Isla Mujeres, Mexico

(about Isla Mujeres, Mexico, added on Sep 5, 2008)

Isla Mujeres, the Island of Women, is one of the natural treasures of Mexico, is a dreamlike place, a truly paradise. This wonderful island combines the beauty of the Caribbean, the lush tropical jungle and the unique heritage of Mayan civilization. It is a place you will fall in love with from the moment you arrived.

Located eight miles from Cancun, Isla Mujeres is surprisingly tiny, yet, it has so many to show and offer. Most of the sights are stored along the 7,5 km long coast; in the interior you can find the two saltwater marshes from where once the Maya inhabitants harvested salt.

Surrounded with beaches on all sides, ideal for sunbathing, swimming, relaxing, one can have a wonderful time on this romantic spot. Playa Norte is evidently the best beach on the entire Riviera Maya, with sparkling-white sands and warm, crystalline water - an unmatched, idyllic place, very sensuous.

Besides these spectacular beaches, you will marvel at the grandeur of the cliffs, at the beauty of the marine parks with their natural reefs and the amazing archeological remains. The island was an important center within Mayan culture (seaport, salt supply and pilgrimage place), and these remains preserved the spirit of the era. On the cliff of Punta Sur, you can find a temple, where the Maya used to worship goddess Ixchel, goddess of fertility, medicine and wellbeing, whom the island was dedicated to. The numerous statues and icons of Ixchel, found by the Spanish, are the source where the name of the island comes from.

Isla Mujeres is home for a variety of exotic fish, not surprisingly, it is a fishing village, but the trade did not make the island commercialized, it remained natural and quiet. Most inhabitants are fishermen, very friendly and welcoming, guiding you around the simple but lively tropical way of life, and don’t be surprised if you’re offered some fresh fish from the latest catch.

There is a lot to discover on this enchanting island. You can swim with dolphins, see a turtle farm, do water sports including windsurfing and admiring the coral reefs during snorkeling and scuba diving-even the waters of the El Garrafon National Park and the cave of the sleeping sharks; you can even practice yoga on the beach, furthermore, you can visit El Meco and Boca Iglesias, Mayan archaeological sites; beach clubs and bars where you can listen and dance to different types of music, Caribbean shows, all kind of restaurants, nightclubs and of course hotels wait for you to fulfill your wishes, while the charm and tranquility of the island is still preserved.

Traditional boat tours are available and are a very good way to discover the main sights of the island and the surrounding areas. Boats leave from the fishing cooperatives, from the main avenue, Rueda Medina. Moreover, tours are offered to the neighboring island Contoy, an ideal place for birdwatchers and naturalists.

If you would like to explore the island in depths and know the locals and their lifestyle better, it is recommended to tour on a golf cart, moped or bike, you will surely enjoy it!

Isla Mujeres, with the unmatched spirit of the Mexican Caribbean, is a place where the unique natural and cultural wealth of Mexico is being saved, is a place where you can have an unforgettable time just as you’ve dreamed of.