North Beach, Isla Mujeres, Mexico
Isla Mujeres offers several options for water activities, from windsurfing to admiring the wonderful coral reefs while snorkeling, to diving the underwater paradise of El Garrafon National Park, the impressive cave of the sleeping sharks and reefs such as Farito, Islaché and Manchones.
Isla Mujeres hammocks
An Isla Mujeres Mexico vacation is more laid-back and relaxed than Cancun, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to do. It just means you can do nothing at all or fill your days with exciting activities and variety of all types of restaurants and fondas (Mexican coffee shops) as well. Isla Mujeres is for vacationing in a small island with activities for all ages. Beautiful white sand beaches where you can enjoy nature land activities. Crystal clear sea admiring the diverse marine life, sailing and swimming with Dolphins. North Beach (Playa Norte) Isla Mujeres is a great place for relaxing, and the entire island has something for everyone in a great and serene tropical ambiance. Located away from hustle and stress, you can explore the wonders of the Mexican Caribbean. Mixed culture along local Mayan heritage, navigator past & fishermen legacy of more than 150 years ready to be rediscovered exploring the entire island by renting a bike, moped or golf cart. You can visit the Turtle Protection Center and see precious sea turtles, take time to see Hacienda Mundaca, have a delicious coconut ice cream, a spicy shrimp ceviche with a freezing beer, a cheese & wine picnic, a relaxing massage and of course, shop!
Isla Mujeres’ efficient tourist infrastructure includes 1 to 5-star hotels, approximately 1200 rooms, a convention center, cultural center, travel agencies, banks, hospitals, money exchange offices, marinas, dive shops, beach clubs, bicycles, mopeds and golf cart rentals. There is also a wide variety of food ranging from traditional to international.
Isla Mujeres aerial view
Today, Playa Norte Isla Mujeres is a favorite destination for nature lovers and for all those hiding from stress. Locals are very friendly and whether like deep sea fishing thru the Caribbean Sea, talking about baseball and other popular sports with the locals, snorkeling in El Farito reef or El Garrafon park, scuba dive thru the cave of the sleeping sharks or the Manchones why not enjoy your Mexico vacation here. Laughing while having a beer and watching sunsets which are perfect over the blues and greens of the water and the mainland site across the sea channel. All these activities make Isla Mujeres a fun and relaxing place for Mexican tourists to visit.
The island of Isla Mujeres is located close to one of many coral reefs, and the area is popular for its snorkeling and scuba diving. Isla Mujeres is also home to a population of sea turtles. Because of the recent endangerment of sea turtles in the area, a facility was set up on the southern end of the island for the rehabilitation and breeding of them. This facility is open to the public.
Isla Mujeres near Cancun is a secluded island paradise that offers unmatched beauty and charm. Just 7 kilometers away from Cancun across the turquoise waters of the channel, the perfect spot for a wonderful vacation in Mexico. Almost 700 meters in the wider part and 7.5 kilometer long, your Isla Mujeres vacation will be synonymous of an unforgettable adventure starting at the main village dock and its colorful motorboats anchored among the harbor.
Easy to locate, easy to get to. By car Isla Mujeres is just 50 minutes north of Cancun Airport and by express ferry 20 minutes from Cancun-Puerto Juarez with departures every 30 minutes between 5am and midnight on board modern sun deck & air conditioned fast boats.
Founded by Pueblo de Dolores in August 17, 1850, Isla Mujeres, near Cancun Mexico, was named by Spanish Conqueror Francisco Hernandez de Cordoba on 1517 after finding several female figures close to a small archeological site which was a temple dedicated to Ix Chel, Goddess of love, fertility and the moon. For approximately the next 300 years, it was a pirate refugee. Another Spaniard, Fermin de Mundaca was the most famous (1858) who built the majestic Hacienda in the heart of the island. Isla Mujeres was abandoned through the following decades and left a few fishermen and their families.
A quick journey through time will give you a good vision of Isla Mujeres´ rich and long history. The first news about Isla Mujeres date back to before the Pre-Columbian era 564-1516 A.D. when it was a mayan province, Ekab, one of the four provinces or Mayan territories that formed what is today the State of Quintana Roo.
Isla Mujeres rental boats
At that time, Isla Mujeres was not a human settlement, it was a sanctuary to Ixchel (goddess of weaving, happiness, the moon, abundance and medicine, among others). From March 1st to 4th, 1517, a Spanish expedition under Francisco Fernández de Córdoba´s leadership, discovered the island and found a sanctuary with a representation of Ixchel and a court of women, hence the name Isla Mujeres it was given.
By 1850, more than 250 fishermen, pirates and mayas running away from the cruel War of Castes, established themselves in the village of Dolores, on Isla Mujeres. The construction of Fermin Mundaca y Marecheaga´s Hacienda Vista Alegre, was a milestone in the history of Isla Mujeres, since it covered 40% of the total surface of the island, and controlled agriculture and cattle raising. At the end of the nineteenth century, Isla Mujeres had a population of 651 inhabitants in a defined urban area. The marine landscape, with its numerous birds, sailboats and fishermen made up a beautiful scenery.
Playa Norte ( North Beach)
Beautiful Playa Norte ( North Beach) is full of exciting activities. If you are going to be in the Cancun area have fun and visit this easy to access island retreat. On the white and fine sand beaches of Playa Norte, you can enjoy the air, the sun and the water, and it is a perfect place for those who practice yoga, since at dawn they can get full of energy and at sunset a complete peace invades them.
Isla Mujeres Official tourism website has good information on the local accomodations, attractions, food and more available in english.
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Finally at Isla Mujeres!
Chiling on the beach!
