For such a small, sleepy place, there’s all kinds of issues to do in Isla Mujeres — an island positioned off the coast of Cancun in Mexico.
Translated from Spanish, Isla Mujeres means the “Island of Ladies”, named after the Mayan Goddess Ixchel, the Goddess of fertility and happiness.
There are quite a few unimaginable locations to go to in Mexico, however ensure you add Isla Mujeres to the listing!
A fast, 20-minute ferry journey from Cancun will whisk you away to an island paradise of heat turquoise waters, swaying palm timber and white silky sand seashores.
Isla Mujeres is ideal for a day journey however we suggest staying longer, particularly if you wish to escape the occasion scene and all the loopy issues to do in Cancun. That is the place to come back to take pleasure in a soothing island break.
Observe: This submit has been up to date March, 2022 to mirror present charges, points of interest and issues to do (and never do) in Isla Mujeres. Get pleasure from!
On this submit, I’ll listing the 20 finest issues to do in Isla Mujeres you don’t need to miss, however first…
Getting To & From Isla Mujeres
You might have totally different choices to get to Isla Mujeres from the Cancun Airport — both by bus, taxis on the airport, or non-public transportation booked previous to your arrival.
Many individuals choose to take non-public transportation to Isla Mujeres booked with Cancun Airport Transportation. The automobile supplied is a van, and the journey is non-public — in the event you ebook it, you get the automobile to your self.
It’s also possible to share with a bunch of individuals to cut back the fee. The vans embrace a bilingual driver, air-con, and insurance coverage.
To get from the Cancun airport to Isla Mujeres, the price of the entire van could be $45 one-way, or $75 spherical journey. Click here to learn more.
1. Laze On The Pristine Playa Norte Seaside
A ten-minute stroll from the Ferry Pier is the favored seaside of Playa Norte or North Seaside. That is the primary seaside on Isla Mujeres and has been named the most effective seashores within the Caribbean!
The water right here is calm, and shallow, making it an awesome spot for households or for only a chilled out day of floating round.
2. Verify Out Punta Sur
Punta Sur is positioned on the southern tip of Isla Mujeres. Right here you possibly can go to the Pre-Colombian Mayan Ruins of Ixchel, or just admire the beautiful rocky views. It is a beautiful place to easily come and benefit from the surroundings.
When you’re searching for an awesome place to calm down, snorkel and have a drink in Punta Sur, try Garaffon de Castilla — which is positioned subsequent to the Garrafon Reef Park (which we listing beneath, and don’t suggest).
For 100 pesos ($5), you might have entry to the lounge chairs, showers, change rooms and snorkel gear as effectively. It is a good, mellow spot to calm down through the afternoon.
Garrafon Reef Park is positioned subsequent door and is house to the Sculpture Backyard, ziplining, and different “resort” sort issues. In 2001 the Sebastian Basis and 23 well-known artists from Mexico and all over the world created sculptures to signify the Mayan civilisation.
Observe: Whereas we suggest visiting the southern a part of Isla Mujeres, Goats On The Highway doesn’t assist Garrafon Park as a consequence of the truth that captive dolphins are saved right here. Be a accountable traveller and contemplate the place you need your tourism {dollars} to go.
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3. Hire A Golf Cart (the most effective issues to do in Isla Mujeres)
To have the ability to expertise all of the issues to do in Isla Mujeres we suggest that you simply lease a golf cart for the day. That is fully regular and is a well-liked factor to do.
There are a lot of golf automotive rental companies obtainable across the ferry port and you’ll anticipate to pay $45 – 55USD per day for a 2 seater.
When you want to rent a golf buggy for every week you possibly can anticipate to pay wherever between $270 -375. The longer the rental, the cheaper the speed might be. You have to a legitimate driver’s licence so as to lease a golf cart.
And, in the event you’re into {golfing}, and never simply using golf carts, be sure to move to the city of San Pancho on the west coast. {Golfing} is without doubt one of the high issues to do in San Pancho, the course there may be effectively saved and really good! Or, there are some nice {golfing} alternatives in Cancun as effectively.
4. Be a part of a Yoga Class
The Treehouse overlooks Playa Norte and it’s a paradise for yoga lovers. Get pleasure from an early morning dawn yoga class or a night sundown class.
When you’re trying to get some train throughout your journey, practising yoga is without doubt one of the high issues to do in Isla Mujeres. Costs begin at $20 for 90 minutes and there are courses to go well with all ranges. For the newest timings, and courses try their Facebook page.
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5. Stroll Round Centro & Admire The Sea Wall Murals
As accountable travellers, we’re all for the preservation of our world’s ocean and we had been delighted to see the ‘Sea Wall Murals’ of Isla Mujeres.
These murals had been created by numerous high road artists from all over the world to boost consciousness of marine species threatened by extinction within the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico.
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6. Day Journey to Isla Contoy
Isla Contoy is positioned 30 km north of Isla Mujeres. This pure wildlife reserve and hen sanctuary is 9 km lengthy and 20 metres broad and was declared a Nationwide Park in 1998.
Isla Contoy is without doubt one of the most essential areas in Mexico for nesting sea birds and sea turtles. There’s a most of 200 vacationers allowed to go to every day. A day tour begins from $75 per individual click here for more information.
7. MUSA (Underwater Museum of Artwork in Isla Mujeres)
Some of the widespread actions in Isla Mujeres is to go to MUSA, (Museo Subacuático de Arte). You’ll be able to tour the underwater museum by glass-bottom boat and luxuriate in over 500 sculptures by the creator Jason deCaires Taylor.
For a greater expertise, and to get nearer to the sculptures, head on a snorkelling tour or go scuba diving. MUSA was created to encourage guests to go to an alternate space round Isla Mujeres taking the stress off the close by reef.
Underwater sculpture parks are created as vacationer points of interest, however they’re additionally used as synthetic reefs to assist promote the expansion of coral and the return of extra marine life. A go to to underwater sculptures (by the identical artist) can also be one of many high issues to do in Grenada, and the Bahamas.
The location in Isla Mujeres is split into two galleries with 3 salons:
- Salon Nizuc – at a depth of 4 metres and appropriate for snorkelling, the Jungle Tour and the Glass Backside Boat Tour
- Salon Punta Sam – appropriate for snorkelling
- Salone Machones – at a depth of 8 metres and appropriate for each snorkellers and scuba divers
For extra info on reserving click here.
8. Go Fishing
The turquoise blue waters of Isla Mujeres are good for deep-sea fishing, inshore fishing, and spearfishing. The very best months for sailfish and marlin are from mid-December by to July. When you favor tuna fishing the most effective months are between April and August.
Relying on what sort of fishing you take pleasure in essentially the most, there are a lot of constitution operators that can cater to your wants, starting from constitution boats to personal yacht excursions.
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9. Swim With Whale Sharks
One other widespread water exercise in Isla Mujeres is to swim with Whale Sharks (it’s additionally one of many high issues to do in Cabo San Lucas). The very best time to go to Mexico if you wish to see these stunning creatures is through the summer season months of June to September.
Whale Sharks can attain a size of 14 metres and they’re actually simply light giants weighing in at round 15 tonnes.
Official regulating our bodies have put a cap on excursions at round $145 per individual. The tour consists of swimming with the whale sharks, breakfast, lunch, gentle drinks, snorkel tools and normally a while to snorkel the reefs.
It’s unlawful to the touch the sharks and you could hold a distance of two metres. It’s essential that you simply do your analysis and go together with a good, eco-conscious tour firm that regulates and respects the principles. Take a look at this highly-rated tour with EcoColors Mexico.
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10. Go to La Tortuga Granja (Turtle Farm)
Situated on Sac Bajo is La Tortuga Granja, the hatching floor for the ocean turtles on Isla Mujeres.
From Could to September these grand creatures lay their eggs within the gentle sand the place volunteers help in gathering the eggs and putting them in pens to maintain them secure from predators.
From August to October, you possibly can witness the native kids and vacationers releasing the turtles into the ocean. As with the whale sharks, don’t contact the ocean turtles. Entrance charge is $3.00 per individual.
11. Get Underwater Whereas Scuba Diving
Isla Mujeres has a number of the finest scuba diving within the Caribbean. Right here you possibly can take pleasure in some unimaginable caves, and an abundance of sea life — eels, groupers, snappers, turtles, parrotfish and quite a few corals.
A singular expertise is diving on the Cave of the Sleeping Sharks the place a big group of reef, bull, and nurse sharks might be seen sleeping on the underside of the ocean. At a depth of 20-30 meters, this dive web site is really useful for superior divers.
Different widespread websites embrace the Machones Reef (800m in size), Tavos Reef, Media Luna, Punta Sur and the location of the Navy Boat Shipwreck (at a depth of 21m). Take a look at Squalo Adventures for scuba diving journeys.
12. Joysxee Floating Bottle Island
Replace: sadly, as a consequence of a horrible storm, this island isn’t right here anymore and is completely closed.
An island created from plastic bottles! What an effective way to make the most of a number of the extreme quantities of plastic on the island.
When you plan to go to, be sure the creator Richard Sowa is in residence. He’ll come and accumulate you by small boat and costs 50 pesos ($2.50) per individual to take you again to his island created from over 150,000 bottles.
Richard explains how he gathers plastic bottles from Isla Mujeres and creates a platform from them by putting them into baggage. On high of the baggage, he locations picket pallets, plywood, carpet, sand and dust, and rocks after which crops mangroves that help in binding all of it collectively.
A go to right here is without doubt one of the most unusual issues to do in Isla Mujeres.
13. Snorkelling in Isla Mujeres
If you’re a newbie and haven’t achieved a lot snorkelling prior to now, the most effective place to snorkel is El Farito. El Farito, to the north of the island, is shallow and ideal for novices to see colleges of vibrant fish.
Los Machones is extra suited to advance snorkellers with a depth of 35 – 40 ft. Different wonderful snorkel websites embrace MUSA, Garrafon Pure Reef Park and Isla Contoy. For extra snorkelling and diving, don’t miss Mexico’s hottest island and all the unimaginable issues to do in Cozumel!
14. Volunteer Strolling Canines
When you love canine, you’ll need to be sure to drop in at Isla Animals.
The workforce right here is at all times searching for volunteers who’re in a position to assist out with strolling canine, giving pet cuddles, and in the event you’re , bathing, grooming, and helping on the spay/neutering clinic.
Isla Animals accepts volunteers every single day from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm, no appointment is critical. Be at liberty to drop in and say hello and assist out. Volunteering actually is without doubt one of the most memorable and significant issues you are able to do in Isla Mujeres.
15. Go to Mercado Municipal
A go to to Mercado Municipal in Centro is a should in your listing of issues to do in Isla Mujeres. Not solely are you able to absorb the native environment, however the genuine meals is reasonable and scrumptious.
For as little as a couple of {dollars}, you possibly can take pleasure in the most effective fish tacos and empanadas on the island. It does shut early afternoon so ensure you arrive round lunchtime.
16. Expertise The Zocalo
Each Mexican city has a central sq. known as a Zocalo (it’s the most effective issues to do in Mexico Metropolis as effectively). I like to recommend visiting the Zocalo on Isla Mujeres within the night, as you’ll discover meals distributors promoting tasty native Mexican road meals. Plus, there’s music, leisure and dancing.
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17. Go On a Purchasing Spree
Searching for genuine souvenirs and clothes is without doubt one of the high issues to do in Mexico as a complete. You’ll discover the standard Mexican memento retailers in Isla Mujeres, however in the event you’re after Tequila or Mezcal, people artwork, silver jewelry, hammocks, and Mexican ceramics there are particular retailers that you need to try.
A number of the finest buying might be discovered alongside Avenida Rueda Medina, however don’t miss:
- Galeria de Arte Mexicano – Av Guerrero 3 for silver jewelry
- Galeria L’mento Arte – Av. Hidalgo, at Plaza Los Almendros for picket containers, ceramics and hand carved items
- Isla Mujeres Artist Honest – On the primary Thursday of each month between November and April the honest takes place within the Zocalo between 4 pm and 9 pm. There are artworks, jewelry, clothes and ebook stalls with a choice of native meals distributors providing Mexican delicacies.
18. Sundown Cruise on a Catamaran
An ideal solution to finish the day is to take pleasure in a cocktail or two while crusing at sundown round Isla Mujeres. This tremendous enjoyable, 4-hour boat journey consists of swimming, drinks and meals, and naturally, the gorgeous sundown.
Don’t miss the extremely rated Isla Mujeres exercise! For extra info and to ebook click here.
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19. Eat Tasty Meals
You’re in Mexico, so it comes as no shock that the meals in Isla Mujeres is wonderful! To not point out, that is an island so you possibly can anticipate some scrumptious seafood choices. Listed below are a couple of eating places you don’t need to miss:
- Cafe Mango at Playa Obispo for native Mexican delicacies. An amazing breakfast cafe.
- North Garden for breakfast by the seaside on Playa Norte
- Cafe Mogagua at Av Juarez at Madero for breakfast and lunch
When you’re backpacking Mexico on a price range, you’ll positively need to try the Mercado Municipal for reasonable eats.
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20. Taco and Margarita Tour
Tacos and margaritas go hand in hand! Uncover a number of the finest taco stands and distinctive margaritas on this enjoyable 3-hour walking and foodie experience.
For tacos, you’ll get to pattern some tasty varieties — Al Pastor, Shrimp, Rooster, Fish & Tripa or Arrachera (beef). And for margaritas, there are some refreshing and attention-grabbing choices as effectively — Pomegranate, conventional lime, Paloma and both Cucumber-Basil or Watermelon-Jalapeno.
Not solely will you be capable of eat and drink, however you’ll be exploring the island whereas studying extra about Isla Mujeres along with your English talking information. Click here to study extra about this enjoyable journey.
21. Be a part of a Biking Journey
Isla Mujeres is the right place to go biking. Throughout this enjoyable expertise, you’ll cycle round the entire island — which is simply 14 kilometres in complete — with a information who is definitely from Isla Mujeres.
Study concerning the island, go to some neighbourhoods, benefit from the sea views, and cease for drinks and meals alongside the best way. Click here to study extra about this extremely rated, distinctive exercise in Isla Mujeres.
Now You Know What To Do in Isla Mujeres
In 2001, SECTUR (Mexican Board of Tourism) put collectively a Pueblo Magico program to recognise Mexican cities which have a particular enchantment or magic about them in 3 classes — pure magnificence, historical past and tradition.
Isla Mujeres now shares the title with over 80 different cities and cities all through Mexico. The island has a particular attraction to it, making it a spot it would be best to return to repeatedly.
It shares the limelight with the charming cobblestoned village of Tepoztlan and its magical pyramid, San Miguel de Allende, San Cristobal de las Casas, Tulum and Taxco, to call a couple of.
Isla Mujeres is an ideal trip vacation spot for households, {couples}, solo travellers and backpackers. It’s a type of locations that pulls you again yr after yr and has a lot to supply guests.
Who couldn’t love its heat azure waters, good temperatures all yr spherical, enjoyable actions and beautiful sunrises and sunsets?
Hopefully, this listing gave you some nice concepts for issues to do in Isla Mujeres in your subsequent vacation. Have you ever visited Isla Mujeres? Add one other exercise or two within the feedback beneath!
Photographs on this article are courtesy of Shutterstock.com.
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