Isla Mujeres Attractions
Just beyond the lighthouse, at the southern end of the island, lie the remains of a small Maya temple. Archaeologists believe it was dedicated to the moon and fertility goddess Ixchel. The location, on a lofty bluff overlooking the sea, is worth seeing and makes a great place for photos. It is believed that Maya women traveled here on annual pilgrimages to seek Ixchel's blessings of fertility.
A Pirate's Fortress
Almost in the middle of the island is a large building purported to have been a pirate fortress. A slave trader who arrived here in the early 19th century claimed to have been the pirate Mundaca Marecheaga. He set up a business selling slaves to Cuba and Belize, and prospered here. According to island lore, a charming local girl captivated him, only to spurn him in favor of a local.
6 Results
- Beach
Capitán Dulché
Most beach clubs along the east coast cater to day-trippers on booze cruises from Cancún. This lovely compound away from the noisy areas is the exception. Anchors, buoys, ship lanterns, and metal sculptures are scattered about park-like lawns leading to a restaurant serving seafood,… - Natural Attraction
Dolphin Discovery
If you’re turned off by the idea of dolphins in captivity, skip this park and go snorkeling or diving in the open sea. If the concept doesn’t bother you, this long-established center at the “Delfinario,” located midway along the island on the east side facing Cancún. The center…Around the island
- Natural Attraction
Garrafón Natural Reef Park
Garrafón sits at the southern end of the island near Punta Sur. Once a public national underwater park, Garrafón is now operated by Dolphin Discovery. Myriad water activities include snorkeling, kayaking, a dive platform, and swimming. Although there are some tropical fish in the…Around the Island - Historic Site
Hacienda Mundaca
Almost in the middle of the island, a large park with several crumbling structures includes the ruins of a large hacienda constructed by the 19th-century pirate and slave trader Fermín Antonio Mundaca de Marechaja. Mundaca is said to have constructed the hacienda for a local girl…Around the Island - Natural Attraction
Punta Sur
Walking or driving toward the southern tip of the island, you’ll find a once-isolated natural point with a lighthouse and small Maya shrine. Today, the area includes a cluster of shops, a restaurant and Sculptured Spaces, a sculpture garden with pieces donated to Isla Mujeres by…Around the island - Farm
Tortugranja
Years ago, fishermen converged on the island nightly from May to September to capture turtles when they came ashore to lay eggs. Then a concerned fisherman, Gonzalo Chale Maldonado, began convincing others to spare the eggs, which he protected. Following his lead, the fishing…
Isla Mujeres Shopping
Shopping is a casual activity here. Several shops, especially concentrated on Avenida Hidalgo, sell Saltillo rugs, onyx, silver, Guatemalan clothing, blown glassware, masks, folk art, crafts, beach paraphernalia, and T-shirts in abundance.You’ll find high quality masks, pottery, and other folk art at Galería Aztlán, Av. Hidalgo 5, no phone). Prices are lower than in Cancún or Cozumel.
Isla Mujeres Nightlife
Those in a party mood by day’s end may want to start out at the beach bars along Playa Norte, including Buho’s, the beach bar of the Cabañas María del Mar. This popular, low-key hangout features swinging seats under a giant palapa for super-casual sunset viewing. Also on the beach, the lounge of the Na Balam hotel serves tapas and creative cocktails to a cool crowd. Jax Bar & Grill, on Avenida Rueda Medina, close to Hotel Posada del Mar, is a Texas-style sports bar offering live music nightly. A rock-n’-roll–loving set fueled by close to 100 tequila brands keeps the party going at Fayne’s, located at Av. Hidalgo 12 and open nightly from 7pm to midnight or later. It offers excellent live music starting at 8pm and dancing that usually gets going after 10pm. Also in the town center at Av. Hidalgo 65, the super-casual La Kokonuts turns on the TVs for sporting events and cranks up the music for dancing. It’s open from 8am to 4am—incredibly late for Isla. A DJ spins tunes at Poc-Na (essentially a beach party thrown by the youth hostel) on the waterfront off the end of Av. Hidalgo, where a 20- and 30-something crowd dances on the sand until 4am.
