- Bring lots of bug spray...and I recommend something very strong. We bought bug bracelets at Whole Foods and they were not strong enough. The natural bug spray I bought at the local supermarket was not strong enough. I was not wearing perfumes either.
- Bring lots of water proof sunscreen with a high SPF. The Mexican sun is different from what you are accustomed to at your local pool. You will be sweating up a storm at 9:00 am.
- Stay some where economical so that you can get a golf cart every day and venture out. This way you do not have to stand on a corner and wait for a taxi to come by. We typically did not have to wait very long but there were a couple of times that we did have to walk about a mile in the dark before one appeared.
- Any gringo can go to Isla Mujeres and be fine. You can get by with limited Spanish. Know your numbers, colors, and letters...and you will be fine. I did a lot of charades and always got my point across. Most of the menus are in English/Spanish. Luckily for me my husband is Hispanic and fluent in Spanish for the serious conversations. Ha Whenever I realized people had no idea what I was saying I'd tell him to tell them in Spanish.
- Do NOT expect to get your food in 5 minutes...this is NOT America. People actually enjoy their meals in Mexico. The waiters/waitresses will not ask you every 5 minutes if you need something. This does not mean that they will not assist you but summon them if you need assistance.
- If someone asks you, "Would you like to pet a well chark?" They really mean whale shark. Learn from me and save yourself 10 minutes. The summer is the migrating season for whale sharks.
- Also, when you leave the Cancun airport they will tell you "Pooch da ret booton".....they want you to push the red button. Yes, I was the one asking the man over and over again---"What?"
- The people of Isla Mujeres are some of the nicest friendliest people you will ever meet. Many people have lived there forever or a very long time.
- Make sure you have enough pesos because not every place takes credit cards or knows how to use the credit card machines. Yes, Danny had to show some how to use their machines as well. Have plenty of pesos on you at all times.
- When you tell the ATM you want it in your native language...please remember that it is showing you pesos and not US dollars. Do not freak out when you get $5 after you paid $5. Ha.
- Stop terrorizing yourself with what you see on the news. Every country has safe and unsafe parts to it. I would not recommend that anyone go to LA or El Paso....there is absolutely nothing wrong with Isla Mujeres. We saw The Policia but not the militia that everyone described. They were very friendly whenever I could convince Danny to ask for directions.
- You can go to the local supermarket and find what you need simply by looking at the pictures on the packages.
- There is a night life in Isla Mujeres for people wanting the Cancun feel.
- If you want Cancun...then you should go there and stay.
- Be prepared to see men in Speedos and some topless women that should not be.
- You will receive an immigration paper before you land. Make sure you have this before you try to come back to the USA. I lost mind and had to complete another one. I did beg them to keep me and they refused to.
- We never had a bad meal. Granted some were a lot better than others but we did not have anything that made us sick. Drink only bottled water for your safety.
- Do NOT believe everything you read from Trip Advisor. We read that the groundskeeper at Marysol was a scammer, blah x 3. He is actually the owner and a very nice man. We had the travelers check ready for him from day one and he never asked for it until the last day we were there. The people he had working for him were very friendly and helpful.
- Trip Advisor also stated that the staff at Playa La Media Luna were rude and unhelpful. We had wonderful service while we were there so we do not know what they were talking about.
- We also read that Qubanos was one of the best places to eat but the owner Vivian was unfriendly, etc. She sat down and talked to us for at least an hour after we were finished eating. That was definitely one of the best meals we had while there, too.
- It is only a 2 hr direct flight from Austin to Cancun at $300 per person roundtrip.
- Most people zoom around on mopeds and golf carts. You very seldom see cars unless driven by a taxi driver.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Suggestions...
If you ever choose to go to Isla Mujeres which I strongly suggest that you do...here are some tips:
Food in Isla Mujeres!
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| Manana Schnitzel |
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| Rolandi's |
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| Amigos |
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| Manana |
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| Manana |
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| El Varadero de Oscar |
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| El Vardero de Oscar |
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| El Vardero de Oscar |
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| Add caption |
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| Mango Cafe |
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| Mango Cafe |
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| Mango Cafde |
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| Mango Cafe |
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| Mango Cafe |
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| Qubano |
I must admit that this was a definite highlight to our stay in Isla Mujeres. I am sure the people thought I was crazy for taking pictures of everything we ate, but it is easier to describe that way. Plus everyone has asked, "How was the food?"
Things to do in Isla Mujeres!
We were told by several people that we would want to visit other cities because Isla Mujeres would get boring after a few days. This was not the case for us! We did something nearly every day and still did not get to do everything that we wanted to. Maybe next time!
The first full day on the island we rented a golf cart to explore the 5 mile island. For $50 you can rent a golf cart for 24 hours. I would definitely recommend that anyone visiting this island do this at the beginning of your stay so that you can see the sights and know where everything is located.
http://www.isla-mujeres.net/landfun.htm
We went to Punta Sur which is located at the southern tip of Isla Mujeres, 20 meters above sea level, where the rising sun first touches Mexican soil. This is the highest elevation in the Yucatan and home to an ancient temple honoring the Mayan Moon Goddess. Visitors can look out from its steep, naturally carved cliffs toward awesome views of Cancun and the bay. This visit was very economical at $2.50 per person.
Playa Norte is located at the southern tip of Isla Mujeres, 20 meters above sea level, where the rising sun first touches Mexican soil. This is the highest elevation in the Yucatan and home to an ancient temple honoring the Mayan Moon Goddess. Visitors can look out from its steep, naturally carved cliffs toward awesome views of Cancun and the bay.
Playa Sol - Playa Sol is at the northwestern tip of the island and is the neighboring beach to Playa Norte. Playa Sol is the best location to watch the sunset and is usually a little less crowded than the neighboring beach. Although it is less crowded, the water is not as shallow and clear as Playa Norte.
The first full day on the island we rented a golf cart to explore the 5 mile island. For $50 you can rent a golf cart for 24 hours. I would definitely recommend that anyone visiting this island do this at the beginning of your stay so that you can see the sights and know where everything is located.
http://www.isla-mujeres.net/landfun.htm
We went to Punta Sur which is located at the southern tip of Isla Mujeres, 20 meters above sea level, where the rising sun first touches Mexican soil. This is the highest elevation in the Yucatan and home to an ancient temple honoring the Mayan Moon Goddess. Visitors can look out from its steep, naturally carved cliffs toward awesome views of Cancun and the bay. This visit was very economical at $2.50 per person.
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| View from ledge top |
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| Waves crashing |
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| Entrance Sign |
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| Sculpture Garden |
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| Sculpture Garden |
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| Cliff Ledge |
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| Cliff Ledge |
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| Cliff of the Dawn |
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| Cliff Ledge |
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| Sculpture Garden |
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| Sculpture Garden |
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| View |
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| Sculpture Garden |
Tortuga --Sea Turtle Farm
This cost us $2.50 each for entrance.
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| Baby turtles |
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| Albino turtle |
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| Turtle |
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| Waiting to hatch! |
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| Turtle |
Playa Norte is located at the southern tip of Isla Mujeres, 20 meters above sea level, where the rising sun first touches Mexican soil. This is the highest elevation in the Yucatan and home to an ancient temple honoring the Mayan Moon Goddess. Visitors can look out from its steep, naturally carved cliffs toward awesome views of Cancun and the bay.
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| coke bottle clear water |
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| Norte Playa |
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| Playa Norte swimmers |
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| Shallow for long distances |
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| Swimmers and ships |
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| Playa Norte |
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| Entrance to Avalon Resort |
Garrafón de Castilla
Located next to Garrafón Isla Mujeres at the south end of the island. The $20 peso admission includes use of lounge and beach chairs with beach umbrellas, restrooms and shower facilities. Snorkel gear, lockers and towels are available for an additional fee. There is a restaurant, snack bar and a small gift shop. Playa Garrafón de Castilla features a Nurse Shark pen where you can swim with the sharks and snorkeling areas that rival Garrafón Isla Mujeres.
Located next to Garrafón Isla Mujeres at the south end of the island. The $20 peso admission includes use of lounge and beach chairs with beach umbrellas, restrooms and shower facilities. Snorkel gear, lockers and towels are available for an additional fee. There is a restaurant, snack bar and a small gift shop. Playa Garrafón de Castilla features a Nurse Shark pen where you can swim with the sharks and snorkeling areas that rival Garrafón Isla Mujeres.
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| Snorklers |
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| Fish! |
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