Isla Mujeres, which means Island of women, is a small island located a few miles from Cancun. I went for 9 nights and got to explore the whole island. In this blog I am sharing how to get there, where I stayed and things to do as well as some of my favourite places to eat with vegan options.
How to get there
You can get the Ultramar Ferry from Puerto Juárez which costs 450 pesos (about £16.20) return and you can use the return within 6 months. The journey takes about 20 minutes and once you get there, the ferry terminal is in the centre.
Where to stay
There are loads of different options for accommodation, from luxury hotels to self catering apartments to hostels. The first two nights I stayed in the centre Hotel Isla Caracol which was a few minutes walk from all the restaurants and shops and the beach. For the next 7 days, I stayed at Casa Ka’an, located in the middle of the Island, which was great for exploring the east side of the island.
Things to do
Swim in the crystal clear water at Playa Norte
Go snorkeling
I booked through Isla Mujeres trips for £32, and that included 3 snorkeling locations (including the Underwater Museum), the gear, and lunch, and it was a great experience! Would definitely recommend it.
Explore the archaeological site at Punta Sur and take in the stunning sea views
The entry ticket cost 30 pesos (about £1) and it was defintely worth visiting. You can see the Ruins of the Ixchel Temple and walk around the nature reserve where the view are absolutely breathtaking.
Volunteer to be a “puppy hugger” or walk the cutest dogs at Isla Animals
Rent a golf cart or bicycle
I ended up just walking everywhere (about 2 hours to get from one side of the island to the other), however there are loads of companies that you can rent a golf cart or a bicycle from.
Walk around and admire the colorful streets and buildings
Visit the view point at Capilla de Guadalupe (free)
Try all the yummy food
There are so many tasty options on the island, and I was pleasantly surprised at how many vegan friendly restaurants there are as well. Some of my favourite places (with vegan options) are Lola Valentina, Mango Cafe, Aroma Isla, Isla Burger, Cafe Isla, and Green Verde.
Taste some beer at Isla Brewing Company
Watch the sunset at Albatros Beach
Go on a night out and enjoy a cocktail with live music at one of the bars
I had such a great time exploring this beautiful island and it’s definitely possible to do it on a budget. You can probably explore the whole island in a couple of days. But it was really nice to also have some chill days at the beach as well as work days at the accommodation.
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