Garrafon Park - MX — Attraction in Isla Mujeres

I highly recommend you read my review before even thinking of booking anything at this place or if you’re trying to decide if you want the VIP access or not: 1)most important thing to consider and know: there is no refunds or exchanges, NO MATTER WHAT. Sketchy business practices. They do not warn you or let you know in advance about anything at all. We got there and absolutely all attractions were closed “because the ocean was too rough” you couldn’t get in or close to it. Everything closed except for the zip line, and because it was the only attraction open you’d have to be in line for 2 hours to even get on( if you get the vip experience you can do it several times but guess what? You won’t want to even do the line for one time) all we could do since we were stuck with our tickets was to spend it at the pools (one regular or the tiny one in the “vip area” if you paid for that) important note about the pools: the regular one is bigger but if you’re thinking you’ll let the kids get in or your significant other and just lay there and watch you won’t be able to. There’s nowhere to sit by it. You’re either in the pool or nowhere by it. Then you have the VIP one which does have some chairs but the pool is tiny to even be shared with other families/people and pretty dirty. 2) The VIP access: unnecessary and unworthy. All you get for the “vip” is a “different” buffet at a different place/sitting area, 3 jacuzzis that are full and let’s be honest, it’s hot and you probably won’t want to fight for it anyway and the tiny little “private pool” which when shared is just too crowded and unworthy. I compared both buffets and it’s the same food. The only difference was that the VIP had a fish ceviche and the other one didn’t. The drinks are just whatever and meh regular or vip. 3) they tell you they’re open till 5pm but kick you out at 4.30. They literally tell you to leave the pool at that time and give you a warning 10 minutes before. The attractions and buffet are closed earlier than that, like mentioned before we couldn’t use any of them anyway, but maintenance people told us.. so ask. 4) me venting: let’s be honest, we booked this place because of all the activities we thought it included like snorkeling, kayaks, paddle boards, zip line plus all food and drinks included. We also paid for the vip thinking it would enhance our experience. We went there expecting to be able to do all these things, one place to do it all in isla mujeres and paid in advance booking on the phone with a representative THAT SAME morning. Literally an hour before we arrived. So they did know that all attractions would be closed and still sold us the tickets full price. We didn’t even get a discount. When we got there it was a pretty sad, disappointing and frustrating to know we were stuck in that place using just the tiny pool in the vip area so we would be able to sit with the kids. The food was whatever and the drinks were terrible. So we paid a ton of money to be at the little pool when we could’ve done the same in Cancun and in a way bigger pool and a lot more fun for all of us. Or just do something different in isla. I don’t understand why they wouldn’t charge you at least half the price or let you know in advance everything will be closed. — I would NEVER come to this place again or recommend it. — talking to taxi drivers and other people they told us they do this regularly because they have to continue selling tickets no matter what. So people get there, we are stuck with our tickets and have to stay and waste not just money but an entire day of vacation we could’ve used to do something else in isla mujeres. It’s a sad, very...

I'll start this review by saying, my husband and I are really hard people to please. I had read a lot of reviews of Garrafon and was slightly worried before we visited. However, we had a great day there! It's not perfect, but there's always going to be something to complain about, right? I had read one review before we went that said the food was old and gross. It was not. We are a gluten free family and we were shocked about all the great choices. The staff there works their asses off. They cater to your every need. We were really impressed with their work ethic. We had fresh drinks in our hands before our first drink was finished. I cannot say enough about the staff. We happen to visit on a day where the ocean was pretty rough. As a result, the kayaks were closed that day. We understood though because we would have had little control over where the boats ended up. The snorkeling isn't the greatest but it was still fun. We saw sea urchins and a few different types of fish. Yes - we have snorkeled in better places. But it was still fun. The ocean was rough but you were able to hang on ropes if needed. It was too rough for our youngest but the rest of us enjoyed it. The zip line was fun. I'm sure there is better zip lining all over the world but there has to be far worse. It was cool - first you went over land, then over sea. You zipped in a triangle shape. The staff was so helpful and we were impressed by them all day. Ok - one think that didn't really make any sense was that our boat did not leave the dock until 5:30pm but the park pretty much closes at 4:30. I know a lot of boats come in and out all day long but the last hour was kind of boring. We did lay on hammocks while we waited though....which was still nice and relaxing. The views are pretty good too. The bathrooms are ok. Not the greatest but not the worst we've seen. Typical of a place where people are dripping wet and constantly changing. Hope that makes sense. We did have the Premium VIP package - my husband is convinced almost anyone could have eaten in the VIP lounge area but I think some VIP's just had different color wrist bands. The shrimp that was cooked to order in the VIP lounge was VERY good. My husband had the steak and said it was ok. Not bad but not great. Lots for our family to choose from - including cheeses, meats, potatoes, burgers, etc. I will say- the staff could possibly do a better job of picking up trash. It was windy though and cups and napkins were blowing off people's tables but you could tell some of the trash had been there a while. NOT a ton by any means but some. They could probably use one employee to just pick up trash daily and it would look a little bit better. The grounds though in general were nice. Oh and I have to say- if you have even a little bit on anxiety- maybe don't do the Ancient Mayan Steam Bath inside the steam hut. I did this. While it was very cool - it also made my anxiety sky high because of the darkness and heat. I can handle heat but once the door is shut and it's pitch dark it's kind of scary. The Mayan Medicine man though is very good at his job. I survived it. :) Hope this helps someone when deciding whether or not to visit the park. Oh and I just read someone else's review about drinks not always being all inclusive. Well, if you want all your drinks included- pay for that package. The drinks are NOT huge but you can easily get as many as you want. I had to tell the waiter to stop bringing...

We have been coming to isla mujeres for several years. Every year we go to garrafón Castilla next door and enjoy beautiful snorkeling. This year we decided to try the big park. We sprung for the VIP tickets. It is 49 for regular and 69 for VIP which gets you unlimited zipline and the “VIP pool and food area”. No no no. Don’t do it 🤪

First of all, we arrived, paid, and had no one explain anything. We found the VIP area and nothing was available. The pool was open. We left there and headed to find a chair near snorkel area.

The chairs are very low to the ground. Be prepared for that. Not a lot of shade. We went snorkeling and life jackets are mandatory. I respect and understand why as they are not staffed for aquatic emergencies. But it is definitely difficult to enjoy in a life jacket. The park next door does not require these. Additionally the park next door has much better fish. And they also have decent lounge chairs and drinks available.

Husband zip lined once and he had enough of that. Not too exciting probably good for kiddos.

We didn’t see many fish. The reef is roped off which I do respect. It has to be protected. But not a lot of fish. Maybe take crackers if you go. We saw a few larger fish perhaps a reef shark. Maybe more if you head toward bridge further.

Once we finished we headed to vip area to enjoy the pool and drinks and food. Nope. It was closed for a private party so they sent us upstairs. No service at pool. Walked up two flights of stairs to food buffet. Food was meh. All of the food for vip and standard tickets on one floor divided by a glass door. We walked over and found better food at standard buffet. None of it was really anything great.

Waited for service at table flagged someone down. Not a particularly friendly or interested staff

Are and went to pool. Pool was filled with bugs. I feet picking them out. It smelled like a weird chemical. The glass barrier was filthy both upstairs and down. The lifeguard told us no service. Then we saw someone receiving service. lol. No worries we called it quits and chalked it up to a learning experience.

I think if you have a child who loves ziplining then get the $69 vip as you have to pay $49 for one zip line trip anyhow. However, if you’re going to snorkle do yourself a favor and head next door , pay $10 and bring snacks and enjoy better snorkeling and...