It was on a vacation in Cancun 20 years ago that we took our family on the ferry across to Isla Mujeres. That day we rented a golf cart and explored the laidback, charming tropical escape from the hustle and bustle of Cancun, making a promise to come back and spend more time in the relaxed, chill atmosphere.

Well, we finally made good on that promise and spent 8 Sun-drenched days on Isla Mujeres. A lot has changed since that first visit, as often happens when great destinations get discovered. But there is still plenty of charm to the place, offering natural beauty, outstanding food and drink, lively nightlife and peaceful days…plus some amazing adventures! Take at trip with us and explore the best of Isla Mujeres.

Playa Norte Beach Noted as not only the island’s best but one of the most beautiful in the world. It is only about 500m long and can get crowded in high season. Our hotel sat just steps away from calm turquoise waters, lined with palm trees and beach bars.

Getting up with the sun is a fantastic way to experience the islands best beach, before the day trippers from Cancun arrive. If you’re not staying at an oceanfront resort there are plenty of beach clubs to rent a chair or daybed. Try the Green Demon Beach club…drink and dine in the shade under a thatched roof and a beachfront dotted with daybeds.

The clear shallow waters are perfect for paddle boards, kayaks and simply floating with a drink. It was hot, very hot during our August stay, and spending more time in the water than in your chair is essential to keep cool.

Sunsets are equally beautiful here when things quiet down and the sky turns magnificent colors.

Along Playa Norte I made it a mission to find the best margarita on the beach. It took stops at 12 bars to make that happen ( a tough job but someone has to do it). I sampled may including Tarzan, Palapa Liedy, Zama, Bujos, Mayan and Las Hamaches…where I finally found that ‘perfect’ margarita! Just the right blend of premium tequila, not too sweet, not too sour. Enjoy on a rope swing under the shade of a palm tree within steps of the ocean. Perfection!

Punta Sur Renting a golf cart for a day or a week (depending on your itinerary or resort location) is an excellent way to get around. We did so from Ciro’s Rentals and headed to the island’s southern point.

The park is a holy ground dedicated to the Mayan goddess of fertility, Ixchel, featuring a sculpture park depicting Mayan life and weathered ruins. And the views here are magnificent…where the Caribbean meets the Gulf of Mexico it’s a 360 degree spectacle for the eye.

Turquoise waters break onto the rocky shore as you take the stone walkway along the sea.

Beach clubs The island features day long getaways to retreats where you can lounge in infinity pools, swim in the sea, eat, drink and play. There are many to choose from…

We spent a fun afternoon at Kin Ha enjoying the water toys, rope swings, lounge chairs and cold beers. The terraced pools snuggle up to a swim up bar with tables in the water, next to the enormous thatched roof bar. Lounge on the dock as iguanas scurry by.

Avienda Hidalgo Again just steps from our hotel we walked along the main pedestrian street lined with shops, bars and restaurants. 4 out our our 8 evenings were spent here, and not a single spot disappointed. Here are a few standouts. 

Lola Valentina all the restaurants along Hidalgo feature outside tables, and an interior open to the street. A fun inside bar with rope swing seats make and a drink menu to explore.

I pushed the boundaries a bit with a scorpion infused tequila…but chickened out on actually eating the thing main attraction!

Xantalo Loved the service and 2 for 1 tasty, innovative margaritas and mezcal-ritas, some of the best anywhere. I went for the Al Pastor tacos with grilled pineapple and shared the guacamole trio and the grilled octopus. Enjoy the live Latin band making it a great place to linger into the warm evening.

Los Mariscos de Humo Said to be the best tacos on the island, and the abundance of seafood make an exceptional pairing. Try the lobster and shrimp tacos and the best Cadillac margarita we found.

Dining around Isla Mujeres

Grabbing a cab is easy and inexpensive when venturing a bit further from Playa Norte. We found some exceptional and unique dining experiences.

Mango Cafe This colorful eatery features their famous coconut French toast and an incredible egg-stuffed polblano pepper.

While you’re in the neighborhood, cross the street to admire the views from the beautiful Chapel of Guadeloupe.

Deisey e Raul’s El Carcco This tiny restaurant was actually in the owner’s home. It felt like we were invited over for dinner, the service was as wonderful as the food.

Fresh tortillas wrapped delicious enchiladas and floutas. This is authentic Mexican at its best. 

Samura Japanese Cuisine and Jungle Bar Walk through a neon tunnel to lively outdoor setting under the stars amid enormous trees lit with glowing lanterns.

Sit at a carved teak table with your feet in the sand. Asian fusion and sushi are featured with a great cocktail selection. There’s a DJ and party atmosphere that you won’t want to leave.

Ballyhoo set on a marina facing the western shore, this beach and dock front restaurant serves up fresh fish and Mexican fare. I enjoyed a whole grilled Red Snapper that was absolutely delicious.

If you’re out fishing, the restaurant will serve up your catch. A perfect spot to watch the sun turn the sky into glorious color.

La Lomita Just off the beaten path of Hidalgo, and up the ‘little hill’, this small restaurant has a home-cooked feel, serving authentic chicken and fish at the most reasonable prices. Enjoy the atmosphere with brightly painted murals on the walls 

Venturing out. There are a few must-do day trips that make a vacation to Isla Mujeres a one of a kind adventure.

Swimming with Whale Sharks One of the main reasons we chose to visit Isla Mujeres was the incredible opportunity to experience a swim with the largest fish in the sea. Whale sharks are amazing, docile giants that migrate to the waters 60 – 90 minutes off the coast of Isla Mujeres. A lot was told to us of the difficulty of this adventure…rough waters, guaranteed seasickness and not an absolute guarantee of a sighting…they are wild animals after all. Luckily, my experience was trouble-free, having prepared from the night before with anti-seasickness pills, a precaution I would highly recommend.

After about a two hour ride I could see a cluster of boats like my own circling the waters ahead.

As we approached, we were divided into pairs and prepped to take two jumps of about two minutes each once we spot a whale. From the surface I could see the water churning and a huge fin above the chop. At times an enormous head would break the surface and/or a tail. It got really excited and a bit scary thinking I was about to jump in alongside this huge fish.

When it came my turn I sat on the boat’s edge ready to go. It took a while for the captain to position us just right and upon shouts ‘jump’ we hit rhe water just feet apart from the magnificent creature. 

On my second jump, a whale came right at me, its enormous wide mouth slightly open and narrow eyes focused directly ahead. I did think for a minute it would continue staring at me, but then turned and I was able to catch up and swim along side it for quite a while. I could see the huge gills opening and closing and the small feeder fish attaching themselves to its underbelly.

It is no exaggeration to say this was an exhilarating, once in a lifetime, bucket list adventure I will never forget.

Isla Contoy One of the last undeveloped natural gems in the region, this protected wildlife sanctuary was a beautiful highlight of the entire trip.

Allowing only 200 visitors daily, our tour boat sped an hour north to the tropical paradise. The quiet and tranquility surrounded us the minute the boat docked. A long pier led us to a picture perfect stretch of sandy beach, right off a postcard. The shallow turquoise waters were an inviting and necessary relief to the blazing sun above. We watched a large blue triggerfish swim back and forth at our feet as if patrolling the shoreline.

Park rangers watched over the few tours arriving for the morning, as we were allowed a few hours to explore. A second wave would arrive in the afternoon, keeping the visitor population in check.

We were treated to an informative nature hike, describing the island’s history, indigenous and introduced vegetation and the natural inhabitants including birds, reptiles and tropical fish just offshore.

Lunch was set under an open air pagoda, as we were treated to the most delicious Tikin Xic, whole fish marinated with spices, wrapped in banana leaf and cooked in an earth oven.

To complete the day we snorkeled along Mexico’s Great Mesoamerican Reef. The second largest in the world only to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. The color of the water itself was spectacular, patches of green, blue and turquoise in vivid hues.

Under the sea there were huge purple sea fans swaying in the waves and tons of colorful fish among the coral. Snorkeling is such a serene experience, to be immersed in a world where we are just visitors to wonder and appreciate the beauty before us.

Our return to Isla Mujeres was filled with everything a beach vacation should be. The relaxing ease of a short stroll to lounge chairs and warm clear waters. Tropical drinks and fresh seafood. Culture to explore and embrace. And adventure and new experiences that add to our journal of life’s journey. 

To book your adventure to Isla Mujeres reach out to carla@vacationkids.com

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