Location & getting there:
It is a very small and lovely island which is located in front of Cancun (PLEASE!, check the map I made it for you).
There are two ferries to get there, from Puerto Juarez and Punta Sam. You have to arrive to Cancun's airport and then ground transportation and ferry (check timetables down here). Forget the airplanes (very unusal).
Isla Mujeres has about 15, 000 very easy going people, wonderful beaches, some hotels, a small medical center, drugstore, shops, internet café, banks, money exchange houses, souvenir shops, bikes and golf kart rental.
Ambience:
Isla Mujeres is exactly what you wish if you do not like big buildings, lots of tourists but still you want to see local people and contact them.This is a very European and Mexican island: Mexican because here you will see more of the "real Mexico dayly life" than in Cancun or the whole Riviera Maya. It is also European because they live and take vacations there, more than Americans and Canadians. The life during the day or night is very relaxed. Activities on the beach are also very relaxing. If you stay here you will forget about Paris, New York City and other big cities... Isla Mujeres is also European in the way women go to the beaches, here, topless women are very common.
Ideal for:
Honey mooners, couples and families, writers, philosophers and everybody that wants to disconect from a computer (well, anyway, there are many computers and public internet connections). If you stay in Cancun or the Riviera maya and want a very nice change, come here. Let's say, stay here one week and another in Cancun.
This is a more "civilized" vacation than Holbox with perfect comfort. Anyways, it is less crowed than Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya and Cancun. It is "getting away" of your city.
Not ideal for:
Party animals or anybody who needs Manhattan, Paris or Tokyo services.
Things to do:
When I stayed here I saw very little night life, ok, you can go to some bars and restaurants and see the bohemian life, but you will not find many options for dancing. Yes, there are some places but you will have to adapt to the conditions, but maybe it is good that way. So, Isla Mujeres is not for party animals. Enterteinment here is more natural. Sunsets, sunrises, scuba diving, snorkeling, sunbathing, swimming. There is an archaeological site (small), a sculture park and an water enterteinment park (El Garrafon). And if you ever feel bored in Isla Mujeres, you can always visit Cancun where the action is 24/7.
Shopping:
Ah! shopping here is not expensive at all and bargaining here is a lot easier than in Playa del Carmen. I do not know why but vendors here have very good prices. But, if you need special articles either, buy them at home or go to Cancun, where the best supermarkets are located.
Food:
Seafood of course! and also there are some foreigners that will cook for you very good food from Italy, France, Germany, U.S.A. and Canada. Also try Tikinchic style fish. mmmm delicious!
Turtles:
Transportation:
The best way to get around is renting bikes or a golf kart. Have always your credit card handy and enjoy the ride. renting a car is, honestly, not a good idea, because the island is small.
Ferry Puerto Juarez-Isla Mujeres $ 35 pesos each way (only for people)
Puerto Juarez-Isla Mujeres: 6:30, 7, 7:30, 8, 8:30, 9, 9:30, 10, 10:30, 11, 11:30, 12, 12:30, 13, 13:30, 14, 14:30, 15, 15:30, 16, 16:30, 17, 17:30, 18, 18:30, 19, 19:30, 20, 20:30, 23:30. Isla Mujeres-Puerto Juarez: 6, 6:30, 7, 7:30, 8, 8:30, 9, 9:30, 10, 10:30, 11, 11:30, 12, 12:30, 13, 13:30, 14, 14:30, 15, 15:30, 16, 16:30, 17, 17:30, 18, 18:30, 19, 19:30, 20, 21.
Ferry Punta Sam-Isla Mujeres $12.50 pesos per person , $40 p/bike, $50 p/moto, $130 p/car, $160 p/vans/surburbans, $195 p/minibus. Punta Sam-Isla Mujeres: 8, 11, 14:45, 17:30, 20:15. I. Mujeres-P. Sam: 6:30, 9:30, 12:45, 16:15, 19:15.
Beach conditions:
Playa norte (northern beach) is one of the most perfect beaches that you will ever see, and with those lovely palm trees than now are difficult to see in Cancun or the Riviera Maya. The beaches, oh boy! they are the most beatiful of the region.
