Cozumel: Chankanaab Questions

[DuncanLL]

I know I've seen info about these questions before, but I can't seem to get the search function to work:

We booked the Dolphin Swim directly with Dolphin Discovery. To our pleasant surprise, the price also includes admission to Chankanaab Park and the Sea Lion Show.

1) Are there lockers that are easily accessible at the park? Do we need to take cash to use them?

2) I know I read about an inexpensive waterproof wallet someone found to carry your KTTW, credit cards and ID in. Where did you get it? Any other suggestions? Because we're doing the swim, want something that can zip into DH's pocket.

3) Someone mentioned an outdoor market on the road back from the park, but what are the shops like in the park? Want the kids to be able to get a little something authentic from Mexico.

4) Anyone spend the day at Chankanaab on your own? How did you spend your time? What should we not miss with the kids?

5) Anyone have a map of the park? I have no sense of how big/small it is...

6) Our swim is scheduled for 2PM local time. Does the Magic operate on local time or do we have to adjust????

We sail on the 11/9/02 Magic.

Any coments would be greatly appreciated.

Linda

 

[AnnMorin]

They sell little laynards that have plastic cases. You can put your money/ KTTW card and license in there and they are water tight. I think they run around 5.00

 

[markey]

1. there are lockers, in the building where the showers and bathrooms are, did not use so I don't know if there is a cost. But the locker/changing are is very clean.

2. I use a waterproof case that I got at DW quite a few years ago at the waterparks, nothing every gets wet and large enough for 4 KTTWC, cID, cash, and credit cards.

3. There is a shop at the entrance, and also a nice shopping area in the park. Kind of hard to explain where, but if you tour the lake and man made ruins it is in that area. It is set up like a small outside market. Nice items and didn't seem expensive.

4. We went on our own and DH and Grandkids spent the time snorkling, me I just swam away from the fish and made a lot of splashing to keep the fish away (guess you get the picture that I don't like live things in the water). Also played in the sand and walked around the lake and toured the mad made ruins.

5. I did have a map but don't know where it is, but it is really a large area.

6. You adjust your time the Magic operates on all local times.

Be sure you walk around the lake - BUT prepare your kids, and yourself if like me, remember what I said about the fish, that also goes for all live creatures not in a cage. There are lizzards all over the place, and some just pop out at you. It is the one thing I will remember most about our western cruise, after all my family acted like they weren't with me, whats a little running when you are being attact by 15 ft. lizzards? But it was really neat and if every on a western again we will go back.

 

[DuncanLL]

Thanks for the great info Markey!

Anyone else have any experiences at Chankanaab?

Linda

 

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

I have a question, do you actually get to swim with the Dolphins? I looked on their site and it says you just stay on the dock. I am looking for a dolphin interactive swim. The eastern cruise had none, so we are trying the western now.

Thanks

 

[disneykins]

We did Chankanab a few years ago with another cruise line and took a taxi on our own to the park. When we arrived we saw one big lizard and took half a roll of pix of it with the kids standing in the foreground or background. 10 minutes later we realized there were more lizards here than people. LOL. We loved the quietness and un-commercial nature of the park. The lake was great to walk around, jungle-like yet you still felt safe. We took our own snorkel gear and had a great time here. Nobody bothering you to buy drinks or hair braiding or souvenirs.
Tony

 

[chmb1]

We just did the dolphin encounter last week.

The lockers are next to the bathrooms just outside the dolphin area and are free. The are first-come first-serve and have keys in them if they are available. You simply put in your stuff and remove the key.

We bought trinkets and stuff in the shopping area where the taxi picks you up and drops you off in front of the peer, not by the park.

Bring some bug spray. There are insects that bite around the park.

Hope this helps.

Chris

 

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

chmb1 - did you swim with the dolphins? Also, did you book the day through DCL or Dolphin Discovery directly?

 

[chmb1]

1) We did not swim with the dolphins but both are in the same area;

2) We booked through DCL but could have done it easily on our own. The DCL excursion uses private taxis for transportation. Our "encounter was at 1pm and the taxis left the park at either 4
:30pm or 5:30pm depending on your preference so we had some free time to spend at the park afterward.

3) Also, they have photographers and videographers there taking picture (for sale afterwards). We bought only one photo for $14.95. I do not know how much the videos were or even if they were for sale.




Chris

 

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

Are you allowed to bring an underwater camera to photograph yourself? I know we will buy their photo and video, but it would be nice to get us all as a family w/a dolphin.

 

[chmb1]

I brought a disposable underwater camera and snapped a few shots but they were not as nice as the photos they took.

Chris

 

[DuncanLL]

Dolphin Discovery at Chankanaab does both Dolphin Encounter (on a platform - pet, kiss, etc.) and Dolphin Swim (actually swimming, being pulled/pushed by the dolphins, etc.). DCL only offers the Encounter. We booked the Swim on our own directly with Dolphin Discovery. Admission to the park and Sea Lion Show are also included so the cost for the swim isn't that much more than the DCL Encounter excursion.

Linda

 

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

DuncanLL - I am so happy about that. I emailed them directly and asked how far in advance they take reservations. I looked at our travel itinerary and it turns out the day we are in Cozumel is also the day of our 10th anniversary!! What a great thing to do that day. I figured we would try and get the swim, and then see the sea lion show. I am glad that they included that in the fees.

I am really psyched now!

 

[DuncanLL]

I dealt directly (via email) with Marian Davies. She was great. We were on a waiting list since July, but just found out spots opened up. Her email is mdavies@dolphindiscovery.com.mx.

Hope it works out.

Linda