Island Magazine 'Top 10 Best Islands in the World':
'Development has transformed the Mexican Caribbean, but Isla Mujeres, less than half-hour by boat from Cancun, still is holding onto some of that old, small-fishing-village, kick-back-in-the-hammock Mexico character. There are a couple of newer, somewhat upscale inns, but for now the island is still geared more to low-key days of snorkeling (notably the reefs of El Garrafon National Park near the southern tip), fishing (the energy level does pick up during annual international fishing tournaments), and beach time - followed by nights of live music and tequila bars.'
'A moped, bike, or golf cart is best way to do a little sightseeing (the ruins of a small Maya temple on a sea bluff and a sea turtle farm, both at the southern end of the island, are the main attractions).' ....'Sign up for a whale-shark tour available from June to September'.
msnbc ' Five Best Islands to Live On':
'This tiny island off the Yucatán Peninsula blends the soul of Mexico with the beaches of the Caribbean. This is a hammock-swinging lifestyle, peppered with Mayan legends.'...'Only eight miles from hyperactive Cancún, Isla Mujeres is a throwback to Mexico’s more innocent days, a time when you might have driven a VW bus down the Yucatán Peninsula, slept beneath a million stars and cooked fish tacos over an open fire. Isla, as it is known, is a casual place that has added a few conveniences without sacrificing its Mexican soul. You can still wander sandy, unpaved roads into villages where fishermen are mending their nets. Hammocks take the place of beds in colorful, Caribbean-style casas; and to get from point A to B, the preferred transport is by golf cart .... After all the island is only five miles long, and what’s your hurry anyway? Remember, this isn’t just Mexico, it’s Caribbean Mexico. '
Tourism Isla Mujeres:
'During the summer months, swimming with the WHALE SHARKS is the number one attraction bringing visitors from all around the globe to Isla Mujeres for the opportunity to come in close contact with the world's largest fish only 45 minutes offshore. Be sure to stay the night to be ready for your whale shark excursion which leaves between 7 and 8 am daily.'
'After a day filled with water sports, in the evening you might take in a salsa band on Ave. Hidalgo, or join in the music and dancing of a local festival; maybe even cheer at a basketball game in the main square. Community and family activities are a major part of life here. This is especially true during CARNAVAL, the week before Mardi Gras when groups of friends from five years to sixty-five perform in the streets with the costumes and dance routines they have been readying for months. It's non stop party fun.'
Other Activities:
Beach combing, Shelling, Shopping, Garrafon water Park, Dolphin Discovery, Whale Shark tours