15 Unforgettable Things to Do in Isla Mujeres
Ever wondered what it’s like to swim with a giant shark (that doesn’t want to eat you)? Just off Cancun’s coast, Isla Mujeres serves up this amazing experience and so much more.
This tiny island packs more adventure per square mile than many destinations twice its size.
Let’s take a look at the very best things to do in Isla Mujeres so you can plan your perfect trip, even if it’s just for a day.
About Isla Mujeres
Isla Mujeres is a tiny island off the coast of Cancun. It’s got a totally different vibe than the rest of Mexico. It has a slower pace and way more local charm.
The island is only about five miles long and less than half a mile wide, so you can see a lot without rushing around. Most people get here by ferry from Puerto Juárez in Cancun. It takes about 20 minutes, and ferries run all day.
The name means “Island of Women,” named after the Mayan goddess Ixchel, who was worshiped here. You can still visit a small ruin dedicated to her at Punta Sur.
Isla Mujeres is great for families, solo travelers, and couples. Whether you want to explore every corner or just park yourself on a gorgeous white sand beach and zone out for a few days, you’re in the right place.
The best time to visit is November through April for cooler temps and dry weather. Or if you want to swim with whale sharks, plan your visit for June through September.
Best Things to Do in Isla Mujeres
Let’s take a look at things you shouldn’t skip when you visit the island.
1. Snorkel with Whale Sharks
Every summer, whale sharks gather in the waters off Isla Mujeres. Whale sharks are filter feeders. They move slowly, eat plankton, and couldn’t care less about humans in the water.
Peak season is June to September. I went in August and floating beside one was surreal. Make sure to look for tours that follow ethical wildlife guidelines, like this one.
Most leave early in the morning, include breakfast, and let you snorkel with the sharks from a respectful distance.
The water gets rough with all the boats. Be sure to take a snorkel that doesn’t allow water to get in through the top. Sure, the tour company will provide one, but the one I got let in a lot of water.
2. Lounge on Playa Norte for Free
Playa Norte is the kind of beach I dream about. It has calm, shallow turquoise water and soft, white sand. It’s great for swimming, reading, or just lying there doing absolutely nothing.
I was surprised by how peaceful it felt, even though it’s one of the most popular spots on the island.
You can rent a lounger or just bring your towel like I did and plop down on the sand. Walk barefoot along the shore, grab a drink from a nearby beach bar, and let the day drift by.
3. Explore the Island by Golf Cart
This is one of the most fun ways to see Isla Mujeres. You don’t need a car here. Golf carts are the way to go. You can easily rent one near the ferry terminal and take off to see the island from top to bottom.
You can loop the whole island in an hour, but I recommend taking it slow. Stop at beach lookouts, food stands, and those quiet little corners you’d miss in a taxi. Just be careful of potholes and speed bumps (topes). They’re no joke.
4. Watch the Sunrise at Punta Sur
This is the easternmost point in Mexico, and it’s where the sun hits the country first each morning. The view from the cliffs is incredible. Waves crash into the rocks below while the sky changes from dark blue to fiery orange.
There’s also a small ruin here dedicated to the Mayan goddess Ixchel. If you show up just before sunrise, you may have the place almost to yourself. Bring coffee, wear sturdy shoes, and don’t skip this. It’s worth getting up early for.
5. Snorkel MUSA and Manchones Reef
This combo tour is one of the coolest snorkeling experiences I’ve ever had. MUSA is an underwater art museum with hundreds of statues designed to help coral grow. The result is a surreal underwater scene full of life.
Then you head to Manchones Reef, where you’ll see healthy coral, schools of fish, and maybe even a turtle or two. Visibility is usually great in the morning, and the water’s calm enough for beginners.
6. Take a Walking Tour
If you want to see the local side of Isla Mujeres without renting a golf cart, a guided walking tour is a great way to go.
You’ll hit highlights like Playa Norte, Playa Caleta, downtown Isla Mujeres, and the colorful Parador Fotográfico sign.
The tour also stops at some hidden gems, including the oceanside Capilla de Guadalupe, the Rainbow Stairs in La Gloria, and the Women’s Beading Cooperative, where you can watch local artisans create handmade jewelry.
You’ll even visit the ruins of Hacienda Mundaca and hear the wild love story behind it.
It’s an easy, laid-back way to learn the island’s history and find places you might miss on your own.
7. Stroll Through Downtown Isla Mujeres
If you prefer to go it on your own, simply explore the downtown area without a tour.
Downtown feels like an open-air art gallery mixed with a local hangout spot. Colorful murals decorate the buildings, the streets are walkable, and the food smells amazing no matter where you go.
Head here in the late afternoon. It’s cooler, the shops are open, and the street performers and musicians start to show up. Grab a fresh juice or some street tacos and enjoy the pace.
8. Visit the Women’s Beading Cooperative
This is one of those quiet gems you might walk past if you didn’t know to look. Inside, local women sit together creating intricate jewelry by hand using tiny glass beads.
They’ve been doing this for generations, and it shows. Spend some time watching, ask questions, and leave with a sea-inspired bracelet to remind you of the trip. You’re supporting local families and getting something truly one-of-a-kind.
9. Eat Tikin Xic (Grilled Fish the Local Way)
Tikin xic (pronounced “teek-in sheek”) is a Yucatán dish that’s all about flavor. It’s fish marinated in achiote, wrapped in banana leaves, and grilled over open flames. When it’s done right, the fish is juicy and smoky and packed with flavor.
One of the best places for Tikin Xic is La Casa del Tikinxic. The setting is perfect in a palapa on the beach with amazing views.
10. Snorkel and Zipline at Garrafon Natural Reef Park
This place is part adventure park, part beach hangout. You can snorkel, kayak, zipline across the ocean, or just chill in a hammock with a drink.
It’s not cheap, and it’s definitely touristy, but if you’re looking for a one-stop shop kind of day, this could be it.
11. Take a Day Trip to Isla Contoy
If you want to see what the Mexican Caribbean looked like before development, Isla Contoy delivers.
No hotels, no roads, no crowds. Just white sand, mangroves, and hundreds of birds.
You’ll need to book a guided tour, since the island limits visitors to 200 people a day. It feels like an exclusive adventure that can’t be found just anywhere.
Book early and bring bug spray, sunscreen, and binoculars.
12. Visit the Ruins of Hacienda Mundaca
This place is part history, part love story gone wrong. Built by a pirate named Mundaca to impress a local woman, the mansion never won her over.
Now the ruins are quiet and overgrown, with archways and old stone paths you can explore.
You can hire a guide at the entrance who gives a surprisingly dramatic version of the story, and it makes the visit way more interesting.
13. Take a Private Yacht Tour
If you want to level up your Isla Mujeres trip, consider booking a private yacht tour. You’ll cruise the turquoise waters between Cancun and Isla Mujeres, with plenty of time to snorkel, swim, and lounge on deck.
Most tours include an open bar, snacks, and a Bluetooth sound system so you can listen to your own playlist.
They’ll even anchor near Playa Norte so you can hop off and enjoy the beach from the best possible angle.
It’s part adventure, part pure relaxation, and a fun way to see the island from the water.
14. Go Fishing with a Local Guide
Fishing in Isla Mujeres can be as relaxed or intense as you want. You can do a short morning trip or go full deep-sea.
Either way, the waters are full of fish like mahi-mahi, snapper, and barracuda.
If you’re into fresh seafood or just want to enjoy a day on the water, this is a fun way to spend a few hours.
15. Take a Sunset Cruise
Sunset on Isla Mujeres is something else, especially on a casual catamaran cruise with music, drinks, and a small group of people.
As you float back toward the island with the sky glowing orange, it feels like the perfect way to close out the day.
You can go fancy or casual, depending on your budget. Either way, bring a light sweater and your camera.
Wrap-Up: Things to Do in Isla Mujeres
Isla Mujeres is the kind of place where you might show up with a plan and end up doing the opposite. And that’s fine.
Whether you’re snorkeling with whale sharks or just sipping cold coconut water on a quiet beach, this island gives you exactly what you need.
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