Isla is a little slip of an island, only five miles long and 4 miles off the coast of loud brash Cancun. It is quaint, beautiful, relatively unspoilt and peaceful beyond belief.
Our first visit to Isla was two years ago when we travelled there as a day trip from Cancun which is how most people discover it. This year we went back for more and stayed on the island at the Avalon Reef Club, an all inclusive at the north end of the island. Next time we will rent a villa at the south end for pure get away from it all tropical dream destination.
The island has two distinct coasts, the Cancun side is a series of wide shallow coral sandy beaches with safe swimming and stunning sunset views. The west or caribbean side has rocky private coves, wilder water and good shelling.
The islanders are incredibly friendly and delight in showing you their island home. The food is great and very reasonably priced compared to Cancun and much more authentic in flavour. Try the traditional Tix y Zix bbq fish (don't watch how they prepare it!) which is a slab of snapper coated in anchiote paste and limes before being bbq'd on a wood grill. It is great, costs about 60 pesos a portion and can be bought at any of the many beach clubs on the Cancun side of the island.
You get around the island by hired moped or golf cart which are a huge amount of fun and exploring the coast road in one of these keeps you cool and offers some stunning views.
Other attractions on the island include visiting the turtle farm - isla is a breeding ground for the turtles and the farm is informative and cheap to visit. Also the snorkeling is fantastic here, try either Garrafon park or for a cheaper option Garrafon El Castille which is right next door but costs hardly anything. Both of these are at the south of the island.
Once the sun goes down and the day trippers head back to Cancun you find yourself making friends with your fellow Isla-explorers and the friendly Islenos themselves. The restaurents in downtown are excellent and there are a few bars with live music, Isla tequila is very good.
Getting to Isla is easy and cheap too, from Cancun airport take a shuttle to Puerto Juarez and catch the ferry there to Isla, it's a twenty minute trip and costs about 40 pesos (bout £2.00). Do this even if you are staying in Cancun, it's a much better deal than the expensive tours that are run to the island.
At the moment I think only Airtours offers a package holiday to Isla but getting there on your own is easy and more fun. I love this island, it's a real get away from it all retreat to charge your batteries in. Wish I had taken my honeymoon there, it's a really romantic destination.
hi.i amoff to isla in 3 weeks time thought i would just see what you thought of it,like you say go it alone we just got 2 flight only tickets from manchester for £150.00 each and 2 weeks accom was £330 for 2 weeks between us,i can reccomend the rocomar hotel dead quiet and fab freindly staff,just cant keep away hope you get back soon...jane
torr 11.08.2003 08:51
Welcome. Good first opinion; I hope we'll see more from you. Never been to Isla Mujeres, but I disliked Cancun intensely. Best wishes, Duncan
Pozza 11.08.2003 00:25
Welcome to Ciao and good op! I have friends who have just returned from there and they loved it as much as you clearly do. Paul.
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Advantages: unique, in your face, great entertainment, superb value for money. Disadvantages: bit cheesy - but meant to be
TheWizardsSleeve 05.11.2007 (31.10.2007)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
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