Isla Mujeres - THE BEST SNORKELING
Isla Mujeres is located in the Caribbean Sea near the Yucatan peninsula, Southeast of Mexico. The island is part of one of the eleven municipalities of the State of Quintana Roo, the municipality of Isla Mujeres (which includes part of continental territory) and is located thirteen kilometers from the city of Cancun, the main tourist hub of the region.
Isla Mujeres was discovered by Spaniards during an expedition commanded by Francisco Hernández de Córdoba in the year of 1517. In ancient times the island was dedicated to Ixchel, Mayan goddess of the Moon, love and fertility, which received offerings with female forms that believers deposited on beaches. To get the Spanish conquistadors and noted figures, he was baptized as Isla Mujeres.
Traditional boat rides are a good option to get to the points of interest in Isla Mujeres and the surrounding area. Boats leave throughout the day from the cooperatives located in Rueda Medina, main avenue of the city centre.
To know every corner and live with its cheerful inhabitants, nothing better than to explore the island in a cart of golf, Scooter or bicycle.
Different settlements of Isla Mujeres offer tours to other island located in the vicinity: Contoy, which houses its reserve to more than ninety species of birds and a wide variety of flora and fauna.
Ecotourism
Isla Mujeres ecotourism is an active part of the tourism industry, since you can find places for nature lovers as well as those who enjoy the adventure. For this reason, you will discover places protected by its diverse ecological Contoy island or the island of the birds, where they are taught an attitude respectful towards the environment, since it is a natural reserve which has become the most important seabird Hostel in the Mexican Caribbean.
Adventure tourism experience can live it the most visiting places for diving as the cave of the sleeping sharks, the Cuevones, the Red Crescent or the Valley of the Barracudas, where you will live an unforgettable experience and the best of his adventures.
The ferry dock of tourists, where visitors disembark into the main settlement on the island is located near the northern end. The city houses shops, restaurants, bars, houses painted in bright colors and the Municipal Plaza. When you arrive you can rent mopeds, golf carts, bicycles and taxis. In the South of the city, a road leads to gaps in mangroves, an airstrip, before driving back to North Beach restaurants and stunning beaches. The trip to the southern end of the island it takes about 20 minutes. The eastern shore of the island is Rocky, rugged and has almost no services.
El Garrafon Marine Park is a popular beach and ideal for swimming. There you can enjoy snorkeling, hiking, mountain, Zipline, swim with dolphins, kayaking, snuba and scuba diving tours. In addition, the site has facilities for dinner and showers. At the southern end of the island you will find a modern Lighthouse overlooking a small Mayan temple dedicated to Ixchel, Goddess of fertility. This temple pointed out the road to settlements as far afield as Cozumel Mayan sailors. A colorful village Caribbean style with shops, a cafe and outdoor sculpture garden now occupies the entrance to this area.
SNORKELING OR DIVING IN ISLA MUJERES
The calm waters and beautiful coral reefs of the western area of Isla Mujeres are a first class option to practice snorkeling or scuba diving if you're a beginner.
You can go to the lighthouse (El Farito) or visit the underwater sculptures near the Manchones reef, in the southern part of the island.
Divers or swimmers advanced probably will prefer the East side of the island, whereas its deep waters.
If you prefer to enjoy the island and on another occasion go diving or snorkeling, a good choice are the tours to the underwater Museum of art in Cancun where you can observe underwater sculptures and enjoy this unique experience.
THE Turtle Farm
The Tortugranja is funded by the Mexican Government dedicated to take care of the eggs of the sea turtles that come to lay their eggs to the beaches of the island.
Inside the farm, is an aquarium where there are turtles of different species. Turtles are divided according to their age, so that you can see them from newborn up to one year.
