Isla Mujeres, Mexico--anyone been there?

gassy · 10-01-2006, 10:52 AM

Thinking about it--anyone been there? this place looks kinda cool.
http://www.hotelsecreto.com/about.htm

Christian.

Evans, Marv · 10-01-2006, 11:02 AM

I was first there in '73 and again in '82. So it's been a long time. It was a really cool, small place the first time I went. The second time I went, it had become markedly more commercial. I would imagine it's more like Cancun & Cozumel now.
First time I went, we could rent a boat w/ a diver for cheap. Took us turtle riding, snorkeling, & had a BBQ lunch on the beach from fish & shell fish the diver had gotten while we were snorkeling. Afterwards we snorkled more & returned around 3:30.
Second time I went, the boats were larger, with surrey tops, seats the length of both sides, and no diver or snorkeling. They loaded fat tourists onboard, took them directly to a complex where they fed them a BBQ made with frozen fish from the mainland. Loaded them up after that & took them back.
I don't know what it's like now, but it's a pretty place.

Paco Anton · Paco Anton's Garage

I was there last year and the place is just an extension of Cancun/Mayan Riviera with a "fisherman island" feeling.

There is a small village full of shops and guys trying to get you inside. Also lots of bars and bike rental places. Many beaches are private and you need to get a ticket to use them. Or you can book tours to visit the beach clubs. Also, you can rent small mortobikes and go round the island in less than an hour.

I've herad the diving/snorkeling is amazing.

It is just 20 in by boat form Cancun itself. I'd stay in Cancun and pay a visit.

creaturecat · 10-01-2006, 12:22 PM

dogs ........lots of stray dogs.

beautiful beach - Playa Norte

excellent restaurants

nice little town center

beware of happy hour !

Joeaksa · 10-01-2006, 02:18 PM

Was there last summer. Big tourist place and frankly I prefer Cancun.

The diving places we went to were not "open" and we were guided by a local diver. Anytime we wanted to do anything on our own we were stopped, so it was less than fun.

Its an ok place but still enjoyed Cancun more.

IROC · IROC's Garage

The wife and I went to the Mayan Riviera a few years ago - it's basically 45 minutes south of Cancun (we stayed just south of Playa Del Carmen). It has all of the amenities of Cancun, but it's more out in the middle of nowhere, so it's not like you're staying in Miami or something (which is what I thought when I went to Cancun). We stayed within walking distance of a little town called Puerto Aventuras - very cool place.

hardflex · 10-02-2006, 06:19 AM

I was there 15 years ago, took the ferry from Punta Sam, I think. When the cruise ships dock the town was a zoo for the time they were there, but as soon as they left it was a quiet laid back place. Found a little bar called Bujo's on the beach along the wide north beach that would bring your drinks to you on the beach. The Beach was beautiful, and had European attitudes, ie topless women. We liked it so much we ended up renting a room on the island that night rather than go back to Cancun. I think it was $20 or something for the room

I've often wondered how it has changed, since it's been hit by 2 hurricanes and development since I was there.

craigster59 · craigster59's Garage

Go with what IROC said. Playa del Carmen is a nice small town and gives you access to Isla Mujeres, Xcaret, and Cancun. You can stay in Cancun if you're into Domino's Pizza, Outback Steakhouse, Etc. Way too Americanized...

gassy · 10-02-2006, 08:42 AM

Thanks guys

jdm61 · 10-02-2006, 01:41 PM

If you are going for the sailfish, then it is badass. We raised 82 and tagged 60 in one day a couple of years ago. They are the smaller Atlantic variety, but the numbers sometimes rival the ones you see in Guatemala and the bite can be hotter at times than Costa Rica or Panama. And all this using dead baits and artificials. No goggeleyes on kites or balloons. Amazing stuff.

Oracle · 10-02-2006, 08:22 PM

In general we didn't like Isla mujeres.. the human settlement is just sad.
The beach is fine so as long as you stay there you're good.

Hendog · Hendog's Garage

Drove through the Yucatan from Merida to Isla Mujeres back in '93 or '94, not sure anymore. My Gfriend and I and another couple in a rented VW bug. Did Chichenitza (sp?), underground lake etc along the way. Isla was our destination, but when we got to Cancun and drove through it was already at that time full of KFC, McDonald's etc. GAG! We were happy to arrive at Isla Mujeres via small ferry. It wasn't commercialized yet at that time. Very pleasant and slow paced. Very nice beach; you could walk out in the water a long way. Small Island you can walk to just about anywhere.

livi · 10-04-2006, 01:47 PM

Isla Mujeres.... an island full of women ?

hardflex · 10-04-2006, 02:17 PM

yes, there is such a shortage of Men they get free drinks during Happy Hour..... ;-)

gassy · 10-07-2006, 05:21 PM

Thanks--
I think we'll pass. Where should we go?
Christian.