For such a small, sleepy place, there’s all kinds of issues to do in Isla Mujeres — an island situated off the coast of Cancun in Mexico.
Translated from Spanish, Isla Mujeres means the “Island of Girls”, named after the Mayan Goddess Ixchel, the Goddess of fertility and happiness.
There are quite a few unbelievable places to visit in Mexico, however be sure you add Isla Mujeres to the listing!
A fast, 20-minute ferry ride from Cancun will whisk you away to an island paradise of heat turquoise waters, swaying palm bushes and white silky sand seashores.
Isla Mujeres is ideal for a day journey however we advocate staying longer, particularly if you wish to escape the social gathering scene and all the loopy things to do in Cancun. That is the place to come back to take pleasure in a calming island break.
On this submit, I’ll listing the 21 finest issues to do in Isla Mujeres you don’t wish to miss, however first…
Getting To & From Isla Mujeres
You could have completely different choices to get to Isla Mujeres from the Cancun Airport — both by bus, taxis on the airport, or personal transportation booked previous to your arrival.
Many individuals decide to take personal transportation to Isla Mujeres booked with Cancun Airport Transportation. The car supplied is a van, and the experience is personal — in the event you e-book it, you get the car to your self.
You may also share with a gaggle of individuals to scale 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 Seashore
A ten-minute stroll from the Ferry Pier is the favored seaside of Playa Norte or North Seashore. That is the primary seaside on Isla Mujeres and has been named one of many best beaches in the Caribbean!
The water right here is calm, and shallow, making it an excellent spot for households or for only a chilled-out day of floating round.
2. Verify Out Punta Sur
Punta Sur is situated on the southern tip of Isla Mujeres. Right here you’ll be able to go to the Pre-Colombian Mayan Ruins of Ixchel, or just admire the beautiful rocky views. This can be a attractive place to come back and benefit from the surroundings.
If you happen to’re on the lookout for an excellent place to loosen up, snorkel and have a drink in Punta Sur, take a look at Garaffon de Castilla.
For 100 pesos ($5), you may have entry to lounge chairs, showers, change rooms and snorkel gear as properly. This can be a good, mellow spot to loosen up through the afternoon.
If you happen to’d relatively simply admire the superb pure views after which sit right down to take pleasure in some Mexican food, don’t miss Capricho Ranch which serves up tasty tacos! Get directions here.
Observe: Whereas we advocate visiting the southern a part of Isla Mujeres, we don’t help Garrafon Park which can also be situated right here. This is because of the truth that captive dolphins are stored right here. Be a responsible traveller and think about the place you need your tourism {dollars} to go.
☞ See Additionally: Things To Do in Playa del Carmen – an inventory of the highest 21 enjoyable stuff you don’t wish to miss!
3. Lease A Golf Cart (among the best issues to do in Isla Mujeres)
To be capable to expertise all of the issues to do in Isla Mujeres we advocate that you simply lease a golf cart for the day. That is fully regular and is a well-liked factor to do!
There are various golf cart rental companies out there across the ferry port and you’ll anticipate to pay round $65 per day for a 2-seater. This company is without doubt one of the many choices out there, store round whenever you arrive.
If you happen to want to rent a golf buggy for per week you’ll be able to anticipate to pay round $420. The longer the rental, the cheaper the speed will probably be. You’ll need a legitimate driver’s licence in order to lease a golf cart.
If you happen to simply wish to head out for a day to take pleasure in some bars, you’ll be able to join this hilarious golf cart pub crawl! With a driver, you gained’t have to fret about consuming and driving. Many drinks and many snacks are included in the enjoyable tour. Click here to learn more.
If you happen to’re into {golfing}, and never simply driving golf carts, be certain to move to Manzanillo, Cancun, and Puerto Vallarta, which have some wonderful {golfing} alternatives.
4. Be part of a Yoga Class
The Treehouse overlooks Playa Norte and it’s a paradise for yoga lovers. Take pleasure in an early morning dawn yoga class or a night sundown class.
If you happen to’re trying to get some train throughout your journey, training yoga is without doubt one of the prime issues to do in Isla Mujeres. Costs begin at $20 for 90 minutes and there are lessons to swimsuit all ranges. For the most recent timings, and lessons take a look at their Facebook page.
⇒ See Additionally: 21 Things To Do in Mazatlan
5. Stroll Round Centro & Admire The Sea Wall Murals
We’re all for the preservation of our world’s oceans and we have been delighted to see the ‘Sea Wall Murals‘ of Isla Mujeres.
These murals have been created by numerous prime avenue artists from all over the world to boost consciousness of marine species threatened by extinction in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico.
You may examine them out your self, or be a part of this tour to move out with a pleasant native information who will clarify the murals, the artists, and the historical past. It additionally features a little bit of sightseeing across the island.
☞ See Additionally: Things To Do in Puerto Vallarta – an inventory of the Prime 20 stuff you don’t wish to miss!
6. Day Journey to Isla Contoy
Isla Contoy is situated 30 km north of Isla Mujeres. This pure wildlife reserve and chook sanctuary is 9 km lengthy and 20 metres huge and was declared a Nationwide Park in 1998.
This tour often picks up friends from Cancun and heads over to Isla Mujeres and Isla Contoy, however you’ll be able to request a pickup from different locations like Tulum or hop on once they cease at Isla Mujeres. Contact them for extra particulars.
Isla Contoy is without doubt one of the most necessary areas in Mexico for nesting sea birds and sea turtles. There’s a most of 200 vacationers allowed to go to each day. A day tour begins from $75 per individual click here for more information.
Isla Contoy Tackle: Ed. Capitanía Regional de Puerto Juárez, Región 86, Manzana 2, 77520 Cancún, Q.R., Mexico. Click here for directions.
7. MUSA (Underwater Museum of Artwork in Isla Mujeres)
Some of the widespread actions in Isla Mujeres is to visit MUSA, (Museo Subacuático de Arte). You may tour the underwater museum by glass-bottom boat and revel 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 strain off the close by reef.
Underwater sculpture parks are created as vacationer sights, 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 prime things 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 excellent for deep-sea fishing, inshore fishing, and spearfishing. The most effective months for sailfish and marlin are from mid-December by way of to July. If you happen to favor tuna fishing the very best months are between April and August.
Relying on what kind of fishing you take pleasure in probably the most, there are various constitution operators that can cater to your wants, starting from constitution boats to personal yacht excursions.
This operator stays nearer to shore so is ideal for households or anybody who may get somewhat seasick, whereas this one is an superior full-day deepsea fishing journey for these anglers who actually wish to hook right into a monster.
- Click Here to study extra concerning the family-friendly inshore fishing day journey
- Click Here to study extra concerning the deep-sea fishing journey
We’ve accomplished loads of deep-sea fishing journeys in Mexico and all over the world and it’s at all times a good time with family and friends.
⇒ See Additionally: Puerto Escondido – The Ultimate Travel Guide
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 prime things to do in Cabo San Lucas). The best time to go to Mexico if you wish to see these stunning creatures is through the summer time months of June to September.
Whale Sharks can attain a size of 14 metres and they’re actually simply mild giants weighing in at round 15 tonnes.
Official regulating our bodies have put a cap on excursions at round $145 per individual. The tour contains swimming with the whale sharks, breakfast, lunch, smooth drinks, snorkel tools and often a while to snorkel the reefs.
It’s unlawful to the touch the sharks and you could maintain a distance of two metres. It’s necessary that you simply do your analysis and go along with a good, eco-conscious tour firm that regulates and respects the foundations. Take a look at this highly-rated tour with EcoColors Mexico.
☞ See Additionally: Things To Do in La Paz – Mexico’s Chilled Out City
10. Drink Some Craft Beer
Mexico is dwelling to many various kinds of lagers – you’ve in all probability sampled Corona, Dos Equis, or Pacifico – however don’t miss out on the unbelievable craft beers!
A go to to Isla Brewing Firm is without doubt one of the finest issues to do in Isla Mujeres for beer lovers, particularly when it’s raining on the island. These regionally brewed craft beers are a must-try.
As a bonus, in the event you purchase bottles of beer to remove, you’ll get 10 pesos again whenever you return them. This an effective way to recycle, and get a reduction in your subsequent beer buy!
Isla Brewing Firm Tackle: Jesús Martínez Ross 62, Meteorológico, 77400 Isla Mujeres, Q.R., Mexico. Click here to find it on the map.
11. Get Underwater Whereas Scuba Diving
Isla Mujeres has among the finest scuba diving in the Caribbean. Right here you’ll be able to take pleasure in some unbelievable caves, and an abundance of sea life — eels, groupers, snappers, turtles, parrotfish and quite a few corals.
If you happen to’re new to scuba diving and have by no means tried it, Mujeres is the place. This tour will take you out into shallow water with a licensed diving teacher who will swim alongside you when you take pleasure in the great thing about the coral reefs right here.
If you happen to’re skilled, then this dive shop is extremely rated and you’ll e-book dives on-line.
A singular expertise is diving on the Cave of the Sleeping Sharks the place a big group of reef, bull, and nurse sharks will be seen sleeping on the underside of the ocean. At a depth of 20-30 meters, this dive website is advisable for superior divers.
Different widespread websites embrace the Machones Reef (800m in size), Tavos Reef, Media Luna, Punta Sur and the positioning of the Navy Boat Shipwreck (at a depth of 21m).
We went scuba diving on Isla Mujeres with Squalo Adventures and have been very pleased with their security protocols, service, and boats.
Click Here to study extra about scuba diving round Isla Mujeres for first-timers.
Click Here to e-book a two-tank dive with our favourite dive store on Mujeres.
12. Chill Out at a Seashore Membership
There are a couple of seaside golf equipment on the island, however Amazona is an effective possibility. For $40, you get entry to seaside chairs, a buffet lunch, and drinks. In fact, they aren’t going to be premium drinks, however hey, for all you’ll be able to drink at $40, that’s a reasonably whole lot.
If seaside beds and chairs aren’t your factor, laze in one of many hammocks suspended in the ocean! With music, solar and sand, you actually can’t go mistaken. Chillin’ out on the seaside membership is without doubt one of the finest issues to do in Isla Mujeres for {couples}, or pals.
Tackle: Amazona Seashore Membership – Perimetral Pte. 080, 77400 Isla Mujeres, Q.R., Mexico. Get directions here.
13. Snorkelling in Isla Mujeres
In case you are a newbie and haven’t accomplished a lot snorkelling in the previous, the very best place to snorkel is El Farito. El Farito, to the north of the island, is shallow and ideal for novices to see faculties of vibrant fish.
Higher but, think about becoming a member of a tour like this one that features a boat to take you out to the very best spots and a pleasant native information to point out you the superb sea life round Mujeres.
Los Machones is extra suited to advance snorkellers with a depth of 35 – 40 ft. Different superb 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 unbelievable things to do in Cozumel!
Click here to learn more about the very best snorkel tour in Isla Mujeres.
14. Volunteer Strolling Canine
If you happen to love canines, you’ll wish to be certain to drop in at Isla Animals.
The group right here is at all times on the lookout for volunteers who’re in a position to assist out with strolling canines, giving pet cuddles, and in the event you’re , bathing, grooming, and aiding on the spay/neutering clinic.
Isla Animals accepts volunteers day-after-day from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm, no appointment is important. Be happy 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.
Isla Animals Tackle: Parque, Isla Mujeres , Hacienda Mundaca, Q.R., Mexico. Click here for directions.
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’ll be able to take pleasure in the very best fish tacos and empanadas on the island. It does shut early afternoon so be sure you arrive round lunchtime.
Mercado Municipal Tackle: Centro – Supmza. 001, 77400 Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo, Mexico. Click here for directions.
16. Expertise The Zocalo
Each Mexican city has a central sq. known as a Zocalo (it’s among the best things to do in Mexico City as properly). I like to recommend visiting the Zocalo on Isla Mujeres in the night, as you’ll discover meals distributors promoting tasty native Mexican avenue meals. Plus, there’s music, leisure and dancing.
Zocalo Tackle:
☞ See Additionally: Things To Do in Guadalajara: A Record of The Prime 21 Best
17. Go On a Purchasing Spree
Purchasing for genuine souvenirs and clothes is without doubt one of the prime things to do in Mexico as an entire. 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 it is best to take a look at.
A number of the finest purchasing will be discovered alongside Avenida Rueda Medina, however don’t miss:
- Galeria de Arte Mexicano – for silver jewellery. Av Guerrero 3.
- Girls’s Beading Cooperative – handmade jewellery with income going on to the feminine artisans. Tackle: C. P.º de los Peces 160-L5, La Gloria, 77400 Isla Mujeres, Q.R., Mexico. Get directions here.
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 contains swimming, drinks and meals, and naturally, the attractive sundown.
Don’t miss the extremely rated Isla Mujeres exercise! This tour leaves from Cancun, however contact them a couple of pick-up in Isla Mujeres. For extra info and to e-book click here.
☞ See Additionally: Manzanillo, Mexico: The Ultimate Travel Guide
19. Eat Tasty Meals
You’re in Mexico, so it comes as no shock that the meals in Isla Mujeres is superb! To not point out, that is an island so you’ll be able to anticipate some scrumptious seafood choices. Listed below are a couple of eating places you don’t wish to miss:
If you happen to’re backpacking Mexico on a finances, you’ll undoubtedly wish to take a look at the Mercado Municipal for affordable eats.
☞ See Additionally: Things To Do in Oaxaca: A Record Of The Prime 21
20. Lease a Yacht
If you happen to’re touring to Isla Mujeres with a gaggle, otherwise you’ve acquired $600 to spend for your self, or for you and your companion, then a day on this private yacht may simply be one of many coolest luxurious experiences you’ll be able to have in Isla Mujeres.
This 46-foot magnificence can match as much as 15 friends and might take you anyplace you wish to go. You will get picked up in Cancun, Playa del Carmen, or on Isla Mujeres and you’ll spend the day stress-free in quiet coves or simply cruise alongside the coast.
The fee is fairly truthful when you have a big group. With 15 folks the overall worth is lower than $40 per individual, which is fairly unbelievable on a luxurious vessel like this.
Click here to study extra about this superb yacht and to contact the house owners for reservations and reserving.
21. Be part of a Biking Journey
Isla Mujeres is the proper place to go biking. Throughout this enjoyable expertise, you’ll cycle round the entire island — which is simply 14 kilometres in whole — 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. The tour technically begins in Cancun, so in the event you’re in the large metropolis it’s an excellent day journey to the island, but it surely’s additionally attainable to simply meet the information on Mujeres to start out the journey. Click here to study extra about this extremely rated, distinctive exercise in Isla Mujeres.
Now You Know What To Do in Isla Mujeres
Isla Mujeres now shares the title with over 80 different cities and cities all through Mexico. The island has a particular allure to it, making it a spot you’ll want to return to repeatedly.
In 2001, SECTUR (Mexican Board of Tourism) put collectively a Pueblo Magico program to recognise Mexican cities which have a particular attraction or magic about them in 3 classes — pure magnificence, historical past, and tradition.
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 attracts you again 12 months after 12 months and has a lot to supply guests.
Who couldn’t love its heat azure waters, excellent temperatures all 12 months 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.
