Isla Mujeres (which translates as "island of Women") is a beautiful island with beaches and few attractions, which is located in the Caribbean Sea near the mainland, opposite Cancun in the state of Quintana Roo in Mexico.
Even in pre-Columbian times, the island was sacred to the Maya, who left sculptures (images) of the goddess of obstetrics and medicine Ixchel on the island. When the Spaniards arrived on the island in the 16th century, they called it "Isla Mujeres" (Island of Women) because of the many images of the goddess on the island.
Today, the Island of Women is a popular destination among tourists. Many guests visit the island on a day trip from Cancun, while others prefer to stay on the island and spend their holidays here.
The island has everything you need for a comfortable stay: a historical center, beaches with white sand, washed by the warm waters of the Caribbean sea, some of the sights, the most famous of which is the underwater sculpture Museum (MUSA Museo Subacuático de Arte), a natural Park with entertainment, as well as places for walking and recreation, shops, cafes, restaurants and accommodation facilities (hotels, villas, apartments)
This island in the Caribbean Sea is quite small, its length is about 8 kilometers, and its width reaches 650 meters.
The main tourist infrastructure and the best beaches of the island are located in its northern and western parts. Whereas the southern and eastern parts of the island are mostly rocky and deserted.
The coast, beaches and sea of the island of Isla Mujeres
The most striking attraction of the island is its beaches, which are considered one of the best on the Caribbean coast of Mexico, have snow-white sand washed by clean and transparent sea waters.
All beaches of the island are free (free).
The most visited, beautiful and wide beaches of Isla Mujeres, with all the necessary infrastructure and hotels near the beaches, are located in the northern and northwestern extremities of the island.
These beaches are good because waves are rare in these places, since this part of the island is protected from the open ocean by the mainland (nearby Cancun).
There are beaches here: the Central Beach (Playa Centro) and the Northern Beach (Playa Norte).
All the necessary infrastructure sits on the beach: sun beds and umbrellas, showers and toilets (free of charge), urns, rescue and first aid services, beach bars and restaurants, some water activities and massage services. There is parking near the beaches.
The sea water is clean and transparent; the approach to the sea is gentle; the depth comes gradually. Small yachts are peacefully rocking behind the buoys, which add even more picturesqueness.
The best hotel near the Northern Beach is the 4-star Mia Reef Isla Mujeres Cancun All Inclusive Resort, which is located at the eastern end of the beach, on the small island of Islote El Yunque, connected by a bridge to the island of Isla Mujeres.
The hotel has rooms and villas.
All rooms at the hotel have a view of the ocean. The rooms are decorated in Caribbean colors and feature a TV with cable channels.
At the hotel: swimming pool, free parking and Wi-Fi, restaurant, bar, private beach area.
The room rate includes an all-inclusive catering system. Link to the hotel
On the western side of Isla Mujeres, the beaches are small, mostly narrow and rather modest, compared to the northern beaches of the island, but quieter and less crowded. The beaches also have some beach infrastructure, cafes, bars and hotels with direct access to the beach strip.
The beaches are named after nearby hotels, clubs, restaurants, etc.: Playa Albatros, marked with a blue flag, Playa Tiburon, Playa Pescador, Playa Lancheros, Playa Indios and Playa Garrafon, located a little further (south) from the rest of the western beaches of the island.
On the beaches there is light sand, there are areas of rocky coast with equipped descents into the sea waters.
The eastern part and the southern tip of the island open to ocean winds and waves. 3The coast is mostly rocky and rocky-sandy.
There are several rocky and rocky-sandy coves. You can walk along the embankment near the sea waters. Learn more about all the beaches and hotels near the beaches on the island of Isla Mujeres...
Streets, attractions and entertainment on the island of Isla Mujeres
On the island you can go diving and snorkeling, deep-sea fishing, sailing, rowing, canoeing, rent a yacht and go to sea.
The most developed and tourist part of the island is located in its northern part. It is here that the ferry piers are located, where public ferries from Cancun come, as well as boats and small yachts.
Not far from the ferry pier is the main square of the island, with the Parque Principal de Isla Mujeres, the church (Parroquia Inmaculada Concepción), the Palace of the Municipality (Palacio Municipal Isla Mujeres) and the Museum of History.
Not far from the square, near the northeast coast, there are several monuments and the famous large multicolored letters "Isla Mujeres".
Also in the northern part of the island there are interlacing narrow streets, along which low multi-colored buildings are lined up in dense rows, in which currency exchangers, main shops, souvenir shops, bars, cafes and restaurants of Mujeres Island are located. The northern lighthouse (Faro de Punta Norte) stands out from the sights.
A large supermarket "Chedraui" is located at: Av. Rueda Medina Sm-003 Mza. 113 No. L- 017 Esq. Othon P. Blanco Electricistas, 77407 Q.R., Mexico.
In the southern direction of the island there are also streets, driveways, there are several attractions (monuments), the most famous of which is the whale shark monument (Monumento Tiburon Ballena).
At the southern tip of Isla Mujeres is the El Garrafon National Park (Parque Nacional El Garrafon), where vacationers are offered entertainment, both at sea and on land; there is also a water park with a zipline.
Also notable here are:
- Hacienda Mundaca, which was built by the Spanish slave trader (according to some sources and pirate) Fermin Mundaca de Marecheaga. Today it is a museum;
- small turtle farm (Tortugranja);
- a few Mayan ruins and an old lighthouse on the southern bow of the island (Cape Punta Sur);
- Museum of Underwater Sculptures (MUSA - Museo Subacuatico de Arte), located near the southwest coast of the island of Mujeres. Museum website: musamexico.
There are several ways to move around the island of Women: on foot, by bus (there are 4 lines of buses around the island), by taxi, by renting a moped or golf cart (you need a license and passport), as well as a bicycle.
A ride around the island on a golf cart is considered one of the local attractions that tourists actively use.
Buses on the island of Mujeres
Map diagram of the island of Isla Mujeres
Isla Mujeres on the map
Practical information
You can get to the islands of Isla Mujeres by ferry from Cancun. Details on how to get to the island of Isla Mujeres can be found here →
You can also visit the island with one of the excursions from Cancun
All accommodation facilities on the island of Isla Mujeres, including in the center of the island and near the beaches, can be viewed and booked here
All accommodation facilities inCancun, including in the city center and in the hotel area near the beaches, can be viewed and booked here
