Isla Mujeres Mexico is an island right off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula in the Caribbean Sea. It’s only thirteen kilometers from Cancun, making it a convenient place to travel while taking a Cancun vacation. Travel to Isla Mujeres is filled with shopping trips to outdoor markets, snorkeling excursions, and trips to Isla Mujeres beaches.

In Spanish, Isla Mujeres means “Island of Women” and was named after the sacred Mayan goddess Ix Chel. To this day, visitors can see Mayan ruins scattered throughout the island. The remains of a small temple can be seen on the southern coast of the island. Even though a hurricane destroyed most of the temple in the late 1990s, many fragments remain intact.

You can travel to Isla Mujeres by taking a ferry from Cancun or Puerto Juarez. While many people take a day trip from either of those cities, others take a vacation to Isla Mujeres, staying at one of the many hotels and all inclusive Mexico resorts that line the coast.

No vacation to Isla Mujeres Mexico is complete without enjoying a trip to the beach. Isla Mujeres beaches are popular for swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving. The eastern side of the island has a strong surf and a rocky coast, while the west coast is characterized by calmer waters. The water on the west coast is known for an abundant array of coral reefs and a variety of interesting fish species. One of the most famous Isla Mujeres beaches is Playa del Norte. The beach was hit by Hurricane Wilma in 2005, but has recovered since then.

You won’t need a car to travel to Isla Mujeres. The majority of visitors get around on mopeds, bicycles, and golf carts. You must be at least sixteen to rent a moped and have a valid drivers license from your country. The moped rental facility will give you a brief orientation on the rules of the road as well as lessons on how to operate the bike. Driving in Isla Mujeres, and throughout Mexico, can be dangerous. Always yield to larger vehicles and signal your turns. Most convenience stores and moped rental facilities have maps of the area. Some Isla Mujeres hotels rent bicycles to visitors. Renting a bicycle or moped is a fun and inexpensive way to see the island. You can also get around Isla Mujeres Mexico via taxi if the weather is bad.

For fresh seafood restaurants and interesting souvenir shops, stop at Isla Town on the northern part of the island. The main highlight of Isla Town is Hidalgo Street, where most of the town events and festivities take place throughout the year.

One of the main attractions on Isla Mujeres is the Sea Turtle Sanctuary. Visitors can see turtles in various stages of development and learn about the preservation efforts taking place in Mexico today. Staff at the Sea Turtle Sanctuary work hard transferring sea turtle eggs in hazardous areas to the sanctuary. Once the baby turtles are strong enough to survive on their own, they are released into the environment. 

Whether you choose to spend a day or a week in Isla Mujeres Mexico, the island has something to offer everyone. From learning about the history of the Mayan civilization to simply relaxing on the beach, there are plenty of things to do in Isla Mujeres Mexico.