Isla Mujeres (Spanish for “Island of the Women”) in my opinion could have been named “Isla Relaxation” because the minute my sandaled toes hit the white sugary sand of the island, I felt a state of Zen wash over me. And NO it wasn’t because I tippled a few Coronas on the ferry ride over to the island (although that did happen a little later in the day 😉
Ahhh Isla Mujeres is a beautiful island jewel just off the coast of Cancun. While small, only 5 miles in length and a half mile wide, she oozes culture and history. This secluded beauty which you can only get to by ferry or boat, interweaves the beauty and lushness of the Caribbean with the impressive history of the Mayan civilization. And after passing through Cancun with its fast-paced vibe and frenetic energy, Isla Mujeres was like a breath 
of fresh (sea) air. It felt like we’d entered through a portal back in time, back to the Mexico of old. And despite the fact the island now boasts upscale restaurants, villas and resorts, it still maintains its quaint charm and culture. It’s a place that inspires you to ditch your watch, flip off your cell phone and become one with nature.
The downtown area is thriving and colourful, with vendors flocking their wares (handmade crafts, hats, jewellery, hammocks etc), galleries showcasing the work of local artists, and plenty of open air cafes brimming with fiesta music.
Golf carts and scooters zip around the island as the main mode of transportation and you’ll usually pay around $50 per day for a golf cart rental. FYI – They even had a drive-through beer and snack store! (My hubby wanted to visit the island for this alone!)
Punta Sur, the southernmost point of the island, 20 meters from sea level is the first spot in Mexico to receive 
rays of sunshine every morning. It offers spectacular views of the sea with waves crashing on the rocky cliffs. It has a Mayan temple which is devoted to Ixchel, the goddess of the moon and wife of the sun. Ixchel is considered a fertility goddess with healing powers and for centuries Mayan women traveled to Isla Mujeres yearly to seek her help.
Playa Norte is a hip spot with upscale beach clubs and beautiful shallow waters. Yachts and boats anchor offshore to join the throngs of sun bathers on the beach. Snorkeling and diving excursions to Manchones Reef are a must; to see the beautiful coral formations and sea life that surround the island. The sunsets at Playa Norte are so beautiful they will bring tears to your eyes.
Here’s a list of activities to check out while on the island.
Dolphin Discovery
Located on the Sac Bajo part of the island, Dolphin Discovery is a small amusement park allowing visitors to interact and swim with dolphins and not a pool or an aquarium. The park has a list of activities ranging from dolphins to other marine mammals such as sea lions and manatees. Enjoy their beach club located in a natural environment, and with an upgrade to the VIP service, you will enjoy dining in their exclusive restaurants and a panoramic pool. International cuisine including shrimp, salmon, sushi and other delicacies along with top shelf drinks.
Turtle Farm (Tortugranja)
Located on Sac Bajo (North of Playa Paraiso), this is a government sponsored hatchery for endangered sea turtles. The turtles come to Isla Mujeres beaches in the summer to lay their eggs and the team at the Turtle Farm come and collect them to keep them safe for their 60 day incubation period (what a great bunch of folks!) We got to experience holding a sea urchin, a conch shell with a live snail inside (SO COOL!), a starfish, and a very friendly crab (tak about excited kids!). A wonderful nature and family experience overall.
Located on the Southern tip of Isla Mujeres, Garrafon is a gorgeous natural park highlighted by reefs, cliffs and beautiful ocean landscapes that will captivate your senses. There are water activities like kayaking and snorkeling, adventure activities like hiking, biking and flying over the turquoise waters on a zip line. Looking for R&R? Then enjoy hours of relaxation on hammocks and lounge chairs by the tropical bar.
To get to the ferry in Cancun, it was only a little over an hour drive from our condo in Playa, and a 20 minute ferry ride from Cancun to the island.We loved this enchanting island so much we paid her a visit a few days later and will continue to visit the island every time we’re in the Riviera Maya.
I think it’s safe to say we’ve become “Isla-holics”!
“PLAYA” Gal (a very satisfied client working to promote Playa Beach Getaways!) 
Contact Sally Foarn @ salgal@playabeachcondo.com ~~~ PS Catch us on Facebook & Pinterest