Chankanaab beach. Credit: Wikimedia Commons license

Chankanaab Beach Adventure Park combines white sand beaches and many attractions for a full day of things to do on Cozumel.

Cozumel is unusual among Caribbean islands because of its extensive park system that promotes tourism both to beaches and the island’s heritage. The Parks and Museums Foundation of Cozumel manages all of the parks.

Chankanaab’s multiple uses have much in common with parks built and owned by cruise lines that are popping up throughout the Caribbean. All such parks attract visitors for most if not all of the day.

Think of Chankanaab as a day visit from the San Miguel cruise terminal like a similar visit to a U.S. or European amusement park.

Attractions that are part of the ticket price include:

• Chankanaab Reef
• Chankanaab Lagoon
• Inlet swimming area
• Underwater statues
• Botanical garden
• Eco-archaeological tour
• Mayan house
• Archaeological prehispanic replicas
• Crocodile exhibition
• Sea lion show

Attractions that cost extra include:

• Spa
• Clear Bottom Kayak Adventure
• Tequila factory
• Snuba Seatrek
• Dolphin Discovery
• Manatees
• Zip line

Facilities include free parking, chairs, hammocks, restrooms, showers and lockers. The park also has snack bars and restaurants.

Tickets at the time of this writing are $26 USD for adults and teens and $19 for children four to 11 years old. The park website at http://www.cozumelparks.com sometimes has a printable coupon of $2 off adult tickets and $1 off children tickets.

Some excursion operators were offering a full-day trip to Chankanaab for $39 for adults that includes a buffet lunch. Transportation was not included.

Frugal visitors might want to take a taxi to the park instead to save money. Be sure to ask the taxi driver for rates before getting into the cab.

The park is open Mondays through Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Chankanaab is a little more than three miles or nearly six kilometers southwest of the San Miguel cruise terminal.