Isla Mujeres, “Island of Women” is an island in the Caribbean in the Riviera Maya region, off the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula in the state of Quintana Roo in Mexico.
The island has been around since 550 BC. Used by the Maya. At that time, however, the island was not permanently inhabited, but a shrine was located on it in honor of the Maya goddess Ixchel. The Spanish conquistador Francisco Hernández de Córdoba discovered the island in March 1517.
It is one of the main Caribbean islands under the jurisdiction of Mexico, covering an area of eight kilometers in length and two kilometers in width.
Today a large number of tourists from all over the world aspire to the island to touch the original and rich culture, see the ancient ruins of the Ishkhel castle, admire the historical buildings and structures, and just enjoy the rest,The local tropical climate has pleasant, comfortable conditions for recreation and basking in the sun on the sand of the luxurious beaches.
It is one of the main Caribbean islands under the jurisdiction of Mexico, covering an area of eight kilometers in length and two kilometers in width.
Today a large number of tourists from all over the world aspire to the island to touch the original and rich culture, see the ancient ruins of the Ishkhel castle, admire the historical buildings and structures, and just enjoy the rest,The local tropical climate has pleasant, comfortable conditions for recreation and basking in the sun on the sand of the luxurious beaches.
Access : Coordinates:21.233333, -86.733333 / By boat : From Puerto Juarez, near Cancun on the mainland, the island can be reached by fast ferries. / By plane : Cancun International Airport (CUN) is only 40 km from the island and there are also flights from Europe.
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Isla Mujeres, “Island of Women” is an island in the Caribbean in the Riviera Maya region, off the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula in the state of Quintana Roo in Mexico.The island has been around since 550 BC. Used by the Maya. At that time, however, the island was not permanently inhabited, but a shrine was located on it in honor of the Maya goddess Ixchel. The Spanish conquistador Francisco Hernández de Córdoba discovered the island in March 1517.
It is one of the main Caribbean islands under the jurisdiction of Mexico, covering an area of eight kilometers in length and two kilometers in width.
Today a large number of tourists from all over the world aspire to the island to touch the original and rich culture, see the ancient ruins of the Ishkhel castle, admire the historical buildings and structures, and just enjoy the rest,The local tropical climate has pleasant, comfortable conditions for recreation and basking in the sun on the sand of the luxurious beaches.
Highlights :
- At the southern tip of the island there are vestiges of a Mayan temple. Archaeologists think that Isla Mujeres was a sanctuary dedicated to Ixchel, the Mayan goddess of fertility.
- “La Hacienda del Pirata Mundaca”. 19th-century hacienda built by Caribbean pirate Fermin Mundaca. Its construction dates from the second half of the 19th century, and is attributed to the Spanish Fermín Mundaca y Marecheaga, who apparently settled in the island in 1858.
- The last base of the famous pirate Jean Lafitte was located on the island from 1821 to 1826.
- From late May to September is home to one of the largest numbers of Whale Sharks in the world / lighthouse : enjoy amazing Views from lighthouse on the southern tip.
- Beaches : The Island of Women boasts some of the best beaches in the entire Caribbean: Playa Norte, Playa Lancheros, Playa Paraiso and Playa Indios.
- Diving, in the Great Mayan Reef, the Cross of the Bay, the cave of the sleeping sharks. Night Diving or Reef Diving, as well as in the underwater museum can be done.
- Punta Sur : In this site there are archaeological vestiges of the temple to Ixchel, the Mayan goddess of love and fertility, as well as a Sculptural Space. Punta Sur is located in the southern part of the Island.
- Cruz de la Bahía : On August 17, as part of the celebration of the year of the founding of Isla Mujeres (1857), a bronze cross was placed on the manchones reef. The Cross of the Bay is 3 meters high and weighs about a ton. At 12 meters deep, tribute and recognition are paid to the men and women who died at sea.
- Tortugranja- Turtle farm : Isla Mujeres is a natural area for turtles, which come to spawn between the months of May and September. For many years sea turtles were hunted for their meat, their shells and their eggs.
- Manchones Reef : It is located 8 km south of the Isla Mujeres dock, very close to the southern tip of the island, by boat. It has a coral bank 12 km long by 700 m wide, where you can dive.
- Cave of the sleeping sharks : It is located east of Isla Mujeres. In this place, surrounded by coral formations, diving is practiced.
- Underwater Museum of Art (MUSA) : More than 440 sculptures are submerged in the Manchones exhibition area near the south of Isla Mujeres and 17 sculptures in the Nizuc area south of Cancun. All are located in the Costa Occidental National Park of Isla Mujeres, Punta Cancún and Punta Nizuc, in order to reduce the number of visitors who have access to the natural reefs of the marine park.
Activities : sightseeing / photo opportunities / Diving, El Garrafon National Park – a paradise for diving fans / Dolphin Discovery, offers excursions to swim with dolphins / Ecotourism Tours to Isla Contoy, a small uninhabited island, sanctuary of exotic birds.
Go next : tour to Contoy, a small uninhabited island very close ,a bird sanctuary and is one one of the most beautiful places in the Mexican Caribbean / Cancún.
