Isla Mujeres
Isla Mujeres: A Slice of Island Heaven
This eight-kilometer-long (5 miles) by one-half kilometer-wide (.3 miles) wisp of an island sits just 6 km off the coast to the northeast of Cancun. For those
wanting a break from the glitz of Cancun, Isla Mujeres is a refreshing throwback to the days before Cancun even existed.
Isla first gained international attention for its outstanding aquatic conditions. Clear, warm water, abundant marine life, reefs and caves attracted Jacques Cousteau
who was guided by local dive legend Ramon Bravo. Snorkeling sites are abundant, though those frequented by Cancun party boats can be crowded at certain times of the day. A better choice is the area
adjacent to the airstrip, just to the south of the city. Most of Isla’s residents live from diving and fishing. They make very hospitable hosts for both day-trippers and overnight
guests.
The tourist ferry dock near the Island’s northern tip is where visitors disembark to enter the island’s main settlement. The town is home to simple shops, a few
restaurants, some funky bars, an occasional brightly painted clapboard house, and the Plaza Municipal. Mopeds, golf carts, bicycles and taxis can be easily rented upon arrival. South of town the
island’s only road skirts the western coast past mangrove lagoons, an air strip, stunning beaches and relaxed seaside restaurants before looping northbound. The trip to the island’s southern tip
takes about 20 minutes. The island’s eastern shore is rugged, rocky, and mostly undeveloped.
Parque Marino El Garrafon is a popular beach and swimming site. Activities include snorkeling and hiking trails, aerial “zip line,” dolphin swim, kayaks, “snuba” and
scuba, plus dining, showers, and a nice beach. Occupying the island’s southern tip are two related structures. A modern lighthouse overlooks a small Mayan temple (Ixchel, goddess of fertility) that
signaled Mayan sailors and settlements as far away as Cozumel. A colorful Caribbean-style village with shops, a cafe, and an outdoor sculpture garden, now occupy the entrance to this
area.
Contact us today!
Romantik Destinations,
provides personal travel planning for the vacation of a life time. Contact one of our consultants, to start the planning process, today.
Eileen Civera, serving Memphis and the surrounding area including western Tennessee, northern Mississippi, and eastern Arkansas at 901.626.6258
eileen@romantikdestinations.com
OR
Cynde Pierce, serving Phoenix and the Western United States, at 480.351.9420
cyndie@romantikdestinations.com
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Click on image to go to travel.state.gov for application and instructions.
Need a passport? A passport book is required for air travel outside the United States. A passport card is only good for a cruise or traveling by land to Canada or Mexico. Processing time is about 4 weeks, but may take longer. So allow plenty of time to obtain a passport for international travel.
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