Chankanaab Adventure Beach Park

Chankanaab is a protected park at Km 9 on the south coast rather than a private beach club, and it is where a lot of first-time Cozumel snorkellers get in the water. The name means "little sea" in Maya, after the inland lagoon behind the beach, and the site combines a swimming inlet, shore snorkelling, a tropical garden and replica pre-Hispanic structures.

The Beach And Water

The sheltered western coast, with a calm, enclosed inlet swimming area. Shore snorkelling is the main draw: the shallow reef offshore is dotted with submerged statues and a bronze Christ figure, and life vests are provided with admission. It is protected park water, so touching or standing on coral is prohibited and reef-safe sunscreen is required.

Day Pass And What's Included

Admission is $31 USD for adults and $22 USD for children 4 to 12, with under-3s free. It covers parking, bathrooms, changing rooms, showers, hammocks, beach chairs, a life vest, the underwater statues, the inlet swimming area, pre-Hispanic replicas, the tropical garden, a tequila experience, the agave landscape, a Maya hut and a children's playground. Dolphin and sea lion programmes cost extra.

Good To Know

Open Monday to Saturday, 8:00 to 16:00. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, as ordinary sunscreen is not permitted in the water.

Getting There

Carretera Costera Sur Km 9, Zona Hotelera Sur, about ten minutes by taxi south of downtown San Miguel.