Ahh, the Mexican Caribbean… its sun-kissed white sands hugged by teal-colored seas, the epic all-inclusive resorts the place each single visitor is handled like royalty, and the traditional Mayan World mendacity simply beneath the floor, begging to be unearthed.
It is no marvel Individuals hold flocking there, 12 months after 12 months, after 12 months, however in the event you suppose overtouristed, tried-and-true Cancun nonetheless guidelines the scene, you are in for a shock.
An island a stone’s throw away from the Cancun mainland, solely 7 miles lengthy and a mere 0.5 miles extensive, Isla Mujeres could also be small in dimension, but it surely scored huge at this 12 months’s World Travel Awards—that is the Oscar of the tourism trade for you.
It took house the award for Greatest Island Vacation spot in Mexico and Central America, and we will not say we’re stunned:
This Island Has Some Of The Most Seashores In The Total Mexican Caribbean
A small Caribbean island situated simply off the Mexican mainland, going through Cancun, Isla Mujeres could also be tiny in dimension, at a size of solely 4.3 miles, and 0.4 miles throughout, however it is packed with must-see wonders—and one of the best half, it is solely quarter-hour by ferry from the Resort Zone!
For starters, it has a few of the most lovely seashores in the whole Mexican Caribbean, with Playa Norte, situated on the northern tip of the island, being a significant spotlight: image white sands hugged by teal-colored seas, laid-back seashore bars, and minimal sargassum year-round.
Playa Centro, close to the ferry terminal, the place vacationers arrive from Cancun, is equally gorgeous, with its powdered-sugar sands backed by tall palm bushes and conventional cantinas, and let’s not neglect the small Playa Tiburón, a quieter stretch of coast the place you’ll be able to often see nurse sharks.
An Underrated Cultural Vacation spot
Though the Mexican Caribbean is without doubt one of the most culture-charged locations on the earth, dotted with millennia-old Mayan ruins and Spanish-built fortified cities, Cancun is not precisely identified for its architectural heritage, or indigenous or colonial-era gems.
It was constructed as a deliberate resort for gringos within the 70s, in spite of everything.
Isla Mujeres, then again, is extremely wealthy in tradition: in Punta Sur, the extra wild, unspoiled south of the island, you will discover the Temple of Ixchel, devoted to the Mayan goddess of fertility, love, and the moon, perched on a small coastal cliff with panoramic sea views.
On the other finish of the island, vacationers can go to Hacienda Mundaca, a near-intact Nineteenth-century property constructed and previously owned by Fermín Mundaca, a pirate and slave dealer who, legend has it, fell in love with an islander and determined to remain.
Then after all, virtually midway between each, there’s the city of Isla Mujeres, identified regionally as Centro: with its colourful streets and murals, quirky retailers, and native markets, it is one of the best spot to pattern meals and expertise on a regular basis island life.
Isla Mujeres Matches Each Price range!
Isla Mujeres is way extra quaint and peaceable than Cancun and the broader Mayan Riviera, on account of its dimension: once more, this can be a very small island, and there are solely so many accommodations and lodging suppliers it may possibly host.
To be extra exact, there are solely 123 such properties listed on Booking.com, whereas in Cancun and its quick neighborhood, which incorporates coastal areas like Costa Mujeres, a whopping 721 accommodations and guesthouses are discovered.
There may be additionally one thing for each finances right here, from cheap hostels only some steps away from the seashore, ranging from $28-a-night (Mayan Monkey), to mid-range, rustic boutique accommodations for $176-a-night (take a look at the stylish Casa Alkimia Town), to all-out luxurious upwards of $644 (Almare).
Is It Safer Than Cancun? In Brief, Sure.
Evidently, Isla Mujeres is significantly much less crowded and even safer than Cancun is—okay, maybe Playa Norte is not precisely abandoned, but it surely usually will get busy round ferry arrival hours, as it is the one seashore vacationers go and take a look at in the event that they’re solely on the island for the day.
When it comes to security, it is best to know Isla Mujeres is a tight-knit, 13,000-people-strong neighborhood the place violent crime is barely seldomly heard of, and even pickpocketing charges are considerably decrease in comparison with the mainland.
It sees little or no gang exercise, and the efficient policing on the island makes it a much less engaging vacation spot for criminals. In different phrases, it is without doubt one of the most secure locations you’ll be able to trip within the Mexican Caribbean, particularly in the event you’re sticking to the identified vacationer path.
For day-trippers, and people spending the weekend alike, you’ll be able to simply discover the island by golf cart—one of the simplest ways to courageous its winding dust roads. Charges for a typical 4-person golf cart begin from $75 for 23 hours, and you may must carry your driver’s license.
Getting To Isla Mujeres This Fall
Probably the most handy strategy to attain Isla Mujeres from the USA is flying into Cancun Worldwide Airport (CUN) and arranging a switch to the ferry port.
There are two most important departure factors:
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