Staying in Cancun over the Christmas holidays, I decided to leave my all-inclusive escape bubble and journey out to see some of the amazing Yucatan beauty. I have been to Cancun before and seen the Mayan ruins. I had also visited Tulum and Playa del Carmen, but had never ventured to Isla Mujeres. It is a beautiful little island about 30 minutes ferry ride from Cancun.
While there are several ferry companies to choose from, the easiest by far is Ultramar Passenger Ferry. This company has 4 different launch sites just in the Cancun area. One of them was literally next door to my hotel. The cost was $19 US round trip. They took US dollars, Pesos, and credit cards. From my location, trips left almost every hour and a half. The last trip to the island was at 8:45 PM. Final return trip from the island was at 9:15 PM.
You land at the Passenger terminal docks right in the middle of downtown Isla Mujeres. It is a magical little town full of tourist shops, all types of hotels and hostels, bars, and restaurants. There are also transportation businesses that rent bikes, mopeds, and golf carts. The downtown is also right next to Playa Norte, considered to be one of the best beaches in the Caribbean. Locals even say it’s the best beach in the world, five mile stretch of beautiful white sand located on the northern part of the island. It is full year-round with tourists from all over the world mixing with the locals, making for a very bohemian feel. It is also an amazing place to watch a Caribbean sunset while drinking a cool brew!
After about 20 minutes, you will come to a fork in the road. To the left will lead you to Punta Sur. Here you will find the old lighthouse, a Mayan fort with a sculpture garden on the cliffs above the end of the island, and the east coast road back to downtown. To the right will take you up a thin peninsula that leads back toward the north. Here you will find several private luxury hotels, the famous Tortugranja (Turtle Farm), and the Dolphin Discovery park. Breathtaking views are in all directions as you travel around the island. To completely cover the island without many stops would take about an hour. However, each few feet there is another view, another place to relax with a cold beer, or another taqueria serving delicious fresh seafood.
I returned to the town of Isla Mujeres around sunset. After I turned in the golf cart, I had a very lovely dinner on the beach watching a sunset while eating fresh fish tacos. Caught the 6:45 ferry back to Cancun and was in my hotel room by 7:30 PM. A perfect Christmas day!
Other things to do on Isla Mujeres include taking advantage of the world-class snorkeling and scuba diving. Dive shops exist all over the island. Another huge attraction for diving and snorkeling fans is the famous MUSA Underwater Museum of Art. It is an underwater museum located in the National Marine Park surrounding the Cancun, Isla Mujeres, and Punta Nizuc area. MUSA contains over 500 sculptures of more than six different artists. The sculptures provide areas for coral growth and contribute to giving shelter for fish. The Museum highlights the relationship between art and environmental science. All of the sculptures are made from materials that promote coral life. The museum can be enjoyed by both divers and snorkelers.
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