A beautiful island in the Gulf of Mexico

Isla Mujeres is just off the Mexican coast in the Gulf of Mexico a short boat ride from the resort city of Cancun. The island is just over five miles long and less than a half a mile wide. The far west end of the island is where the majority of visitors arrive and stay. The island is small, quaint and not as developed as others such as the larger Cozumel. The island is so close to the Mexican mainland that many visitors come for the day to enjoy the shopping, beaches or myriad of water sports. Isla Mujeres is much different from places like Playa del Carmen and Cancun. There is nightlife but many stores, shops and boutiques shut for the day once the last ferry heads back to the mainland late in the afternoon. The island has a legacy of marauding pirates and buccaneers and the feeling today on the island is laid back and tranquil. Over the last few decades, the island has become an excellent escape from the hectic days and nights of the nearby mainland. Isla Mujeres has hotels from one star to five and with some very close to the ferry dock so the walk with luggage is quite easy. The only major town on the island is not large. You can easily walk the entire town in less than a couple of hours. Transportation on the island is mainly by golf cart, scooter and small motorcycle. There are a few cars and trucks but not many. Hidalgo Avenue is the main avenue for tourists. It is a cobblestoned walkway with a number of restaurants, boutiques and other shops. The island has a plethora of restaurants. Seafood is the most common as fresh catches of the day are offered in almost all of them. The prices to eat are much more inexpensive than in neighboring Cancun and Playa del Carmen. On many of the side streets in town, you can find even less expensive typical food. The area is also loaded with bars, coffee shops, juice bars and much more. Shopping on the island is less expensive than the mainland as well. You will still find the same touristy type shops and boutiques but you will spend less. The island has a number of dive operators, fishing tours for deep-sea fishing and other water sports such as snorkeling, parasailing, windsurfing and more. The best beaches for those worshiping the sun are on the south and west side as the island acts as a buffer to the winds and currents. U.S. dollars are excepted in most places and if you are a cigar lover you can purchase Cuban cigars in many of the stores. Internet service is available all over the island. Isla Mujeres is a great place to enjoy the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico and get off the beaten track at the same time.