| Located just 25 minutes by cruise from Cancun, the | | | | the fun one step further by offering families a chance |
| Garrafon Natural Reef Park is one of the region's best | | | | to take a ride with the friendly creatures. The park's |
| places to experience all the wonders of the Caribbean | | | | best day-trip option is known as the Royal Swim and |
| Sea. From kayaking and hiking to snorkeling and | | | | features two dolphin rides. The first ride lets swimmers |
| swimming with dolphins, the park offers a wealth of | | | | coast through the water while grasping the fins of two |
| activities for all ages. Best of all, the Garrafon Natural | | | | dolphins. Afterwards, visitors are able to complete the |
| Reef Park now features an array of affordable | | | | experience by standing upright and allowing the |
| day-trip packages that include transportation, meals | | | | dolphins to propel them across the water's surface. |
| and activities. If you want to enjoy everything the | | | | Adventurous types might also want to try scaling the |
| Mexican Caribbean has to offer, hop aboard a cruise | | | | Climbing Tower at Garrafon Natural Reef Park. |
| and spend an afternoon at the Garrafon Natural Reef | | | | Though the 50 foot climb might seem too much for |
| Park. | | | | some visitors, everyone that reaches the top is |
| Garrafon Natural Reef Park - sometimes referred to | | | | greeted by unrivaled panoramic views of the |
| as El Garrafon National Park - lies on Isla Mujeres | | | | Caribbean Sea. The zip-line over the warm water is |
| ("Island of Women") just offshore from Cancun. The | | | | another great option for the thrill seekers of the family. |
| island features the remains of a Mayan temple | | | | As the zip-line allows you to cruise through the air and |
| overlooking the sea, a site popular for hiking and | | | | splash down in the sea, some visitors might find that |
| photography. Amongst the ruins, visitors will also find | | | | this activity is both more exhilarating and less |
| the Punta Sur Sculpture Park, a collection of 23 | | | | exhausting than the Climbing Tower. |
| modern art sculptures by local and international artists. | | | | If you have some time left over to relax in the park or |
| As the sculptures rest above a remarkable cliff, the | | | | elsewhere on the island, you might want to consider |
| scenery provided by the Caribbean Sea often steals | | | | taking a leisurely hike or bike ride along one of the |
| the show. | | | | picturesque trails. If you really want to relax, however, |
| The most enticing attraction at Garrafon Natural Reef | | | | recline in one of the park's deck chairs or hammocks. |
| Park is the warm, crystal-clear water. Averaging a | | | | The park also offers visitors the use of a beautiful |
| depth of just 13 feet with calm conditions, the water at | | | | 35-meter swimming pool. Set against the backdrop of |
| Garrafon is perfect for families hoping to enjoy the | | | | the scenic coastline, the swimming pool is a great |
| beautiful Caribbean Sea together. Beneath the shallow | | | | place for families to cool off as they wait for their |
| water near the shore - and further out along the coral | | | | cruise back to Cancun. |
| reef - swimmers and snorkelers can watch tropical | | | | Garrafon Natural Reef Park offers all-inclusive day-trip |
| fish and other sea creatures darting through the sea. | | | | packages starting at $65 for adults and $49 for |
| The calm waters at the park also provide the perfect | | | | children. The fee includes round trip transportation from |
| conditions for kayaking or simply floating along and | | | | Cancun via the park's ferry boat, continental breakfast |
| enjoying the sunshine. Regardless of how you choose | | | | at the park, buffet lunch, drinks at the bar, all rental |
| to enjoy the beautiful waters here, all the equipment | | | | equipment (includes snorkeling gear, life jackets and |
| you need will be provided as part of your day-trip tour | | | | kayaks) and access to all the park's activities (includes |
| from Cancun. | | | | the Climbing Tower, swimming pool and all leisure |
| The park's most popular day-trip packages include a | | | | opportunities). If you want to participate in any of the |
| guided encounter or swim with local dolphins. The | | | | park's dolphin activities, the packages will be priced |
| Dolphin Encounter allows visitors to get up close to the | | | | slightly higher. |
| dolphins and watch them perform from in the water. | | | | If your family wants to spend a quiet day in the sun |
| This package is recommended by the park for families | | | | amongst the wonders of the Caribbean, Garrafon |
| with small children. The Dolphin Swim package takes | | | | Natural Reef Park is the perfect Cancun day-trip. |