Isla Mujeres
Known as a fishing island, Isla Mujeres is located half an hour by ferry from Cancun. This small island is only 8 km long and almost 1 km wide; Isla Mujeres means the Island of Women. In Mexico, Isla Mujeres always had a strategic role because of its geographic location: here is when the sun appears first in Mexico.
The island has a long history, the Maya had already discovered it, but at that time was not inhabited. In 1517 Francisco Cordoba, the Spanish conquistador arrived and named it Isla Mujeres (Women Island).
On one hand, if you come to Isla Mujeres you will find a place where basically time has stopped. It is like if a painting would go alive: walking on the Caribbean style small and colorful streets, the families on Isla Mujeres are sitting out in the afternoon and discussing the news, the local restaurants’ tables are side by side and you can smell the aroma of several delicious Mexican dishes, while the light tropical wind pleasantly blows by. Before the sun appears on the horizon, every day local fishermen go out to the open sea with their colorful small boats to provide the basic elements of the fresh seafood not only to Isla Mujeres but to Cancun as well.
On the other hand, you can find in Isla Mujeres some luxury hotels, where young couples come to get married by the romantic sunset of the Northern part of the island. All in all, you can find all the modern services, like hotels with equipped rooms, internet, telephone etc., basically what you need for a lazy, relaxed Isla Mujeres beach holiday .
Regarding the Isla Mujeres hotels, you will find here more of the small family hotels, than huge hotel complexes, however if you stay in Cancun, it is worth to come for some nights here as well.
The aquatic natural diversity of Isla Mujeres is unique. The open Caribbean Sea awaits those who like snorkel at Coral Reef, scuba dive, take a catamaran tour or sail. If you prefer the peaceful sandy beach with romantic sunset and hammock, you should go to Playa Norte, Isla Mujeres Northern part.
An aquatic eco-park, Garrafon Park, is a must, even from Cancun many tourists arrive here by ferry or with an All inclusive Isla Mujeres tour with transport. It is a perfect place for recreational aquatic activities, like snorkeling, kayak, or have an adventurous slide down on a flying zip-line directly to the Caribbean Sea.
Dolphin Discovery, at the northern part of Isla Mujeres ,is where you have chance to swimming with dolphins or swim with sharks, give a kiss to a sea lion, see manatees and relax surrounded by a beautiful tropical nature.
Nearby, there is also a turtle farm, where marine specialists take care of the protected Sea Turtles.
The best way to get around Isla Mujeres is to rent a golf car or a bike.
If you get hungry at Isla Mujeres (and you will), don’t miss to try tikinxik, very tasty local grilled fish, or a ceviche which is a fresh seafood dish.
At Isla Mujeres you will relax as nowhere else, enjoying the hot tropical sun, the charming Caribbean beach with coco palm trees and hammock, with a frozen margarita in your hand.
