ISLA mujeres Mexico

BRIEF HISTORY OF ISLA MUJERES

Isla Mujeres, the Island of Women, where time passes slowly and your dream vacation becomes a reality. Located just eight miles across the Bahia de Mujeres (Bay of Women) from Cancun, Isla Mujeres is only 5 miles long and half a mile wide at its widest point. The downtown area (Centro) of Isla is just four by six blocks. The average temperature is 80 degrees with 60% humidity and the hottest months are June through September.

Historically, Isla Mujeres is a fishing village and though it is now thoroughly discovered by tourists it still retains it's charm and tranquil atmosphere. As you stroll the streets in the evening you will see families gathered together in Caribbean styled homes, tucked between stores and restaurants, mending their fishing nets and relaxing.

ARRIVAL AND TRANSPORTATION

To arrange transportation from the airport to the ferry dock, Gran Puerto, we recommend Best Day. For additional information about transportation, please email us.  

It usually takes about 1 1/2 - 2 hours to arrive on the island from the time you arrive in Cancun. After you have gone through customs and immigration, you will exit the airport and there will be a number of transportation companies trying to get your business. Look for an employee from Best Day waiting for you with a sign with your name on it. They will take you directly to Gran Puerto, the ferry dock to Isla Mujeres. The trip takes about 20 minutes.

When you arrive at Gran Puerto, you can buy your ferry ticket to Isla Mujeres for about $10 USD one-way. The trip takes about 20 minutes and the ferries run every 1/2 hour to the island from 5:30 am until 11:30 pm.

When you arrive to the dock on the island, you can ask one of the luggage guys to help you take your luggage to Nautibeach in a tricycle. They are all trustworthy guys and know Nautibeach. I have always suggested tipping them $1-2 dollars per bag, or at least $5 dollars. Then walk out of the ferry area and take a left onto the main road. You will walk about 5 blocks along the ocean and then you will arrive to Nautibeach. Or, you can take a taxi for about $3 dollars.

BANKS AND MONEY

The Bank - HSBC, is open Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 5:00 PM and Saturday from 9:00 am to 2:00 PM. Currently the HSBC on Isla does not exchange foreign currency for Mexican pesos. For exchanging US dollars to pesos, it is best to do the exchange on the island, not at the airport, as you will get a higher rate. Check with your bank before traveling to find out if you have any additional international charges when using your ATM in Mexico. You will get the highest exchange rate through the ATM on at the bank on the island.

A new banking service has opened on the island called Banco Azteca. It is actually located at the back of the electronics and appliances store called Electrica. Their exchange rate is a bit better than the small "cambios" but less than the ATM at HSBC.

There are also several Exchange Houses called "cambios" scattered around downtown and one at the Ultramar ferry dock in Cancun.

 

SHOPPING FOR FOOD AND DRINK

The main grocery store, Super Express, is located in the town square on Av. Morelos, between Hidalgo and Guerrero. Open 7 am – 9 pm.

Chedraui, located about half way down the island on the Cancun side, is a new store (similar to Wal-Mart) with a large selection of fresh produce, food and wine.

 

USEFUL INFORMATION

Police - The Police station is located on the main square. Tel: 877-0082 Emergencies dial 066

Harbor Master/Port Captain's office is located on Av. Rueda Medina next to the Navy Base and the phone number is: 877-0095

Post Office - The Post office is located near to the main Macado on Av. Guerrero at Lopez Mateos and is open weekdays from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm, on Saturdays from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm. The telephone number is: 877-0085.

Laundry - Isla Mujeres has several Laundromats, all located downtown with 24 hour service.

Calling Isla Mujeres: The area code for isla is 998 and all phone numbers are 7 digits. So, if you are calling from the United States you would dial: 011 (International code) 52 (country code) 998 (area code) and the 7 digit phone number.

Calling home from Isla Mujeres: Most US cell phones will work in Isla – it is a good idea to call your provider before you go to Mexico and tell them you will be in the Cancun Mexico area and you want to make AND receive calls while there. Another option is to buy or rent a Telcel cel phone.

THINGS TO DO

Life in this former fishing village is more laid-back and tranquil than Cancun, but that doesn't mean there isn't plenty to do, it just means you can do nothing at all or fill your days with activities.

Golf Carts, Mopeds, Bicycles

Snorkeling and Diving

Swim with Whale Sharks (May-August)

Fishing

Massages, Facials, Manicures

Swim with Dolphins

Turtle Farm

Garrafon

If you want to explore the area and take a day trip, you can visit:

Contoy Island

Xel-Ha

Xcaret

Tulum

Chichen Itza