Various tour boats will take you there from Cancun, but for a cheaper and more authentic trip, just jump on one of the ferries. Puerto Juarez near downtown Cancun is the cheaper one that the locals use, but can be a bit crowded. Gran Puerto Cancun is located in the hotel zone and is a bit more expensive (150 pesos).
If you're in a hurry and have cash to spare, you can charter a Cessna from the delightfully named Aerobanana (tel. 998 87-25040). Common destinations include Chichen Itza and Playa del Carmen.
Get around
The island is pretty small and it isn't too far to walk from the ferry ports to the main beaches. But to see more of the island, the best way to go is to rent a scooter. Like everything in Mexico, you should be able to haggle a decent price, There are two main roads that run from end to end of the island. Be aware that when driving on the Caribbean side of the island, there are occasional strong gusts of wind that can really take you by surprise on a scooter, as can the many topes, or speed bumps.
Do
Buy
You have the typical items available for purchase (blankets, jewelery, stone carvings, pipes). Silver is the item to look for and good prices can be found, especially if buying in quantity. You can also find items of a less legal nature with a little inquiry.
Note: you should do your money exchange on the mainland, as the rate will be better.
The majority of shops and restuarants accept the US dollar but may give you your change in pesos.
Eat
Fish is fresh and bountiful, and dishes like ceviche are popular and delicious. A signature island dish is Tik-n-chik, which is a whole fish marinated in achiote and grilled. Like all places in tourist areas, there are many reasonably priced restaurants and there are a few that are more expensive. You can find everything from an exquisite lobster dinner to a slice of pizza. Some of the best food on the island comes from carts: taco stands and vendors selling corn on the cob and tamales in the town square.
Av. Hidalgo
Sac Bajo
Av. Hidalgo
Drink
Like all beach towns in Mexico, it is usually "Happy Hour" someplace, and beer is 2 for about $3, mixed drinks, 2 for $5. The "beach bars" on the north end have rotating happy hours. Try a michelada, which is a beer mixed with fresh lime juice and a variety of other sauces - the perfect delicious island drink.
Sleep
Isla Mujeres is the name of a small island, as well as the town on that island, a short distance off the coast of the northeast of the Yucatán Peninsula in the Caribbean Sea. Isla Mujeres is also one of the eight municipalities of the Mexican state of Quintana Roo. It is about 13 km north east of Cancún, at 21.20° North, 86.72° West. The island is some 7 km long and 650 meters wide. In the 2005 census the municipality had a population of 13,315, and the town had a population of 11,147. The municipality, which lies mostly on the mainland in the northeastern corner of the state, has an area of 1,100 km² (424.7 sq mi). As of 2005 there were 121 taxis, 500 golf carts, and 1500 moped scooters.
In Pre-Columbian times the island was sacred to the Mayan moon goddess, Ix Chel. When the Spanish arrived here in the 16th century they named it "Isla Mujeres" meaning "Island of Women" because of the many cult images of the moon goddess here.
There was a small Mayan temple on the south tip of the island, however in 1988 Hurricane Gilbert caused extensive damage to it, leaving most of the foundation and a very small portion of the temple.
Since the 1970s there has been substantial development for tourism here.
Ferry boats run every half hour during daylight between Isla Mujeres and Puerto Juárez or Puerto Cancún on the mainland. The island is popular with day trippers, but activity quiets down in the evening after the tour groups leave. There are numerous places to eat fresh seafood. Hotel prices vary from cheap to very expensive at the resorts on the south-west end such as Hotel Villa Rolandi. On the east is the Caribbean Sea with a strong surf and rocky coast, and on the west the skyline of Cancún is seen across the clear waters. On the north end is Isla Town with a famous beach called Playa Norte which has recovered quickly since Hurricane Wilma hit the area in 2005.
Isla Mujeres is located close to one of many coral reefs, and the area is popular for its snorkeling and scuba diving.
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