A 15-minute ferry journey away from Cancún, you’ll discover Isla Mujeres an elongated tropical paradise simply 5 miles lengthy and half a mile extensive.
This laid-back Caribbean island owes its title to Ixchel, the Mayan goddess of fertility, love, being pregnant and start – mujeres that means girls in Spanish. Legend has it that when the Spanish arrived at Isla Mujeres, they found a sanctuary devoted to worshipping the goddess.
In time, the island is claimed to have grow to be a refuge for pirates and smugglers and later morphed right into a fishing village.
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Lately, Isla Mujeres is a Pueblo Mágico – a designation given to essentially the most picturesque of Mexican cities – and its sandy shores are visited by hundreds of thousands annually.
Whether or not you’re after a relaxed vacation steeped in Mexican hospitality or are drawn to it for its proximity to the Mesoamerican Reef – the second-largest coral reef system on the planet – Isla Mujeres is bound to attraction you.
When ought to I am going to Isla Mujeres?
Top-of-the-line issues about Mexico is that its seashores are heat year-round. You need to observe, although, that June to November is hurricane season, so that you would possibly need to keep away from touring then – regardless of the alluring low costs.
Excessive season runs from January by way of April, so count on to pay high greenback in case you’re planning a visit throughout this era. General, the perfect time to go to Isla Mujeres is from December to March, when the climate is at its most nice.
If swimming with whale sharks is in your bucket record, the perfect time to go to Isla Mujeres is between June and September – with July being peak whale shark season.
How a lot time ought to I spend in Isla Mujeres?
Its small dimension makes it simple to go to Isla Mujeres on a day journey from Cancún – you may stroll from one finish of the island to the opposite in roughly two hours.
Nevertheless, to actually get a really feel of the island – together with its serene seashores and buzzy nightlife – it’s finest to spend a few nights there.
Is it simple to get in and round Isla Mujeres?
Isla Mujeres is simple to achieve by ferry from the ferry terminals in Puerto Juárez, Cancún and the Resort Zone. Ferries go away each half-hour or each hour, relying on the time of day. Hold the timetable helpful, particularly if visiting on a day journey.
As soon as in Isla Mujeres, you may stroll nearly in every single place – or you may hire a golf cart to drive from the extra developed Playa Norte to the rugged south of city in type.
High issues to do in Isla Mujeres
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Discover an underwater museum
MUSA, the Underwater Museum of Artwork, is without doubt one of the most fascinating museums you’ll ever come throughout.
Positioned off the southern coast of Isla Mujeres, it options over 500 life-size sculptures designed to advertise the restoration of pure reefs. You’ll be able to discover this underwater marvel by snorkeling, scuba diving or taking a glass-bottom boat tour.
Drive round city on a golf cart
One of the crucial in style modes of transportation in Isla Mujeres is a golf cart. Not solely is that this a sensible approach of getting throughout the island, however it additionally provides to the enjoyable of discovering new locations.
It’s particularly helpful in case you’re solely there for the day, because it shaves day off the 2 hours that you’d take getting from Playa Norte to Punta Sur on foot. You’ll want a sound driver’s license to hire one.
Lounge on the seashore
Stated to be essentially the most stunning seashore on the island, Playa Norte’s gentle, white sand stretches for about half a mile.
Secure for swimming, you may maintain going into the water for some time and the water will stay waist-deep, making it ideally suited for households. You’ll additionally discover scores of cafes and eating places within the space to whereas away the hours with a cocktail in hand and your toes within the sand.
Different seashores to take a look at embrace Playa Centro – the primary one you’ll spot from the ferry – and Playa Albatros. Along with Playa Norte, these are the three seashores on the island with Blue Flag certification.
Swim with whale sharks
One of the best time to swim with whale sharks in Isla Mujeres is from June to September. Drawn to heat waters in quest of plankton and considerable fish, these light giants are simply noticed by taking a ship an hour and a half to 2 hours out to sea.
Isla Whale Sharks have educated {and professional} guides that present respect to their environment, the animals and their shoppers always.
My favourite factor to do in Isla Mujeres
Isla Mujeres was the primary place I ever drove a golf cart, so I could also be biased in saying it’s one in all my favourite actions on the island.
But when I’m allowed a second decide, it’s bought to be swinging over the waves close to the ferry terminal. There’s no higher solution to cross the time earlier than catching the ferry again to Cancún! Sundown on a swing along with your toes within the waves? Sure, please!
How a lot cash do I want for Isla Mujeres?
Isla Mujeres has choices to go well with each price range, from inexpensive hostels with a social scene to boutique lodges with oceanfront views.
You’ll even discover luxurious stays providing laid-back island attraction, full with infinity swimming pools and personal seashores.
For eating, budget-friendly choices embrace informal taquerías and native seafood spots, whereas these trying to splurge can take pleasure in upscale beachfront eating places serving recent lobster and cocktails with a view.
The time of yr you go to performs an enormous position in prices. September to November is essentially the most inexpensive, although it’s additionally the wet season and falls inside hurricane months.
For dry, sunny climate, December by way of March is right, however it’s additionally peak season – count on larger costs for lodging and actions.
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Hostel room: M$450-1300 (US$22-65)
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Fundamental room for 2: M$1200-2000 (US$60-150)
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Self-catering condo: M$1200-2500 (US$60-122)
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Ferry ticket: M$290 (US$14)
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Espresso: M$60-80 (US$3-4)
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Sandwich: M$60 (US$3)
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Fish tacos: M$180-200 (US$9-10) for an order of three
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Dinner for 2 at a mid-range restaurant: M$600-1200 (US$30-60)
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Beer/pint on the bar: M$50 (US$3)
Is Isla Mujeres secure for vacationers?
With very low crime charges, Isla Mujeres is taken into account a secure vacation spot for vacationers and could be loved by taking customary precautions. The close by naval base contributes to the island’s security, with navy patrols on the seashores and streets serving as a preventative measure.
Is the nightlife in Isla Mujeres nearly as good as it’s in Cancún?
If world-renowned golf equipment are essential to your vacation enjoyment, you’re higher off heading to Cancún for the night time.
Nonetheless, Isla Mujeres does have its share of energetic bars, particularly the seashore golf equipment on the Playa Norte finish (you’ll discover DJs and stay music at a few of them).
