Isla Mujeres
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Isla Mujeres is the name of a small island, as well as the town on that island, a short distance off the coast of the north east of the Yucatan Peninsula in the Caribbean Sea. Isla Mujeres is one of the eight municipalities of the Mexican state of Quintana Roo. It is about 13 km north east of Cancún, at 21.20° North, 86.72° West. The island is some 7 km long and 650 meters wide. In 2000 it had a population of about 10,000. As of 2005 there were 121 taxis, 500 golf cars, and 1500 mo-ped scooters.
In Pre-Columbian times the island was sacred to the Maya Moon Goddess, Ix Chel. When the Spanish arrived here in the 16th century they named it "Isla Mujeres" meaning "Island of Women" because of the many cult images of the Moon Goddess here.
There was a small Mayan temple on the south tip of the island, however in 1988 Hurricane Gilbert caused extensive damage to it leaving most of the foundation and a very small portion of the temple remaining.
Since the 1970s there has been substantial development for tourism here. Ferry boats run every half hour during daylight between Isla Mujeres and Puerto Juarez or Puerto Cancún on the mainland. It is very popular with day trippers but when they leave it is a quiet place. There are numerous places to eat fresh seafood. Hotel prices vary from cheap to very expensive at the resorts on the south west end such as Hotel Villa Rolandi. On the east is the Caribbean Sea with the strong surf and a rocky coast, and on the west the skyline of cancun is seen fronting clear waters. On the north end is Isla Town. In town on the north end strip is a famous beach called Playa Norta which has recovered quickly since Hurricane Wilma hit the area in 2005.
Isla Mujeres is located close to one of the many coral reefs. The area is popular for its snorkeling and scuba diving.
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