About Isla Mujeres
Isla Mujeres, Cancun’s quiet cousin, lies off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula in Quintana Roo. Although the skyline of the city across the Bahia de Mujeres can be seen from the island, it feels lightyears away from the chaos of Cancun.
Explore Cancun & Riviera Maya
Overview
Isla Mujeres is not only where the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico meet, but where Mayan heritage mixes with modern Mexico. Known for its friendliness and diversity, Isla Mujeres, or Island of Women, is a paradise for ex-pats and locals alike, and entices visitors from around the globe with its crystal-clear Caribbean waters and wealth of white-sand beaches, including Playa Norte, which has been ranked one of the best beaches in the world. Here you will also find the ruins of the Temple of the Goddess Ixchel, the Maya goddess of the moon, fertility, medicine, and happiness. Due to its location on the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the second-largest coral reef system on Earth, Isla Mujeres is also a mecca for divers and snorkelers.
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What To Do
Playa Norte is a quintessential Caribbean beach and the most popular on Isla Mujeres, and widely considered one of Mexico’s best and most beautiful beaches. Playa Norte, or North Beach, is located on the north end of the island and boasts soft white sand, swaying palm trees and cerulean water. In Punta Sur on the southside of Isla Mujeres, which was once a sanctuary for the goddess Ixchel, you will find the ruins of the Temple of the Goddess Ixchel. The island itself gets its name, Island of Women, from the carved statues of women found by Spanish conquistadors in 1517, which were used in the worship of Ixchel. MUSA Underwater Sculpture Park is where intrepid travelers to Isla Mujeres do their sightseeing below the sea’s surface. This subaquatic museum consists of more than 500 life-size sculptures that function as an artificial reef, stimulating coral growth.
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When to Go
The best time to visit Isla Mujeres is from January to April when there is little rain and the weather is ideal. If planning to visit in February, ensure your trip coincides with Carnival, one of the most important holidays of the year. Keep in mind that hurricane season begins in June.
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