Isla Mujeres Travel Guide

Introduction to Isla Mujeres

Map of Isla Mujeres | 360 Virtual Tour: Isla Mujeres Attractions

This is an island of white-sand beaches and turquoise waters, complemented by a town filled with Caribbean-colored clapboard houses and rustic, open-air restaurants. Hotels are clean and comfortable, but if you're looking for lots of action or opulence, you'll be happier in Cancún. A few recent additions provide more luxurious lodging, but they still maintain a decidedly casual atmosphere.

At midday, suntanned visitors hang out in open-air cafes and stroll streets lined with frantic souvenir vendors. Calling attention to their bargain-priced wares, they give a carnival atmosphere to the hours when tour-boat traffic is at its peak. Befitting the size of the island, most of the traffic consists of golf carts, motos (mopeds), and bicycles. Once the tour boats leave, however, Isla Mujeres reverts to its more typical, tranquil way of life.

Days in "Isla" -- as the locals call it -- can alternate between adventurous activity and absolute repose. There are many beautiful beaches on Isla Mujeres, the most popular being North Beach, which is walking distance from downtown.  

In the evening, most people find the slow, casual pace one of the island's biggest draws. The cool night breeze is a perfect accompaniment to casual open-air dining and drinking in small street-side restaurants. Many people pack it in as early as 9 or 10pm, when most of the businesses close. Those in search of a party, however, will find kindred souls at the bars on Playa Norte that stay open late.

Isla Mujeres Attractions

Garrafon National Park More Info and Reservations

Garrafon National Park -- Garrafón Park is named for an incredible reef formation, part of the longest reef in the hemisphere. The shallow waters of Garrafón make swimming and snorkeling child's play, so gentle are the currents. There are gift shops, restaurant and snack bars, bathrooms with showers and dive shops. The entrance fee gives you full use of the facilities (pool, sea platforms, deck chairs and palapas) as well as life vests, inner tubes, kayaks and binoculars. Lockers, towels and snorkel gear are additional charges. The park also offers guided tours to Punta Sur and the "Blue Eye Cave". A great way to spend the day and well worth the entrance fee! Garrafón Park is located on the south end of the island facing Cancun.

Turtle Sanctuary -- This reserve, dedicated to preserving Caribbean sea turtles and to educating the public about them, makes a worthwhile outing.

Six species of sea turtles nest on Isla Mujeres. An adult green turtle, the most abundant species, measures 1 to 1.5m (4-5 ft.) in length and can weigh as much as 450 pounds. At the center, visitors walk through the indoor and outdoor turtle pool areas, where the creatures paddle around. The turtles are separated by age, from newly hatched up to 1 year. Besides protecting the turtles that nest on Isla Mujeres of their own accord, the program also captures turtles at sea, brings them to enclosed compounds to mate, and later frees them to nest on Isla Mujeres after they have been tagged. People who come here usually end up staying at least an hour, especially if they opt for the guided tour, which I recommend. They also have a small gift shop and snack bar. The sanctuary is on a piece of land separated from the island by Bahía de Mujeres and Laguna Makax, at Carr. Sac Bajo #5; you'll need a taxi to get there. Admission is $2.30; the shelter is open daily from 9am to 5pm. For more information, call tel. 998/877-0595.

Maya Ruins -- Just beyond the lighthouse, at the southern end of the island, are the strikingly beautiful remains of a small Maya temple, believed to have been built to pay homage to the moon and fertility goddess, Ixchel. The location, on a lofty bluff overlooking the sea, is worth seeing and makes a great place for photos. It is believed that Maya women traveled here on annual pilgrimages to seek Ixchel's blessings of fertility. If you're at El Garrafón park and want to walk, it's not too far. Turn right from El Garrafón. When you see the lighthouse, turn toward it down the rocky path.

A Pirate's Fortress -- The Fortress of Mundaca is about 4km (2 1/2 miles) in the same direction as El Garrafón, about a half-mile to the left. A slave trader who claimed to have been the pirate Mundaca Marecheaga built the fortress. In the early 19th century, he arrived at Isla Mujeres and set up a blissful paradise, while making money selling slaves to Cuba and Belize. According to island lore, he decided to settle down and build this hacienda after being captivated by the charms of an island girl. However, she reputedly spurned his affections and married another islander, leaving him heartbroken and alone on Isla Mujeres. Admission is $2; the fortress is open daily from 10am to 6pm.

A Visit to Isla Contoy -- If possible, plan to visit this pristine uninhabited island, 30km (19 miles) by boat from Isla Mujeres, that became a national wildlife reserve in 1981. Lush vegetation covers the oddly shaped island, which is 6km (3 3/4 miles) long and harbors 70 species of birds as well as a host of marine and animal life. Bird species that nest on the island include pelicans, brown boobies, frigates, egrets, terns, and cormorants. Flocks of flamingos arrive in April. June, July, and August are good months to spot turtles burying their eggs in the sand at night.

Getting to Isla Mujeres

Puerto Juarez Ferries: There are now two ferry services. One is the new Gran Puerto, which is almost next door to the older Magana ferries. The Gran Puerto ferry is much nicer, a little faster, and it runs later in the evening. The Ferry Service will operate from 6AM to Midnight daily and will be utilizing 3 power catamarans that will reach Isla Mujeres in 12 minutes. They are both 35 pesos one way. To get to the ferry terminals, an R-1 bus with "Puerto Juarez" on the front window will get you there, or take a taxi from downtown Cancun (around US$2.00).

Punta Sam (car ferry) to Isla Mujeres: The car ferry (US$13 for car, plus US$2 for each passenger) leaves from Punta Sam, a few kilometers north of Puerto Juárez. There are five departures daily between 8am and 8.15pm, returning from Isla Mujeres between 6.30am and 7.15pm. However, it isn't really worth taking a car over to the island, which is small enough to cycle around and has plenty of bicycles and mopeds for rent

Getting Around on Isla Mujeres

In town you can get everywhere by foot, but if you want to venture out of town to visit the Mayan ruins or enjoy the breathtaking view of the southern tip of Isla Mujeres, you will be needing a vehicle for greater comfort. There are many bicycle, motor scooters and golf cart rentals on the island that offer good service and reasonable prices. There are no car rentals on Isla Mujeres to conserve its tranquility.

Motor scooters rent for approximately US $ 6.00 per hour and bicycles for US $ 3.00 per hour. Golf carts are also available which are comfortable and can accommodate up to four adults. The golf carts are only for use on Isla Mujeres, have a roof to protect you from the sun and are open on the sides to enable you to admire the turquoise sea and white beaches of Isla Mujeres. You will be needing a valid drivers license to rent and operate these carts.