Best tips for Isla Mujeres: don’t miss anything
Isla Mujeres is only 7.5 kilometers long and 500 meters wide on average. The narrowest point at the southern tip of the island (Punta Sur) measures just 100 meters. Punta Sur is the most southeastern point of Mexico. Isla Mujeres (Island of Women) owes its name to female clay figures that were once found in the Ixchel temple at Punta Sur. Ixchel is the goddess of the moon and fertility in Mayan mythology. Here are some tips for Isla Mujeres.
Tips for Isla Mujeres: Playa Norte
The most popular beach on Isla Mujeres is Playa Norte, also called Playa los Cocos. Playa Norte is just under 300 meters long, has powder-soft white sand and shallow turquoise waters. There is always something going on at Playa Norte. Especially during the vacations and on weekends, when many locals from Cancún also vacation here.
Lobster paradise
Provided you’re into it, you should eat lobster at least once on Isla Mujeres. The lobsters are freshly caught and are prepared in the restaurants in all imaginable variations: grilled, fried, with garlic sauce, al mojo de ajo or tossed in butter.
You can eat whole crawfish, half a crawfish or crawfish tails. There are mixed platters of fish and shrimp or surf and turf with New York steak or filet. Crawfish dishes cost on average between 300 and 700 pesos (14 to 34 dollars) on Isla Mujeres, and whole crawfish between 1200 and 1900 pesos (57 to 90 dollars) a kilo.
Swimming and snorkeling with whale sharks
If you are on Isla Mujeres during the whale shark season between mid-May and mid-September, don’t miss the chance to swim or snorkel with whale sharks. During this time, there are numerous whale sharks around Isla Mujeres, Isla Contoy and Holbox. Whale sharks grow up to 12 meters long and are plankton eaters. Therefore they are not dangerous for humans.
Tips for Isla Mujeres: weather and best time to travel
The best time to travel to Isla Mujeres is during the largely dry and cooler months of January to April. During this time, maximum daytime temperatures average between 28 and 30 degrees Celsius. Wind and rain, however, can occur on Isla Mujeres throughout the year.
The rainiest months with the highest humidity are May to September. During this time, it is not uncommon for the thermometer to rise above the 100 F-degree mark.
