Just a few miles off the coast of Cancun lies a tropical island called Isla Mujeres ("Island of Women"), which is only a few miles long. While Isla Mujeres may be small, its charms causes almost everyone and anyone who visits to fall in love with this little slice of paradise.
One easy and convenient way to visit Isla Mujeres is to take the Royal Garrafon Tour, which is operated by Dolphin Discovery.
The tour includes the roundtrip ferry ride and a full day at Garrafon Park, which is a day of relaxation and/or fun in the tropical sun, all while you enjoy truly spectacular views of the turquoise blue Caribbean Sea.
Garrafon Park, as seen from a ferry — Photo courtesy of Kristin Busse
Garrafon Park is literally built into the side of the island, close to the cliffs of breathtaking Punta Sur ("South Point") – the highest point on the Yucatan Peninsula and the easternmost spot of the entire country of Mexico.
Visitors can spend the day simply relaxing in different areas, which include sun beds, hammocks and palapas. The infinity pool is unique and inviting, and it includes a few different sections, but there aren’t places to sit around the pool.
If you’re not the type to lie around, you can participate in various activities. Snorkeling is available directly in front of the park, and all equipment is included. If the water isn’t too choppy, you can take a kayak out.
Visitors can choose to relax on beds, hammocks or palapas — Photo courtesy of Kristin Busse
But the most tempting activity of all is the zip line, the only one in the area that goes directly over the Caribbean Sea. There's also a bungee trampoline that kids absolutely love.
Visitors can also take a bike tour or walk to Punta Sur, where there's an ancient Mayan structure that was built for the purpose of worshiping the Mayan goddess Ixchel. This is an unbeatable place to take photos.
Punta Sur is the highest point on the Yucatan Peninsula — Photo courtesy of Kristin Busse
The Royal Garrafon Tour includes roundtrip ferry transportation between Cancun and Isla Mujeres, a continental breakfast on the boat ride, open bar on board and at the park and a buffet lunch and snack bar at Garrafon Natural Reef Park. Snorkel equipment, life jackets, kayaks, hammocks, pool access, lockers and showers are also included.
Photos of your experience on the zip lines and a dock fee of $8 USD, payable in cash at check-in, are not included.
If you spend a few extra bucks, you can go VIP, which gives you access to the VIP buffet, lounge and pool, a separate adult-only VIP area and free entrance to the Mayan ruin at Punta Sur.
Visitors are asked to wear biodegradable sunblock in order to protect the marine life. Water shoes are a good idea as well. These items are available for purchase at the marina in Cancun and at the park, but they're very expensive. It would be best to buy them ahead of time.
The view from the adult-only VIP section — Photo courtesy of Kristin Busse
