Is Isla Mujeres worth visiting?
Is Isla Mujeres worth visiting or spending more than a day on?
Although notorious for its hotel scene and endless nightlife, Cancún can sometimes leave travelers wanting more from their time spent in this area of Mexico.
This is where Isla Mujeres comes in, which is a tropical island known for its world-class beaches, incredible snorkeling conditions and a more relaxed pace of life.
In this article we’ll list the seven best reasons to visit Isla Mujeres, as well as cover any other important information you’ll need to know.
Is Isla Mujeres worth visiting?
The quick answer is: Yes – this Caribbean island is great for taking some time out from your busy Mexican itinerary to relax, enjoy the beaches and live the good vibes lifestyle.
Where is Isla Mujeres?
Isla Mujeres is an island which is located within the Mexican Caribbean. Often confused with being part of the Yucatán, Isla Mujeres actually belongs to the Quintana Roo State (although it’s also often referred to as the Riviera Maya).
Given its location, the island has a year-long tropical climate filled with stunning calm beaches on the west, and also with rough and wild waters on the east.
How far is Isla Mujeres from Cancún?
This Caribbean island is located roughly 13 km east of Cancún, which is also the closest mainland point.
The only feasible way for travelers to get to Isla Mujeres is using the ferry from Cancún, and you can expect the ride to take around 25 minutes to reach Isla Mujeres.
Whilst the island does also have an airport, it’s not open for use by the general public (you could find a charter flight but it’s going to be a lot more expensive – and also most likely more hassle than just taking the short ferry ride over).
If you currently in the Riviera Maya or the Yucatán region, take a look at our 5 days in Cancun travel itinerary for more ideas on what to do before getting on the ferry.
7 Reasons to Visit Isla Mujeres
Are you still wondering if Isla Mujeres is right for you? Here’s 7 awesome reasons why you should head to this Mexican island.
1. Go Snorkeling in Crystal-Clear Waters
Whilst the Riviera Maya region as a whole is pretty good for its visibility conditions under the waves, Isla Mujeres is by far the best.
This is because the beaches (on the west coast) are protected from the mass of sargassum seaweed that can sometimes be an issue on the mainland, which is carried over by Atlantic currents.
Playa Norte is one of the best (and most accessible), where you can easily rent equipment from the beachside and jump in. If you’re heading to the south of the island, then Garrafón Natural Reef Park is where you’ll want to go as it is the perfect shelter and home for numerous exotic marine species.
Whilst you can easily snorkel by yourself, we still recommend going with this snorkeling tour as you’ll be taken to the very best spots (some of which are only accessible by boat). As well as lunch, you’ll also have an open bar included on this memorable catamaran ride.
2. Visit the Ancient Mayan Ruins of Ixchel
If you’ve been travelling through Mexico for a while, you’ll have gotten used to sprawling ruins and pyramids popping up every now and then. This is especially the case in the Yucatán, where the Mayan kingdom once flourished.
Whilst seeing some ruins may not be the top reason travelers are heading to Isla Mujeres, it’s still a really nice thing to do (especially in the morning whilst the rest of the island is still waking up).
Ixchel Ruins is the name, which is located right in the south along the peninsular of Punta Sur. Ixchel was a Mayan goddess who represented fertility as well as death, and was therefore a pretty important part of Mayan culture.
The ruins are located on the top of a cliff facing the Caribbean Sea, which as you can imagine has some pretty awesome panoramic views. There’s also a couple of remote beaches down by the coast too if you fancy a dip.
3. Explore the remote island of Isla Contoy
The majority of travelers heading to Isla Mujeres usually stick to just the island – which is fair enough considering all of the unique things you can do here.
However those who want to do more exploring (or want to visit an even-more beautiful island) will want to come to Isla Contoy.
Located roughly 30 km of Isla Mujeres, this exotic island has been protected since 1961 given it’s home to many animal species. These include a variety of turtles that breed on the shorelines here, such as Leatherback, Hawksbill, Loggerhead and Green Turtles species.
There’s also over a hundred species of tropical birds too, which are easily spotted on a trip here. And that’s all without mentioning that the beaches and waters are some of the most stunning in all of Mexico!
Given access to the island is difficult (only 200 daily visitors are allowed), you’ll need to go with this organized tour that also includes breakfast and lunch.
4. Lounge on some of Mexico’s Best Caribbean Beaches
Those after some much-needed beach time (and you’ll need it after travelling along some of the longer Mexican itineraries) will be in good hands on Isla Mujeres.
The west coast of the island has much calmer waters than the east, where you’ll find numerous picturesque beaches to relax on. Playa Norte is one of the very best, where you’ll find many palm trees for shade as well as waters that are safe for swimming and snorkeling in.
Although it can get quite busy, it’s got many eating and drink options right there on the beach which is always a plus.
Playa Lancheros is a better option for those who prefer a more tranquil slice of paradise, where you can also spot Cat Sharks and Manta Rays in the waters.
Those who want a more wild and rocky shoreline will love Punta Sur, which is great for a morning or afternoon of exploration. Just be careful when swimming and follow local guidelines, given it can be dangerous in certain areas.
5. Swim with Whales Sharks
By far one of the best Mexican bucket list items you can do, swimming with Whale Sharks is an absolute must when on Isla Mujeres.
The largest fish on earth, these peaceful sea amigos can measure up to a lofty 39ft (definitely a good reminder of just how small we really are compared to nature!). Don’t worry though – they are peaceful and are easy to swim alongside.
The Whale Shark season runs from May until September (as they continue their annual migration to warmer waters), so this is the best time to come to see them.
Whilst you can find local companies who make the boat trip out to see them, we highly recommend joining this Whale Shark excursion tour. As well as including snorkeling gear and visiting the very best spots to swim with them, you’ll also have all drinks included too (non-alcoholic of course).
6. Rent a Golf Cart and Explore Isla Mujeres at your own pace
Reaching around 5 miles in length, Isla Mujeres is actually bigger than you might think. Although the majority of travelers tend to stick to the very northern part, we believe that it’s worth heading around the rest of the island to explore some of its other gems too.
It’s easy to rent a Golf Cart here, which is not only cheaper than constantly using taxis (or renting a car), however it also gives you full independence too.
From here you can easily head to Punta Sur to visit Ixchel Ruins and enjoy the less touristy vibes, as well as making stops at the Hacienda Mundaca and Playa Indios along the way too.
It’s also much easier to explore the remote eastern coast of Isla Mujeres too. There’s plenty of companies you can hire, with most located near the ferry dock when you first arrive on the island.
Some of the very best include Golf Carts Joaquín as well as Capital Blue (the latter you’ll want to walk a few blocks to the left when departing the ferry terminal – it’s along the main road).
7. Visit the Underwater Museum of MUSA
Having already touched upon this gem earlier, it really is one of a kind. Located completely out underneath the Caribbean waves, MUSA can only be reached by getting wet and swimming below – definitely a memorable experience to say the least!
Here you’ll find various stone statues that sit at the bottom of the sea floor, which vary from classic cars and human figures to monuments dedicated to the preservation of our oceans.
Located within a marine park, you’ll also see many reefs and tropical beauties swimming around too. You can go with this snorkeling tour which gives a great introduction to this unique underwater gem.
Those who can dive will want to join this two-tank expedition which includes all equipment and extended time underwater to see many more of the 500 statues located here.
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Is Isla Mujeres worth visiting?
And that’s all for our guide on why you should visit Isla Mujeres.
This tropical paradise is a highlight for any traveller heading to the Riviera Maya region of Mexico. From visiting ancient ruins on the island to sipping margaritas on a Caribbean cruise, it’s the perfect way to kick back and relax the more relaxed atmosphere.
Be sure to read our comprehensive Backpacking Mexico Itinerary, where we have even more travel tips and suggestions for your trip here.
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