Isla Mujeres is a small island just a short distance off the northeast coast of the Yucatan Peninsula in the Caribbean Sea about 13 kilometers (8.1 miles) northeast of Cancun.
Long before tourists arrived on Isla Mujeres, it was a sacred site for the Mayan people. In fact, it was never used for Mayan settlements, but rather considered a sanctuary where a temple was built to honor the Mayan goddess, Ixchel.
With relatively close proximity to the Yucatan Peninsula mainland, the Mayan found it convenient to mine the salt found in the interior lagoons, and they used that salt as currency, as well as for food preservation.
The island is easily reached by ferry boats from Cancun, so it’s a very popular activity for Cancun day trippers as well as for those looking for a quiet place to relax in the sun.
Travelers to this pleasant island come to see the sights, which include North Beach, one of the best in the Caribbean; the sea turtle rehabilitation center; Garafon Beach Park, and the charming shops and restaurants in the downtown area.
On this very laid-back island water sport activities are favored, including scuba diving, snorkeling, or just simply swimming in the calm and warm coastal waters.
We strongly endorse this wonderful island for couples, families and individuals, as it has everything a get-away-from-it-all vacation requires. Enjoy!
