Chankanaab National Park: A Family Getaway in Cozumel

 

As avid travelers, people always ask about our bucket list. That question always gives me pause (and a giggle) because it would be easier to list the things that aren’t on my list,rather than the things that are on my list. It’s not a joke to say that I want to go everywhere and I certainly expect to run out of time before I run out of places to see. With that in mind, it makes sense to not return to the same place over and over again.  But we have regularly broken that rule when we visit the island of Cozumel and return again and again to Chankanaab National Park.

Welcome to Chankanaab

Chankanaab, a word that comes from the Mayan language and means “little sea”, is located inside Cozumel´s National Marine Park. Encompassing over 450,000 acres, it is not surprising that there is an overabundance of activities to fill a day in the park. Chankanaab is home to the Chankanaab Lagoon, which features the only inland coral reef formation in the world.

The natural beauty created by the lagoon and beach is the perfect canvas for the activities of the Chankanaab  Adventure Beach Park, where watersports and sea exploration of every kind can be enjoyed. Admission to Chankanaab Adventure Beach Park is $21 for Adults and $14 for children (3-11)
 

Activities and Services Available with Standard Admission

There is a wealth of activities to be enjoyed inside the park that are included with the general admission. These include the use of all the beaches, palapas, hammocks and beach chairs, lockers and life jackets for little ones. A large freshwater pool and a beach entry cove, as well as the lagoon and reef are available for water play. Outside the water there is an eco-archeological tour, Mayan House, and a garden featuring local flora and pre-Hispanic archeological replicas.  For the local fauna, a new crocodile exhibition and scheduled sea lion show are also included with admission.

Activities and Services Available for an Additional Fee

In addition to the standard activities, there are plenty of choices that can be accessed for an additional fee, including:

• Scuba, Snuba, Sea-Trek, and Snorkeling. There are four dive shops in the park. Each offers a variety of packages and fees.
• Dolphin and Manatee Encounters
• Mayan Steam Treatment and Natural Geo-Thermal Spa
• Clear Bottom Kayak Tours
• Tequila Factory Tours, with samples
• Zipline and Adventure Ropes Course
• Zorb Downhill Inflatable Ball Ride

~Scuba Diving at Chankanaab is one area where you can negotiate the price~

Saving Money at Chankanaab Adventure Park

Much like any theme park, getting in door is just the beginning of the cost. There are some money saving measures that can be used to save a little cash.

• Coupons for $2 off are available to print off the website at any time.
• Parking is free.
• Picnic lunches are allowed to save money on lunch.
• If eating onsite, the snack bar has the cheapest prices and offers kids meals.
• The dive shops in the park are competing for business, so they are often willing to haggle with the listed price or throw in some extras for the same price. Our dive shop offered to give us all snorkel gear free of charge when my husband booked his scuba dive. That was a $60 savings for us.

Special Notes for Cruise Ship Passengers

By far, the cheapest way to visit Chankanaab is to arrange a taxi and buy admission once you arrive at the park. Taxis were $11 each way for our group and were plentiful both coming and going. Don’t believe anyone who tells you that tickets might sell out or the gates might be closed if you don’t pre-buy your ticket. The park is always open to the public and anyone can purchase tickets.

~First trip to Chankanaab over ten years ago with only one child~

Why We Keep Coming Back

Even though we have visited Chankanaab on four separate occasions, we have always found something new to do when we visit again. Chankanaab is constantly upgrading and adding new attractions, but so is our family. As the kids have grown, we have been able to try something new from the list of options, so we are never bored when we visit the park.  More than that, though, the variety of activities in one location is the temptation that keeps us coming back. As a family with a wide age range and equal wide interest list, it is ideal to have a convenient mixture of choices so that everyone can find something to do. At Chankanaab we can even do all the things we love at the same time. It’s just a little slice of heaven to look out across the ocean and see a couple of kids trying their first snuba lesson, while another one putters around the snorkel area, and the last builds sandcastles on the baby beach. Everyone is happy. Everyone is together. No one has to compromise or wait their turn or feel like they are holding the group back. It’s low-key, but high entertainment for the biggest to the littlest.  That’s enough to keep me coming back.