Once a sacred pilgrimage site for the Mayan natives, 5-mile-long Isla Mujeres (located 12 miles north of Cancun, by boat) is now a top spot for travelers seeking sunny days, pristine beaches, good food, tropical bars, and a casual lifestyle that you just can’t get on the mainland.
The island was named by Spanish conquistador Francisco Hernandez de Cordoba, who visited the island in 1517 to look for gold and other riches. Though he didn’t find precious metals, he did discover a large number of Mayan statuettes of women, which had been used in religious ceremonies. It was then that he named the spot Isla Mujeres, which translates to the “Island of the Women.” Other visitors included pirates, among them Jean Lafitte, and then later the island was discovered by hippies and bohemians who used the island as a place to get away from civilization and commune with nature and all it had to offer.
Today, the island’s few narrow roads are best explored in golf carts, which are available for rent by the hour or by the day. The top tourist attraction is Garrafon Park, a snorkeling paradise with a shallow protected cove and a coral reef heavily populated with fish and other marine life. Other draws include a Spanish fort, museum, town square, shopping boutiques, and tranquil beaches. Snorkeling, fishing, and diving are the main activities, and boats leave from the municipal pier throughout the day on various excursions. The island was partially destroyed by Hurricane Wilma in 2005. The infrastructure was badly damaged and the entire island was incommunicado for nearly a week. It has been rebuilt and is once again welcoming guests to its tropical shores.
There is an HSBC Bank across from the ferry dock, and there are several ATMs and money-exchange houses in the downtown area. There is a clinic near the town square (Centro de salud, 998-877-0117), and the Red Cross provides ambulance service throughout the island (998-877-0280).
If you've already got accommodations on the mainland, but still want to visit Isla Mujeres, try a day cruise, with open bar, lunch and snorkeling.
Recommended Isla Mujeres Hotels:
Avalon Reef Club
Villa Rolandi Gourmet & Beach Club
Ixchel Beach Hotel
More:
All Isla Mujeres Hotels
Riviera Maya Hotels
Airport Transportation
Tours & Activities
Riviera Maya Guidebook
