The best time to visit Isla Mujeres is from December to April, when the days are not too hot – the average high is between 81 and 87 degrees Fahrenheit – and there is a minimal chance of rain, so we are here at the perfect time of year.

Isla Mujeres is a short, eight-mile boat ride from Cancun and its busy international airport, so it is inundated with many, many tourists who arrive by ferry or through one of the many, many private tour operators.

Isla Mujeres is not a large island, just five miles long and half a mile wide, with most of the action concentrated in El Centro, or downtown. This is where the ferries drop off passengers, amidst a mini grid of streets lined with artisan shops, restaurants and bars.

Hidago Avenue, a pedestrian only street, is the main drag on the island. Be prepared to be constantly bombarded with people trying to entice you to choose their restaurant or buy souvenirs and trinkets from their store.

The north end of the island not only has the most hotels, bars, restaurants, and shops, but also spectacular beaches that wrap around the coast, including Playa Norte, where many people spend the day lounging on the beach, soaking up the sun, splashing in the insanely clear water that shimmers in all shades of turquoise, and chilling out at the beach bars.

We take a walk along the Malecón, the white boardwalk that runs along the ocean. This is the eastern part of the island, which is rocky with strong waves, not good for swimming, but the views are spectacular.

Although Isla Mujeres is not a large island, it is big enough to justify renting your own wheels for a day or two. And there is definitely no shortage of places to rent golf carts and scooters. As a result, the two roads leading up and down the island are filled with a constant stream of traffic.

We decide to take the bus to the southern end of the island, Punta Sur. This ecological reserve along the southern coast of the island offers stunning views of a rugged, rocky beach and the blue waters of the Caribbean.

From there we walk slowly north along the east coast, venturing into some of the smaller villages, checking off the attractions of Isla Mujeres along the way, and inadvertently picking up a few little treasures as we go.

Like many of the islands we have visited, Isla Mujeres is dotted with murals covering a wide range of themes.
From bold statements to hidden gems, these murals are like the tattoos of the island – each telling a story, each enchanting in its own way.

Isla Mujeres isn’t necessarily the most exciting destination, but with a nice anchorage and easy access to amenities like grocery stores and laundromats, it’s a good place for us to relax, tackle some boat projects, and think about our future cruising plans.


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