Can’t stand the crowds, and the glitz and glam of Cancun feels a tad too inauthentically non-Mexican to you? If you’re keen on a week-long pampering sesh in a luxury resort but also experiencing local culture, Isla Mujeres is the answer to all of your prayers:
A small island roughly 4.3 miles long and 2,130 feet wide, lying just off the mainland, it is the perfect alternative to the jam-packed metropolis, offering not only the crystal-clear waters and five-star service, but smaller crowds and the ancient sights Cancun lacks.
And if safety remains a primary concern for you, as it should, you’ll be somewhat relieved to know la Isla is one of the safest destinations in the Mexican Caribbean:
A Slice Of Paradise A Short 20-Minute Ferry Ride From Cancun
A paradisiacal island surrounded by the teal-colored waters of the Caribbean, Isla Mujeres––Spanish for ‘Women Island’––is a tropical oasis that’s somehow managed to retain its native character despite the mainland’s staggering rates of overdevelopment.
For those who are eager to beat the Cancun crowds, there are a much more-limited 41 hotel listings in Isla Mujeres, as seen on Booking.com, compared to Cancun’s densely-concentrated development zones, with over 182 properties.
Based on room capacity alone, Isla Mujeres is far less busy than the sprawling, skyscraper-dotted metropolis it overlooks from a safe distance, despite being a 20-minute ferry ride away for mainlanders––it’s a popular day trip from Cancun––and perfectly visible from the coast.
Oh, and fewer hotels does not necessarily mean less competitive prices:
Incredible Beachfront Hotels
If you don’t really care for all-inclusive stays, a double room at the mid-range Selina Poc Na Isla Mujeres will set you back by $145 a night, whereas overnight stays in a standard apartment Casa María, a privately-managed guesthouse, start from an even-cheaper $76.
On the pricier end, the beachfront Ixchel Beach Hotel costs from $267 to $334 to book per night, an economical room at Casa de los Sueños Hotel Boutique is $186, and as for the all-inclusive offers, expect to pay from $327 a night at Hotel Beló Isla Mujeres, and $323 at Izla Beach Hotel.
Price-wise, there’s not a big difference compared to Cancun, Tulum, or other trendy spots in the Mayan Riviera, but as anyone who’s been to Isla Mujeres will be able to attest, however, the resort-lined coast of Isla Mujeres feels far more peaceful:
Stunning Caribbean Beaches
Mujeres is well-known for its unspoiled beaches, lined by select few hotels, most notably Playa Norte, a strip of glistening-white sands bathed by turquoise seas to the north, where tourists can either relax on lounge chairs and bask in the sun, or engage in snorkeling and a wide range of water sports.
It’s been, time and again, named the prettiest beach in the Mexican Caribbean, and it’s particularly popular during sargassum season, as seaweed does not typically head this way due to the course of the local currents.
It is the closest to ‘chaotic’ it gets on Isla Mujeres, largely thanks to the multiple tour groups who dock on this beach arriving from Cancun, so if you’re hoping for a more recluse spot, Playa Lancheros is a safer alternative.
It’s far more laid-back, the water is just as inviting, and it plays host to one of the best restaurants on the island, La casa del Tikinxic;
Now, if you really want exclusivity, Garrafon Natural Park is a private stretch of coast costing $74.25 to enter, where you can practice snorkeling, go kayaking, and even zip-line through a verdant jungle scenery.
Isla Mujeres Is An Incredible Cultural Destination
Prior to the creation of the modern Mexican state, Isla Mujeres was mostly inhabited by the native Mayan peoples, and based on their long-held beliefs, the island is the ancient home of Ixchel, the goddess of the Moon and fertility.
Mayan women would once have made arduous pilgrimages from the Yucatanese mainland to Isla Mujeres––hence its name––to worship the goddess and offer sacrifices, and on Punta Sur, or the ‘southern end’, there are still a number of ancient structures that have stood the test of time.
If you’re a History buff who’s had it with Cancun’s absent cultural scene, you’ll be thrilled to find a ruined pyramid temple in El Meco, an archeological zone still undergoing excavations in Mundaca Hacienda, and countless other smaller ancient structures scattered around the island.
Lots Of Fun Stuff To Do Besides Just Beaching!
The tourist attractions around Isla Mujeres are also a lot more diverse than in resort strips on the mainland, where the only attractions within walking distance of hotel complexes are beaches brimming with people and shopping centers.
You can, for instance, take a boat tour to neighboring islets and around the colorful coral Mesoamerican Barrier Reef––the second largest in the world!––visit a turtle sanctuary in Punta Sur, explore the charming Isla Mujeres town, or our favorite, rent a golf cart to explore at leisure:
This is by far the most fun and convenient way to see Isla Mujeres, as all of the best beaches are found at the end of narrower roads, with pricing staring from only $65 for a 24-hour rental, or $420 for a week-long rental (check for more information here).
Isla Mujeres Is Remarkably Safe
Finally, when it comes to safety, Americans have very little to worry about in Isla Mujeres, where gang activity and violent crime are both far less prominent than in other parts of Mexico, including in the vicinity of Cancun.
According to Numbeo, it enjoys a ‘very low’ levels of crime, with murder, thuggery, theft, and even pickpocketing rarely taking place under the local authority’s watch, not to say unheard-of: that’s largely due to the fact it’s a small, quaint municipality of roughly 22,000 inhabitants.
Islanders are a close-knit community, as well as incredibly welcoming, and they’ll be the first ones to denounce any wrongdoings towards tourists; on top of that, it has a strong police presence, which typically scares off criminals.
Though it’s unlikely harm will come their way, as it is part of the state of Quintana Roo, officially a ‘moderate risk’ destination, Americans are still advised to exercise ‘increased caution’ when visiting, such as avoiding deserted areas after dark and keeping a close eye on personal belongings.
All the usual stuff you (probably) already do back at home.
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