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Trip Report - Isla Mujeres, Mexico
Trip Report - Isla Mujeres, Mexico
Hello Forum,
Dear Husband and I just returned from six days on Isla Mujeres, Mexico. We had a good time, but it will not replace our love for STJ. In an effort to accentuate the positive, I forced DH to list some things that we liked better than our favorite Virgin. Here's what we liked:
• We rented bikes for the duration of our stay, and had a blast zipping around the island. No area was off bounds for us on our bikes. The roads were in great condition, there was a pedestrian/bikeway along the sea wall near town, and there's a great stretch of road along the Caribbean.
• The island locals are beautiful. The children are adorable, and everyone was super friendly. And we find it fun to be in a culture where there's a language barrier. It's amazing what you can convey with a little Spanglish and hand gestures.
• It's relatively easy to get to. A flight to Cancun, a quick shuttle to the ferry, and really nice brand new ferries, with a musician singing to you.
• The food was amazing. We had fresh fish (like, right off of the boat) every day. I had no idea how much I love grouper, red snapper, and amberjack. Our meals cost anywhere from $20 to $40 and most of the time it included drinks with dinner. Really affordable!
• There are tons of accommodations right on the beach.
I won't dwell on what wasn't as good as STJ. Here are some photos of our trip.
Fishing and tourism are the major industries. There's really a feeling that they are connected to the sea.
Some sculptures in town.
A brand spankin' new fleet of ferries with live music on board to entertain you coming and going. Plus the two of us on the ferry.
Punta Sur is the southern most part of the island, and is also the eastern most point in Mexico. It's rugged and beautiful. Here are some pictures of Punta Sur.
There were an endless amount of beach bars and restaurants where we ate and drank with our toes in the sand. Oh, and the drinks were reasonable; beers were around $2, and mixed drinks were about $4.50. If you like beaches with loungers, and little palapas to seek shade, this is your kind of place. The little beach bars will bring you your food and drink to your chair.
And did I mention the bikes? Most people rent golf carts to cruise around the island, but we much preferred the bikes. Plus the little bit of exercise made us feel better about all the eating and drinking.
Our house was comfortable. We had a great view of magnificent sunrises over the Caribbean, an infinity pool, and a roof deck where we could see the sunsets.
I only snorkeled one day, and it wasn't mind blowing. I think the best snorkeling requires a charter off shore, and as DH doesn't snorkel, I didn't want to leave him for a day of snorkeling.
To finish, here are some other random photos, and sunrises & sunsets.
Dear Husband and I just returned from six days on Isla Mujeres, Mexico. We had a good time, but it will not replace our love for STJ. In an effort to accentuate the positive, I forced DH to list some things that we liked better than our favorite Virgin. Here's what we liked:
• We rented bikes for the duration of our stay, and had a blast zipping around the island. No area was off bounds for us on our bikes. The roads were in great condition, there was a pedestrian/bikeway along the sea wall near town, and there's a great stretch of road along the Caribbean.
• The island locals are beautiful. The children are adorable, and everyone was super friendly. And we find it fun to be in a culture where there's a language barrier. It's amazing what you can convey with a little Spanglish and hand gestures.
• It's relatively easy to get to. A flight to Cancun, a quick shuttle to the ferry, and really nice brand new ferries, with a musician singing to you.
• The food was amazing. We had fresh fish (like, right off of the boat) every day. I had no idea how much I love grouper, red snapper, and amberjack. Our meals cost anywhere from $20 to $40 and most of the time it included drinks with dinner. Really affordable!
• There are tons of accommodations right on the beach.
I won't dwell on what wasn't as good as STJ. Here are some photos of our trip.
Fishing and tourism are the major industries. There's really a feeling that they are connected to the sea.
Some sculptures in town.
A brand spankin' new fleet of ferries with live music on board to entertain you coming and going. Plus the two of us on the ferry.
Punta Sur is the southern most part of the island, and is also the eastern most point in Mexico. It's rugged and beautiful. Here are some pictures of Punta Sur.
There were an endless amount of beach bars and restaurants where we ate and drank with our toes in the sand. Oh, and the drinks were reasonable; beers were around $2, and mixed drinks were about $4.50. If you like beaches with loungers, and little palapas to seek shade, this is your kind of place. The little beach bars will bring you your food and drink to your chair.
And did I mention the bikes? Most people rent golf carts to cruise around the island, but we much preferred the bikes. Plus the little bit of exercise made us feel better about all the eating and drinking.
Our house was comfortable. We had a great view of magnificent sunrises over the Caribbean, an infinity pool, and a roof deck where we could see the sunsets.
I only snorkeled one day, and it wasn't mind blowing. I think the best snorkeling requires a charter off shore, and as DH doesn't snorkel, I didn't want to leave him for a day of snorkeling.
To finish, here are some other random photos, and sunrises & sunsets.
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Berlingirl
- Posts: 499
- Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 6:09 pm
- Location: New England
Okay, gonna have to go there next trip to Cancun!
Thank you for sharing your experience, especially with these terrific photos.
You mentioned the "house"... looked to be on the beach. Was this rented through an agency or directly from owner or???? I may have some questions later on....
Am so glad that you were able to make the trip, despite the delays, and that you had a really fun time there.
Thank you for sharing your experience, especially with these terrific photos.
You mentioned the "house"... looked to be on the beach. Was this rented through an agency or directly from owner or???? I may have some questions later on....
Am so glad that you were able to make the trip, despite the delays, and that you had a really fun time there.
... no longer a stranger to paradise
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SOonthebeach
- Posts: 1707
- Joined: Tue Jan 19, 2010 10:01 am
- Location: Texas
thanks for the report! We have been to Playa and south of there a few times, but never Isla Mujeres. We probably will not get back to Mexico much, though; I always get sick when we go there 
I understand the feeling of going somewhere else and, although having a great time, it not living up to our favorite Virgin. But ya gotta try sometimes, right?? Thanks for sharing.
I understand the feeling of going somewhere else and, although having a great time, it not living up to our favorite Virgin. But ya gotta try sometimes, right?? Thanks for sharing.
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CassieBelle
- Posts: 37
- Joined: Fri Feb 11, 2011 2:06 pm
- Location: Dumas, AR
LOVE your report! Mexico is my beloved vaca spot - usually go about twice a year. (Cheap and 4 hour trip) Have spent a day on IM but never stayed there. There was a photo of yours in the last section, clear shallow water with 2 women, where was that? Looks like it may have been a resort area I might be interested in looking into. Have to say, Hubby and I married/honeymooned on STX 3+ years ago and didn't get out much but I am soon to be inducted onto the sacred island of STJ (VG & Jost as well)... These forums/pics/reports have gotten me so excited about this trip I can't wait! I know I will love every minute of this trip and become a BVI lover forever!
Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness....Mark Twain
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bubblybrenda
- Posts: 549
- Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2008 10:57 pm
- Location: Vancouver, BC
Hmmm... I did one trip to that side of Mexico and wasn't impressed (stayed around Tulum) during Christmas 2 years ago. Came home and was totally ticked I didn't spend that $3,000 going to STJ instead (yes, that is the price for a single traveller at Christmas time). Everyone had been telling me that "it's the Caribbean" and my thought was "then obviously you've never been to the "real" Caribbean if you think that side of Mexico is similar". Needless to say, two months later I just had to go to the "real" Caribbean and get over my feeling of having been ripped off by going to Mexico.
Your pics have convinced me that I need to give it one more shot. Isla Mujeres is a fave spot of a friend of mine. I didn't believe her until your I saw your photos & report.
Your pics have convinced me that I need to give it one more shot. Isla Mujeres is a fave spot of a friend of mine. I didn't believe her until your I saw your photos & report.
~Brenda~
We rented it through an agent - Meaghan St. Louis at Isla Beckons. www.islabeckons.com. This particular house was set up as a two bedroom unit on the ground floor and two separate studios upstairs. They locked one of the two rooms in the main unit, and rented it to us as a one bedroom flat. The upstairs units were not occupied, although it was not guaranteed. It was on the Caribbean side of the island which is rocky and pretty rough. I did not go in the water in front of the house, although I could see quite a few spotted rays right from the rocky shore. I was tempted to go in, but the entry might have been a bit tricky.lprof wrote:You mentioned the "house"... looked to be on the beach. Was this rented through an agency or directly from owner or?
That is part of the Playa Norte beach, and the particular hotel/resort in the background is NaBalam, I believe. The beach there is amazing. I must have been about 80 yards out, and the water only went up to my thighs.CassieBelle wrote:There was a photo of yours in the last section, clear shallow water with 2 women, where was that? Looks like it may have been a resort area I might be interested in looking into.
Isla Mujeres seems to be a real popular destination for Canadians. And folks from Minnesota. Just an observation.bubblybrenda wrote:Your pics have convinced me that I need to give it one more shot. Isla Mujeres is a fave spot of a friend of mine.
I do love Mexico and have probably been there 10 times (not to mention that I spent my college years in San Diego, so we went across the border all the time.) Plus, I'm so annoyed at the media portrayal of Mexico right now. I find most Mexicans to be incredibly warm, family oriented, very hard working, and really proud people.STX lady wrote:BUT ya gotta love Mexico too!
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CassieBelle
- Posts: 37
- Joined: Fri Feb 11, 2011 2:06 pm
- Location: Dumas, AR
Oh, Brenda...You should have gone to Mexico with me....But I will give you that I don't consider it the 'caribbean' either... Been to lots of 'caribbean' places...and Yes, Mexico is different...But, I just wanna say - there is NO bad beach destination in my book!
Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness....Mark Twain
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Great report, Lovermont! I like your attitude of focusing on what you liked best about the island. I have been to Isla Mujeres though it was a LONG time ago. I enjoy Mexico too---the fresh fish is great, and the Mexican people are wonderful. It doesn't have quite the charm of the Caribbean, at least for me, but thats probably obvious since I spend a good chunk of my life on a USVI internet forum:) Thanks again.
---Jim
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Tracy in WI
- Posts: 1624
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- Location: Wisconsin