After spending a few days of clubbing and fun in the glamor of Cancun, perhaps you should relax a bit and visit Isla Mujeres, which is an island located just 25 minutes by boat from Cancun, you can get there departing from the Calinda Pier in Cancun Hotel Zone, from Puerto Juárez; or if you prefer from Punta Sam where the Ferry can take you with everything and your car.
To get to know all the corners of Isla Mujeres, a very good option is to visit it in a golf cart, scooter or even by bicycle. Isla Mujeres is barely 5 kilometers long and you can walk around it practically without leaving the road. Avenida Rueda Medina is the main avenue in the city center, it is the first one you will step on when you get off the ship.
On this avenue, the fishing cooperatives can offer you boat rides to the main points of interest in Isla Mujeres Sea. There are not very expensive tours and you can choose to take them, just always make sure that they offer you security and good service.
Just like these, in the center of Isla Mujeres you can find some places that offer you tours to Isla Contoy, diving excursions or even swimming with the whale shark.
Playa Norte (North Beach)
When your bare feet land on Playa Norte you will be on one of the best beaches in Mexico, its white sand invites you to swim or practice any of the water sports on offer. But the truth is that most of those who visit Playa Norte simply go to rest and lie down under one of the palm trees that you can find there to get a tan.
There are some restaurants and bars on the beach, you can order a beer and enjoy fresh seafood that is sold on the spot. On this beach, semi-nudism or (topless) is allowed.
If you stay in Isla Mujeres it is convenient to see the sunrise from Playa Norte, it is simply something spectacular.
Hacienda Mundaca
In Isla Mujeres there are the vestiges of what many years ago was a prosperous agricultural, livestock and artisan hacienda. Popularly known as “ Hacienda del Pirata Mundaca ”, it was built in the 19th century by the Spaniard Fermín Mundaca y Marecheaga, who the story tells of who arrived and lived on Isla Mujeres in 1858, during the trafficking of Mayan prisoners to Cuba.
Fermín Mundaca built his hacienda between 1862 and 1876, which he dedicated to a woman known as Martiniana Gómez Pantoja, better known as ” La Trigueña “, with whom the pirate fell in love, but since she never reciprocated, Mundaca, tired of insisting, fell ill and died.
Playa Paraíso, Playa Lancheros y Playa Indios
Passing by the side of the Bay of Isla Mujeres (in front of Cancun), there are three famous beaches in Isla Mujeres for their exquisite seafood.
Here you can delight your palate with the famous “ Tikin-Xic ” grilled fish. You will love it!
On these beaches, you can also find souvenir shops, take pictures, buy typical clothes, swim with the gata sharks or practice snorkeling to enjoy the marine species that inhabit Isla Mujeres.
Garrafon Park
El Garrafón Park owes its name to a beautiful reef located a few meters from the coast. It is one of the best places to practice snorkeling in both Isla Mujeres and Cancun. If you have never snorkeled, doing so in the Garrafón Park will leave you with a very pleasant experience, since the waters are very calm and practically without waves.
The Park is licensed and has an access charge, I recommend you go with a travel agency to purchase your tickets. It is located shortly before reaching Punta Sur and is open every day from 8am to 5pm.
El Garrafón Park also has attractions such as zip-line flights over the sea, kayaks, restaurants and some water sports and facilities such as chairs, pools, hammocks, bathrooms, etc.
Punta Sur Sculpture Park
Located in the Punta Sur of Isla Mujeres (south of the island) is the Punta Sur Sculpture Park, a place with various sculptures by 23 national and international artists, all outdoors.
This Sculpture Park ends at the temple of the Mayan Goddess Ixchel, a small archaeological area dedicated to the goddess of Fertility and the Moon, whom Mayan women venerated in her transition from girl to woman.
The South Point Lighthouse
If you have the opportunity to go up to the lighthouse that is located in Punta Sur you will get a spectacular view of the Caribbean Sea, it is not high but from here you can see the cliffs that surround the Punta Sur of Isla Mujeres.
The Turtle Farm
One kilometer north of Playa Lancheros is the Tortugranja, a place intended to protect the Sea Turtle, which has been persecuted for a long time either to sell its eggs or even its meat, which has almost led it to the point of being in danger of extinction.
It has a small aquarium where you can see several ponds with turtles of all sizes for their protection and later release. It is worth visiting the Isla Mujeres turtle farm, especially if you are traveling with children as it is a very educational experience.
Stay on Isla Mujeres!
It is worth staying at least one night to enjoy Isla Mujeres. In the late afternoon or night you can go to any of the restaurants or bars located in the center of Isla Mujeres, and live with local people and other tourists who, like you, are only looking for a relaxed atmosphere but at the same time fun.
Among the places that we recommend you to visit are: Kokonuts, Rolandis, Tequila Sunrise or Playa Sol.
There are very good hotels from 3 to 5 stars for all budgets. Do not forget the opportunity to spend a day on this small but wonderful Island of Mexico, it will undoubtedly leave you with many more memories than those you can take in photographs.