One of the most pleasant shore excursions we experienced on our recent cruise was a several-hour trip to Chankanaab Park just a 10-minute ride from the cruise ship terminal in San Miguel on Cozumel. We had studied the many options we had for excursions from this Mexican island just off the Yucatán Peninsula. Much as we wanted to visit some of the Mayan ruins in Tulum and along the Riviera Maya, the two-hour-plus bus drive each way discouraged us from that option. Our final choice, to visit the park which sits inside a national marine park, provided us with a variety of experiences and entertainment.

The cruise terminal sits just across a wide boulevard from a large, modern shopping mall, which we trekked through to access our minivans which transported us to the park. There guests can choose from a host of activities, including zip lining, amid beautifully landscaped grounds. Once we disembarked at our destination, we followed our guide first to a brief marine mammal show in a small amphitheater surrounding a large pool. Dolphins and sea lions performed a few tricks, and guests were invited to come forward and have their picture taken with one of the sea lions before we moved on to the beach for snorkeling. On the way, we passed by the large lagoon from which Chankanaab (“little sea”) gets its name.

Cozumel was considered sacred to the Maya moon goddess, Ix Chel, and temples here were a place of pilgrimage, especially for women seeking fertility. Although the original temples and statues were destroyed by Spanish settlers, the park contains some re-creations of these,      as well as examples of ordinary Maya dwellings and village life, which we briefly toured later in the day, learning a little more about the history and culture of the Maya.  

Our time at the beach was very relaxing, as this was a mid-week day in early December with very few other tourists around. Our group of about 30 was based at an outdoor café where we had access to food and drink and lockers for securing our valuables while we snorkeled. All our snorkeling gear was provided, and our guides escorted us into the crystal-clear water to point out marine life, but we were also free to swim around on our own. I enjoyed another chance to revel in the warm, calm waters and view colorful, tropical fish and corals. Showering and well-maintained bathroom and changing facilities made cleaning up afterward convenient, and our hosts also provided a guacamole cooking demonstration at the café.

The afternoon concluded with a visit to the on-site tequila factory,     where we enjoyed a tasting of several different qualities of tequila as well as some flavored varieties. Returning to the ship that evening, we enjoyed a Mexican fiesta on deck, complete with a mariachi band and local cuisine. It provided a nice bookend to a day which offered a pleasant mix of history, culture, recreation and relaxation in a beautiful setting.

— Patty Vanikiotis, associate editor/copy editor