Isla Mujeres
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1. Isla Mujeres Underwater Museum
Combining art and nature, sculptor Jason de Caires Taylor has created "underwater museums" off the shores of Punta Cancún, Punta Nizuc, and Manchones Reef near Isla Mujeres. Locally known as MUSA (Museo Subacuático de Arte), his main work features more than 480 lifelike statues that serve as artificial reefs to attract marine life. Within the 12 galleries is "The Silent Evolution," a 120-ton work of more than 400 individual statues, as well as "Anthropocene" a full-scale VW Beetle made from 8 tons of pH-neutral concrete. The displays have conveniently been placed in shallow areas for viewing by divers, snorkelers, and glass-bottom boats. The unusual artificial habitat also helps restore the natural reefs that have suffered damage over the years. Most local dive shops can organize excursions to the site starting at $47 USD.
Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo, 77710, Mexico998-810–4508Sight Details
Rate Includes: From $47 USD -
2. Playa Norte
North Beach is easy to find: simply head north on any of the north–south streets in town until you hit it. The turquoise sea is as calm as a lake here, though developers have built along most of the coast. The small cove between Mia Reef Resort and the Caribbean is the nicest section. Relatively shallow, the water flows directly from the open sea, so it's clean and good for snorkeling; tour guides often lure the fish with food. A food or drink purchase from Cafe del Mar gives you access to beach beds and changing facilities at Privilege Aluxes Resort. Alternately, you can enjoy a libation at one of the palapa bars where wooden swings take the place of bar stools; Buho's is especially popular, as MX$90 lounge chairs and MX$200 beach beds come with a free drink ticket. At Sunset Grill, lounge chairs, umbrellas, towels, toilets, and showers are included when you spend MX$300 on food or drink. Amenities: food and drink; showers; toilets; parking. Best for: snorkeling; sunset; walking; swimming.
Calle Zazil-Há, Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo, 77400, MexicoSight Details
Rate Includes: Free -
3. El Cementerio
Isla's cemetery is on Avenida López Mateos, the road that runs parallel to Playa Norte. Many of the century-old gravestones are covered with carved angels and flowers, with the most elaborate and beautiful marking the graves of children. Hidden among them is the tomb of the notorious Fermín Mundaca de Marechaja, a 19th-century slave trader—often billed more glamorously as a pirate—who carved his own skull-and-crossbones gravestone with the ominous epitaph: "As you are, I once was; as I am, so shall you be." Ironically, his remains actually lie in Mérida, where he died. The monument is tough to find, so ask a local to point out the marker.
Av. López Mateos, Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo, 77400, Mexico998-877–0082Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free -
4. El Malecón
To enjoy the drama of Isla's western shore while soaking up some rays, stroll along this 1½-km-long (1-mile-long) boardwalk. It runs from the Ultramar pier to Playa Norte and has several benches and lookout points. Check out El Monumento dal Marlin Azul y la Barracuda (Blue Marlin and Barracuda Monument) along the way.
Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo, 77400, MexicoSight Details
Rate Includes: Free -
5. Garrafón Natural Reef Park
Despite the widely publicized "Garrafón Reef Restoration Program," much of the coral at this national marine park is dead—the result of hurricanes, boat anchors, and too many careless tourists. There are still colorful fish, but many of them will come near only if bribed with food. Although there's not much for snorkelers anymore, the park—part nature, part amusement—does have kayaks, restaurants, ziplines, bathrooms, and a gift shop. Be prepared to spend over USD$60 for the basic package called Royal Garrafón, which includes snorkeling gear, breakfast, lunch, kayaks, transportation from Cancún, a bike tour, and an open bar. Another option is Dolphin Encounter (USD$116), which lets you use the park amenities and swim with dolphins. The Beach Club Garrafón de Castilla next door is a much cheaper alternative; the snorkeling is at least equal to that available in the park, and a day pass is just MX$50. You can take a taxi from town. El Garrafón National Park is home to the Santuario Maya a la Diosa Ixchel, the sad vestiges of a Mayan temple once dedicated to the goddess Ixchel. This southern point is where the sun first rises in Mexico, meaning that thousands of travelers make a pilgrimage to the temple on New Year's to see the country awaken. A lovely walkway around the area remains, but the natural arch beneath the ruin has been blasted open and repaired with concrete badly disguised as rocks. The views are spectacular, though: you can look to the open ocean, where waves crash against dramatic cliffs on one side and the Bahía de Mujeres (Bay of Women) on the other. On the way to the temple there's a cutesy Caribbean-style shopping center selling overpriced jewelry and souvenirs, as well as a park with brightly painted abstract sculptures. The ruins (open daily 9–5) are near the old lighthouse, where the road turns northeast into the Corredor Panorámico. It costs MX$60 to visit just the ruins and sculpture park, but this is included with admission to El Garrafón.
Carretera El Garrafón, Km 6, Sm 9, Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo, 77400, Mexico01800-727–5391-toll-free in MexicoSight Details
Rate Includes: USD$62, Closed Mon. -
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6. Iglesia de Concepción Inmaculada
In 1890 local fishermen landed at a deserted colonial settlement known as Ecab, where they found three identical statues of the Virgin Mary, each carved from wood with porcelain face and hands. No one knows where the statues came from, but it's widely believed they were gifts from the Spanish during a visit in 1770. One statue went to the city of Izamal in the Yucatán, and another was sent to Kantunikin in Quintana Roo. The third remained on the island. It was housed in a small wooden chapel while this church was being built; legend has it that the chapel burst into flames when the statue was removed. Some islanders still believe the statue walks on the water around the island from dusk until dawn, looking for her sisters. You can pay your respects daily 10–11:30 am and 7–9 pm, or attend mass, mostly in Spanish, with a few services in English throughout the week.
Avs. Morelos and Bravo, Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo, 77400, MexicoSight Details
Rate Includes: Free -
7. Laguna Makax
Pirates are said to have anchored their ships in this lagoon while waiting to ambush hapless vessels crossing the Spanish Main. Today it houses a local marina and provides a safe harbor for boats during hurricane season.
Carretera Al Garrafon Mz 121 Lote 5, Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo, 77400, Mexico52-998-888–0973 -
8. Museum Capitán Dulché
The island's only museum gives a glimpse into the life of famed ocean explorers Ramón Bravo, Jacques Cousteau, and Captain Ernesto Dulché Escalante, who founded the 5th Naval Region of Isla Mujeres. A collection of photographs, model ships, anchors, buoys, lanterns, and other maritime tools also showcases Isla’s seafaring history. The museum is part of a beach club, so you can reminisce about the past before enjoying the present with a cold beer under the shade of a palapa.
Carretera Garrafón, Km 4.5, Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo, 77400, Mexico998-139–5504Sight Details
Rate Includes: USD$5 -
9. Playa Lancheros
On the western side of the island, this stretch between Laguna Makax and Garrafón Natural Reef Park is a popular spot with an open-air restaurant where locals gather to eat freshly grilled tikin xic (whole fish marinated with adobo de achiote and sour oranges, then wrapped in a banana leaf and cooked over an open flame). Playa Lancheros has grittier sand than Playa Norte but more palm trees. Calm water makes it good for children, but keep them close to shore as the bottom drops off steeply. Souvenir stands here are fairly low-key, and most bars and restaurants will give you access to their beach facilities provided you order a drink. The closest hotel is Isla Mujeres Palace, an all-inclusive resort open to hotel guests only. There's a small pen with tame tiburones gatos (nurse sharks). You can swim with them or just get your picture taken for a MX$20 tip. Amenities: food and drink; showers; toilets; water sports; parking (free). Best for: snorkeling; swimming; sunset.
Carretera El Garrafon, Km 4.6, Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo, 77400, Mexico -
10. Playa Tiburón
Like Playa Lancheros, this beach on the west side of the island faces Bahía de Mujeres, so the water is exceptionally calm. Once a respite from the crowds, it has become more developed, with a large restaurant (through which you actually enter the beach) that serves burgers, hot dogs, and fish. There are several souvenir stands selling handmade seashell jewelry. On certain days you can find women who will braid your hair or give you a henna tattoo. Many people visit to swim or take photos with tame nurse sharks (MX$50), but the tiny pen entrapping the large creatures is rather sad. Although there are public restrooms, you have to pay for toilet paper. Amenities: food and drink; toilets; water sports; parking (free). Best for: snorkeling; sunset; swimming.
Carretera Sac Bajo, Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo, 77400, Mexico
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