Thinking about visiting Isla Mujeres? It’s one of my favorites for vacation! This post has a list of my 10 favorite activities to do on the island, as well as a few activities I do NOT recommend.
Isla Mujeres, translated to the “island of women,” is a quick ferry ride from the coast of Cancun. Although Isla Mujeres is very tourist friendly, this small island also has opportunities for more authentic experiences for the adventurous traveler.
The best time to visit this beautiful island is during “high season,” from December to April! During this timeframe, the weather is warm, but not too hot, and it’s not yet rainy season.
I have visited Isla Mujeres 10+ times and it’s one of my favorite places to visit in Mexico! Although the area around the ferry dock can feel a bit touristy, the rest of the island offers authentic experiences a laid-back feel. The people, a mixture of residents and expats, are warm and friendly!
Whether you’re taking a quick day trip to Isla Mujeres or spending weeks there, you’ll find there are plenty of things to do! Below, I have a list of activities on Isla Mujeres that I recommend! And a list of activities that I’ve tried that I do NOT recommend.
I hope this helps you plan your trip to Isla Mujeres! Feel free to leave a comment if you have any questions or would like to provide feedback.
Recommended Isla Mujeres Activities
- Rent a Golf Cart: If you love adventure, rent a golf cart and explore! When you walk out of the ferry dock there will be representatives with signs for scooter and golf cart rental. We’ve rented from Rentadora Joaquin before. Expect to spend about $80 USD per day. Having freedom to tour the island will let you see beautiful views and some of the most unique houses in this small Mexican town!
- Eat Delicious Seafood: Just to the north of the ferry terminal lies several beachfront restaurants. I love Cockteleria Picus for a “feet in the sand” seafood spot. Or, try Blue Ballyhoo for a spot that deep sea fishermen stop in to grab a bite!
- Visit Playa Norte (“North Beach”): Rated as one of the world’s most beautiful beaches and the best beach in Mexico, Playa Norte has picturesque, white sand beaches with bright blue waters. Beach clubs line the beach and will rent you a beach chair under the palm trees if you’re ordering drinks or food.
- Shop on Hidalgo Avenue: Just south of Playa Norte lies downtown Isla Mujeres. Avenida Miguel Hidalgo has been blocked to traffic, making it a safe, pedestrian street for visiting souvenir shops and dining.
- Day Drink: Grab a cab and tour the island, stopping for drinks in between! My favorites are Villa La Bella, Isla Brewing Company, live music at the The Joint, and the Soggy Peso.
- Experience Authentic Tixinxic Fish: Visit Playa Lancheros for a dish authentic to the Yucatan peninsula, Tixinxic. This open-air eatery is great for kids! They can play in the sand while you kick back and enjoy some drinks.
- Enjoy Fine Dining: If you’re looking to celebrate a special occasion, don’t worry! There are plenty of options on the island. My favorites are Rosa Sirena and Limon. Reservations are recommended for both!
- Visit Punta Sur: On the southern tip of the island (opposite of the ferry dock and North beach), lies Punta Sur. Punta Sur is a protected nature reserve, and usually requires a small fee to enter. Walk on the hiking trails and see stunning views of Cancun from this destination. The park has Mayan ruins dedicated to the goddess Ixchel.
- Swim with the Whale Sharks: In July and August, the whale sharks come close to the Yucatan coasts. They are gentle creatures and swimming with them is a magical experience! Please know that it is hot this time of year in Mexico, so make sure to book a hotel with strong air conditioning!
- Eat your Heart Out: Unlike Cancun, Isla Mujeres is not known for its all-inclusive resorts, leaving a ton of room for restauranteurs to open up shop for visitors. For breakfast, visit Mango Cafe or Letty’s , a small, family-owned loncheria near the city market. For lunch, experience authentic “comida casera” (home cooking) at La Lomita or fantastic street tacos at Tacos de Humo.
- Visit the Turtle Farm: This tiny island is home to the tortungrana, or turtle sanctuary. This turtle sanctuary houses baby turtles and massive full-grown sea turtles, helping to rehabilitate them and release them back to the natural habitat. If you have kids with you, I highly recommend stopping here!
- Visit Garrafon Reef Park: Another place that’s great to visit if you have kids with you, the Garrafon has an over water zip line with some of the most beautiful views!
Isla Mujeres Activities I Do NOT Recommend
- Visit the Turtle Farm: This tiny island is home to the tortungrana, or turtle sanctuary. This turtle sanctuary houses baby turtles and massive full-grown sea turtles, helping to rehabilitate them and release them back to the natural habitat. If you have kids with you, I highly recommend stopping here!
- Visit Garrafon Reef Park:
- Isla Contoy: Isla Contoy is a small island that serves as a bird sanctuary. I was quite excited to visit but found it underwhelming. And the trip via boat was quite rough! Several passengers got sick.
- Shell House: If you’ve been researching things to do on Isla Mujeres, you’ve probably seen photos of the famous shell house! It is very cool, but often has guests staying in it. And to be honest, if you’ve seen the photo, you’ve seen it! We’ve opted to give the guests and residents peace and not visit.
- Musa: The underwater sculpture museum of art is very, very cool if you like to dive or snorkel! But the sculptures are overgrown with vegetation and will not look like the photos you are shown. I absolutely recommend diving or snorkeling in this area but would not choose this specific trip again.
I hope you enjoy your trip to the wonderful island of Isla Mujeres!
If you have any activities you’d add to this list, be sure to add a comment below.