Isla Mujeres Travel Guide

Introduction

13km (8 miles) N of Cancún

Isla Mujeres (Island of Women) is a casual, laid-back refuge from the heady tempo of Cancún. It lies not far off the coast and is visible from the resort. As Caribbean islands go, Isla is a bargain and a good fit for anyone who prefers simplicity and ease over variety and action. The island's only town is right next to North Beach, the best beach on the island. With beach towel in hand, you can leisurely stroll to the beach from any hotel in town; there's no need for transportation. Don't think that Isla is an escape from commercialism -- it isn't. But commercialism is writ small here, which is in character with the destination. The island is small, the town is small, the hotels (with a couple of exceptions) are small, the restaurants, the bars, the excursion boats -- small, small, small. There are several inexpensive hotels, mostly in town, and a smattering of luxury boutique hotels spread out to other parts of the island.

The scale of the island...