Chankanaab & Iguanas

[Liz]

I have an unusual question about Chankanaab park in Cozumel and iguanas. I've read they are there but what I want to know is can they be avoided or do they roam around freely? If so are they like all over or are there just a couple?

My DD has been told by our pediatrician to avoid being around iguanas because they can carry some disease. I can't remember what it is but he told us about some kids that got really sick once from just touching a cage the iguana was kept in.

I'd like as much info as I can on the iguana situation at Chankanaab so I can let him know and he can make the call whether its safe for DD to go there. She's had a heart transplant and is immuno-suppressed so that's why the concern.

Thanks!

 

[Cruiser4Life]

Wow, not sure what to tell you. I am sure they roam free but do not know how many. I have not been to that park but have seen them around the island. We took my daughter to the iguana farm in Roatan and she pet them and fed them with no problem. You know I would think it would be easier to catch disease from one caged or its cage than a roaming one. The waste builds up in the cages as well as on them. But then if that is true it could be on the grounds of the park as well.
We went to the free beach San Francisco. It was great. Free chairs and umbrellas and quiet and peaceful. We are going to try Mr. Sanchos this time but may end up back at that beach if we do not like it. Oh, my point is we did not see any iguannas there...

 

[spotdog]

I saw about a dozen iguanas at Chankanaab and they were roaming free, though not very interested in human contact.

I suspect the disease you are referring to is Salmonella (a stomach and intestinal disease). It can be present on reptiles, such as turtles, and in undercooked poultry.

I would suggest talking more with your doctor. Chankanaab is beautiful and if you do go just be sure to wash hands frequently, especially before eating.

 

[Liz]

Thanks both of you! My DS wants to do the dolphin swim so that's why we'd like to go there. Can salmonella be transmitted through the water, do you think? Do iguanas get in the ocean or I guess if they pooped on the beach it could wash in the ocean? I'm probably being paranoid but we've been through a lot and I don't want to borrow trouble.

 

[beckygeez]

My husband and I spent a week in Cozumel last year and the iguanas do roam freely everywhere. They are much bigger than I ever imagined. The first day it scared me but after that I got used to coming back to our hut and finding one sitting on our deck! They were as much as 3 feet long. They never let us get more than 7-8 feet away though before they would hide under the deck or scurry around the side of the building. I would think you would be ok since your daughter would never be able to actually touch them. But I completely understand your concern with what you've been through. My daughter got Cryptosporidium from playing in water park fountains once so you can never be too safe. I have heard that dolphin excursions are much better done in the states - more time with the dolphins, etc. We thought Cozumel was beautiful and would love to go back but Mexico's safety standards we found are nothing compared the U.S. We nearly died on a scuba diving excursion there and I'm not even joking!

I'm sure you'll have a wonderful trip no matter what you do. I hope your daughter stays healthy for many decades to come