I followed my amazing visit to Bacalar with a short vacation on Isla Mujeres to round off my Caribbean sojourn in Mexico. When people think of a vacation on the Caribbean Coast of Mexico, it’s usually Cancun, the Riviera Maya, Tulum and Playa del Carmen that will most often come to mind. While these locations on Mexico’s Caribbean Coast are undeniably beautiful; they are some of the most touristy and hectic spots in the entire country. Isla Mujeres on the other hand, is just a short-distance from the frenetic hub of Cancun, but has a slower, quieter, and more laid-back vibe than many other destinations on Mexico’s Caribbean Coast. If you’re looking to enjoy Mexico’s Caribbean coast without all the flashing lights and parties; a vacation on Isla Mujeres is a perfect combination of having some of Mexico’s most stunning white sand beaches, along with just enough civilization accessible that you feel comfortable, but still can have the area’s stunning natural surroundings as the center-piece of your trip.
Contents:
- Transportation
- Where to stay on Isla Mujeres
- Dining
- Playa Norte
- Biking around Isla Mujeres
- Rent a Golf Cart
- Swim with Whale Sharks
- Diving and Snorkeling around Isla Mujeres
- Capilla de Guadalupe
- Visit Punta Sur
- Trip costs for 6 days and 5 nights on Isla Mujeres
- Final thoughts on visiting Isla Mujeres
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Transportation to Isla Mujeres:
Getting to Isla Mujeres is not complicated. From Cancun Airport, you can take a bus or shuttle (approximately $8USD) to the ferry terminal in Puerto Juarez, then it’s a 1 hour ferry journey (approximately $10USD) directly to Isla Mujeres. The whole journey costs about $20USD (Spring 2022 prices) and takes you from Cancun airport directly to the ferry dock at the town centre of Isla Mujeres.
Important note: If your flight is arriving late, note that the last ferry leaves Puerto Juaraz at 11pm. It takes about 1.5 hours to get from the airport to Puerto Juaraz. Keep this timing in mind and account for the possibility of flights delays etc. If your flight is arriving later in the day, you might consider spending the night in Cancun or Puerto Juaraz and taking the ferry the next morning rather than potentially wasting a night of accommodations in Isla Mujeres in case your flight is delayed (it’s not like you will see much of the island if you arrive late in any case).
Where to stay on Isla Mujeres:
The north end of the island where the ferries from the mainland arrive is the main tourist area of the island with many restaurants, bars, shopping and services. The area is also where one the largest white sand beaches – Playa Norte – on the island is located. The shoreline of Isla Mujeres outside of the Northern Peninsula is often rocky and unsuitable for bathing. While there are some beautiful beaches outside the Northern Peninsula; Playas Norte, and Playa Central on the Northern Pennisula are certainly the two longest sandy beaches accessible by the public. For this reason, many tourists choose the Playa Norte area on the North end of the island for accommodations.
I stayed at the beautiful Selina Poc Na Isla Mujeres. Which is centrally located in the northern peninsula of the island. The property has affordable dormitories – with capsule beds, private lockers and privacy curtains – as well as a variety of different private room options. This beautiful property is well equipped with attractive lounge areas, full-kitchen, free filtered water, pool and even a gym area with free exercise classes offered daily.
Nomads Hotel, Hostel & Beach Club – offers beachfront accommodations mid-island. The location is perfect for someone looking to be away from the hustle and bustle of the North End of the island but still be close enough to get to the services and attractions of the Northern end of the island if need be. Nomads offers affordable dormitory and private room options. The beautiful property also has lovely private beach and lounge areas complete with sunbeds, loungers, and a lively bar area.
For a luxury experience, MIA Reef All-Inclusive, is one of the most popular options on Isla Mujeres. Located at the northern tip of the island with its own private beaches, MIA Reef is great for those who want a vacation on Isla Mujeres where everything is taken care of, with high standards of service. Every room has an ocean view, and all meals, snacks, and drinks are included in the room price.
Dining:
There are an enormous number of dining options available on Isla Mujeres – with most restaurants located predominantly on the northern end of the island. I really enjoyed the tacos at Xantolo. If you’re on the island on a Tuesday, I recommend partaking in “Taco Tuesday” at Xantolo where you can get a free margarita from their extensive drink menu with your taco order. I tried the watermelon jalapeno margarita – which was to die for. Lola Valentina’s is a well-reviewed restaurant that serves Mexican and seafood dishes in their sprawling semi-al fresco restaurant. Fish & Gin serves delicious seafood, and an extensive gin-themed drink menu. Further down the island Limon Restaurant is also highly reviewed for its upscale Mexican and Seafood cuisine.
Playa Norte:
The long stretch of Playa Norte is one of the largest and most iconic white sand beaches on Isla Mujeres. Its glowing aquamarine waters are some of the most sublime I’ve ever swum in. Definitely try an incredible fruit paleta (frozen fruit popsicle) from one of the many vendors that sell them directly on the beach. They’re only 20MXN ($1USD) each and are heavenly to enjoy between swims on the beach.
Biking around Isla Mujeres:
The ring-road around Isla Mujeres offers a quiet and flat biking experience for those who want to explore the island by bicycle. The ride around the island is only 14KM can be leisurely cycled around in about 2 hours – faster if you don’t make any stops. Full-day bicycle rentals are just $10-$12USD (Spring 2022 prices).
Rent a Golf cart:
For those less inclined to cycle their away around the island, renting a golf cart to drive around the island is an ideal way to cruise around the island with the wind on your face, without having to break a sweat.
Swim with Whale Sharks:
Awe-inspiring Whale Sharks are typically in the Isla Mujeres area from around June 1st to mid-September annually. You can take an excursion to see them, and swim alongside them in the wild!
Diving and Snorkeling around Isla Mujeres:
There are some wonderful dive and snorkeling sites around Isla Mujeres. This well-reviewed 2-tank diving excursion takes you to the MUSA underwater museum (likely the most popular dive site around Isla Mujeres) as well as the Machone Reef. If you’re not a certified diver, you can opt to do a snorkeling excursion instead. This well-reviewed snorkeling excursion also visits three snorkeling locations including MUSA and the Machone Reef, and also includes lunch.
Capilla de Guadalupe:
Whether you bike or take motorized transport around the island, the tranquil, seaside Capilla de Guadalupe is worth a stop. Parishioners and visitors can see a stunning view of the ocean from the floor-to-ceiling windows that form the entire ocean-facing side of the church from the pews.
Visit Punta Sur:
Punta Sur with its beautiful rocky shoreline stands in stark contrast to the tranquil white sand beaches that line the Northern end of the island. Walk along the well-maintained stone path around the rocky southern point of Isla Mujeres. The trail dips down to a craggy path that is frequently misted by the powerful ocean waves in the area. There’s a small entry fee of 50MXN to access the grounds at Punta Sur.
Trip Costs for 6 days and 5 nights on Isla Mujeres:
Accommodations: $163.37USD
Transportation: $48.47USD
Food and Dining: $106.45USD
Excursions & Rentals: $58USD
Total: $376.29USD
Final thoughts on Isla Mujeres:
I greatly enjoyed my short vacation on Isla Mujeres. The island is a perfect getaway for those who want an easy getaway to a tropical paradise; without having to deal with the noise and chaos of some of the larger coastal hub cities on Mexico’s Caribbean Coast. While I’m not overly concerned about safety on Mexico’s Caribbean coast – as tourists hubs are generally well-protected – I did find Isla Mujeres felt a lot safer than the mainland cities. The higher perception of safety and security is likely because everyone has to come here by boat – so it’s a little more controlled in a sense.
If you’re just spending a short time on the Caribbean Coast of Mexico, there are also many day trips that you can take to Isla Mujeres from mainland hubs like Cancun. If you have some time however, I definitely recommend staying a few nights on Isla Mujeres to fully appreciate this beautiful piece of paradise.