Isla Mujeres

[sbabb]

My husband, son and I are going to Cancun during the first week of May. I am really interested in checking out Isla Mujeres and going to the south point to the ruins and lighthouse area. Does it make sense to pay for a tour to do this; or is it better to just take a ferry over and rent a golf cart? Can the south side only be accessed through Garrafon park?

[ToriB]

I just went over with my Dad...Rent a Golf Cart...adds to the Adventure. And really it is just one small ruin....and lots of modern steel statues....bizzar in my opinion. You don't have to access Garrafon at all, unless you want to use their facilities. Make sure you return the rental back before the time is up. They will charge you a full hr. We were 6 min late, and the beeeeeeeeep didn't want to hear any excuses.

[shalomtou]

we went 2 weeks ago. Just take the city bus to the water taxi. I think it was 40 dollars US round trip. Then rent a golf cart. Takes an hour to get around the island. We stopped and checked thins out. Theirs a place to eat overlooking the ruins good food great view.

[sbabb]

Thanks! How much do the golf cart rentals cost? And how far from the south end of the island will we be when we get dropped off by the ferry?

[jayg]

last march the golf carts were 500 pesos for all day which was $38 usd at the time. You are about 5 to 7 miles from the south end of the island when you get off the ferry. we loved the sculpture park which costs about $3 usd each to enter and the person taking your money would like a 10 peso tip but not mandatory. There is a beautiful walkway with spectacular views of the ocean and cliffs. this walkway goes to garrafon park but there is a sign asking you not to go further if you have not entered through garafon. imho if I got to isla early i'd rent the golf cart all day unless i was going to spend the day at garrafon in which case i'd just take a taxi to garrafon.

[haggis & neeps]

excuse me for cutting in but what exactly is garrafon, and the sculpture park what are the sculptures of and are they small large etc.
we are also in cancun may and im looking to do a bit of photography of everything within reason and have made an itenary of things to try and capture on the isla mujeres.
once again sorry for leaping on to this thread

[Laura Mapchick]

Rent a cart for the day, take your time looking around, it's beautiful, why be in a hurry to see the island in an hour..explore!

[jayg]

garrafon is an all inclusive park at the south end of isla mujerus that has snorkeling, swiming, zip line and food. also has a walkway into the sculpture park. the sculptures are mostly as big or bigger than an adult but smaller than a car. mapchick is rite on, don't be in a hurry. i have never attended garrafon just walked past so if i'm off base please pipe up.

[V]

Isla Mujeres is a charming place, and well worth a visit. On the north end of the island are beautiful beaches, and a Mexican village which retains its village feel, in spite of everything.

There are more good restaurants per square mile than there is in Cancun centro, with lots of variety, in part because of the European ownership of many of them.

Early risers can enjoy stunning mornings; and, for those who can't make it up that early, there's the fantastic sunsets!

Cheaper golf cart prices are available further from the ferry landings, but I've never been able to do better than 400 pesos/24 hours, unless I was renting multiple carts.

[haggis & neeps]

Originally Posted by V

Isla Mujeres is a charming place, and well worth a visit. On the north end of the island are beautiful beaches, and a Mexican village which retains its village feel, in spite of everything.

There are more good restaurants per square mile than there is in Cancun centro, with lots of variety, in part because of the European ownership of many of them.

Early risers can enjoy stunning mornings; and, for those who can't make it up that early, there's the fantastic sunsets!

Cheaper golf cart prices are available further from the ferry landings, but I've never been able to do better than 400 pesos/24 hours, unless I was renting multiple carts.

now thats the positive words I like to hear what would be a nice real mexican restaraunt to visit on the island for a meal not looking at something commercialised but more a clean respectable island eaterie that is not incoming.
by the way what time are the sunsets in may.

[V]

...a nice real mexican restaraunt to visit....

Plenty of those there, too, and the sun sets around 7 PM, local time, as I recall.

At that same hour, cruise ships can be seen in the distance, plying their way north, with Florida their destination, having set sail from Cozumel.

It adds to the pleasure of being at Isla, sitting on the Malecon, gazing out on the Western Carribbean at the close of day, glass of wine in hand.

[rodman4085]

Google "Mapchick", do yoursef a favor, and order one of her Isla Mujeres maps....great pocket tourguide....or buy them all! Cancun, Riv Maya, PDC, Coz, etc....

[haggis & neeps]

Originally Posted by rodman4085

Google "Mapchick", do yoursef a favor, and order one of her Isla Mujeres maps....great pocket tourguide....or buy them all! Cancun, Riv Maya, PDC, Coz, etc....

well!!!! I have taken your advice and ordered the isla mujeres map today.

[haggis & neeps]

just received my isla mujeres travel guide and an additional added supplement detailing downtown restaraunts bars etc a fantastic bargain for 10$ usa.

I just ordered it on Friday and considering we were heading in to the weekend and it was coming across the pond to Scotland they have arrived this morning 4 days from order to delivery is a fantastic service.
as has already been said this is a must have pocket guide for anyone visiting the place.

this is not just a pocket guide it is also a bible and almanac go for it.
a big thank you to can-do maps & guides Polk City Iowa.
cheers guys.

[mainiacgirl]

go to cancuntom.com and check out his pictures and blogs about Isla great pictures and info.

[haggis & neeps]

was sent toms link by barnstyke fantastic info & pics from him seems to me that steve the owner of the forum & cacuntom seem to do more for tourism than the full mexican tourist industry so well done guys

[TomT]

I live on Isla. These days golf carts run about $550 pesos/day. It'll be slow in May, so you might be able to haggle a bit, especially if you walk further into town and skip the guys right by the ferry. A bit expensive, but a fun way to spend the day...scoot around from place to place. And when you're driving around on the Caribbean side, you get some amazing views once you hit mid-island. You could also hire a cab; I forgot what the hourly rate is...180 pesos/hr.

This island is home to some of the best meals I've ever eaten. There's very little that's commercialized here. If you like fresh fish, any of the "cocktelarias" along the beach are good...have a cold Sol, bury your toes in the sand and watch the sunset while you eat an amazingly fresh meal. Bally-Hoo, on the dock behind the gas station has great fish tacos. I also like Picus and Velasquez. Most have excellent ceviche.

The "local" food here is a mix of Mexican and Mayan. Plenty of great places in town: La Lomita, El Poc Chuc, all the stands by the Municipal Market, Fredy's...outside of El Centro: Dasy & Raul's (now across from La Gloria English School) and La Bruja further out. But even what's not local is good...Belgian, French, Italian, Spanish, Cuban, Caribbean fusion and a few others.

It's hard to find a bad meal here. People take a lot of pride in their cooking.

And Playa Norte is a great beach...a couple of the beach clubs will give you free chairs and umbrellas if you buy food and drinks; others cost. Zamas Beach Club on the Sac Bajo peninsula is also worth a visit.

I also agree with Tori...there's not much to the south point. The ruin has been ruined by hurricanes and the sculpture park looks totally out of place. It's actually one of the more commercial areas on the island. Much more fun to walk through town.

[V]

In spite of all that, regarding south point, it still has its attractions. It is the only place on the island I know with cliffs from which you can look down on the water.

There is a nice trail running along a significant portion of the cliff heading towards south point and, once there, developed walkways taking you down the face, and nearer the water, for a better look.

Nothing more beautiful than that Caribbean Sea churning and crashing as its waves pound the cliffs, and the rocks below.

[xoie's omah]

I agree about walking the cliffs at the sculpture park. We had some not quite warm enough for the beach days when we were on Isla in January and decided to hit the sculpture park and walk the trails. The views you get are spectacular, there is a cave you can walk into and come up further up the cliff, and just sitting listening to the surf crash made it worth the 30 pesos. We also went to the turtle farm (figured it was worth the price of admission to support the cause), drove further down the road to see the floating island house made of recyclable plastic bottles, stopped at a couple little road side bars and walked the sea walk on the Caribbean side of the island.

[haggis & neeps]

floating island house ? I thought that was destroyed by a hurricane a few years ago. has it been redone.
also another question I have heard about a shell house on the island but it is private what exactly is it and is it worth putting on my photos worth taking list
thanx again.

[TomT]

The floating island has been rebuilt; it's on the Sac Bajo peninsula. The Shell House is a unique piece of architecture, and one of the big stops on the golf cart tour. It's a residence...not sure if they do vacation rentals or not...about 2/3 of the way down toward the south point on the Caribe side of the island. If you want a sneak peak, just google "shell house isla mujeres" and you'll get some images.

[haggis & neeps]

took your advice tom and googled the shell house. seems its a rental holiday home. but now that I have read up on it it is a definate stop on our golf cart trip.
beginning to look like we will need more than one trip to get a real insight of the isla mujeres.
under 4 weeks now so its countdown mode for us now and really looking forward to it all now.

[TomT]

Great that you have Laura's maps...they're pretty much the bible around here. A ton of great info...I still use mine. You can also get a lot of info on the Isla Mujeres boards: http://www.islamujeres.info

And here's a fairly good rundown of some (just some) of the better places to eat here: Isla Mujeres Restaurants at HollyEats.com

[V]

Thanks, TomT, for continuing to point out the attractions of Isla. It remains my favorite place nearby to go for a getaway, overnight.

[haggis & neeps]

and thanks from me as well...... these are great links and now v has put an idea in my head an overnight stay over there must check out a few hotels seems a good idea....... one nights board and 2 full days plus an evening as well to take it all in.

[ncsurf]

golf cart sounds fun

[TomT]

Wow...Google Street Maps has come to Isla Mujeres. Local rumor also has it that we're going to be getting our first street light soon, too. Progress marches on, I guess. But now you can hop in a virtual golf cart and take a tour of the island. Start here, at Playa Norte:

isla mujeres, mx - Google Maps

[xoie's omah]

Thanks Tom!! I have spent most of my morning playing with this...wish we were heading back there sooner rather than later.

[haggis & neeps]

well finally made the island of mujeres and enjoyed every minute of it even went back for a second day saw the floating island missus was in with the dolphinds friends scuba dived saw the shell house also mundacas grave had a fab lunch in jacx bar and a good few drinks in the sunset grill
all in all a great way to travel around was the golf carts.

[ncsurf]

went there last Wednesday and it was FUN. Took the 9:30am ferry over which we were on the SLOW Mexicano ferry and it took about 30 mins. I recommend getting on the UltraMar prob get there in 15 mins and I'm sure it's nicer on there (drinks food etc.). Got off the ferry walked down and rented a golfcart for $45.00 (take your license because you will need it for insurance purposes). Stopped at the 7/11 bought a cooler and a 12 pack + waters rode around the island (all 7 miles) drinking and sightseeing. Around 1pm parked the golfcart went to a bar on the beach had lunch drank some more got in the water and just relaxed. around 2:30pm turned the golf cart in no problem at all gave the golf cart guy our styrofoam cooler so we didn't have to carry it around. Shopped around for about 45 mins in the stores then caught the 3:30pm ferry back to Cancun. At resort by 5pm and was at the pool for last hour of happy hour. The island is a great time just rent a golf cart and drive around relax. I personally would not want a scooter because you can not drink that easily and drive around (speed bumps everywhere). Enjoy !!!