Many visitors to Cancun have actually parasailed or have contemplated the wisdom of being towed behind a boat with the aid of something that looks like a parachute.  I’ve only done it twice in my lifetime, but it can be both thrilling and relaxing at the same time–there is something to be said about floating up to 500 feet in the air with nothing but numerous resorts below and a variety of blue-toned seas off in the horizon.

I decided to once again take to the skies while staying at Atelier Playa Mujeres.  There is a small canopy on the southern end of the resort’s beach (there is a large sign with the word “Parasailing” so you cannot miss it) which has several men who are more than happy to make your reservation and accept payment for the experience.  Cash is king; however, they will accept credit cards. If paying by credit card and the WiFi signal is weak, they will boat you over to the main excursion hut for the beach area which is located south of Atelier by Excellence Playa Mujeres so that you can make payment there–that is done after your parasailing ride.  Parasailing for two adults for a 15-min. ride was $140 USD; there were no customers before or after us (the resort had only a maximum capacity of 30%) so we may have gotten a longer ride, I’m not positive about that though. I didn’t bother to try and haggle (I detest haggling and will only do it when I feel it’s absolutely necessary to get something I want rather badly), but it may be worth it to try haggling if you want to get a cheaper price.  Since this parasailing experience is tied to the main excursion hut by Excellence Playa Mujeres, there may be a set price so haggling may be of no use.

Life vests were first given to us while on the beach; we were then helped into a smaller boat from the beach which took us out to the awaiting boat which had the equipment for the ride. It’s a little rocky getting from one boat to another on the open ocean, but the crew will do their best to assist you from one boat to the other. We were then helped into a harness system which was eventually attached to the tandem bar (which was attached to the parasail wing which was attached to the tow line).  After completing the attachment process, we were told to sit down on the boat, and then the fun began!  We were gradually lifted into the air via a winch which guaranteed a smooth send off. If you’ve never had this experience or a hot air balloon ride, you’d think it would be very windy and noisy high up in the air, but it’s very peaceful and relaxing with a chance to take photos or just allow yourself to be in the moment.  Even though we did not specifically request a wet “dip”, the crew gave us two (make sure to bring waterproof camera equipment) prior to bringing us back onboard (a “dip” is where the crew will lower you a bit into the water behind the boat).  We were brought onto the back of the boat, unharnessed, and transferred to the smaller boat which eventually took us back to Atelier’s beach.  If you want the crew to take pics for you, they will sell you pics of your take-off and landing for around $40 USD (we declined since I brought my waterproof camera).

Just a note about this experience and COVID.  There were no health-related safety precautions taken from start to finish.  I don’t know if any of the equipment was sanitized after our use of it (re. buckles on the life vests, hanging onto the tandem bar, for example), but I quite frankly doubt it.  Since this is an outdoor activity, bring along hand sanitizer at the very least.  I was using a beach Bali bed that day and had packed along hand sanitizer, so I was able to use it right after the activity.

FYI:  There are different types of parasailing experiences–the one we took with just the overhead tandem bar, then there’s a ride where you can actually sit down on equipment which is like a chair or bench seat.  They have the “chairs” over at the main excursion hut by Excellence Playa Mujeres; this beach location, however, offered only the overhead tandem bar.  Typical parasailing experiences require that riders equal no less than 110 lbs. combined and no more than 425 lbs. combined.

Take a moment to view my pics from the parasailing experience; just click on any picture and it will give you a full-size photo.  I attempted to identify various resorts in Playa Mujeres which are listed with each pic.  Parasailing was a lot of fun and I would recommend it wholeheartedly!