If you are fascinated about vacationing on a small island, far from the hustle and bustle and where time passed by at its own slow pace, then Isla Mujeres is the perfect spot for a wonderful vacation. You will be able to dive, snorkel, admire the diverse marine animal and vegetal life at a great Caribbean ambiance. Your Isla Mujeres vacations will be definitely an unforgettable aventure. This gorgeous island is located in the Caribbean Sea only 20 minutes by boat from the Mexican Coast of Cancun. Isla Mujeres is a serenely calm spot encircled by waters of different shades of blue and green.

Description

Just 11 km north of Cancun, Isla Mujeres (Women Island) has decidedly a different rhythm: more laid back, more Caribbean, keeping with its pirate past. Less than a kilometer wide and barely 8 km long, it is a typical palm-fringed tropical retreat, discovered in the 1950´s when Cozumel and Cancun were mere figments of developers' imaginations.

Isla Mujeres got its name from The Conqueror Francisco Hernandez de Cordoba, who was reportedly impressed by the large number of female figurines he found in temples on the island. Today it is a favorite destination for relaxed travelers and serious divers, though it is increasingly frequented by day-trippers from Cancun.

The locals are fishermen and divers who have lived here for generations; islanders who want the island to remain the paradise they know and love. Sunsets are spectacular, a ball of fire going down over the water, setting behind the cityscape of not-so-distant Cancun. There is only one small archaeological site in Isla Mujeres. This small construction is dedicated to Ixchel, the goddess of love and fertility, its unique location its worth to pay a visit to the area.

Ferrys from Puerto Juarez and express boats from Cancun dock at the main village, its harbor dotted with colorful fishing boats and its sandy lanes lined with a jumble of shops, outdoor cafes and restaurants. Golf carts, motorcycles or bicycles are the most common forms of transportation and are available to rent. For all this, your Isla Mujeres vacations will be definitely once in a lifetime experience.

Beaches and Attractions

The most frequented and highly recommended beaches are located on the north tip of Isla Mujeres, where the shallow beaches of crystal clear waters are calm with beautiful coral reefs at short distance from the beach.

Island attractions are many and varied: Garrafon National Park, the Mayan temple. You can visit the local Turtle Protection Center for a very enlightening example on how to respect and protect the endangered marine life. For dive enthusiasts, there are the offshore reefs of El Farito, Punta Norte and the incomparable Manchones, as well as the Cave of the Sleeping Sharks.