Cancun Bouldering

I'll be heading to Cancun in March for some R&R... I read on the site that there's some bouldering on Isla Mujeres. Has anyone been there or heard anything? Would it be worth packing my shoes & some chalk?

Any helpful info or links is appreciated

Excellent bouldering on the trails around the "Parc Garrafon" on the Isla. Take your shoes and chalkbag, slather in sunscreen.

Compliments of cammo.

Thanks for the heads up - we'll definitely try that out. Any advice on the logistics? I read the ferry to the island is cheap, but do you have to pay to get into the park?

If you are very desperate, there is a bouldering wall in Playa del Carmen. It is in a park on the south side of the street the bus comes in on from Cancun. I can't remember the number of the street.

I was in the Tulum ruins recently and tried to boulder a little on the beach and was quickly whistled by the lifeguard.

I looked at photos of Tulum but probably won't have the cash to get down there... Isla Mujeres should do the trick though! Any tips on what part of the island?

Hank Caylor wrote:Excellent bouldering on the trails around the "Parc Garrafon" on the Isla. Take your shoes and chalkbag, slather in sunscreen. Compliments of cammo.

Cool, I'm goin' there next week. What kinda rock is it?

kochx137 wrote:I looked at photos of Tulum but probably won't have the cash to get down there... Isla Mujeres should do the trick though! Any tips on what part of the island?

It doesn't cost much to travel up and down the highway by bus, but it takes a lot of time. Tulum is pretty far from Cancun, maybe a 3 hour bus ride. It is a cool place overall, but don't just go there hoping for great bouldering. By itself, the bouldering there does not qualify as a reason to make the trip. Plus, someone posted that a lifeguard kicked him off the rocks.
I would suggest a snorkeling trip to Xel Ha just to get out of the touristy Cancun zone. Maybe visit a diving cenote and see if you can establish some DWS.
I think its always worth bringing your shoes and a bag along any trip. Just don't joke about the white powder with any customs people.
And watch out for the time-share gauntlet you'll have to run through at the airport. They dress like government agents and direct you over to their booth like an official stop. After the customs stop, there are no more official stops to make so ignore them.

Mike Lane wrote: Maybe visit a diving cenote and see if you can establish some DWS. I think its always worth bringing your shoes and a bag along any trip.

I brought my shoes and chalk on a cenote dive as well as into an above ground cave and the guides didn't seem very receptive to me doing any climbing. Maybe someone else will have more luck.

Franky wrote: Cool, I'm goin' there next week. What kinda rock is it?

The people have spoken. Have fun.

I would forget about the bouldering and enjoy the snorkeling.

TULUM: So... I had a great time down there myself,: sleeping in a hammoc for like 6 days for under 20 bucks. I bouldered the whole coast there solo with no lifeguard intervention, danced on tile installed on the beach, swam deeeeeeep into cenotes I had no business being near and I will probably go back one day. There are few rules in Mexico, just dont hurt anyone and spend a little money here and there. Please post a trip report.
Steve

Dan Cohen wrote: I brought my shoes and chalk on a cenote dive as well as into an above ground cave and the guides didn't seem very receptive to me doing any climbing. Maybe someone else will have more luck.

Climbing in general is a foreign concept in that part of the world, people seem puzzled by our interest in it. However, one thing that almost everyone down there is a fiscal opportunist. If the right kind of cenote is found that would be condusive for enough amateur-level DWS that it would be a destination for people like us, the owners would definitely listen to a money-making proposal.

After the first 3-4 days of being in a tequila/cervesa based coma, you start to get a little itchy for some sort of physical activity.

Mike Lane wrote: Climbing in general is a foreign concept in that part of the world, people seem puzzled by our interest in it. However, one thing that almost everyone down there is a fiscal opportunist. If the right kind of cenote is found that would be condusive for enough amateur-level DWS that it would be a destination for people like us, the owners would definitely listen to a money-making proposal. After the first 3-4 days of being in a tequila/cervesa based coma, you start to get a little itchy for some sort of physical activity.

I agree with you 100%. That is why I was surprised and impressed that there was a bouldering wall in a public park. I met a local climber there who told me that wall had just been constructed a few months back. I was in Playa del Carmen for 10 days and was getting very restless. It was really nice to just have something to climb.

Thanks for the advice everyone - it was a hell of a trip & the bouldering did make for a nice break from the endless days of tequilla and swimming.

Dan Cohen wrote:I was in the Tulum ruins recently and tried to boulder a little on the beach and was quickly whistled by the lifeguard.

He probably just thought you were really good-looking Dan, you beefcake you.