Isla Mujeres
Isla Mujeres is a beautiful island, located only a short 20-minute ferry ride from Cancun. Makes a wonderful day trip or even better the place to spend your vacation. To get to the island, you have to take a ferry from Cancuns’ Hotel Zone, Puerto Juarez, or a ferry from Punta Sam (cars). Enjoy the incredible scenery during the 15 minutes ferry ride from Cancun or 45 minutes from Punta Sam. Ferry cost is $20 USD per person. Did I mentioned that you can drive around the entire island on a golf cart! Allow me to share some fun things to do and some great restaurants to dine at.
Morning Activities
If you arrive early and are looking for a place to have breakfast or lunch my favorite spot is Mangos Café. One of their signature dishes is the Chile poblano, stuffed with scrambled eggs, onions and ham, then deep fried and drizzled with sour cream. This dish is so good and crunchy that other restaurants have copied this recipe, but let me tell you, no where near the same. I also love their eggs benedict, and their chicken quesadillas with their chipotle may. Visit this place and I promise you’ll be back.
After you’re all full and happy head on down to Punta Sur. Located on the southern edge of Isla Mujeres. Punta Sur is the highest elevation in all of Yucatan and it’s also the easternmost point in all of Mexico, which means that the sun hits Punta Sur before anywhere else in Mexico. Such a glorious site. It also features an Ancient Mayan Temple, honoring the Mayan Goddess Ixchel. Goodes of the Moon, rainbow, and fertility. Legend goes that Mayan women having trouble conceiving children will visit the statue with offerings, place their hand on the statue, pray, and will later become pregnant within that month.
Afternoon
After sightseeing time for some lunch head on over to Playa Lancheros. Playa Lancheros has a beautiful small beach area but here you will find delicious seafood. Their signature dish Tikinxik, a delicious specialty it’s a fillet of fish grilled with onion and achiote, among other seasonings. I highly suggest having it made with red snapper if available. This dish is amazing, and it dates to the Mayans as this is their recipe.
Now let’s go relax on the beach. A place I highly recommend is Green Demon Beach Club located on Playa Norte or North Beach. Playa Norte is the most popular and rated one of the best beaches in the Caribbean. The palm trees and luxurious white sand makes you never want to leave Playa Norte. There is hardly any current, kids and adults can wade far out, and the water will only reach your waist. Green Demon Beach Club has some amazing fresh squeeze fruit juices and cocktails you will love. And for us guys, buckets of beer filled with ice. I highly recommend this place as not only are they in a great spot but their prices are much lower than other beach clubs in Playa Norte.
Evening
Getting a little hungry after witnessing the most amazing sunset in Playa Norte. Then let me tell you, yes, I know, you’re here for seafood and guacamole, but PIZZA oh yes! Isla Mujeres has this small little pizza place called Capricci Pizza ran by Claudio and Italian immigrant living in this beautiful island and sharing his little slice of heaven. If you love Pizza stopping here is a must. When ever I visit the Island I always order one grab a six-pack and heat to beach to enjoy the view.
If you’re in the mood for some seafood I highly recommend stopping at Morgan’s. Their lobster tacos are to die for and they don’t go light on the lobster.
Looking for a place to end the night then head on over to Cha Cha Cha Gourmet Restaurant. Now this place is not just a restaurant it’s set up like an outdoor food truck spot but no food trucks. It’s a big open space patio with a live band and small little restaurant surrounding it. Very relaxed ambiance and amazing cocktails. Lovely place but don’t forget the last ferry back to Cancun is at 11:30 p.m.
