Exploring Abroad: Day Trip to Isla Mujeres, Mexico

Cynthia:  Our day trip to Isla Mujeres was so different from anything else we’ve done during our months in Mexico exploring expat destinations.

Edd:  For sure. Starting with live music on the ferry from Cancun. Early morning classic rock including a ZZ Top cover?? That was certainly unexpected.

C:  “Unexpected” was pretty much the theme for our entire visit. Since lots of people told us we had to go there, we decided to just show up with minimal research and see for ourselves what was special about this place.

E:  Something that wasn’t a surprise was how touristy a little island near Cancun is. As soon as we stepped off the ferry we were approached by locals hustling diving tours, golf carts, and souvenirs. 

C:  No time for any of that because we needed to find the coffee shop where we were meeting a local expat. Isla Mujeres has been his home for seven years, and he was happy to get together to share some interesting insights into the expat community there. 

E:  He thought there were perhaps several hundred, although a lot of them are part-time snowbirds. And from his stories it sounded like Isla Mujeres expats can sometimes be cliquish and a bit quirky. Not unlike ones we’ve met most everywhere.

C:  Met? I’m married to a quirky expat! His tips on how to make the best use of our time there were really helpful. He even offered to walk us to the island sign since it was on the way to his car.

Of course, he took the obligatory pic of us in front of it. So many letters we barely show up!

E:  Now that it was late morning, renting a golf cart to explore the rest of the island wasn’t easy. We thought we could get a better deal going a few blocks away from the town center. Instead we had trouble finding one available at all.

C:  After being turned away time after time we finally had success, but the guy wanted too many pesos. Bargaining is part of the game, so after negotiating a reasonable price with the boss—his mom—we were on our way! 

E:  Isla Mujeres is only 5 miles long and a half mile wide, so we had plenty of time to check it out. The town where the ferry landed is on the north end of the island, so we decided to begin our tour by driving all the way down the western side to the southern point.

C:  This part of the island is sparsely populated. Mainly working-class neighborhoods scattered among thick vegetation.

And traffic certainly wasn’t an issue.

E:  Punta Sur, as the southern tip is called, was interesting. We parked the cart and hiked all the way to the end. This historic, eco-friendly park is home to the remains of a Mayan temple, lots of iguanas, and high cliffs offering fabulous views of the Caribbean.

C:  We also discovered we were standing on the easternmost spot in all of Mexico. Who knew?

On the way out you had to act like a clown with the big iguana statue.

E:  Of course I did. A storm was brewing, so we doubled back to a narrow strip of land west of a long lagoon we had spotted to find some lunch. The map indicated there were several beach clubs with restaurants right on the water. Also, some hotels and beachfront rentals were in the area.

C:  After a big meal and all that exploring, a brief siesta in this cabana was exactly what we needed. 

E:  We were starting to see the appeal of this laid-back, island experience as an expat destination. Especially for those looking for excellent diving, snorkeling, and other water activities to keep busy.

C:  Plus all the amenities of Cancun being a short ferry ride away. The eastern side of Isla Mujeres is less secluded and more upscale. We rode past small condo developments and some massive houses.

And the beaches were seaweed-free!

E:  Since we’d been disappointed with beaches everywhere in Riviera Maya, over the course of the day we visited four different ones. Completing our tour of the island, the last stop was North Beach, or Playa Norte, where I finally got to go in the water. Hooray!

C:  You picked a good one, since it’s considered one of the most beautiful in all of Mexico. The white sand was so soft, and the deep blue ocean looked perfectly clear. Those beaches we visited are for sure another part of what makes Isla Mujeres special.

E:  The water was surprisingly warm and it felt great. After returning the golf cart we weren’t ready to leave, so we stopped at a restaurant near the ferry for guacamole, chips, and margaritas. A sunset toast and final look at the gorgeous scenery was a perfect way to end our visit. 

C:  I didn’t expect our day trip to Isla Mujeres to be so much fun. What a great memory! But I don’t think island life suits us. Especially you. 

E:  I had a blast too, and you’re right. I’d quickly get bored living in such a small place, and it would be a hassle to travel back and forth to Cancun. 

C:  OK, I think we’re both shocked to admit that Cancun is still our top pick in Mexico thus far. I’ll tell you what, though, I am absolutely ready to move on to cooler weather in the highlands.

E:  Even though we spent most of our life in hot, humid weather, it seems we’ve gotten spoiled living in Cuenca’s springlike climate these past 11 years. Let’s say goodbye to the Yucatán Peninsula and Riviera Maya. It’s time to head north to San Miguel de Allende!