Chankanaab Park was a wonderful day trip on our Western Caribbean cruise. We decided you only live once and to shell out the cash to meet the dolphins. We paid $100 per person for entrance to the park and the dolphin encounter. I believe admission to the park is $12 without a dolphin package. We spent approximately 45 minutes with one dolphin. She approached each person in the group and we got to hold her fins and then give her a kiss. The park does not allow digital cameras in the dolphin encounter area, they do however allow waterproof cameras. I strongly suggest buying a waterproof camera prior to your visit to the park. The gift shop sells waterproof cameras, but you can purchase them much cheaper elsewhere. Staff at the park took photos and a video of your experience and then tried to sell it to us after the encounter.

We spent the afternoon wandering around the grounds, enjoyed relaxing in the hammocks by the beach, tanning by the pool and looking at the ruins scattered throughout the property. Many other guests were snorkeling but we didn’t try it since we didn’t have any gear with us. There are plenty of shops, restaurants, and sports shack that rents gear. I would plan at least half a day at this park to do and see everything.

Chankanaab is quite a large park with lots of coastline, palapas and a host of very non-ergonomic beach chairs. There is a lagoon with a walking path around it and lots of lizards and iguanas soaking up the sun. There is also a nature walk which weaves in and out around labeled native foliage and is interspersed with numerous replicas of ancient Mayan sculptures.

The shoreline is defined by a rocky ledge, and here and there is access to the water. Chankanaab is the best place for snorkeling with a great variety of colorful coral and an equally bountiful selection of vividly colored fish. The water was warm enough to stay in for hours.

For those with small children, there was an inlet with a sandy beach and very calm water. Several meters from shore in that area was a large rock, which the pelicans had a fondness for.

There were two restaurants where one could purchase food and I heard from others that it was reasonably priced and acceptable to the palate. There were two washroom/changing facilities and lockers were available to rent.