Isla Mujeres (Spanish for "Island of Women") is an island in the Mexican Caribbean Sea, located eight miles off of the eastern coast of the [wiki=6c92c95fc860fea39143cac13047e5d9]Yucatan[/wiki] Peninsula, near [wiki=fd5a6f048c89ada0ec63459c7d4467dc]Cancun[/wiki] [wiki=8dbb07a18d46f63d8b3c8994d5ccc351]Mexico[/wiki].
The climate is tropical, with year-round hot, humid weather.
Peak season is during the winter months when temperatures are cooler. Summer temperatures are sweltering, with blazing sun and highs well over 32 °C (90 °F), although summer visitors (from mid-May through September) have the opportunity to see whale sharks which gather in nearby waters in groups that can contain up to 400 sharks.
There are various boats that will take you there. From [wiki=fd5a6f048c89ada0ec63459c7d4467dc]Cancun[/wiki] you can get a boat. Ferries leave from 4 different locations in Cancun:
*Puerto Juarez: located in Av. Jose Lopez Portillo MZ 84 M 5 L 6 Puerto Juárez, Cancun. It has departures every hour from 7:40 AM to 7:40 PM. 136$MXN round trip.
*Playa Tortugas: located in the hotel zone of Cancun, Blvd. Kukulcan. Km 6.5. It has only 8 departures per day, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM every hour.
*Playa Caracol: located in the hotel zone of Cancun, Blvd. Kukulcan. Km 9.5. It has only 6 departures per day, from 9:00 AM to 4:45 PM every 1 hour 15 minutes.
*El Embarcadero: located in the hotel zone of Cancun, Blvd. Kukulcan Km 4. It has 6 departures per day, from 9:15 AM to 4:30 PM every 1 hour 15 minutes.
*Be advised that ferry tickets price may vary a little from each of the departure spots available.
IF STAYING IN CANCUN-> Puerto Juarez is quite close to downtown Cancun, but not within a walking distance. Puerto Juarez can be reached by Colectivos starting literally in front of McDonalds, which is opposite the ADO bus station in downdown within a few minutes for 8 pesos. Look for small minivans with yellow advertisement of Ultramar ferries. The locals use Puerto Juarez and thus these ferries can get crowded. Be advised that these rides although fast, can be somewhat rough in bad weather, especially in the evening. Usually, the boat ride is nice, you can go upstairs listening to live music or downstairs with the air conditioned on.
IF ARRIVING TO CANCUN-> If you are just arriving to Cancun Airport and staying in Isla Mujeres, you need to be taken to the chosen departure spot. You can either prebook private transportation or make the line to hire it once you are there. Be aware that no regular cabs are available at Cancun Airport. Some well known companies on the area are:
*Discovery Mundo
*Best Day
You can also take the ADO Bus that departs from Cancun Airport and goes Downtown, and take one of the previously mentioned colectivos to Puerto Juarez Ferry, or just a public cab.
If you want more information about the Ferry Tickets, you can visit the official ferry website.
* For more information on departure schedules. The journey takes about 25 minutes.
If you're in a hurry and have cash to spare, you can charter a Cessna from Aerobanana (tel. 998 87-25040). Or, if you are the adventurous type, try hitching a ride with a local in their plane.
From mid-May through September hundreds of whale sharks gather in the waters near Isla Mujeres, with peak season in July and August. Trips can be booked anywhere on the island, but official operators who have agreed to uphold certain standards and implement safety measures to protect the sharks operate mostly out of dive shops and charge a set price of $125 (2011) with possible discounts available for multiple trips; street vendors will charge as little as $80 per trip, but be aware that these are not official tours. Tours will generally include breakfast, snorkeling gear, 8-10 people per boat, a 45-60 minute trip out to the whale shark area, and then 3-4 trips in the water with the sharks for 2-15 minutes each time, depending on the number of sharks (more sharks, more time in the water). The return trip includes lunch, ceviche, and a snorkel at a local reef. All passengers must wear life-jackets in the water unless you have your own wet suit, a useful tip since it is much easier to swim with the sharks in a wet suit than it is in a bulky life jacket.
* The southern side of the island lacks a sandy beach but offers snorkeling where fish abound and the crystal clear water makes for an enjoyable swim. The reef that lies within the protective buoys has been severely damaged by storms and years of careless treatment by snorkelers, but a revamp of the park several years ago has created a healthier environment for the coral, and it thrives more with each passing year. Entrance to the park is expensive. Tour boats from Cancun bring hordes of day-trippers who mostly stay within the park, so it can become quite crowded during the peak of the day. A useful tip for those staying on the island is that you can snorkel in the waters adjacent to the Garrafon park for about 40 pesos, and the sea life is still very impressive.
* Located on the northwest side of the island on the Peninsula of Sac Bajo is Dolphin Discovery. It is a small amusement park with cahins in other pasts of the Caribbean (including Cozumel) well known for allowing visitors to interact and swim with dolphins in an enclosed area. The park has a list of activities ranging from dolphins to other marine mammals. If traveling from Cancun, visitors can take a bus or taxi to Playa Langosta which is located at Boulevard Kukulcan Km. 5. It is between the Casa Maya Hotel and Vacation Club International. There, Dolphin Discovery representatives can check visitors in and direct them to a ferry which takes 40 minutes to get to the docking area of Dolphin Discovery.
* around Isla Mujeres is unforgettable. The Manchones Reef begins just off of Isla's shore and the Cuevones and Banderas Reefs are close by. The waters are calm and clear - perfect for the beginner as well as the advanced diver. With 50 accessible sites, Isla Mujeres is a great option and a little unknown with all the hype that Cozumel (its large neighboring island) gets. Those staying in Playa Norte may enjoying snorkeling in the lagoon next to the Avalon Hotel which has a respectable number of fish in an easily-accessible location.
:* Nice and relaxed dive shop that advertises itself as the only PADI-certified shop on the island.
:* PADI Dive Resort on Isla Mujeres, offering Scuba Diving, Snorkeling and PADI Courses
:* Mexico Divers PADI Dive Resort #22901 is a family-owned Dive Center with the knowledge, quality and professionalism that a diving operation requires to make your vacation in Isla Mujeres a safe and memorable experience.
* One does not need to shell out the large sums of money to go sport fishing on Isla. Just talk to the local hotel/guesthouse employee and they can set you up with a local fisherman who will take you out fishing. Prices are about $40/person for 3-4 hours of fishing. Whatever fish you catch, you can take to a local restaurant and they will prepare the fish however you like.
Isla Mujeres has several fine stretches of beach. The northern end of the island is Playa Norte which has a wide swatch of sand that is lined with palm trees and also a few beachfront restaurants and bars. The soft white sand and level beach area make for an ideal beach volleyball court. The main volleyball-playing area on Playa Norte in front of Buho's swing bar is now gone, a victim of changing tides and a diminishing beach which locals attribute to the moving of sand from the surrounding ocean floor to build back Wilma-damaged Cancun's beaches. Alas, the big, beautiful pre-Wilma Playa Norte is no longer, though there is hope that it will eventually come back.
* Do not stay on Isla Mujeres if you insist on a corporate, highly structured vacation. The tourists are the visitors on the townsfolk's turf, and it truly helps to have a little Spanish language ability. Do not be afraid to eat the food, even from the very small and humble-looking restaurants. For instance, for 5 bucks American you can get a half roasted chicken (skin crispy and marinated in Achiote), beans, rice, home pickled peppers and carrots, pickled onions, and a stack of tortillas - more than 3 or 4 people can eat. If you go in late spring through summer, stay on the northeast coast. Even though it's rocky and not swimable, the refreshing and constant breezes off the ocean keep that side of the island nice and balmy. The town has a fair-sized population of dogs and cats running loose. If you eat on Hildalgo St. (the main drag closed from traffic), you will find many restaurants, and most folks sit outside in warm weather, and the puppies and kitties discreetly position themselves for the occasional dropped morsel. Don't let them upset you. The whole town is very laid back, and if one goes with the flow, it works well. If you treat the local folks with respect, you will be treated in kind.
* Although Isla is a relatively small island, it is fun to rent a golf cart for the day and explore. Because most folks don't venture outside the tourist area they don't find the eastern or southern coasts with their own tucked away private beaches or the other villages on the island that have great food and activities. You can rent a golf cart for $45 for 24 hours, and official prices for mopeds are $25 for a day (2011).
Dormitory style rooms, a few singles and a campsite right on the beach. Great bar on the beach and has cafe that serves simple meals and complimentary toast and coffee breakfast. They also offer dance lessons, Spanish classes, magic shows, and volleyball tournaments for free throughout the day and evening. There are nightly parties at the bar.
* Offers six private/semi-private rooms each equiped with bathroom, air conditioning, four beds and bed linens and a blanket are included. Beds are bunk bed style and they have a safe and storage area (safe, locker, storage area). Access to the recreation room and patio equipped with games and cable TV.
* Nice and clean and cheap hotel, close to the city centre. Quiet location too.
Bahia Tortuga is a unique 5-room boutique hotel with onsite Palapa bar serving a large assortment of American and Mexican dishes including fresh Grouper, USDA Top Sirloin Burgers, Philly Cheese Steak, Conch Fritters, Chicken Enchiladas & Fajitas. Restaurant is open 12:00 noon-10:00 pm.
*Hotel & Suites Bucaneros is a small family run 17-room hotel with on-site terrace, Restaurant Bar "Compadres" serving a large choice of Mexican Food, Sea Food, Steaks, Pasta & Pizza, also, the hotel is equipped with a small meetings room available upon request. A continental breakfast included for two people in your room rate. In order to reserve contact them directly at their website, fill out the reservation form and/or send an email to: bucanero@prodigy.net.mx If you prefer that they call you just send them your phone number and they will gladly contact you. Their room rates range from $72 usd/night for a small standard single rooms with A/C to $93 usd/night for a large double room with a King Size bed with balcony, four rooms categories in total. Restaurant is open from 7:00 am to 11:30 pm.
*Nice and clean rooms, but could not store bags after check-out.
* Located playa norte, on the beach.
*At Rocamar Hotel Panoramico in Quintana Roo, Mexico, you will enjoy the expansive vista of the sparkling aquamarine water and sandy coastline from your balcony.
* Canadian owned and operated. Located one block from North Beach, but far enough away not to hear it. Clean, comfortable rooms with either two double beds, one king bed or king with kitchenette studios available. All pillow-top beds, fast working AC, hot water and pressure. Some rooms with mini fridge. Free, powerful, wide-bandwidth WiFi! Owners live on site. Rooftop terrace also includes a dipping style pool, sun lounges, hammocks, beach bed and many areas to sit and relax.
* Small hotel on the northeast side of the island, near the Avalon Reef Club. The Hotel is quite charming. It has only 18 rooms, and it was designed so that each room feels as though you are isolated from your neighbors. Each floor has a sitting room, with books all over the place. It is owned and run by a local family (two young women run it, Kin and Maria. Also, the famous fishing Captain Anthony Mendillo has his Keen M Deep Sea Fishing office there.
*
*Hotel Casa el Pío is a tiny property of only 5 rooms. Situated just south of the main square on Isla Mujeres the hotel features large, quiet guest rooms and a communal roof top terrace for gazing at the Caribbean Sea. It feels as if you are staying at your friend's beach house. Rooms feature AC, fridges, coffee makers, private bathrooms, clean drinking water, wi-fi, beach towels, beach bags, room safes, daily housekeeping. Reserve online at the website.
The private homes on Punta Sur make great options if your budget is greater. Located on the most sought after location, these incredible homes overlook the bay towards Cancun.
* All rooms are equipped with balcony/lanai/terrace, minibar, internet access, room safe, private toilet and bath. They also offer facilities like parking, restaurant/cafe/bar, spa and swimming pool.
*This 3 bedroom home has a piano shaped infinity pool overlooking the bay. The master suite has ocean view. The palapa on the roof provides 360 ocean views. It is one of the top rated casa's on the island.
*Six room Bed & Breakfast hotel located in a quiet residential neighborhood. Complimentary breakfast and happy hour (Mon-Sat).
Casa Vista Allegre Del Sur.
Casa Amarilla.