Chankanaab vs Dolphinarias

[MichelleCanada]

We are going to be in Cozumel in two weeks. We have an excursion booked but now I am reading reviews and wondering if I have picked the best one. It is myself DH and DS7.

Can anyone tell me which is a better dolphin and facility experience - Chankanaab or Dolphinarias?

 

[lklgoodman]

I've only been to Chankanaab and really enjoyed it. There's a lot to do after you're done with the dolphins, not sure if Dolphinarias has much to do besides just a beach/pool. Chankanaab the dolphins are in an enclosed area in the ocean, I think(but not sure) that at Dolphinarias the dolphins are in tanks/swimming pools, don't know if that would matter to you or not. Since I haven't been to Dolphinarias, the things I've posted about it are what I've read online about it.

 

[lklgoodman]

I edited my above answer while you liked it, so don't know if you saw my complete post or not.

 

[MichelleCanada]

I've only been to Chankanaab and really enjoyed it. There's a lot to do after you're done with the dolphins, not sure if Dolphinarias has much to do besides just a beach/pool. Chankanaab the dolphins are in an enclosed area in the ocean, I think(but not sure) that at Dolphinarias the dolphins are in tanks/swimming pools, don't know if that would matter to you or not. Since I haven't been to Dolphinarias, the things I've posted about it are what I've read online about it.

The only thing that might make a pool better would be how well you can see the dolphins swimming. But what else the facility has to do after the swim is important too.

How was the lunch at Chankanaab?

 

[lklgoodman]

There were 2 locations, a restaurant with indoor seating next to the pool and an outdoor seating restaurant on the beach farther away(really just a short 5 min walk). I don't know if they used the same kitchen or if they had different ones. We ate at the one with outdoor seating and thought it was really good. My dh and I each had their special, had 5-6 different Mexican items on it. My picky dd had chicken strips and fries. When we looked at the indoor restaurant menu, we didn't see chicken strips and knew our dd wouldn't eat Mexican food. We were there in 2017. Someone else on here posted that when they went it was a buffet and wasn't very good. There was no buffet where we ate, don't know if there was one at the place by the pool or not. Our food was also reasonably priced, I believe around $10 each.

 

[STH Cruising]

We have done both of these Cozumel dolphins experiences. Dophinarius is withn walking distance of the ship, although they arrange transportation by taxi. It is really well done and they do excellent photography. You can bargain on the price, or at least I did. The dolphins are in pools. They served lunch on the patio overlooking the complex. Lunch was just OK.

The other dolphin experience is maybe a 20 minute drive from the port. The venue is wood decks and screened cages that’s extend into the Gulf of Mexico. It’s hard to describe. Personally, I thought the experience was better at Dophinarius. There are some cultural exhibits at the Chankannub location. Nothing specially as I recall. Others may have a betterment perspective.

 

[mevelandry]

I can't speak regarding Dolphin swims... But Chankanaab has good food (we actually enjoyed the buffet, they had great cochinita pibil), they have a nice pool and while the beach there is not really a "beach", the opportunity for snorkeling is awesome. You could basically sit in the stairs (going into the water) and watch tons of tropical fishes and other creatures from there. It was impressive.