highway 307. Tulum airport is 1 h 05 away.
Is it better to buy in Tulum or in Akumal?
It depends what you are after. Tulum has more tourist weight, more tourist services and higher prices on the first line; Akumal has lower density, standing jungle and quieter beaches. The honest answer is to visit both before deciding.
Do you sell land in Playa del Carmen or Puerto Aventuras?
Joy Tree is in Akumal. TAO México, the developer, does have delivered projects in Puerto Aventuras — TAO Náutico — and elsewhere in the Riviera Maya, Puerto Vallarta and Los Cabos.
How long is it from Joy Tree to Playa del Carmen?
Around 35 minutes by car along Federal Highway 307, in normal traffic.
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The information on this page is informational and does not constitute a binding offer. Prices, areas and availability are subject to change without notice and do not include notary, title deed or administrative costs. The definitive terms will be those set out in the purchase agreement. Images are for illustrative purposes only.