The exotic Isla Mujeres Mexico

Don’t you easily dream of going to a warm beach resort during the cold winter months? For North Americans, one of the relatively close places to escape the cold winter is Isla Mujeres (The Island of Women). This Mexican island is just a short boat ride from the famous resort, Cancun. Some say that the island was dedicated to the Mayan goddess called Ixche. But don’t worry, as members of the female gender are not the only ones allowed to set foot on the island.

This former fishing island stretches only about 5 miles and is half a mile wide. You can get there by traveling 8 miles through the Bahía de Mujeres from Puerto Juárez in Cancun. Due to its small size, the island is easy to navigate, including the city center. Even though people tend to make Isla Mujeres just a day trip destination, the island can actually remain the main tourist island.

Those looking for a quieter, serene yet beautiful environment will absolutely adore Isla Mujeres. An added bonus is that the island is more affordable than Cancun. The highlights of your stay on the island are undoubtedly the beaches. Most of these sandy stretches feature crushed coral and turquoise blue waters. Some travel experts even argue that these beaches are better than those found in other top-notch Mexican vacation spots like Holbox or Cozumel.

Some of the best beaches on the island are at its northern end. The sandy stretch in this area is called Playa Norte (North Beach). This popular white sand beach is equipped with bars, restaurants and hotels. Playa Sol is Playa Norte’s less crowded neighbor and is known for its stunning sunset views. When you head to the southern tip of the island, you will find Punta Sur beach with its old lighthouse, the modern art sculpture park, and the Mayan temple.

There are also endless activities to keep you entertained while on Isla Mujeres. Scuba diving and snorkeling are great fun activities, as the waters surrounding the island are teeming with tropical sea creatures and colorful reefs. Some of the best places to dive include Manchones reefs, Punta Norte, the Sleeping Sharks Cave, and two sunken ships. Besides this, you can also sail, kayak, go fishing excursions or organize a trip to see up close the wonderful museum of underwater sculptures by artist Jason de Caires Taylors. This underwater display is the largest of its kind in the world. On dry land, an exciting thing to do is rent a bike, golf cart, or scooter and drive around the island.

If you are visiting with young children; They will also love experiencing the Isla Mujeres Turtle Farm, a government-run hatchery and rehabilitation center for endangered sea turtles.

When the sun goes down, the island’s nightlife doesn’t disappoint those who want to stay up late. But the action is not the usual big party. It is more relaxed, which suits the more relaxed atmosphere of Isla Mujeres. Other highlights you can explore while visiting here include the 19th-century Hacienda Mundaca and Garrafón National Park, home to the ruins of the archaeological temple of the Goddess Ixchel.