Although Cancun is often celebrated as a romantic destination for adult couples such as those on their honeymoon wanting to unwind together in an idyllic setting, it has also evolved into a place that is perfect for a vacation the whole family will love. Planning a trip with plenty of activities that will keep your children entertained is a must, even in a location as striking as Cancun, as you will find you can only keep them busy at the beach for so long before the novelty wears off.
Crococun Zoo
Fortunately, there are many options of things to do in Cancun that will delight everyone you are traveling with, especially a visit to Crococun Zoo. Located just 20 miles south of Cancun, this amusing regional animal zoo has an impressive collection of animals including crocodiles, snakes, turtles, macaws, deer and charming Mexican hairless dogs called Xoloitzcuintli. Established in 1982, the zoo is committed to rescuing animals from the region.
Crocs and more species in Cancun
While the zoo’s claim to fame is that you can walk among its resident crocodiles, there is so much more to do and see at this interactive park. You will be guided on a tour around the grounds during which you will have the chance to pet, hold or feed the majority of the animals that live there. Your tour will start with the opportunity to take your picture with a vibrant macaw or parrot on your shoulder, which kicks off an hour and a half walk along meandering paths that are surrounded by lush tropical vegetation.
As the tour progresses, you will be able to view crocodiles of all sizes and ages, from babies that prefer to swim in ponds to ginormous crocs sunning themselves. Your entertaining and knowledgeable bilingual tour guide will tell you about the zoo’s history, acquaint you with some of the resident animals by name and perhaps choose a small crocodile that you can pose with for once-in-a-lifetime memories.
Spider Monkeys
A definite highlight of the tour has to be the up-close encounter with local spider monkeys. They live high up in the tree canopy, free to do as they please, and are often spotted and heard by visitors. You may purchase banana pieces when you enter the park, and upon instruction from your tour guide, you place the treats in baskets suspended from the trees with rope. The clever primates pull the baskets up to the treetops, take out the bananas to snack on, and lower the baskets down again in hopes you’ll give them more!
White-Tailed Deer Encounter in Cancun
Another special moment at the zoo is offered in a spacious fenced area that houses white-tailed deer. Once plentiful in southeastern Mexico, white-tailed deer populations have dwindled from centuries of aggressive hunting, which has made it a protected species. From fawns to adults, most of the deer in the park are the result of reproduction programs in place there, which are overseen by an on-staff veterinarian and an agronomist who tend to the needs of resident animals and their progeny.
