Isla Mujeres, Mexico Cruises
Over 500 underwater life-size statues, whale sharks, and so much more – Isla Mujeres, Mexico has a lot to share with everyone from the experienced adventurer to the first-time diver. Located a short ferry ride from Cancun, Isla Mujeres is a quaint island of only 7 km from its northern tip to the first Mexican soil to be warmed by the sunrise each morning at its Punta Sur. Though the island is small, the vastness of experience awaiting to be explored is astounding and one of the best diving spots in Mexico!
Things to do in Isla Mujeres
Water Activities
Cave of the Sleeping Sharks
You might want to check this out and ask your guide about the current conditions before diving.
I understand the cave isn’t as populated as it used to, and what you will currently find are mostly Nurse sharks.
It’s about 30 min away by boat, where you can dive and watch the sharks sleeping motionless with their eyes open, they remain like that for hours, so you can get close to them.
The cave is about 65 feet about (30 m) underwater. It was discovered in the late 60’s by a local, and promoted by Jacques Cousteau, the famous ocean explorer.
Cave of the Sleeping Sharks
You might want to check this out and ask your guide about the current conditions before diving.
I understand the cave isn’t as populated as it used to, and what you will currently find are mostly Nurse sharks.
It’s about 30 min away by boat, where you can dive and watch the sharks sleeping motionless with their eyes open, they remain like that for hours, so you can get close to them.
The cave is about 65 feet about (30 m) underwater. It was discovered in the late 60’s by a local, and promoted by Jacques Cousteau, the famous ocean explorer.
Golf
One of the first things you ought to do when you get to the island is rent a golf cart to go sight seeing around the island, it is something you will really enjoy, it is safer than a scooter (too many speed bumps) and it seats 4 people. The rent is $ 50.00 USD for a 24 hour period.
One of the first things you ought to do when you get to the island is rent a golf cart to go sight seeing around the island, it is something you will really enjoy, it is safer than a scooter (too many speed bumps) and it seats 4 people. The rent is $ 50.00 USD for a 24 hour period.
Places You Can't Miss
One of the largest and most ambitious underwater artificial art attractions in the world is the Silent Evolution Underwater Museum. . It occupies an area of more than 420 square feet ( 128 meters) of barren seabed weighing over 200 tons.
More than 450 lifesize sculptures have been installed permanently in the National Marine Park of Cancun, Isla Mujeres Mexico and Punta Nizuc as part of a major art project called “Silent Evolution”. This is a new underwater museum called MUSA - Museo Subacuatico de Arte.
The main goal of the English artist Jason Decaires Taylor when choosing this location, is to promote the recovery of natural reefs helping this way to preserve the habitat for fish and other animals.
Each one of these sculptures is made from a special material used to promote coral life. This means that in a couple years all the statues will be completely covered with algae, seaweed and coral. I am writing this in September 2013.
You will be able to enjoy the life size works of art that sit under the sea by scuba diving, snorkeling or from a boat.
The reviews of this underwater museum vary, it depends on your taste and what you consider fun.
Most of the divers have liked it. The comments go from (Amazing, Unique experience, Awesome, Cool, Impressive, Incredibly beautiful, Breathtaking) to (Creepy, Bizarre, Disappointing, Just a bunch of statues, Boring experience).
My recommendation - if you are already there GO FOR IT - it is unique and impressive. It is, a bit creepy, but it's an awesome experience.
One of the largest and most ambitious underwater artificial art attractions in the world is the Silent Evolution Underwater Museum. . It occupies an area of more than 420 square feet ( 128 meters) of barren seabed weighing over 200 tons.
More than 450 lifesize sculptures have been installed permanently in the National Marine Park of Cancun, Isla Mujeres Mexico and Punta Nizuc as part of a major art project called “Silent Evolution”. This is a new underwater museum called MUSA - Museo Subacuatico de Arte.
The main goal of the English artist Jason Decaires Taylor when choosing this location, is to promote the recovery of natural reefs helping this way to preserve the habitat for fish and other animals.
Each one of these sculptures is made from a special material used to promote coral life. This means that in a couple years all the statues will be completely covered with algae, seaweed and coral. I am writing this in September 2013.
You will be able to enjoy the life size works of art that sit under the sea by scuba diving, snorkeling or from a boat.
The reviews of this underwater museum vary, it depends on your taste and what you consider fun.
Most of the divers have liked it. The comments go from (Amazing, Unique experience, Awesome, Cool, Impressive, Incredibly beautiful, Breathtaking) to (Creepy, Bizarre, Disappointing, Just a bunch of statues, Boring experience).
My recommendation - if you are already there GO FOR IT - it is unique and impressive. It is, a bit creepy, but it's an awesome experience.
Natural Parks
Sea Turtles
Caguama - Large Caribbean Turtle
I remember as a 17 year old teenager, spending a few days in Isla Mujeres Mexico with a couple of friends and a few pesos in my pocket.
We were out for the summer vacation and we wanted to go somewhere, so we decided to go to the Mexican Caribbean and Isla Mujeres sounded like the perfect place.
We put together all our resources, grabbed our backpacks and decided that since we were traveling cheap we would take a second class bus to our destination.
After seven hours of traveling with no air conditioning in a 100 degree weather and live chickens and turkeys all around us, we arrived at Punta Sam where we would take the ferry to cross to the island.
I distinctly remember this trip because of what happened next.
We registered at the Poc-Na Youth Hostel which back then charged $ 20.00 pesos ($ 1.75 USD) per person, per day in a shared room, and you got a locker to put your stuff in.
It actually was pretty good and clean and it had a cafeteria with inexpensive food.
By the way this hostel is still around and now their rates are $ 10.00 USD - $ 42.00 USD depending on what you need or want.
Breakfast is currently included.
We all wanted to go to the beach, lie in the sun and get a golden tan to impress our girlfriends when we returned home.
But of course we needed sun tanning lotion (sunblock did not exist back in the day and nobody was worried about getting skin cancer), so.... with our limited cash, and asking here and there, we ended up buying this cheap oil, that the vendor swore was the finest turtle oil that money could buy.
When I was a kid turtles were not protected, selling or buying turtle oil was not a crime, although it was very expensive.
So, we thought we were getting a great deal.... but what did we know.....right? we were just kids.
Well, we finally got to the beach, smeared the cheap oil on our bodies, stretched out on the sand and fell asleep, after a few hours under the sun, because naturally, we wanted to get a proper tan, we woke up and Lo and Behold! .... we all looked like burned, breaded fish.
We got our tan alright, a gorgeous dark shade of purple. It actually took two months for the ¨whatever kind of oil it was¨ to wear off.
We were the laughing stock at school.... let alone impress our girlfriends. Believe me, we learned our lesson....!!!!!
Note: At the present time, Mexican Federal Laws protect turtles. Turtle eggs are deposited in protected areas to keep them safe from harm.
After the eggs are hatched, the baby turtles are transferred to ponds and then the local children and tourists take them to the sea, which is their natural habitat.
Caguama - Large Caribbean Turtle
I remember as a 17 year old teenager, spending a few days in Isla Mujeres Mexico with a couple of friends and a few pesos in my pocket.
We were out for the summer vacation and we wanted to go somewhere, so we decided to go to the Mexican Caribbean and Isla Mujeres sounded like the perfect place.
We put together all our resources, grabbed our backpacks and decided that since we were traveling cheap we would take a second class bus to our destination.
After seven hours of traveling with no air conditioning in a 100 degree weather and live chickens and turkeys all around us, we arrived at Punta Sam where we would take the ferry to cross to the island.
I distinctly remember this trip because of what happened next.
We registered at the Poc-Na Youth Hostel which back then charged $ 20.00 pesos ($ 1.75 USD) per person, per day in a shared room, and you got a locker to put your stuff in.
It actually was pretty good and clean and it had a cafeteria with inexpensive food.
By the way this hostel is still around and now their rates are $ 10.00 USD - $ 42.00 USD depending on what you need or want.
Breakfast is currently included.
We all wanted to go to the beach, lie in the sun and get a golden tan to impress our girlfriends when we returned home.
But of course we needed sun tanning lotion (sunblock did not exist back in the day and nobody was worried about getting skin cancer), so.... with our limited cash, and asking here and there, we ended up buying this cheap oil, that the vendor swore was the finest turtle oil that money could buy.
When I was a kid turtles were not protected, selling or buying turtle oil was not a crime, although it was very expensive.
So, we thought we were getting a great deal.... but what did we know.....right? we were just kids.
Well, we finally got to the beach, smeared the cheap oil on our bodies, stretched out on the sand and fell asleep, after a few hours under the sun, because naturally, we wanted to get a proper tan, we woke up and Lo and Behold! .... we all looked like burned, breaded fish.
We got our tan alright, a gorgeous dark shade of purple. It actually took two months for the ¨whatever kind of oil it was¨ to wear off.
We were the laughing stock at school.... let alone impress our girlfriends. Believe me, we learned our lesson....!!!!!
Note: At the present time, Mexican Federal Laws protect turtles. Turtle eggs are deposited in protected areas to keep them safe from harm.
After the eggs are hatched, the baby turtles are transferred to ponds and then the local children and tourists take them to the sea, which is their natural habitat.
Beaches
Archaeological Sites
Night Life
Wellness
Get to know Isla Mujeres
Location
You can access Isla Mujeres by ferry from Gran Puerto, Puerto Juarez and Punta Sam. It currently costs $ 70.00 pesos ($ 5.50 USD) each way. There are boats crossing from Cancun Hotel Zone and from Cozumel Island, although they are a bit more expensive. Many people staying in nearby cities and resorts, cross over to this tiny island to spend the day and take advantage of the sights and attractions the island has to offer.
You can access Isla Mujeres by ferry from Gran Puerto, Puerto Juarez and Punta Sam. It currently costs $ 70.00 pesos ($ 5.50 USD) each way. There are boats crossing from Cancun Hotel Zone and from Cozumel Island, although they are a bit more expensive. Many people staying in nearby cities and resorts, cross over to this tiny island to spend the day and take advantage of the sights and attractions the island has to offer.
Historical and Cultural References
Isla Mujeres is a very small, laid back island, located in the Mexican Caribbean, about 13 km (8.1 mi) from Cancun. It is 7.5 km (4 mi) long, and approximately 0.7 km (0.4 mi) in its widest part.
The atmosphere of the tiny island of brings to mind the Mexican Caribbean of the past. The beaches here are ideal for snorkeling, swimming or just plain chilling.
Isla Mujeres, used to be a sanctuary where the ancient Mayans honored the Goddess of the moon, childbirth, fertility and healing “Ixchel (ees -hell). It was never a Mayan city, unlike the island of Cozumel located a couple of miles away, which was a Mayan city and a shrine for “Ixchel.”
When the Spanish Conquerors arrived in Isla Mujeres, in the 16th century, and after checking out the island, they found numerous cult images of goddesses. This was the reason they named it “Isla Mujeres” or “Women Island”.
For the next three hundred years Isla Mujeres remained uninhabited, the only visitors were fishermen and pirates that roamed the area looking for a place to hide.
According to history, famous, or shall we say infamous pirates such as Jean Lafitte and Henry Morgan were regulars to this island, just as they were to the city of Campeche, where a wall was built around the city to protect it against the attacks of the bucaneers.
Isla Mujeres is a very small, laid back island, located in the Mexican Caribbean, about 13 km (8.1 mi) from Cancun. It is 7.5 km (4 mi) long, and approximately 0.7 km (0.4 mi) in its widest part.
The atmosphere of the tiny island of brings to mind the Mexican Caribbean of the past. The beaches here are ideal for snorkeling, swimming or just plain chilling.
Isla Mujeres, used to be a sanctuary where the ancient Mayans honored the Goddess of the moon, childbirth, fertility and healing “Ixchel (ees -hell). It was never a Mayan city, unlike the island of Cozumel located a couple of miles away, which was a Mayan city and a shrine for “Ixchel.”
When the Spanish Conquerors arrived in Isla Mujeres, in the 16th century, and after checking out the island, they found numerous cult images of goddesses. This was the reason they named it “Isla Mujeres” or “Women Island”.
For the next three hundred years Isla Mujeres remained uninhabited, the only visitors were fishermen and pirates that roamed the area looking for a place to hide.
According to history, famous, or shall we say infamous pirates such as Jean Lafitte and Henry Morgan were regulars to this island, just as they were to the city of Campeche, where a wall was built around the city to protect it against the attacks of the bucaneers.
Floral and Fauna
Gastronomy
WORK IN PROGRESS 11/18/20 LLS
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Hacienda Mundaca The land of the original hacienda covered almost forty percent of the island, it was built by a former pirate and slave trader “Fermin Mundaca” around 1858. Surrounded by magnificent gardens, Mundaca built this hacienda for the love of his life, unfortunately she was 37 years his junior and left him for someone her own age. According to the story he went insane and died alone in Merida Yucatan. Today what remains of the hacienda structures, gardens and pathways are being restored. It is located in the middle of the island, near the Sac Bajo area. The entrance fee is only $ 20.00 pesos ($ 1.50 USD) I guarantee it’s going to be worth your while. Try to go in the morning before it gets too hot. Visit the Turtle Farm I suggest you take the guided tour, which will last about an hour. Great for children and adults. It is located on the southern tip of the island. Open everyday from 9 am to 5 pm. Entrance fee $ 3.00 USD ($36 pesos) per person. It is supported by the Mexican government and private funds. Dolphin Discovery Groups of up to eight people swim with two dolphins and a trainer, you need to make reservations and must arrive one hour before your assigned swimming time with the dolphins. The cost of this attraction is $ 129.00 USD per person for the Dolphin Royal Swim which includes lunch and open bar. There are less expensive programs where you touch and hold the dolphins but do not swim with them. The park is open from 10 am to 5 pm. (www.dolphindiscovery.com). You will also find Dolphin Discovery Parks in Cancun and Cozumel Island. El Garrafon Reef Park Which is managed by Dolphin Discovery, (www.garrafon.com) offers numerous water activities (snorkeling, kayaks, diving platform and swimming in the ocean and pool, bicycle tours etc.). It also offers restaurant and bar, beach chairs, shaded hammocks, changing rooms with showers and lockers and of course a gift shop. It is located at the southern end of the island. Open from 10 am to 5 pm. Admission $ 69.00 USD per person. The Small Caribbean Village At the southern tip of Isla Mujeres, a short distance from El Garrafon, there is a reproduction of a small Caribbean Village where you will find colorful cafes and shops displaying folk art. You can have lunch or a snack here before you continue to the Sculptured Spaces and the Cliff of the Dawn up ahead. One of the highlights of the Caribbean Village is the lighthouse which you can climb, and enjoy a great view of the surrounding area. Sculptured Spaces Isla Mujeres Cliff Punta Sur Also at Punta Sur (South Point) of the island, you will find a sculpture garden with pieces donated to Isla Mujeres by internationally renowned sculptors, a small Mayan Temple dedicated to the Goddess Ixchel, a beautiful view, spectacular cliffs and the beautiful blue Caribbean sea. A great place to take pictures. Entrance fee for the garden and Mayan ruin $ 30 pesos ($ 2.50 USD). A little further down from the Sculpture Garden lies the Cliff of the Dawn where you will see a spectacular view of Cancun and the bay. The cafe and restrooms are open from 9am to 5 pm, but you can enter at any time that you feel like it, you might even want to go there and watch the sunrise. Isla Contoy You must take the tour to Isla Contoy if you are a nature lover. This uninhabited tiny island (8.5 km, (5 mi) long), is the most important bird sanctuary in the Mexican Caribbean. It’s only about 8.5 km (5 mi) long, and it covers an area of 3.17 square km (2 square mi). It is 30 km (18.6 mi) away from Isla Mujeres Mexico, which takes about 45 min each way. It is covered with abundant vegetation, and is home to over 100 species of birds, marine life galore and wildlife of all sorts. Once on the island while the captain prepares your lunch which is included in the price of the tour, you can swim, bask in the sun, explore the nature trails and visit the nature museum, which has bathroom facilities. Trips leave at 9 am and return at 4 pm. Cost of tour is $ 60.00 USD for adults and half price for children under 9 (cash only). According to regulations, there should be a life jacket for everyone on board. If you do not get one, ask for it. My Memories of Isla Mujeres Mexico Caguama - Large Caribbean Turtle I remember as a 17 year old teenager, spending a few days in Isla Mujeres Mexico with a couple of friends and a few pesos in my pocket. We were out for the summer vacation and we wanted to go somewhere, so we decided to go to the Mexican Caribbean and Isla Mujeres sounded like the perfect place. We put together all our resources, grabbed our backpacks and decided that since we were traveling cheap we would take a second class bus to our destination. After seven hours of traveling with no air conditioning in a 100 degree weather and live chickens and turkeys all around us, we arrived at Punta Sam where we would take the ferry to cross to the island. I distinctly remember this trip because of what happened next. We registered at the Poc-Na Youth Hostel which back then charged $ 20.00 pesos ($ 1.75 USD) per person, per day in a shared room, and you got a locker to put your stuff in. It actually was pretty good and clean and it had a cafeteria with inexpensive food. By the way this hostel is still around and now their rates are $ 10.00 USD - $ 42.00 USD depending on what you need or want. Breakfast is currently included. We all wanted to go to the beach, lie in the sun and get a golden tan to impress our girlfriends when we returned home. But of course we needed sun tanning lotion (sunblock did not exist back in the day and nobody was worried about getting skin cancer), so.... with our limited cash, and asking here and there, we ended up buying this cheap oil, that the vendor swore was the finest turtle oil that money could buy. When I was a kid turtles were not protected, selling or buying turtle oil was not a crime, although it was very expensive. So, we thought we were getting a great deal.... but what did we know.....right? we were just kids. Well, we finally got to the beach, smeared the cheap oil on our bodies, stretched out on the sand and fell asleep, after a few hours under the sun, because naturally, we wanted to get a proper tan, we woke up and Lo and Behold! .... we all looked like burned, breaded fish. We got our tan alright, a gorgeous dark shade of purple. It actually took two months for the ¨whatever kind of oil it was¨ to wear off. We were the laughing stock at school.... let alone impress our girlfriends. Believe me, we learned our lesson....!!!!! Note: At the present time, Mexican Federal Laws protect turtles. Turtle eggs are deposited in protected areas to keep them safe from harm. After the eggs are hatched, the baby turtles are transferred to ponds and then the local children and tourists take them to the sea, which is their natural habitat. |