Just a 20 minutes ferry ride from Cancun, Mexico, there’s a little island called Isla Mujeres. The island of women is famous for a variety of things, including amazing shades of blue water, an underwater museum, snorkeling spots, and the fact that it was a sanctuary for a Maya goddess.
On the third day of our tour of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, we hopped on the ferry in direction to Isla Mujeres. We had no particular plan except lying on a beach and swimming in the turquoise waters.
I didn’t do my usual research so we didn’t really know what to expect. We thought we would just have a chill day. It turned out everything but that.
Join a boat trip with locals
Our plan for a relaxing day got ruined the second we stepped foot outside the port on the island and realized everyone was trying to sell us a boat tour around Isla Mujeres.
We were determined to ignore them until we heard someone behind us say “It’s usually 800 pesos but for you, I’ll make it 400”. We didn’t really believe it was a special price just for us but we stopped. After a quick calculation, we realized 400 pesos was a great deal so we asked for more information.
Two minutes later we were sitting on a bench, waiting for the tour to start. On top of the boat ride, we would go snorkeling, visit the Underwater Museum of Art, have lunch, and relax on a beach.
Learn about the history and legends of Isla Mujeres
The first stop was Playa Norte, on the northern tip of the island. On the way there, our guides told us the story of the island, and how it got the name Isla Mujeres.
Turns out the island has quite a long history, being a part of the Maya province Ekab 1500 years ago. Back then, the island was sacred to the Mayans and a sanctuary for Ixchel, the Maya goddess of the moon, fertility, medicine, and happiness. Francisco Fernández de Córdoba discovered the island in 1517. According to the legend, when he arrived on the island, he found it inhabited only by women. Hence the name of Isla Mujeres, or the Island of Women.
Another legend has it that women who bathe in the waters of Playa Norte would get pregnant with twins. When our boat stopped offshore, we ignored the legend and jumped into the warm, shallow water, gazing fascinated at the variety of shades of blue. The turquoise and tiffany near the shore abruptly shifted to dark shades of blue towards the open sea.
Go snorkeling
After some sunbathing and enjoying the tepid water, we hopped back on the boat. We sailed towards our next stop, a snorkeling spot.
It was my first time snorkeling and after struggling for some time with the breathing tube to figure out how it worked, I gave up and dunk my face into the water with only the glasses on. I tried holding my breath as much as possible while trying to spot the fish speeding right below the surface.
The water was so transparent we could already see the fish without dipping. But underwater there was a whole new world. There were dozens of tiny fish graciously swimming right below the surface. Most of them were silver and yellow with black stripes. I later discovered they have a funny name: Sergeant Major.
Visit the Underwater Museum of Art
But the highlight of the trip was yet to come and it was one that would challenge me quite a bit. Before the trip to Isla Mujeres, I didn’t do my research accordingly so I didn’t know exactly what to expect from the Underwater Museum of Art.
Our guide had shown us a picture of the underwater statues when he was selling us the trip. At the time I hadn’t fully realized that meant I had to jump into the open ocean to see them.
We had a bumpy ride on the way to the museum. Our boat jumped over the waves, splashes of water soaking us, the chilly wind increasing the sense of unease at the idea of jumping in the water. I was shivering, my soaked towel sticking to my skin as I internally debated whether the museum would be worth the swim in the cold, rough sea.
My pride saved me. I didn’t want to be the only loser staying on the boat so I just jumped in the cold water, my phone in a plastic pouch to take pictures underwater. The act of courage was soon rewarded by the sights laying under my nervously flapping feet. I never knew I could hold my breath so long underwater. To tell the truth, I never even tried. But for once, it was worth the effort.
Hundreds of statues were laid out on the bottom of the ocean and somehow didn’t seem at all out of place. Every now and then, a colorful little fish would glide away. Among the sculptures, I could see divers swimming gracefully. I stared in awe, only resurfacing when I needed oxygen, and dumped my face right back under.
Eat a homecooked meal on Isla Mujeres
In a remote corner of the island, there’s a small beach with a huge dining area. We soon realized it must be the area where all the locals that do boat tours bring the people for lunch. There were long tables crowded with people eating grilled fish.
We joined our table and devoured a late lunch, famished from the long morning out at sea. It was no Michelin Star restaurant but we really appreciated the meal!
Enjoy the little things and be spontaneous
After the boat tour, we stopped to watch the sunset on a virtually deserted beach close to the port. Watching the sun go down beyond a few clouds hovering just above the horizon, I felt so grateful for the unpredicted turn of the day.
The ocean was a flat, shiny surface, shy little waves lazily washing over the shore. I felt my face burning from a whole day spent in and out of water. The sun was now just a tiny orange arch under that cloud, sinking fast into the ocean. I thought back to how the day could have gone in a whole different direction, had we followed our plan. And I’m so happy we didn’t. Spontaneously joining that boat tour of Isla Mujeres allowed us to see and experience so much more.
Bottom line. Don’t just stick to your plan. Be spontaneous. Embrace the adventures that life throws your way. You’ll thank yourself!
Isla Mujeres was only a glimpse of our challenging yet beautiful Mexican adventure. Check out also my articles on Isla Holbox and Cenote Ik Kil.
Useful info on Isla Mujeres
Getting there: Spirit Airlines, United, and Aeromexico fly from several US cities to Cancún from 250$ for a return flight. From Cancún to Isla Mujeres, catch the Ultramar ferry boat for about 20 minutes from Puerto Juarez or the Hotel Zone.
Finding boat tours: For a spontaneous, authentic choice, buy a tour from the several people selling them outside the port. They are about 20 USD for half a day. Otherwise, check Tripadvisor.
Staying there: We stayed in Cancún and went to Isla Mujeres for the day. La Casa del Sol Cancún Puerto Juárez has one-bedroom units from 80$ per night.
