Kicking back on the Island of Women

Whether sunning and swimming on Playa Norte, taking a ride in a golf cart around the island, or visiting some of the historical areas, the day-trip visitor or the person who wants a week of relaxation will find themselves enthralled by their visit to Isla Mujeres. After five trips to the island,I still find enjoyment in all that there is to offer.

Quick Tips:

One should always be careful to have sunscreen to avoid the worst of the sun, but I have found that the sun beats down with more force on this island than on the mainland. Be careful with your time out in the sun. I received some severe blisters in 1998 after failing to follow my own advise.

Be aware that the only way off of the island after 7:00 pm is by private boat. The ferry on and off the island stops running from this time until about 8:00 am the next morning.

Best Way To Get Around:

Although there are a few motorized vehicles and taxis on the island, I have found that the best ways to get around are by walking and by renting a moped or a golf cart. These are inexpensive and are readily available in the central area.

Most of the major activities can be found in the center of town or along the northern beach area. Walking is the most effective means of travel.

Nautibeach is a set of privately owned condominiums. The owners are often "out", so they allow their units to be rented to tourists who visit the island. There are about 100 of these units in the complex.

This condominium complex has a pool bar, a heated pool (as if that is necessary), and has direct access to Playa Norte (the most beautiful sand and beach in all of the Yucatan Peninsula).

I have stayed in these units on three searate visits to the island - twice alone, and once with my wife. The units were always clean, with daily maid service. I was able to interact with others who were also staying at the complex.

On one occasion, the air conditioning was not functioning well. This made the daylight hours uncomfortable. So, I had to stay out on the beach or walk around town during this inconvenience. Late in the evening, I was able to keep the balcony screen open to allow the ocean breeze to blow in. That made the late evenings much more pleasant.

The only negative of these condominiums is that one of the day trip operators has their complex directly adjacent to the units. I heard their music and P.A. system blaring from 10:AM until about 4:00 in the afternoon. This was quite a distraction to me. However, it was easy to find other things to do.

On my next trip to Cancun I plan to return to the Isla and spend at least 3 evenings at Nautibeach.

Most who visit the white sands of Playa Norte will leave with only one word in their minds: "Paradise". Others have written, the more appropriate name for this beach should be Playa Paraiso.

Visiting Playa Norte was the most wonderful experience that I took from my travels to Mexico. The beach is beautiful, the water is clear, one can walk from 50 - 70 meters from the shore into the water without the water rising above their shoulders, and the sun beats down warmly on the worshipper of the golden body. For what more could one ask?

I travelled to this beach on four occassions when I was single, and once since I was married. There are three or four small cafes/refreshment stands which offer differing types of food to the visitor. Three different locations offer gin and tonic (the drink of most beach worshippers) and other beverages. I recommend that you purchase a "Coco Loco" from one of the salesmen who stroll the beach. You will have a fresh coconut cut at the top and filled with rum and several juices. After drinking this concoction, you will be able to eat the rest of the coconut. Quite a treat for the uninitiated.

The sun begins to warm the beach by 10:00 am. It is extremely hot by 3:00 in the afternoon. However, if you are still around by 5:00 pm, you will likely find yourself alone. Most of the day-trippers are long gone by the mid afternoon. Locals and others staying on the island have had their fill of fun-and-sun by that time of day.

I purchased a beautiful tablecloth in the image of the Mayan calendar, ankle bracelets for my female companion, and several other nice mementos during my visits to the beach.

My fondest desire is that when I retire I can buy property on the Isla and spend my days at Playa Norte.

I first went to El Garrafon in 1996, driving to the location in one of the golf carts that can be rented in the center of town. I am a high school wrestling coach, so my female travelling partner challenged me by saying that she didn't think that I had the "courage" to wrestle one of the sharks on the island. So, my ego challenged, I decided to show my "machismo".

After we stepped from the cart, we crossed a nice sand beach. There were many people on the beach who had travelled over with one of the many day trips from Cancun. Some were busy socializing, but many were renting snorkelling equipment. There were picnic tables and concessions available, in addition to the snorkelling gear.

We arrived at a short pier, which was centered in an enclosed area. We talked to one of the men at the pier, who allowed me to jump in the water. He directed me to a shark that was about 3 meters (9 1/2 feet) long. As you can see in the pictures below, I did "wrestle" with the shark. Many of my students have been silenced when they see the poster sized photo that I had made from that encounter.

Later, we rented snorkelling equipment and swam along the reef. This part of the trip was less eventful. Much of the coral was damaged, probably due to abuse by the tourists. It was possible to see angelfish, parrotfish, and other species. But, I much preferred diving the reef in the Cozumel area than snorkelling in this crowded spot.

Van Cleef & Arpels is one of the most exclusive jewelers that I have ever seen. The quality of the gold, silver, and stones that can be found here is of the highest quality that can be found in the world. Perhaps that is why such a high-class European jeweler would locate a branch on a small island in Mexico.

The location of the shop is directly adjacent to the dock at which the ferry lands. The building is fairly large, compared to a smaller building for most shops on this island.

I look in the shop on every visit, but I go away and dream, as I find it very difficult to afford the prices of the fine artistry pieces that can be found here.

I visited this shop on three separate trips to the island. My favorite t-shirts were purchased there. They have a large selection of island t-shirts and other apparel for sun worship.

My wife has a great shirt with a large picture of a turtle and the logos of the island inscribed. She enjoys wearing this shirt at whatever function she can.

The prices here are average in comparison to Be prepared to those at other places, but the quality of the shirts is much better. You will find a very nice bargain.

I visited this spot on the Isla with my friend on my first visit to the island. To get there, we had to rent one of the golf carts that are available on the island. One could also rent a moped.

These ruins are in a state of disrepair, as you can see in the attached picture, and are really not much to see. However, there is a beautiful view across to Cancun from the spot.

There is a small path that leads to the ruins, but all that really seems important is to visit the spot. Nothing more can be seen by following the path.

I want to take my wife to visit this spot on our next trip, but that is because she has never seen this place. If you want to have the experience, you should visit these ruins. Otherwise, spend your time on Playa Norte.