This Winter, many American travelers have been flocking to the Caribbean to escape snowstorms and freezing weather with the hope of finding comfort and more fun at the warm and beautiful beaches of Cancun. But there is another special destination that is getting a lot of attention for its beauty and advantages — Isla Mujeres.
This spectacular island in the Mexican Caribbean used to be a popular destination for full-day tours from Cancun and Playa del Carmen, but now more visitors have been extending their stay, and the island has been experiencing a boom in tourism this year.
Isla Mujeres has a lot to offer, and here are a few reasons why travelers are falling in love with this destination:
Sargassum Free Beaches In The Mexican Caribbean
Imagine saving money for months or years to avoid the cold winter and enjoy the crystal blue waters of Cancun and instead finding miles and miles of shoreline covered in smelly brown algae. That’s what many visitors have been experiencing in the Mexican Caribbean for the past few weeks.
Unexpectedly, this winter, the unpleasant sargassum seaweed has been arriving off-season in Cancun and its surroundings. The sargassum’s peak season is usually between April and October, and now tons of this algae are already being cleaned and removed from shorelines.
Fortunately, Isla Mujeres is usually free from sargassum and has become travelers’ best bet when it comes to finding sargassum-free beaches. There are a few beaches where travelers might encounter this seaweed, but its most beautiful beach, Playa Norte, is usually clean and ready to become any traveler’s paradise.
Great Caribbean Activities
Getting to Isla Mujeres usually involves a boat activity. International visitors arrive in Cancun and then take a 15-minute ferry ride—which costs around $15— to get to the island. And the journey is absolutely beautiful.
For those who just want to relax in paradise after their trip, Playa Norte is considered the best beach in all of Mexico — with beautiful white sand and warm blue calm waters. The perfect weapon against stress. But there are also great bars, restaurants, and cool places to visit.
Visitors can rent a bike or a golf cart to explore the island — which is only approximately 5 miles long — go shopping, compare beaches, and grab a bite at any of its tasty restaurants.
Travelers can also snorkel and admire an amazing underwater museum with large sculptures and colorful fishes nearby. There are also different tours and beach clubs available with activities for all kinds of travelers.
New Hotels And Beach Clubs
International travelers’ interest in Isla Mujeres has made more hospitality companies invest in this island. There are resorts and hotels for all budgets and with a great reputation, such as the 5-star hotel Mia Reef or the hostel and beach club Nomads Hotel. Just a few months ago, Secrets announced a new adults-only all-inclusive resort in Isla Mujeres, Secrets Impression Isla Mujeres, featuring 8 restaurants, 9 bars, a spa, and four pools.
There are also great beach clubs available, such as the exclusive Green Demon Beach Club — travelers recommend making a reservation in advance — or the Guru Beach Club with great pools and beach access, where travelers can enjoy an amazing day with pleasing amenities in front of a gorgeous beach.
Perfect For Special Events
Isla Mujeres has all the best ingredients for a unique vacation and an unforgettable life experience. This is probably why it has also been a popular wedding destination. In 2022 there were 56% more weddings compared to the previous years, and authorities expect to see even more celebrations in 2023.
At the moment, there are special events for carnival celebrations—which had been suspended for two years due to the pandemic— and local authorities and organizers are hosting a big celebration under the theme “Soy Caribe” (I am Caribbean, in English). Travelers visiting Isla Mujeres at the moment will get to enjoy special activities like concerts, local king and queen crownings, and more.
