Garrafón
Photos Location The island is located in the Caribbean Sea, off the eastern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula and belongs to the Mexican state of Quintana Roo.
Description

Mission Statement

"To be unique in sustainable-use, recreational tourism"

A Brief History of Isla Mujeres, Garrafon and Punta Sur

Hundreds of years ago, the Mayan declared Isla Mujeres sacred to the fertility goddess Ixchel, placing female statues there by way of worship. When discovered by the Spaniards in 1517, the statues inspired their name for the island, Isla Mujeres. Today, Isla Mujeres is one of the main attractions of the Mexican Caribbean, an idyllic land known for the beauty of its setting and the warmth of its people.

Garrafon is the nature park of Isla Mujeres. Its magnificent reef grows in calm shallow waters, meaning bathers can enjoy the sea life of the Caribbean without diving; and right next door is Punta Sur, the southern tip of the island with its spectacular cliffs and panoramic views of Isla Mujeres Bay, Caribbean and Cancun beyond. these cliffs, crowned with what was probably a temple dedicated to the goddess, have the highest elevation of anywhere in the Yucatan Peninsula.

Two explanations as to the origin of the name Garrafon exist. One says it refers to the channel dividing the two principal masses of the reef which is shaped like the neck of a “garrafon”, the giant water bottles used in the area for selling purified water. The other says the site was once a supply station or fuel depot for both the lighthouse on the point and for boats sailing to Cozumel. Fuel was stored in “garrafones”, hence the name.

• In 1997, by initiative of the Isla Mujeres Municipal government the bidding for the operation and commercialization is competed, proposing its handling as a single total area.
• During the remodeling of 1998, the National Park remained closed and protected with rosaries of buoys to stop the remarkable deterioration shown by the reef.
• September the 13th of 1999, Alquimia began to operate the park.

Location

The Garrafon natural park and the area referred to as Punta Sur are located on the southern tip of Isla Mujeres. The island is located in the Caribbean Sea, off the eastern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula and belongs to the Mexican state of Quintana Roo.

Installations

The park nucleus, an area of some 5,000 sq. meters, is designed and decorated in classic Mexican-Caribbean style. This area and its principal structure encompass restaurants, souvenir shops, a photo shop, ice cream parlor, bathrooms, showers, lockers and booths for booking dive tours and renting snorkel gear.
The nucleus is paved with ramps and walkways that connect the park's different areas: the pier, lookout points, terraces, fresh water pool, snack bar, roped off reef-snorkeling area, sun chairs and the green area with its hammock court. The path leading to Punta Sur, its Mayan temple and fabulous cliffs leaves from here as well.

Activities

Snorkeling Garrafon’s Reef
Swimming in the Caribbean Sea
Tour the roads that take you to Punta Sur and the cliff
Glance at the impressive panoramic view of the entire area
View the Mayan temple dedicated to the Goddess Ixchel, mayan goddess of fertility
Rest in the hammocks or by the pool; enjoy the view and the Mexican-Caribbean atmosphere
Play at our fun Marine Platforms or at the Monkey Swing
Relax in the tubs or tour the reefs in the kayaks
Dare to climb the escalator or our 270 mts. Zip line
Discover the marine life, with Snuba or Sea Trek.

Discover the underwater wonders on board of a crystalline kayak or through floating table with a viewfinder.
Experience the best view of the Caribbean from our amazing Panoramic Tower.
Jump up to 33 feet in our Caribbean Bungee
Go to see the Caribbean Village, visit the Mundaca Museum, climb to our Light House or take a refreshing beverage enjoying the amazing view from our snack bar “El Acantilado”.
(some activities are subject to availability depending on the weather)

According to the article 198 of the federal law, a tax of $2 US is charged to visitors who practice aquatic activities within then National Marine Park, for the “USE OF PROTECTED NATURAL AREAS”. The collected money is used to preserve our reefs.

Transportation

Any Garrafon Tour departs from “El Embarcadero” dock km. 4.5 hotel zone (previously Playa Linda). It includes maritime transportation onboard the first class vessel Garrafon Cruise, straight to the dock at Garrafon in a 25 min trip.

Park Hours

The Park is open every day from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm in winter and from 9:00 am until 6:00 pm in summer.

Departures from Cancun: 9:30am / 11:00am
Returns from Garrafon: 4:15 pm & 5:30 pm (subject to change)

Services

Food and Beverage

Garrafon has 4 restaurants and an ice cream stand. “Tamarindo” Restaurant, with an International buffet (capacity: 250 people); “Arrecife” Snack bar (capacity: 50 people), “El Acantilado” (capacity 70 people), “Las Palmas” Snack Bar and “La Bajadita” ice cream parlor.

Stores

“La Bajadita”. A vast selection of clothes, souvenirs, beach items, handcrafts, photography supplies, snacks, soft drinks, as well as Xcaret and Xel-ha brand products.
“Nautica Garrafon”. A selected clothes, souvenirs and items for aquatic activities.
“La Brisa” At the Caribbean Town with a vast selection of clothes, souvenirs and handcrafts.

Other Services

Dock, parking lot, information module, rental of snorkeling equipment, scuba diving, Sea trek, Snuba, Cable ride, rest rooms, showers, dressing rooms, lockers, hammocks, beach chairs, huts, nurse’s station, and free guided tour to “Punta Sur” and downtown Isla Mujeres.

Garrafón Tour

Includes:
Cruise transportation Cancun-Garrafon-Cancún
Park Admission
Use of Facilities: Marine Platforms, Life Jackets, Inner Tubs, Swimming Pool, Kayaks, Hammocks, Lounge Chairs, Dress Rooms and Bathrooms.
Tour to Punta Sur (Caribbean Village, Sculpture Garden, Mayan Temple).
Tour to downtown Isla Mujeres.
Access to: Garrafon Reef, Submarine Museum, Climb Tower and Panoramic Trail.

Garrafón Plus

Includes:
Cruise transportation Cancun-Garrafon-Cancún
Park Admission
Use of Facilities: Marine Platforms, Life Jackets, Inner Tubs, Swimming Pool, Kayaks, Hammocks, Lounge Chairs, Dress Rooms and Bathrooms.
Access to: Garrafon Reef, Submarine Museum, Climb Tower and Panoramic Trail.
Tour to Punta Sur (Caribbean Village, Sculpture Garden, Mayan Temple).
Tour to downtown Isla Mujeres.
Lockers and Towel
Buffet lunch at Tamarindo restaurant
National open bar

Garrafon All Inclusive Tour:

Includes:
Cruise transportation Cancun-Garrafon-Cancún
Park Admission
Use of Facilities: Marine Platforms, Life Jackets, Inner Tubs, Swimming Pool, Kayaks, Hammocks, Lounge Chairs, Dress Rooms and Bathrooms.
Access to: Garrafon Reef, Submarine Museum, Climb Tower and Panoramic Trail.
Panoramic Tower.
Tour to Punta Sur (Caribbean Village, Sculpture Garden, Mayan Temple).
Tour to downtown Isla Mujeres.
Lockers and Towels
Buffet or a la Carte meals at any of our consumption centers
National open bar
Full Snorkeling Equipment with a new snorkel tube as a gift!
Snack bar "a la carte"
Ice creams.

Photos
The "Tirolesa"	Snorkelee	Snorkeling
Snorkel	Caribbean Bungee	"Garrafon" Isla Mujeres
Aerial View	Snuba	Transportation
Panoramic View
Aerial View	Escultures	The Pool
Relax	Aguila Area	Our New Boats
The Escultures	Our New Boats	Mayan Ruins at Punta Sur
"El Acantilado" Terrace
	"Las Palmas" bar	Aerial View Garrafon

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