MexiGo by Eliza C

Isla Mujeres

This Mayan jewel is located 8.07 mi (13 km) from Cancún in the state of Quintana Roo and has a population of around 13,000. It was found in 1517 by conquistador Francisco Hernández de Córdoba, who discovered the Yucatán Peninsula. In pre-Hispanic times, Mayan goddess Ixchel, goddess of the moon, love and fertility, was worshipped on this island, and young girls made a pilgrimage here in their teens as a rite of passage to adulthood. Among the Mayan ruins, the Spanish found ceremonial objects that symbolised women, so they named the island Isla Mujeres (mujeres = women).

1. What to see
1.1. The main beaches
1.2. Punta Sur
1.3. Parque Garrafón
1.4. MUSA (Museo Subacuático de Arte)
2. Where to eat
2.1. Green Demon Beach Club
2.2. North Garden
2.3. Café Mogagua
3. Where to stay
4. How to get there

What to see

📷 The main beaches

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Anchor 2

The Caribbean Sea (on my way to the island)

Of course, most tourists come here to laze around on the beach and maybe escape the party atmosphere of Cancún, at least for a short while. The ferry trip to Isla Mujeres takes about 30 minutes and that's where the adventure begins. The many shades of the turquoise sea will keep you busy taking pictures and you might feel a little disappointed the camera won't quite capture the Caribbean magic that surrounds you. It wouldn't be a bad idea to put your phone down for a couple of minutes and just soak in the view. This trip will make you connect with nature so effortlessly.

🏝️ Playa Norte. This white pristine beach stretches for 0.62 mi (1 km) along the clear turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea. The sea is quite calm and shallow here, so it is safe for children to swim, and even if you can't swim (like me 😄), you will enjoy the experience because the water gradually gets deeper further out and has a maximum depth of 8 ft (2.5 m).

🏝️ Playa El Cocal. Right next to Playa Norte on the left lies Playa El Cocal, a little more crowded due to the bars and restaurants that have opened here.

🏝️ Playa Centro. This beach is probably the most crowded one, but it is an excellent choice if you are looking for souvenir shops and a wider range of restaurants.

📷 Punta Sur

This is a beautiful park located on the southern tip of the island. You might want to rent a golf cart to get there. You will love the cliffs, the well-maintained trails and the sculpture of Mayan goddess Ixchel.

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📷 Parque Garrafón

This reef park is a great alternative to the main beaches of Isla Mujeres if you are looking for a more quiet and exclusive space. It doesn't get very crowded and it offers a wide range of activities, from kayaking and snorkeling to swimming in a panoramic pool and enjoying a Mayan temazcal (traditional sweat lodge ceremony). Get your tickets 👉here.

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📷 MUSA (Museo Subacuático de Arte)

9 am - 2 pm daily

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At a depth of 30 ft (9.14 m), this is a unique underwater art museum with over 500 life-size sculptures distributed on the bottom of the sea into three galleries. Apart from their artistic value, these sculptures have an ecological purpose, as they stimulate rapid coral growth and provide a habitat that the marine species can colonise.

The fee you will pay varies depending on where you start the tour from (Cancún or Isla Mujeres) and the type of experience you choose.

There are three types of tours:

🤿 the snorkeling / scuba diving tour

🤿 the glass-bottom boat tour

🤿 the jungle tour

Compare the options and book your tour 👉here.