Things to do and see in Isla Mujeres

Isla Mujeres is an island in the Caribbean Sea, recognised worldwide for its beauty and as a destination to disconnect and enjoy. Only 13 kilometres off the coast of Cancun, Isla Mujeres is characterised by its beautiful beaches of crystal clear water and white sand. In addition to its beaches, this destination has perfect places for snorkelling, historical sites and Mayan ruins, as well as a wide range of nightlife. It is the ideal destination to escape, enjoy and recharge your batteries.

According to Mayan legend, Isla Mujeres was deified by the goddess of the moon and fertility, Ixchel, and the island was a place of pilgrimage. Every year, women from all over Mexico would make pilgrimages to the island, making offerings to the goddess Ixchel, to ensure her fertility as they changed from girls to women. Thus, this enchanting island was given the name Isla Mujeres, and has become a privileged point of magic and beauty.

Things to see in Isla Mujeres

Beaches

Isla Mujeres is world renowned for its magnificent beaches, water and endless white sand. If there is one thing you will do on this island, it is to enjoy its coastline and all the activities it has to offer. Among the most famous and recommended beaches on the island are Playa Norte, Playa Lancheros, Playa Garrafón, and Playa Indios. Besides sunbathing and swimming without worries, these beaches have several clubs with restaurants and bars, where you can also enjoy some authentic tacos between swims. These waters are also perfect for snorkelling and discovering the island’s marine fauna.

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North Beach

Playa Norte is considered one of the 25 best beaches in the world. It is ranked number 17 on the Travellers Choice Awards list, and no wonder. Playa Norte, known for its crystal clear waters from the Caribbean Sea, its palm trees and its fantastic white sand, is a beach to be admired by its visitors. This beach is the perfect place to spend a calm day enjoying the surroundings and the views, but particularly stands out for the magic of its sunset. This beach also has several different restaurants in the area.

Lancheros Beach

This is another of the most popular beaches on Isla Mujeres, and deservedly so. Its sand is not as fine-textured as some of the neighbouring beaches. But everything about it makes for an idyllic, almost paradisiacal stay. In addition to its appearance, Playa Lancheros is also known for the restaurant La casa el Tikinxik. Moreover, this open-air restaurant is well known for serving the best Tikin Xic fish on the island, a warm recipe from Isla Mujeres.

Punta Sur and the Mayan temple to Ixchel

Punta Sur is a very special corner of Isla Mujeres and the perfect spot to watch the sunrise. It is a cliff where you can breathe peace and tranquillity. Also, here you can enjoy beautiful views of the sea. This spot is especially unique for admiring the sunrise, as its location is the first place where the sun’s rays can be seen in Mexico.

Punta Sur is also known for being the strategic place where the Mayan temple dedicated to the goddess Ixchel is located. Archaeologists recognise that Isla Mujeres was a sanctuary dedicated to Ixchel. In Mayan mythology, Ixchel was worshipped as the goddess of the moon, and wife of Itzamna, the god of the sun and wisdom. She was also associated as a figure of motherhood and fertility. The Maya used to represent her as a young woman by the waxing moon or an old woman by the waning moon. Every year women from all the villages in the north of Quintana Roo would make a canoe trip to the island.

Punta Sur Sculpture Park

Located in the Punta Sur of Isla Mujeres is the Punta Sur Sculpture Park. It is a place where several sculptures by 23 national and international artists are displayed in the open air.

Punta Sur Lighthouse

A must do if you go to Punta del Sur is to go up to the lighthouse. From here you will have a spectacular view of the Caribbean Sea. Moreover, you can appreciate the cliffs that surround Punta Sur in Isla Mujeres.

Hidalgo Street

One of the most characteristic attractions of Isla Mujeres is its nightlife and partying. To enjoy the most captivating atmosphere and energy of Isla Mujeres, Calle Hidalgo is the place to be. It is a pedestrian street full of clubs and venues where you can enjoy a unique and authentic night out. In addition, some of its venues have shows where fun and a good atmosphere are guaranteed.

Immaculate Conception Parish Church

Although it is a destination that does not stand out for its monuments, the Parroquia Inmaculada Concepción is an exception. It is the main church on the island, and a charming stop that will complete your picture of the island. Moreover, this parish remains open to the public so you can go inside and admire it.

What to do on Isla Mujeres

Snorkelling or diving in Isla Mujeres

The calm waters of this island, full of coral reefs, are a very good option for snorkelling. The best area to practice these activities is the west side of Isla Mujeres. Also, you can visit the underwater sculptures near the Manchones reef in the southern part of the island.

However, if you want to go scuba diving, the eastern side of the island is more recommendable due to the depth of its waters. The reefs that surround the island are very characteristic, as they are also part of its attraction. Diving is usually done in some of the reefs closest to the island, such as Banderas Reef. This is located between Cancun and Isla Mujeres. Moreover, it has an enormous amount of coral and marine life.

The Underwater Museum of Art (Muse)

If you prefer to enjoy the island’s aquatic life without diving, another option is a tour of Cancun’s Underwater Museum of Art. Here you can observe the submerged sculptures and enjoy the original experience. This museum has more than 400 statues submerged under the sea, bringing life to the environment and helping to preserve the coral. Without a doubt, it is a unique experience, perfect for art lovers.

The Tortugranja

La Tortugranja is a farm, financed by the Mexican government, which is dedicated to the care and breeding of turtle eggs that wash up on the island’s beaches. Inside the farm, there is an aquarium where you will find turtles of different species and ages. In addition, it is a very original and interesting activity to learn more about the fauna of this beautiful island.

Garrafon Park

The Garrafon Park owes its name to a beautiful reef located a few metres off the coast. It is one of the best places for snorkelling both in Isla Mujeres and Cancun. It is located just before Punta Sur and is open every day from 8am to 5pm. El Garrafon Park also has great attractions such as zip line flights over the sea, kayaks, restaurants and some water sports.

How to get to Isla Mujeres?

The only possible option to get to Isla Mujeres is by ferry. You can depart from four different ports in Cancun; the Puerto Juarez ferry terminal, from Playa Tortugas, or from Punta Sam. Depending on the place of departure, the time and price of the trip will vary. A round-trip ticket costs 300 pesos, which is equivalent to 13 euros. Also, the ferry frequency is approximately every 30 minutes. The ferry usually takes about 20 minutes to reach the main port of Isla Mujeres, in the centre of town.

How to get around Isla Mujeres?

Although the centre of town is small and easy to walk around. It is advisable to rent your own means of transport to have more freedom of movement and to be able to discover the most charming places. On Isla Mujeres, the most typical thing to do is to rent a golf cart. Although it sounds a bit strange, on this island almost everyone gets around in a golf cart, including the locals.

There are many shops where you can rent a golf cart and almost all of them have the same prices. Generally, cart rentals cost 800-900 pesos from 9 am to 17 pm. Another option is to rent a motorbike. The price for a full day from 9 am to 5 pm is around 350 pesos. You can also consider taking a taxi, but as in other places in Mexico, try to agree on a price with the taxi driver before leaving for your destination.

Where to eat well and cheaply on Isla Mujeres

Mexican cuisine is one of the greatest charms of this country, and particularly in this destination it makes the experience of rest and relaxation even more spectacular. Most restaurants offer very affordable prices and very good quality products.

Here are some suggestions of the bars and restaurants best recognised by consumers and best rated of all the island’s gastronomic offer. They all look very good and the quality of the product is excellent. But they are all in a very cheap and affordable price range. The most outstanding restaurants are Chilito’s by Ruben, and Restaurante La Lomita. In both you will find a wide variety of traditional recipes, of very good quality.

If what you are looking for is to try the famous tacos, here are some of the most renowned taco places in Isla Mujeres. Taqueria Lalo’s is a classic, but especially for its taco and drink promotions for 110 pesos. Likewise, Los Tacos de Humo, has a wide variety of tacos for all tastes and is one of the favourite places on the island to try this dish. As for Burritos, everyone is talking about Beachin’ Burrito. This establishment offers burritos from breakfast to dinner, and is one of the most famous stops on the island.

One of the island’s most typical recipes is Tikin Xic fish. It is a fish cooked on embers, seasoned with a traditional sauce called recado. The best known restaurant to eat this delicious fish is La casa el Tikinxik in Playa Lancheros.

La casa el Tikinxik is in front of the beach, so the atmosphere is very pleasant. It also stands out for its huge ceviches, the fish is priced at 180 pesos. But, as mentioned before, the speciality is the Tikinxikla fish. It is 1 kg of fish for two people, and costs 290 pesos.

Is Isla Mujeres dangerous?

Travellers come to Isla Mujeres in search of beaches and serene relaxation. However, the Cancun area is not considered a completely safe region. Theft can occur in tourist areas, on its beautiful beaches, and in crowded places, so be careful and watch your personal belongings.

The Cancun area with Isla Mujeres has a very corrupt police force as they all work with cartels. But, in general, the island is a fairly safe place, there are no cartel clashes and drug crimes. However, like everywhere else in Mexico, you should be on your guard, and be aware of the latest news in the area.

The increase in crime in this area has been noticeable, and there is a gradual drop in the number of tourists. However, the Mexican government is making an effort to protect tourist destinations and expand police presence on tourist islands such as Isla Mujeres.

How to organise what to see on Isla Mujeres?

If you have doubts about how to organise yourself before travelling, and you don’t really know how to plan your travel itinerary, you can take this post as a reference and combine it with the options that the Passporter App suggests. You will also find a wide variety of ideas and inspiration on what to see and do in Isla Mujeres.

Thanks to the app you can sort your selection in order of preference and organise it by days, creating quickly and easily the ideal trip to Isla Mujeres for you. If you don’t have the Passporter App yet, download it! And if you have any doubts about how to use it, read our post: How to create a travel itinerary in Passporter.

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