When my family decided to go to Mexico as my high school graduation present, I was beyond excited. But, I didn’t want to be one of those people who just sat on the resort the whole trip. (If you’re one of those people, that’s fine too.) My family started looking for excursions beyond the resort, and one thing we discovered was Crococun.
Crococun, located in Puerto Morales, is an interactive conservationist zoo. I’ve been to some petting zoos and conservation areas before, but let me tell you: there’s nothing like this anywhere I’ve been before.
When we arrived, our family was assigned a personal tour guide through the zoo. Our tour guide was a native Mexican, but had lived in Texas in his youth, and spoke perfect English. The tour lasted a little over an hour, and took us fully into the habitats of many native Mexican animals.
First, we were able to feed a parrot. She spoke a lot, but she also bit, so you had to be careful. Feeding and holding parrots is nothing new at zoos and conservation areas, so we weren’t entirely prepared for what came next.
We got to hold a baby crocodile. It wasn’t very large, but getting to hold such an awesome predator in your arms is an amazing experience. Crocodiles are a large part of the tour at Crococun (hence the name), so we were also able to walk on a path in their enclosure. Unlike most zoos, where the path in “swamp” areas is carefully cordoned off, we were close enough to touch the crocodiles, had we been willing to lose an arm.
We were given leafy branches to feed deer, who came right up to you expecting to get a treat. We interacted with big snakes, and we saw more animals than I can remember. The highlight of the tour, however, had to be the spider monkeys. You’re given pieces of fruit and told to hold them up in the air. As you do this, spider monkeys descend upon you and pluck the fruit straight from your hand. We were told to keep a close eye on our sunglasses, hats, and other items, because the playful spider monkeys have been known to take those items when they come to get their food.
Not only did we get to interact with many animals, we also learned a lot about them and their native habitats. For example, did you know that many people keep pet spider monkeys? That may sound appealing until you find out that to get a baby spider monkey, poachers must kill the entire monkey clan, who will lay down their lives to protect the other monkeys in their family. Spider monkeys who are obtained this manner are known to develop a hatred for humans. There were several of these monkeys, rescued from the pet trade and uninformed owners, at Crococun.
If you’re looking for a fun experience for the whole family on your next trip to the Cancun or Riviera Maya area, look no further than Crococun. There’s something for every animal lover, nature lover, and excitable child. There’s even a gift shop! Crococun consistently gets great reviews on travel sites, and it’s no wonder. It’s truly a once in a lifetime experience. (Or, as many times as you want to go back experience.)
Just the name alone sounds like an awesome zoo. I love spending a whole day at our Fort Worth Zoo, there’s so many animals to see and so much more to do.
I’ve never been to the Riviera Maya before. Sounds like you had an amazing time! Love the pictures!
I’d be a bit nervous with the crocs! Really looks like an awesome time!
Well that sounds like an awesome graduation gift! Way better than the watch I got for sure! 😉
I love venues with animal encounters. This looked like a fabulous trip!
What an amazing trip! Crococun sounds like an awesome vacation destination.
Now that is a Zoo I would LOVE to visit! I’ve seen some alligators at our zoo but I would love to see a crocodile! It would be hilarious to see my son try to hold one lol I don’t even think he would touch one lol
How fun that your family planned for the extra visit to see Crococun. The picture shown holding a baby crocodile is such a memory for you. Photo ops of rare and unusual events are always good to take, keep, and share.
Yiikes! I’m not sure about that snack. Overall it looks like fun though.
Looks like a great place to visit. How cool to hold the crocs!!
This looks like it would be a great way to spend the day. My son would love to hold a crocodile.
Looks like a really neat zoo. I especially love that you decided to seek out a sort of off the beaten path thing to do. Our family loves to do that… usually makes for great memories.
Talk about the best grad present ever! What fun. Would love to get close to a croc like that. I’ve never seen one before. How awesome.
I’d love to hold a crocodile. That is definitely a once in a lifetime experience!
Wow I would flip out at a hands on zoo. I’m too nervous, haha.
What a fabulous experience. I would love to be that up close & personal with the animals.
This was definitely one of the coolest graduation presents, that’s for sure! It’s so cool that you got to interact with the animals and learn about them and their habits.
I would of spazzed if I had to hold the baby croc. You all made it look so easy…maybe one day I wont be such a chicken got to live a little right??
I love crocs. They are such an interesting animal to me. This looks like a lot of fun. My FIL would completely enjoy holding the snakes (he literally goes on snake hunts around here just to hold some.)
It looks like you had a good time here. I love it when you get to do unique experiences like this. Thanks for sharing it with us.
What an awesome place to visit. I love that you can get up close and personal with the animals like that!
That is so cool you were able to get up close with the animals like that! I’d probably be a little scared of the crocodile though, even if it was a baby!
that sis a great gift! I have no idea what I will get my grad
Ok I may have nightmares now after seeing these pics! How cool to get so close, my son would have loved this!
Did you also get to visit Xcaret? I will have to check out Crococun the next time I am out there!
We did! Xcaret is amazing. I love the underground river.
What a cool experience, even though I am sure I would be terrified! All three of my children are animal lovers and they would definitely enjoy a tour like this.
It looks like you guys had a blast. Our boys would love to see all the animals.
I have never been to a interactive conservationist zoo. Like you, I have been to petting zoos. This place sounds amazing.
I’d love to visit this conservation zoo. It’s so nice to hear that this place takes in the spider monkey rescues.
I may have briefly touched the crocodile, but I’m not sure about holding it. Still, Crococun sounds like quite an experience!
I’d love to hold a crocodile. What a cool experience. Sounds like a fun and hands-on zoo!
eeek, I don’t think I could have handled some of those! I respect the animals, but I’m better with aquatics and furry ones!
That looks like so much fun! I can’t believe you got to hold a crocodile without its mouth being taped!
That is a nice high school graduation present! Sounds like an amazing zoo!