Chankanaab on your own

[my3kids]

Search is down, sorry to probably ask what has been asked a thousand times. How much would a taxi be to this park? Is it worth spending the day there? Is the admission $10 pp? Is it safe? Are there other places more beautiful or interesting in Cozumel?

 

[HookedonMagic]

We went to Chankanaab Park on our own this past March. Taxi's are easy to hail and the drive is only about 15 minutes. I forget exactly what we paid, but I remember it was less than $20.00 (we were a party of 5.) Admission to the Park itself is now $12.00 (our 1 year old was free.)

They offer plenty to do. There is a nice beach with chairs and a restaurant (with cheap drinks!) There is a small, but nice botanical garden and a sea lion show (extra cost.) Of course, you can do group snorkle trips, swim with the sea lions or swim with the dolphins. We did the Royal Swim with the dolphins...booked it months before the cruise...very enjoyable.

Have a great trip!

 

[spotdog]

I was traveling alone and took a taxi to Chaankanab. I beleive it was $10. Just remember you have to cross the walkway over the street, through the shopping mall and down to the taxi stand on the other side.

There were vendors trying to sell things, including tours, all the way to the taxi stand. The cabs are regulated and the drivers were helpful. Just remember what cruise dock you came from as there are more than one.

Chaankanab was quite nice. They had palm covered umbrellas shading beach chairs. Drinks, snorkeling gear, underwater cameras and such were readily available for a fee. The snorkeling is very accessible and beautiful, both fish and coral.

I did get stung by a jellyfish but after a short discussion in my broken Spanish and his broken English clarifying that I was not likely to die, or even be terribly inconvenienced, I allowed the lifeguard to spray vinegar on the stings and I was back in the water 20 minutes later.

There were iguanas everywhere and the flowers and vegetation were lovely. Also many reproduced artifacts and ruins with explanations about the Mayan culture. I stayed most of the day and never even got to the dolphin area. I'd think the dolpins would be a must do with children though.

 

[bill kellum]

I think the park was 10.00 a head and the taxi was about 10 bucks or so.plenty to do for the day.dolphins,sea lions,iquanas.the park and all this while you're not working.

 

[RKB]

We loved the park. We booked a dolphin swim in advance through shoretrips.com. It was one of the hi-lites of our trip. The park has alot of "stuff" to do. Birds, Sea lions, fake ruins, snorkeling, etc.. Even a sandy wading pool depth swimming area for little kids. We had not problem getting a taxi there $10.00 each way. When we left the Taxis were all lined up waiting to take us back. All we had to say was the word "Disney" and we were on our way. We had so much fun that we want to go back again someday.

 

[inkkognito]

We did this on our own...simply grabbed a cab from downtown and headed over. We did the sea lion/bird show (extra fee), and I did the sea lion swim (mucho extra fee). I didn't book either of those in advance. It was a totally spontaneous trip. We didn't snorkel, but we checked the prices of equipment and were surprised to discover they will bargain with you! I'm used to it being one price. We thoroughly enjoyed wandering the park, and although we had to wait a bit to get a cab home, it wasn't too long. The wait because so many other people were leaving, but a new cab pulled up as soon as one left with passengers.
Barb

 

[buzz&woody'smom]

We did it on our own for 3 cruises in the past year and love it. It is a $10 entrance fee per adult and you can bring or rent snorkeling equipment or a vest if wanted. Everyone is so nice, clean bathrooms with lockers and showers. The place is huge. You can snorkel out to a floating platform and there are "statues" under the water to see and lots of fish!

Be careful entering the water in the snorkeling area bc the rocks are slippery. The currents can be strong so don't be shy about getting a vest. I consider myself a strong swimmer but like the vest bc I can stay out longer.

When I took my young sons last fall there is a lagoon area for children with a gentle sandy beach for play.

It is a neat place.

 

[OurDogCisco]

I'd highly recommend you do this excursion on your own. On our May cruise we did the excursion with Disney. What an adventure to get a taxi? I'm guessing there were 100 people in or group maybe more or less. Anyways, they had us meet in one of the lounges. We sat there for what felt like eternity. Then, they walked us outside. Outside we got our wrists bands for the cab ride and the park. Then, they walked us outside and over the road and down the escalator. Just imagine there are 100 people following one person. Then, by each group they hailed us a cab. We drove over to the park and then, waited for everyone else to arrive. Then, they walked us into the park. The park host talked to the group for like 1/2 hour. Finally, we got to do the dolphin encounter like 3 hours later. I'm probably exaggerating but I felt like we waited and waited and waited. Anyways, we got leave at any time we wanted. Other than that we really enjoyed the park and next time will do on our own.

 

[buzz&woody'smom]

Yes, the last poster is right. Do the park on your own! We have done so each time and save a bundle of money and time. Disney usually docks at the new pier and you walk right down the pier and across the street where there is a new shopping plaza and there are a ton of taxi's. I believe it was $10 with tip each for us each way last time. Share a cab if possible with another couple, we did on the way back and it saved some money. I really have enjoyed our visits to this park. In fact next month we are going to Playa del Carmen for a week at a AI Resort and plan to take the day ferry over to Cozumel to go to Chakanab.

Have a great time. I was thinking about is and I just went on a Carnival cruise with my best friend for our annual mommies only trip and I think the price was $12 per adult. Now when I cruised on the Magic last fall the price was $10 per adult and children under 5 (I think) are still free.

Have fun! We have some great photo's of the giant iganua's that roam the park that are pretty neat

 

[Daisy5115]

I also did a "Mommies Only" Carnival cruise with my friends and we did Chankanaab for snorkeling. It was great and we did it on our own. If you are looking for a soft sandy kick back beach experience, I also did Mr Sancho's when I went with the family on the Disney cruise in April. This park is free and just past Chankanaab on the highway. Both parks seemed clean and safe, just that Chankanaab has a little more property to explore and the beach is rocky for great snorkeling, Mr Sanchos free and funny bar with swings for bar stools. That alone would bring me back!

Have fun!