Isla Mujeres

Isla Mujeres (Island of Women) is a casual, laid-back refuge from the

hyper-commercial action of Cancún, visible across a narrow channel.

This island of white-sand beaches is surrounded by shallow waters for

swimming and complemented by a town filled with pastel-colored clapboard

houses and rustic, open-air seafood restaurants. Just 8km (5 miles)

long and 4km (21⁄2 miles) wide, this fish-shaped island is known as the

best value in the Caribbean, assuming that you favor an easygoing vacation

pace and prefer simplicity to pretense.

Located just 13km (8 miles) northeast of Cancún, “Isla” — as the locals

call it — is a quick boat ride away, making it a popular daytime excursion.

However, to fully explore the small village of shops and cafes, relax

at the broad, tranquil Playa Norte, or snorkel or dive El Garrafón Reef (a

national underwater park), you may need more time. Overnight accommodations

range from rustic to offbeat chic on this small island where

relaxation rules.

Francisco Hernández de Córdoba landed here in 1517 and gave the

island its name upon seeing small statues of partially clad females along

the shore. These objects are now believed to have been offerings to the

Maya goddess of fertility and the moon, Ixchel. Their presence is an indication

that the island was probably sacred to the Maya.

At midday, suntanned visitors hang out in open-air cafes and stroll streets

lined with frantic souvenir vendors. Calling out for attention to their

bargain-priced wares, the vendors provide a carnival atmosphere to the

hours when tour-boat traffic is at its peak. Befitting the size of the island,

most of the traffic consists of golf carts, motos (also called mopeds), and

bicycles. Once the tour boats leave, however, Isla Mujeres reverts back to

its more typical, tranquil way of life, where taking a siesta in a hammock is

a favored pastime.