Isla Mujeres Travel Guide

About Isla Mujeres

Isla Mujeres is a small island about 13 kilometers off the coast of Cancun, measuring roughly 7 kilometers long and just 650 meters at its widest point. Despite its proximity to the bustling Hotel Zone, Isla Mujeres has a distinctly different character -- relaxed, colorful, and unhurried. The island's name ("Island of Women") comes from the Spanish conquistadors who found female-shaped clay figures here, likely Mayan offerings to the goddess Ixchel.

Top Attractions

• Playa Norte -- Consistently ranked among Mexico's best beaches, this stretch of calm, shallow turquoise water on the island's northern tip is the main draw. White sand, gentle waves, and beach bars make it ideal for a lazy day.
• MUSA (Museo Subacuatico de Arte) -- An underwater sculpture museum with over 500 works by artist Jason deCaires Taylor, viewable by snorkeling or diving
• Punta Sur -- The island's southern tip with small clifftop ruins of a temple to Ixchel, a sculpture garden, and views of the open Caribbean
• Garrafon Natural Reef Park -- A snorkeling area and adventure park on the island's western shore with zip lines and kayaks
• Hacienda Mundaca -- The remains of a 19th-century estate built by a pirate-turned-slave-trader, set in tropical gardens

Getting Around

The most popular way to explore is by golf cart -- rental shops line the main town. A full-day rental costs approximately 800-1,200 MXN. You can drive the entire island loop in about 20 minutes, but most people spend all day stopping at beaches, restaurants, and viewpoints. Scooters, bicycles, and taxis are also available.

Snorkeling and Diving

The waters around Isla Mujeres offer excellent underwater exploration:

• MUSA sculptures -- Snorkel or dive tours visit the underwater art installations in the shallow waters between the island and Cancun
• El Farito -- A shallow reef area with sea turtles, rays, and tropical fish
• Manchones Reef -- A larger reef system to the south with good diving
• Whale shark encounters -- From June through September, whale sharks gather in the waters near Isla Mujeres to feed on plankton. Regulated boat tours allow small groups to snorkel alongside these gentle giants.

Food and Drink

The town center, clustered around the northern end of the island, has a good selection of restaurants:

• Fresh seafood -- Ceviche, grilled fish, and shrimp dishes at beachside restaurants
• Tikin Xic -- A Yucatecan specialty of fish marinated in achiote and grilled in banana leaves
• Downtown restaurants -- The pedestrian Hidalgo street has restaurants ranging from local seafood joints to Italian and international cuisine

Getting There

Ultramar and other ferry companies operate frequent service from several points:

• Puerto Juarez -- The closest ferry terminal to downtown Cancun, about a 20-minute crossing. Ferries run approximately every 30 minutes. Round trip is about 300-400 MXN.
• Hotel Zone -- Ferries also depart from Playa Tortugas and other Hotel Zone piers

Best Time to Visit

November through April for the best weather. Whale shark season (June to September) is a separate draw. The island can get busy with day-trippers from Cancun, especially on weekends -- consider spending a night for a quieter experience.

Plan Your Visit

Isla Mujeres makes an excellent day trip from Cancun or an overnight escape included in the Yucatan Adventure 5-Day itinerary.