The downtown area of Isla Mujeres, located on the north end of the island, is the center for shopping, dining, and lodging. There are dozens of shops and restaurants in an area roughly four blocks by six blocks. Everything downtown is within walking distance, and that is what we did - walked and enjoyed the sights and sounds of the various shops, restaurants, and businesses in the downtown area.
The merchants are friendly and certainly encouraging, but we didn't find any of them overbearing in their pitches. Persistent, yes, but rude, no. It was a lot of fun just strolling the streets and sampling from some of the street vendors - fresh fruit, juice, and churros in the town square. We didn't have anything we didn't enjoy from any of the street vendors. Hidalgo is the main drag and is full of restaurants and shops, some with tacky souvenirs, some with some interesting art and pottery not to mention lots of silver.
Some of our most enjoyable time was spent just wandering aimlessly through the downtown and town square area. At night the downtown square fills with various food vendors and turns into a local gathering spot. It's a great place to enjoy a bite and people watch.