Holidays to Isla Mujeres

Top attractions

The top attraction in Isla Mujeres is, undoubtedly, its superstar beach, Playa Mujeres. With more than three kilometres of sprawling clean, white sand and a handful of beach bars and sun decks, the beach is the perfect venue for swimming, sunbathing and taking a walk along the sand. There are several excellent attractions in and close to Isla Mujeres, including the Playa Mujeres Golf Club. Designed by championship golfer, Greg Norman, this picturesque course features rolling slopes, dense greenery and lagoons for a challenging golfing experience. Thanks to its eco-friendly design, the course has a number of local plants and is lined with untouched beaches. Following your game, you can browse the professional shop or head to the restaurant-lounge for a bite to eat and some drinks. If you’re hoping to find some traditional Mexican souvenirs, it’s worth making the 20-minute ferry trip from the marina to Isla Mujeres to explore the stalls selling everything from vibrant Saltillo rugs to traditional stone carvings and authentic local art.

Beaches

Life in Isla Mujeres is centred around the beach, making this an ideal choice if you’re looking for plenty of sun, sea and sand in your holiday experience. The beach is a long stretch of warm white sands, more than three kilometres in length, and you’re never far from a beachside bar or lounger-topped sun deck for relaxation time. If you’re looking for a more active day out at the beach, head to the northern part of the beach to explore a more untamed terrain, or venture south and you’ll find the polished marina. There are many family friendly beaches here including Playa Lancheros, a scenic beach with refreshing waters where you can also enjoy a bite to eat at the beachside restaurants. If you’re venturing to the downtown area for a spot of shopping, fit a visit to the Playa Norte into your schedule for a tranquil pitstop by the sea. This part of the island offers more unspoilt, natural beauty, and the chance to explore the native environment and reconnect with nature.

Eating out

Unlike the popular hotspot of Cancun, Isla Mujeres is not a bustling tourist haven. The island has retained much of its authentic charm and heritage, with no mega-hotels or wild nightlife. The simple nature of lifestyle in Isla Mujeres offers a more traditional Mexican cuisine, allowing you to immerse yourself in the authentic food and drink of Mexico. Many restaurants on Isla Mujeres specialise in seafood, which is deliciously fresh and tasty thanks to the fresh daily supply. Mexican cuisine tends to feature lots of spices, cheese and sour cream, minced beef or chunks of chicken and pork within wraps or tacos.

A popular breakfast dish is chilaquiles, fried corn tortillas which are cut into four and topped with salsa, eggs and chicken. Refried beans are one of the most distinctive ingredients in Mexican cuisine and pop up in many dishes here including tacos, tostados and tamales. If you’re not a fan of spicy food, it’s worth noting that you can tone down the heat of many dishes by opting for a side of guacamole or sour cream, or you can dine at one of the island’s many Italian restaurants instead. With an astonishing amount of traditional gelato stands in Isla Mujeres, you’re never far from a refreshing ice cream to stay refreshed.

Nightlife

Surprisingly for an island that has a relatively sleepy, sedate atmosphere by day, Isla Mujeres has a vibrant nightlife scene when the sun goes down. It’s worth noting that nightlife venues in Isla Mujeres still close earlier than many of the other popular resorts, with most bars closing by midnight and only a handful of clubs staying open until around 2am. The majority of nightlife venues are located in the downtown area, with a smattering of places situated along the Playa Norte. The island’s nightlife venues are well-connected and in close proximity to each other, making it easy to venture out on a bar crawl or change venues if you find a particular club isn’t to your liking. For an intimate atmosphere and laid-back vibe, try Tiny’s Bar or the Rock Bar. The Villa La Bella Swing Bar overlooks the beach and offers a real paradise feel as you sip your cocktail from a hollowed-out coconut. If you’re keen to dance, head to the Club Playa Mexico for partying until the early hours of the morning and a number of fun themed nights.

Family holidays

With its stunning beach, quality attractions and gorgeous weather, Isla Mujeres is a very popular choice with many family holidaymakers. Playa Norte is the most family-friendly beach on Isla Mujeres and is just a five-minute walk away from the ferry terminal at Rueda Medina. With a long stretch of clean white sand, parasols and sun loungers available to rent at low prices, this is a family-friendly beach with a number of shaded spots underneath the palm trees that line the beach. Thanks to the beach’s north-west direction, it’s well-protected from the stronger currents from the Caribbean, creating shallow and calm waters that are crystal clear.

Another great family activity is to browse the wares of the local vendors on the beach or venture into the downtown area to peruse the shops. You can get some real bargains here, and there are a number of child-friendly activities including face painting and hair braiding. A fun and family-friendly way to travel around the island is to rent a gold cart, allowing you to explore the surroundings at your own pace. As the cart rentals are regulated here, all cart hire firms charge the same rate, and the traffic is quiet enough that you’ll find plenty of mopeds and golf carts travelling at a leisurely pace.

Couples holidays

If you’ve chosen Mexico for your 2018 holiday but want to steer clear of the bustling crowds, Isla Mujeres is an ideal choice for your romantic couples holiday. Opting to stay in Isla Mujeres gives you the best of both worlds, giving you a tranquil location to use as a base to explore the surrounding area or stay in the village for a relaxed experience. With a long stretch of warm white sands and clear blue waters at the beach, you can enjoy a fuss-free romantic day out simply by going to the beach. You can treat your loved-one to a memorable romantic experience by heading to the Dolphin Discovery to get up close and personal with dolphins, or enjoy a romantic dinner at the Sunset Grill on the North Beach.

Action & Adventure

Owing to its beautiful white beach and clear blue waters, many of the action-based attractions of Isla Mujeres revolve around the beach. The island has long been a popular destination with holidaymakers and water sports enthusiasts alike, with some of the most popular water sports in the area being snorkelling, swimming and kayaking. If you’re looking to come face-to-face with the stunning tropical marine life, head to the Garrafon Reef Park for snorkelling equipment, a breathtaking infinity pool, and admission to the Punta Sur and Sculpture Gardens. If you’re looking for an adrenaline-pumping activity on dry land, there’s a great selection of other activites on Isla Mujeres including the playing golf, renting a golf cart to explore the island at your own pace, or popular sports including tennis and volleyball.

Culture

Isla Mujeres gives you the opportunity to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life, unplug from technology and reconnect with your loved ones. Isla Mujeres was a traditional Mexican fishing village for centuries and has gradually been discovered by holidaymakers, but has stayed true to its roots and heritage. The traditional buildings and winding streets give Isla Mujeres a friendly, welcoming ambience and village vibe that you don’t get in many of the larger holiday resorts.

The community here is diverse with people hailing from all over the world, from artists and chefs, to expats and musicians. Thanks to the island’s Mayan heritage, there is a real sense of history and charm here that makes people feel at home, wherever they come from originally. Some of the best cultural attractions in the surrounding area include historically-important destinations along the Mayan Riviera, including Xplor, Xcaret and Tulum. For a culturally enriching and educational experience, you can take a day trip to Chichen-Itza, El Mecco and Coba, or visit the unpopulated island of Isla Contoy to the north of Isla Mujeres to see the wonderful wildlife of the nature reserve.