| Spotlight Destination |
San Carlos/Guaymas
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ISLA MUJERES
Isla Mujeres (Island of Women) is just five miles long and two and a half miles wide. It is visible from the shore of Cancun.
LOCATION:
Isla Mujeres is located 8 km (5 MI) north of Cancun.
HISTORY:
There are several different stories as to how Isla Mujeres got its name. One story is that the Mayans while worshipping Ixchel, the goddess of fertility, childbirth and rainbows, gave Isla Mujeres its name. Another story states that it was the Spanish conquistador Hernandez de Cordoba who landed here in 1517 after he was blown of course to Cuba. When he landed here with his crew they saw half-naked women, the men were out fishing, and female shaped clay idols. Others say that it was a legacy from pirates that would stash their women on the island before heading out to sea to rob ships. Isla Mujeres became a small fishing village until the 1970’s when day-trippers came over from Cancun bringing with them a boom in tourism. Now, Isla Mujeres is a retreat from the hustle and bustle of Cancun.
WEATHER:
Isla Mujeres enjoys warm tropical weather all year round.
ACCOMMODATIONS:
Even though Isla Mujeres is a small island, some of the hotels offer splendor and luxury equal to Cancun. Options may include pools, meditation areas, boat docks, free use of bikes, scuba diving and snorkeling equipment, fitness centers, fishing trips, and tour agencies. Rates range from US$40 to US$400. Most hotels are located in the downtown area. Rates double in the high season, which is November to April, and July to August. Camping is not allowed on the beaches and police enforce this by doing beach patrols.
RESTAURANTS:
The best way to find a place to eat is simply wander the street and see what catches your fancy. There are many food stands and snack bars scattered about town. Huge meals are offered at low prices. Many restaurants and snack bars are located around the beach, so you may end up eating at tables sitting in the sand.
NIGHTLIFE:
Nightlife on Isla Mujeres is laid back. Most restaurant bars have a happy hour each evening. Several clubs offer live music, friendly staff, and good Mexican food.
SHOPPING:
Most shops are open from 10 - 1 and 4 - 7, and closed on Sundays. Mexican crafts such as silver, handcrafted jewelery, clothes, textiles and folk art are the most abundant. Casa del Arte Mexica offers hammocks, woodcarvings, silver jewelery, leather, and limestone carvings. Van Cleef & Arpels have a large selection of jewelery.
CUISINE:
Fish, seafood, traditional Maya dishes, American breakfasts, Italian, and Caribbean are the types of food served here.
SERVICES:
Banks: The only bank on Isla Mujeres is open 8 am to 7 pm with a money exchange desk open from 10 until noon. Be sure to use the ATM in the morning as it is often empty by evening.
Internet: CompuIsla offers internet access Monday through Friday 8 am - 10 pm, and Saturdays from 9 am - 4 pm. Access is US$4 per hour.
Transportation: The popular mode of transportation is by golf cart. Carts can be rented by hour or by day. Most hotels have carts available for rent also. Bikes, mopeds and scooters are also a cheap and fun way to travel. Taxis are plentiful and cheap. You can rent one for about US$10 per hour. A trip from downtown to the beach is approximately US$2.
SURROUNDING AREA:
Isla Contoy: 45 minutes north of Isla Mujeres is a natural bird sanctuary. This uninhabited island is only accessible by organized tours. Heron, flamingos, pelicans, cormorants, and frigate birds make this lush tropical island their home. Depending on the weather, snorkeling is a popular activity here also. |
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Cemetery: Carved angels, flowers, 100-year-old gravestones, and
elaborately decorated tombstones fill this unnamed cemetery.
El Garrafon National Park: This national marine park, bought by
the owners of Xcaret, is a popular snorkeling place for day-trippers
from Cancun. A three-floor building houses a restaurant, bathroom
facilities, and a gift shop. As a result of too many visitors, much of
the coral reef has been destroyed. In an attempt to recover it, access
is restricted to 700 people per day.
Hacienda Mundaca: This crumbling 19th century mansion was built
by trader/pirate Fermin Mundaca de Marechaja. In order to woo a local
beauty he had fallen in love with he built this mansion. Unimpressed,
the lady married a local islander leaving Marechaja to slowly go mad
waiting for her. Not much remains except a rusted cannon, a crumbling
guardhouse, a well, and an arch.
Maya Ruin: The remains of this temple was once dedicated to
Ixchel, goddess of fertility. Though Hurricane Gilbert blew much of
the ruin away in 1988, part of it has been restored. A park entrance
fee is required since it is under the management of El Garrafon National
Park.
Tortugranja: (Marina Turtle Farm) Visitors can view hatchlings
and young turtles of different species at this facility devoted to the
study and preservation of sea turtles.
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WHERE TO EAT: |
Around Isla Mujeres you will find several “economic kitchens that serve
sumptuous but inexpensive regional dishes. A traditional Yucatecan
specialty served at most restaurants is “tikinchic" a fried fish
marinated in an orange sauce. If you are looking to dine along the
beach, try the Las Palapas Chimbo’s. Fried fish and fresh seafood
are popular items on the menu. In the evenings, this restaurant turns
into a hopping dance club. For a delicious lobster dinner, served
with sauces, butter and garlic, head to the Pinguino. This waterfront
restaurant serves up large plates of seafood, fajitas and ribs. At
the market, there are several stands and stall that sell Mexican and
regional foods. For a light and inexpensive meal, the Chen Huaye is
the place to go. Fried chicken, pork chops, quesadillas, and empanadas
are some of the delicious items on their menu. The Cocina Economica
Carmelita, popular with locals but little known to tourists, serves up
huge lunches and dinners, as well as the most inexpensive lobster on
the island. Authentic Mayan dishes are offered as well. |
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| WHAT TO DO: |
Fishing: There is fishing all year round in Isla Mujeres. Bonito,
mackerel, kingfish, snook, tarpon, bonefish, barracuda, snapper, and
even some sharks are caught by off shore, casting, and deep-sea fishing.
Rates differ depending on if you want to go deep-sea fishing or off
shore. Group packages are available which includes lunch and drinks.
The Red Cross Billfish Tournament takes place in the spring.
Beaches: There are four beaches in Isla Mujeres. Along Playa Norte there
are two popular restaurants where locals and tourists go to eat fresh
seafood, watch the sunsets, and drink beer. Also on this beach there are
stands where you can rent equipment for snorkeling, jet skiing, and
sailboarding. Playa Paraiso and Playa Lancheros are excellent spots for
picnics, shopping at the stands selling various types of souvenirs, and
of course swimming. At Playa Lancheros there are some sea turtles and
nurse sharks housed in sea pens. Located at Playa Indios is the Atlantis,
a submarine tour. There are always lots of people milling about at this
beach.
Scuba Diving & Snorkeling: Coral reefs, marine life, a partially buried
statue of the Virgin Mary, caves, sleeping sharks, a bronze cross, and
even two sunken ships make diving here spectacular. Certified PADI guides
are available.
Boat Tours: Several companies offer boat trips to places such as Isla
Contoy, the submerged statue of Virgin Mary, the lighthouse, the turtles
at Playa Lancheros, El Garrafon, and some coral reefs. Packages include
lunch and drinks.
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| WHERE TO SHOP: |
Shopping on Isla Mujeres is generally Monday to Saturday, from 10am to
1pm and 4pm to 7pm. Some stores are now open during the siesta hours
but are closed on Sundays. Shopping has become more sophisticated,
going from souvenir shops to stores selling Mexican crafts, clothes,
handcrafted jewelry, silver and folk art. There are several shops that
sell duty-free stones and gems, and reportedly Isla Mujeres is popular
for it’s prices on gems. These stones can be bought and then set in
a place setting of your choice. Along the Hidalgo you will find shops
and stores that sell items such as blown glass, T-shirts, silver,
Guatemalan clothing, rugs, and silver. It is said that shop owners
increase their prices so bargaining may be needed. |
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