Isla Mujeres, in the Mexican Caribbean Sea in the state of Quintana Roo, annually receives thousands of national and foreign tourists who go to enjoy its beautiful beaches, water parks, archaeological sites and rich gastronomy.
We have selected the 15 best things to do in Isla Mujeres, so if you want to visit this earthly paradise, this article is for you.
Learn about the best things to do in Isla Mujeres, let's start discovering what awaits you in this popular Mexican vacation destination.
1. Enjoy Playa Norte Isla Mujeres, one of the best sandy beaches in the Caribbean
Among the things to do in Isla Mujeres, Playa Norte must be in the first place. It is a dream beach that stretches for more than a kilometer of soft white sands and blue, warm and flat waters.
The height of the water will not exceed your waist even if you walk out to sea, being very safe for the whole family, especially for children and older adults.
Along Playa Norte you will see coconut trees and hundreds of umbrellas and deck chairs, with which you can sunbathe or enjoy a rich shade with the sea offering beautiful shades of turquoise blue.
The bars, restaurants and hotels located right on the beach offer excellent food and beverage services so that you never miss a cocktail, an ice cold beer or a delicious treat.
2. Have fun in Garrafón Park, the best eco-park in Isla Mujeres
Garrafón Park is a spectacular park on the southern tip of Isla Mujeres off the continental coast of Quintana Roo. Its name is due to the Garrafón reefs, an underwater space with a beautiful and varied biodiversity.
The park is ideal for snorkeling because the reef's waters are shallow and full of multi-colored life. Other ways to have fun are hiking, zip lines above the sea, kayaking, and swimming with dolphins.
Among the most impressive excursions is the one that takes place along the cliffs of Punta Sur, with access to a sculpture garden, a lighthouse and a temple of Ixchel, the Mayan goddess of love and fertility.
Garrafón Park offers a temazcal and a panoramic pool surrounded by lounge chairs and hammocks, for a pleasant rest.
This eco-park is at km 6 of the Garrafón Highway and from the municipal seat of Isla Mujeres and the Hotel Zone of Cancun, tours depart to it.
These offer packages that include Royal Garrafón, Royal Garrafón VIP, Royal Garrafón + Aquatic Adventures and Royal Garrafón + Dolphin Encounters.
3. Get to know the Underwater Museum of Art
One of the things to do in Isla Mujeres is to visit the Underwater Museum of Art (MUSA). A unique experience that you will hardly find in another country.
The MUSA has 3 divisions: Manchones, Punta Nizuc and Punta Sam. All add up to 500 monumental works made of marine concrete that you will admire when snorkeling, diving or through glass bottom boats.
The depth of Manchones is 8 meters and it is recommended to dive in it. His most popular work is Anthropocene, a Volkswagen Beetle with a human figure on the hood.
The depth of Punta Nizuc is 4 meters and it is best to discover it with a snorkel. Among his best known works are The Gardener of Hope and The Last Supper. From the glass bottom boat you can see, among other works, El Altavoz, Hombre de la Vena and Resurrección.
Punta Sam is 3.5 meters deep and Blessings and Vestiges stand out on the seabed.
The tours that take tourists to know the MUSA depart from various points in the Riviera Maya. Learn more here.
4. Try the tikin xic style fish
In Isla Mujeres you can enjoy a fresh and delicious cuisine based on fish and seafood from the Caribbean, as well as Mexican and international food and your favorite fast foods.
The gastronomic specialty of the island is tikin xic fish, a Mayan recipe in which fillets of a white meat fish are marinated with a mixture of abundant achiote paste, orange juice, salt and pepper.
After marinating for at least 3 hours, the fish is placed on a flame-conditioned banana leaf and garnished with chili peppers, tomato, onion, oregano, and other ingredients.
Finally, the fillets are wrapped in the banana leaf and baked until they are tender.
Many restaurants prepare this local delicacy. One of the most praised is La Casa del Tikinxic, in Playa Lanceros, a picturesque place that has been in operation since 1940.
Other seafood restaurants on Isla Mujeres where you can enjoy a good tikin xic fish are Lorenzillo’s, Mar-Bella Rawbar & Grill, Sunset Grill, Fuego de Mar and Rosa Sirena’s.
5. Spend a night of clubs and bars
In Isla Mujeres you will not be short of places with live music to have a few drinks, dance and have fun with friends.
Fayne’s Restaurant Bar and Grill, on Avenida Hidalgo, has a well-stocked liquor bar with nights animated by a group that performs Caribbean and American music.
La Terraza, also on Avenida Hidalgo, guarantees a pleasant time with the breeze caressing your face and the Caribbean music inviting you to dance.
The Tiny’s Bar has ice cold beer and an exquisite cocktail bar that combines with excellent service, good music and a relaxed atmosphere to chat.
KoKoNuts, at Miguel Hidalgo 65, is a disco-bar with a bar and music from DJs with sale of drinks and snacks.
If, among the things to do in Isla Mujeres, you want to enjoy a more Mexican atmosphere, at Tequilería La Adelita, on Avenida Hidalgo 12A, they please your tastes in tequilas, mezcals, beers and other drinks, accompanied by tasty food.
6. Get to know the temple of Ix Chel
Ix Chel was the goddess of the moon and fertility who also governed births. He had 13 children with Itzamná, founder of Chichén Itzá and god of the sky, day, night and wisdom.
Mayan women made pilgrimages to the temple of Ix Chel to pray for offspring and so that once they were pregnant, they would have a smooth delivery.
The name of the island is due to the numerous female images of the figure of the goddess, which the Spanish found when they arrived there. That is why they named it Isla Mujeres.
The ruins of the Ix Chel temple are located in an archaeological site near the Garrafón Park, in Punta Sur, a platform on which it is believed there was a lighthouse to guide Mayan vessels through the dangerous reefs.
Punta Sur is the highest place in Yucatan despite being only 20 meters above sea level, which is why it was chosen to build the temple of the main Mayan goddess. The entrance to the site is from 8 am to 5 pm.
7. Spend a day in the Park of Dreams
Parque de los Sueños is an amusement park with a beautiful beach, 3 swimming pools with slides and facilities for snorkeling, rowing, climbing walls, sailing in kayaks and traveling by zip line.
Their panoramic swimming pool for adults is fantastic. It gives the feeling of being in the waters of the Caribbean Sea while enjoying a cocktail. It also has a special pool for children.
The Parque de los Sueños Grill restaurant offers the best gourmet barbecue on Isla Mujeres, with a special smoked made with sapote firewood accompanied with fresh salads.
At the bar in front of the main pool you can enjoy a drink while admiring the luminous turquoise sea or watching the games of your favorite sports.
Parque de los Sueños is on the Garrafón highway in the Turquesa subdivision. Your full day pass gives you unlimited access to all attractions. It has a 25% discount if you buy it online.
Learn more about the Parque de los Sueños here.
8. Visit the Tortugranja
Of the 8 species of sea turtles in the world, Mexico has 7. This is thanks to its extensive coastlines in the Atlantic, the Pacific and the Sea of Cortez.
The main spawning areas for sea turtles in the country are in the Riviera Maya and on the Pacific coast of Oaxaca.
Turtle eggs are a gastronomic delicacy but their indiscriminate consumption threatens the preservation of the species. The meat is also highly appreciated as well as the shell used to make utensils and crafts.
If the turtles have been saved from extinction, it has been due to the conservation work of organizations and among the things to do in Isla Mujeres you can visit one of them, the Tortugranja.
Turtles spawn on island beaches between May and September. The people of the Tortugranja, supported by volunteers, collect the eggs before the predators arrive, especially the humans.
The eggs are put to fertilize until the hatchlings hatch. Then, after reaching the appropriate age, they are taken to the sea to make their wildlife.
9. Tour the Mangroves of Santa Paula
The Santa Paula Mangroves are between Cabo Catoche, the northernmost tip on the Yucatan Peninsula and Holbox Island. They constitute a special ecosystem with a rich biodiversity.
Mangroves are groups of trees that are very tolerant to the high salinity of the water, which form in estuaries and near coasts. They are of essential biological importance as they are refuges for migratory birds and other species.
Mangroves are also essential for protecting coastlines from erosion and for trapping organic matter that would be lost if it were to enter the open ocean.
The mangrove trees of Santa Paula are particularly lush. Its fish population represents abundant food for several species of beautiful migratory birds, which travel to the Mexican tropics to escape the cold of the north.
You can tour this wonderful ecosystem in small boats and kayaks.
10. Visit the beach club and Museum of Captain Dulché
The Captain Dulché Beach Club and Museum is in a paradisiacal corner of Isla Mujeres at km 4.5 of the road to Garrafón. It is easily accessible both by land and by sea because it has a dock for docking boats.
The museum exhibits scale models of old ships, photographs and other objects related to the captain, Ernesto Dulché, the oceanographer, athlete and ecologist, Ramón Bravo Prieto and the famous French marine researcher, Jacques Cousteau, a close friend of Bravo.
The Capitán Dulché Beach Club and Museum also has a swimming pool, bar and a lounge for 250 people, which makes it a perfect place to hold events in Isla Mujeres.
Learn more about this beautiful place here.
11. Get to know Hacienda Mundaca and its story of unrequited love
A Basque pirate and slave trader named, Fermín Mundaca, came to Isla Mujeres fleeing from the British around 1860. He settled with the wealth that he accumulated in his human trade activities and built a beautiful hacienda that still bears his name.
The play was in honor of La Trigueña, a beautiful islander with whom he fell madly in love without being reciprocated. This unspecified love served to build a beautiful property with arches, wells and flowery gardens, abandoned after the death of the pirate.
The hacienda was recovered as a tourist attraction including its main access arch with the inscription, "The entrance of the Trigueña", which the native loved by Mundaca seems to have never crossed.
12. Tour the Isla Contoy National Park
Isla Contoy National Park is 32 km west of Isla Mujeres, near the meeting point of the waters of the Caribbean and the Gulf. It is formed by the small Isla Cantoy of 230 hectares, including 5 salty lagoons.
According to archaeological evidence, it was visited from the 3rd century BC, although it is believed that it was never permanently inhabited due to the lack of fresh water.
The first major work on the island was the lighthouse built at the beginning of the 20th century during the Porfiriato.
It is a marvelous bird refuge with more than 150 species that includes the gray pelican, the peregrine falcon, the giant heron, the white-bellied booby and the magnificent frigate.
In its reef system there are 31 species of corals between soft and hard, as well as many other specimens of flora and fauna.
The only access to the Isla Contoy National Park is by sea from Cancun and Isla Mujeres. Depending on the type of transport and the place of departure, the boats take between 1 and 2 hours to arrive.
13. Stroll among works of art in the Punta Sur Sculpture Park
Punta Sur is an irregular wedge of Isla Mujeres that penetrates into the sea and there, surrounded by waves and cliffs, is a sculpture park made up of 23 large-format abstract pieces installed in 2001.
They are works by Mexican artists and the rest of America, Europe and Africa. They were conceived with different metals and with feeders and troughs for the seabirds, the main inhabitants of the place.
The sculptures were painted with bright colors such as red, blue and yellow and others with more discreet tones such as gray and white, to protect them from strong marine corrosion.
To see all the sculptures on foot, you will have to walk several hundred meters, so you must bring your water. There are also vehicle trails that pass near the works.
14. Get to know Cabo Catoche and its lighthouse
Catoche is a Mexican cape belonging to the municipality of Isla Mujeres, the northernmost corner of the Yucatan Peninsula. It marks the union of the waters of the Gulf of Mexico with those of the Caribbean Sea.
This was the first place in continental Mexico trodden by the Spaniards in 1517, led by Francisco Hernández de Córdoba, making it a site of historical relevance.
The Mayans received the Spanish with the expression "in ca wotoch", which means "this is my house." The conquerors named the cape Catoche because of the phonetic resemblance.
One of Cabo Catoche's attractions is a beautiful solar-powered lighthouse commissioned in 2015, which replaced the old one installed in 1939.
15. Enjoy the best parties in Isla Mujeres
Among the things to do in Isla Mujeres, you cannot miss a good party. The islanders are very partying and celebrate a lively Carnival, as fun and colorful as the one in Cozumel, although less massive due to the lower availability of hotels.
For the occasion, the streets of the head of Isla Mujeres are filled with floats, people with beautiful costumes, music and dances, which only stop at midnight on Shrove Tuesday.
In these celebrations, cultural expressions of pre-Hispanic Mexico are mixed with other viceregal and modern ones.
The island celebrates the Immaculate Conception, patron saint of Isla Mujeres, on December 8. The image of the Virgin is strolled along the boardwalk and through the streets of the town amid fireworks and popular revelry.
Other holidays on the island are the date of its discovery celebrated in March; the day of the merchant marine, commemorated in June; and the founding of the town, celebrated in August.
On any of those dates the clubs and bars of Isla Mujeres are overflowing with a lively atmosphere.
What are the best beaches in Isla Mujeres?
The beaches have the priority among the things to do in Isla Mujeres.
Although the most famous is Playa Norte, the island has other beautiful and comfortable beaches where you can spend a rich day in crystal clear blue waters.
Playa del Caracol is good for underwater activities because of its coral reef area. Its name is due to a species of snail that according to the locals heralds the arrival of hurricanes, depending on the winds and the movements of the sand.
Punta Sur is the highest point on Isla Mujeres and from its beach there are extraordinary views of the Caribbean and the island. The beach is dotted with large-format sculptures, which makes the day a beach and artistic experience.
Na Balam is another beach that likes for the transparency and the shallow depth of its waters, attributes that in addition to the warmth of the sea, make it a delicious safe natural pool for children and adults.
How to get to Playa Norte Isla Mujeres?
The first thing you have to do is take one of the ferries that go from Cancun to Isla Mujeres. It will be a pleasant trip because from the second floor of the ferries you have a beautiful landscape of the sea.
All you have to do when you get off the ferry is walk 700 meters to the left and you will find the famous North Beach.
What to do in Isla Mujeres with little money?
The first thing you have to do when you arrive is to stay in a reasonably cheap place and of these there are many on the island, where everything is within walking distance of the beach.
The Isleño Hotel, in Madero 8, is a small complex that offers basic services at an excellent rate, plus a pleasant attention from its staff.
The Hotel Plaza Almendros has a swimming pool, Wi-Fi, air conditioning, TV, refrigerator and microwave. It is on Hidalgo Avenue, 200 meters from Playa Norte, the best on the island.
Other cheap accommodation options in Isla Mujeres are Hotel D’Gomar, Hotel Francis Arlene and Hotel del Sol.
Any islander will tell you about the best places in Isla Mujeres to eat tasty and cheap.
Beachin 'Burrito, on 9th Street, has the best of Mexican cuisine and its breakfasts with flank steak, eggs, bacon, cheese and avocado are to die for.
The Bastos Grill, in Colonia La Gloria, offers a varied menu with delicious dishes from the sea and land
Some attractions of Isla Mujeres that will not cost you anything are snorkeling in El Farito, seeing the submerged virgin, walking along the boardwalk, strolling along the zócalo and praying in the simple white temple of the Immaculate Conception.
How to take the ferry to Isla Mujeres?
Ferries to Isla Mujeres depart from the Cancun Hotel Zone and from Puerto Juárez.
People who are not staying in the Hotel Zone find it more convenient to board in Puerto Juarez, a suburban community with Cancun 2 km from the center of this city.
In Puerto Juárez there are 3 terminals:
1. Overseas: transports people with departures from a ferry every 30 minutes. The single and round trip costs 160 and 300 pesos, respectively.
2. Punta Sam: exclusively for the transport of cargo vehicles, buses and automobiles. It does not carry passengers without a vehicle. Conventional cars pay 300 pesos each way.
3. Puerto Juárez Maritime Terminal: from this terminal operate two passenger transport companies. The prices of the trips are 140 and 265 pesos the single and round, respectively.
How to get to Isla Mujeres from Cancun?
Isla Mujeres can be reached from Cancun starting from the Hotel Zone or from Puerto Juárez. In the first of these there are 3 boarding points, all operated by the Ultramar shipping company:
- Tortugas beach.
- Caracol Beach.
- The Embarcadero.
In Puerto Juárez the 3 shipping companies indicated above operate to Isla Mujeres.
The price of the ticket from the Cancun Hotel Zone is 20% more expensive than from Puerto Juárez. If you want to go by car from Cancun to the island you must take the ferry from Punta Sam, in Puerto Juárez.
How to get to Isla Mujeres from Playa del Carmen?
Many people who go to the Riviera Maya prefer to settle in Playa del Carmen and from there discover the beaches, islands, archaeological sites and other attractions of the famous coastal belt.
To go to Isla Mujeres from Playa del Carmen, you have to travel in the direction of Cancun, a city 69 km north of Playa del Carmen along the coastal highway of the Riviera Maya.
If you go by public transport, you must board the comfortable units that leave from the Playa del Carmen bus station, located on Fifth Avenue with Calle Juárez.
These units arrive at a station from where you can take a means of transport to the place you have chosen to board the boat to Isla Mujeres, leaving from Puerto Juárez and the Hotel Zone. The trip from this second place is more expensive but more comfortable and a little shorter.
If you are going by car from Playa del Carmen remember that you must go to Puerto Suárez and board at the Punta Sam terminal, which is the one that operates with cars.
How to get to Isla Mujeres from Cancun airport?
Cancun International Airport is 19 km south of the central part of this city, a journey of just over 15 minutes. To get to Isla Mujeres from there you have the following options:
1. Board a taxi or bus that will drop you off at one of the departure terminals for the island, located in Puerto Juárez and in the Cancun Hotel Zone.
2. Rent a car to take it to the island. In this case, you must go to the Punta Sam terminal in Puerto Juárez.
Isla Mujeres tour: enjoy the best tours
Tripadvisor offers tours to Isla Mujeres from $ 40. The Complete Snorkel Tour, 4 hours long, includes diving and snorkeling in 2 reefs of the island.
The reef less than 2 meters deep known as El Faro, can be reached in 5 minutes from the municipal seat of Isla Mujeres. Then you pass the Underwater Art Museum on the way to the Manchones reef, with a depth of 30 meters and rich marine life.
The tour includes a tikin xic-style fish lunch, the island's specialty, to be enjoyed at Playa Tiburon.
The "Noon Tour to Isla Mujeres from Cancun" costs $ 66. Includes transportation to and from the guest's hotel in the city, diving, and island excursion. On the way there are snacks and an open bar.
After diving and snorkeling in Isla Mujeres, you return to the boat to enjoy fries with guacamole. The guests then go ashore to have free time until their return.
Other tours are “Isla Mujeres Deluxe” with all inclusive, “Sailing to Isla Mujeres from Cancun” and “Trimaran Isla Mujeres Cruise”.
Distance from Cancun to Isla Mujeres
Cancun and Isla Mujeres are separated by 15 km of sea. The ferry trip takes place through a charming area of ocean with beautiful turquoise blue tones.
Recommendations Isla Mujeres
Apart from the beaches and other places of interest already mentioned, Isla Mujeres has many other attractions.
As the island is only 5 km long and a few hundred meters wide, a comfortable and practical way to explore it and get to know it is by renting a bicycle, a motorcycle or a golf cart, which can be rented by the hour or by the day.
These means of transport will allow you to reach all its attractions in a few minutes.
Best time to go to Isla Mujeres
Although any season is good to go to Isla Mujeres, perhaps the best is between February and April, months in which there is excellent weather with temperatures averaging 24 and 25 ° C with minimal chances of rain.
When visiting the island these days you could coincide with Carnival or Easter, which depending on your interests could have advantages and disadvantages.
The holidays are more congested in Isla Mujeres because the means of transportation, hotels and restaurants, are crowded. At the same time, Carnival and Holy Week allow to know other facets of the island.
Rey Momo's parties are not as massive and famous as those in Cozumel, but they are very joyful and colorful. Holy Week is celebrated with the characteristic fervor of the Mexican towns.
In the high season of school holidays, on bridges and other holidays, the influx to Isla Mujeres is high, so you must take the necessary precautions.
We hope that the above information will help you decide what to do in Isla Mujeres and that very soon you can go to enjoy this Mexican paradise in the Caribbean Sea.
See also:
See our guide on the 10 best hotels to stay in Isla Mujeres
Read our guide to find out which is the best option for your trip: Isla Mujeres OR Cozumel?
We leave you here our definitive guide on Isla Mujeres, Quinta Roo
