Garrafón Natural Reef Park, Isla Mujeres

Garrafón Natural Reef Park is situated on the southern coast of Isla Mujeres, approximately 2 km from the Punta Sur viewpoint.

It is not just a snorkelling spot, but a commercial adventure park featuring a swimming pool, a zipline, kayaks, refreshments and other activities. Tickets usually also include boat transport from Cancún.

Garrafón is particularly worth a visit as a day trip from Cancún if you want to spend the whole day in one place without having to worry about transport, food or the itinerary.

If you’re already staying on Isla Mujeres or are only interested in snorkelling, there are significantly cheaper options.

Garrafón Natural Reef Park versus Garrafón de Castilla

When planning your visit, be careful not to confuse the two neighbouring businesses with almost identical names.

	Garrafón Natural Reef Park	Garrafón de Castilla
Type of venue	Large theme park	Simple beach club
Admission	From 99 usd	Approximately 150 mxn
Food and drink	Included in the admission price	Charged separately
Snorkelling equipment	Included	Available to hire for an additional charge
Other activities	Zipline, kayaks, swimming pool, temazcal	Mainly swimming and snorkelling
Transport from Cancún	Included in most packages	Not included

Garrafón Natural Reef Park is a fully-fledged tourist resort designed primarily for visitors arriving from Cancún.

Garrafón de Castilla offers access to the same stretch of coastline in a much simpler way. If you just want to go for a swim and do some snorkelling, it offers better value for money.

You should therefore always check the full name of the location on maps and when booking.

Admission to Garrafón Natural Reef Park

The basic Royal Garrafón package officially costs 99 usd. Special offers are often available on the park’s website, which can reduce the admission price to around 74 usd.

The extended Royal Garrafón VIP package officially costs 119 usd. The promotional price may be around 83 usd.

A port charge of 15 usd per person aged 6 and over is added to the ticket price at check-in.

Package	Official price	Main differences
Royal Garrafón	99 usd	One zipline ride, buffet, open bar, swimming pool, kayaks and snorkelling
Royal Garrafón VIP	119 usd	Unlimited zipline rides, separate VIP areas, VIP buffet and bar

Promotional prices vary depending on the date. Before purchasing, please check the final price on the official website and with tour operators. Also check the cancellation policy and whether boat transport is included in the quoted price.

Current prices and online ticket sales can be found at:garrafon.com

Snorkelling

Garrafón is situated off a coastline featuring a coral reef, from which it takes its name. Snorkelling takes place in a designated area, and the ticket includes equipment and a compulsory life jacket.

Visibility and the abundance of fish are affected by the weather, wind and sea conditions.

So don’t think of Garrafón as a trip for the best snorkelling in Mexico. The main advantage is the combination of snorkelling with other activities in a single complex.

If you’re only interested in snorkelling, choose the neighbouring Garrafón de Castilla. Admission costs around 150 mxn, but food, drink and any equipment hire are charged separately.

Zipline, kayaks and swimming pool

The park’s most striking attraction is the zipline running along the coast above the Caribbean Sea. A standard ticket includes one ride, whilst the VIP package allows you to use the zipline as many times as you like.

The minimum height requirement for using the zipline is 120 cm. You are not permitted to use a mobile phone or your own camera during the ride.

The price also includes kayaks and entry to the panoramic swimming pool overlooking the sea. Water activities and the zipline may be restricted due to strong winds or adverse weather conditions.

Food and drink

Tickets include a buffet and an open bar serving non-alcoholic and selected alcoholic drinks. The VIP package gives you access to a separate buffet and bar.

Think of the food here primarily as a practical part of the all-day package. Garrafón is not a place you’d visit for a gastronomic experience.

Please check the current range of refreshments before booking. Individual packages and the park’s offerings are subject to change.

How to get to Garrafón

From Cancún

Most tickets include a return boat trip from the Playa Langosta jetty in Cancún.

The boat usually departs at 9.00 am, and the return crossing from Isla Mujeres leaves at 5.30 pm. Please arrive well in advance for check-in.

Transport from your hotel to the Playa Langosta jetty is not included in a standard ticket. You will need to take a bus, a taxi or your own transport.

Check Garrafón tickets

From Isla Mujeres

From the centre of Isla Mujeres, you can reach the park by taxi, bus or a hired golf buggy.

The park is situated on the main road, Carretera Garrafón, near Punta Sur.

Bear in mind that the ticket price is not reduced if you’re already staying on the island and don’t use the included boat from Cancún. This is precisely why Garrafón is relatively expensive for those staying on Isla Mujeres.

Where to stay nearby

The southern part of Isla Mujeres is quieter than the area around Playa Norte and the centre. Here you’ll mainly find resorts, apartments and luxury hotels with sea views.

Right on the coast between Garrafón and Punta Sur stands the luxury Impression Isla Mujeres hotel. It is particularly suitable for couples seeking privacy, high-quality service and a quieter setting.

Compare hotels on Isla Mujeres