Hotels on Isla Mujeres

I have received many emails with questions about where to stay when they visit Isla Mujeres.. There are many options, ranging from luxury resorts to cheap hostals, and it all depends on your taste and wallet size.. So to be fair, I`ll list all known hotels and hostals I could find information about, with links so you can check it out yourself, or even book your dream vacation on.. I hope I got all, if you know about any that are not on my list, please email me, and I`ll add it as soon as possible! Ok.. Starting Alphabetically with descriptions :

Hotels on Isla Mujeres

Avalon

The Avalon Reef Club Isla Mujeres is a luxury-class hotel located 41 kilometers from Cancun International Airport. This beautiful property is a great hotel that offers its guests plenty of reasons to stay there. The hotel is close to several sights worth checking out during their visit. In addition, an array of awesome amenities await guests when they check in, helping to make each stay more enjoyable and pleasurable. The number of facilities, features and services is seemingly endless. It is the ideal choice when staying in this vibrant city.
When it comes to the hotel's accommodations, guests will find everything they want and need. With tastefully appointed guest rooms that are well stocked with the modern amenities travelers expect today, the hotel goes a long way to make sure everyone enjoys their stay. Adding to the overall pleasure of a stay here is the attentive and personable staff. Always professional, the knowledgeable staff is on call for every guest's needs and requests. The hotel is close to area dining, entertainment and shopping venues.

Casa de los Sueños Spa & resort

Exclusivity is guaranteed with eight originally decorated rooms all with an ocean view terrace, plus a dream Villa with an atmosphere designed to heighten the senses and promote total well-being. Wake up to tranquility and discover the flavors of nature, comfortable luxury, Mexican hospitality, and Mayan culture. To ensure the peaceful environment televisions, telephones, alarm clocks and the visits of children under age of 21 are not part of our services. This will allow you to be as close as possible to the beauty and sounds of nature.
No children allowed.

Casa Ixchel Boutique Hotel
The Hotel Was Built in 1980 and Comprises a Total of 9 Guest Rooms. The Hotel Offers a Holistic Place in Which To Relax and Recharge Body, Mind and Soul. It is Situated Right On the Shores of the Caribbean Sea, and Provides Guests With Terraces With Both Sun and Shade, from Which They Can Enjoy the Beauty of the Natural Surroundings. Facilities On Offer Include Wlan Internet Access, a Children'S Playground and Parking For Those Arriving by Car.

Cristalmar Beach club & resort

Surrounded by turquoise waters, the Cristalmar Resort & Beach Club offers secluded tranquility, yet is close enough to explore the mainland, historic sites and Cancun nightlife. Located on the quiet south coast of Isla Mujeres 3 miles from downtown pier, the resort offers a diver shop, game room, pool, restuarant, mopeds, bicycles, golf carts, diving, fishing and land excursions. The 1 and 2 bedroom units has kitchenette, dining room, hot & cold water.

Ixchel Beach hotel
Positioned one-half kilometer from downtown Isla Mujeres in Mexico, the beachfront Ixchel Beach Hotel stands less than eight kilometers from the Ixchel Ruins.
Garaffon National Park is located six kilometers away.
The Sunset Grill is a beachfront palapa that features buffet and a la carte service for breakfast, snacks and Mexican seafood for lunch and gourmet and international specialties for dinner. The Kalak snack bar prepares buffet-style breakfasts and offers poolside service. Wireless Internet access is available in public areas of the hotel. Property conveniences include laundry facilities, concierge services and a 24-hour front desk. An outdoor pool and beach frontage offer seaside recreation, and massage services are available upon request.

This hotel features 48 air-conditioned guestrooms, and one- and two-bedroom suites. Accommodations reflect the colors of the beach and boast garden and/or ocean views. All rooms feature satellite television, CD and DVD players, safe-deposit boxes and marble bathrooms with showers, only. Suites include balconies or terraces, separate master bedrooms, dining and living areas. Kitchenettes contain refrigerators, coffeemakers, toasters, microwave ovens and bottled water. Select suites feature jetted tubs. Penthouse accommodations connect to bedroom suites via spiral stairways and include roof gardens.


Los Arcos Suites
Placed in the heart of Isla Mujeres and offering comfortable accommodation, this property is a new jewel that combines the taste of Mexico with all modern conveniences for a memorable stay. Located on the famous Ave Hidalgo, the Suites Los Arcos is in center of the shopping and dinning district of the beautiful island of Isla Mujeres. The hotel offers completely equipped suites that come with a well equipped kitchenette as well. There is no restaurant available on-site. During leisure, you can visit the various attractions of the city.

Na Balam Hotel
Na Balam is a refuge for the soul in the Mexican Caribbean on Isla Mujeres, a small island only 20 minutes from Cancun. It is a site chosen by nature to enjoy every sunrise in México. The Na Balam Hotel is located on the most magnificent beach in the Mexican Caribbean with tropical gardens and hammocks under beautiful palm trees.

The hotels 28 rooms are all surrounded by tropical gardens and come with a king size or two queen beds, a private terrace or balcony, air conditioning and ceiling fans and in-room safety deposit boxes and 24 hours security protection. The 3 magnificent suites feature a king sized bed, Mayan-Modern decoration, air-conditioning, ceiling fans, a private patio and a small pool with hydro-massage with a stunning view of the inlet; ideal for honeymooners or anyone wishing a romantic and/or peaceful stay in a beautiful place.

Nautibeach suites & town resort
An earthly wonder of sand and sea meet at Nautibeach Condos nestled on the north end beach of Isla Mujeres, Mexico.
Your own balcony compliments your beautiful two bedroom condo and together offer a space for recharging your spirit, watching masterpiece sunsets, planning your next day, or doing nothing.

Nautibeach Condos offers the perfect island retreat, with an emphasis on superior and friendly personal service.

Experience the barefoot elegance of Nautibeach Condos.

Palace Hotel

Small and luxurious, located on the beautiful and charming island of Isla Mujeres, on a powdery-white sand beach, this resort is sure to guarantee a private and relaxed stay. Guests can lounge around the free form pool or on the tranquil beach or for a bit of the local custom, they can enjoy the nice breeze lying on one of hammocks strung amongst the palm frees.

This all-inclusive resort features 62 Superior Deluxe accommodations all with a double Jacuzzi, balcony and 24-hour room service. A variety of international favorites offer a la carte breakfast and dinner. And don't miss the ample lunch buffet in the open-air restaurant by the sand where you can enjoy the Caribbean breeze.

Perla del Caribe Marazul Hotel

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The Hotel Perla Del Caribe is situated on the beach in the heart of Isla Mujeres, approximately 30 minutes by boat to Cancun.
Hotel amenities include babysitting, restaurant, bar, outdoor pool, and two sundecks.
Guest rooms feature fully tiled bathrooms, hot and cold running water, A/C (most rooms), telephones, and balconies.

Pocna

The Pocna Hostel is located on Isla Mujeres. It is only 6 blocks from the pier and even closer to the beach. The hotel offers beds in mixed dormitories and private rooms. There is also camping available for guests with tents. There is a game room, meeting area, restaurant/bar, beach bar, pool, beach volleyball, internet, cable television, table tennis and wireless internet access. Very popular with backpackers, and the beach bar at night is worth a look if you like to party!

Posada del Mar beach club & hotel

Posada del Mar is a small Caribbean Style hotel set among lush tropical grounds, consisting of 30 rooms in the Main Building with three floors and 21 large rooms in the New Section. Isla Mujeres and Posada del Mar are an excellent combination for children. Two children, 11 years and under, can stay FREE in the same room with two full-paying adults. When you stay at Posada del Mar you are considered to be a member of our family. Just ask and we will do our best to accommodate you. Guest rooms are equipped with tile floors, individual air conditioning, a ceiling fan, shower and balcony. A colonial style aqueduct provides a waterfall into our swimming pool. When our guests are not out exploring the island, they are lounging around our swimming pool

Privilege Aluxes Hotel

Featuring 124 luxury units, brand new modern facilities for those travelers looking for an excellence privileged surrounding. The five scaled floor Privilege Aluxes Isla Mujeres hotel buildings are in front of Playa Norte, considered one of the best beaches in the area which is suntan perfect under the breeze of the coconut trees, to savor typical, fresh and gourmet dishes. Spectacular sunsets to admire are an everyday experience to guests, visitors and locals. The north end of the 4.6 miles long island is ideal to swim and relax just a few steps from the hotel. Due to the excellent conditions it is one of the perfect places for aquatic activities.

ALL INCLUSIVE Gourmet, by PRIVILEGE HOTELS, two outdoor swimming pools, room service 24 hrs Three Gourmet Restaurants, Pool Bar: Lunch ? Snack, Bartender & waiter service at Solarium, Pools & Beach, Minibar in every room (refilled daily, water, juices, soft drinks, beers and snacks), Coffee service in the rooms: daily replacement, Safety deposit boxes, Fitness & hotel facilities & beach.

Raintree`s Villa Vera Hotel

Spread over five floors, this professionally managed luxury resort offers tasteful amenities to discriminating travelers. The Sandcastle at Birch Bay has condominium units, guest amenity areas, retail space and the attention to detail of a first class hotel. Our two-bedroom condominiums average 1050 square feet, and the three bedroom residences averaging 1280 square feet. Each unit is professionally decorated and furnished and includes washer/dryers, balconies and dual line phones. Every unit has a view. The on-site restaurant, provides room service and convenient food service. Guests have access to a ground floor health club with male and female locker rooms and a fully equipped workout room. The on site day spa is available for massage or facials as well as a number of other relaxing treatments.

Secreto Hotel

Secreto Is An Oasis Of Casual Luxury Within The Small Fisherman S Village Of Isla Mujeres. Situated On A Secluded Cove And Surrounded By Palm Trees, This Small Hotel Feels Like Your Own Private Beach House. Discreet And Secretive - Just As The Name Implies. Not Even An Entrance Sign Notifies You Of Its Existence Underscoring Secreto S Very Essence. Your Room Exudes Warmth And Intimacy, Whether You Re Relaxing Under The Veils Of Secreto S Four-post Beds Or Enjoying A Cocktail On Your Terrace. At Night, Open Your Terrace Doors, And Let The Tropical Breeze Whisk You To Sleep. Every Room Offers Superb Ocean Views, And Features The Very Best In Amenities, Including Your Own Cd Sound System. During The Day, Cool Tropical Winds Refresh Those Passing The Day Away From The Comfort Of A Deep, Outside Living Room Sofa. Panoramic Ocean Views Create The Perfect Back-drop For Enjoying Breakfast Or Getting A Massage. With Its Handsome Architecture And Mediterranean Sensuality. Secreto Is The Perfect Setting For A Blissful Vacation At The Beach.

Unika Unique Hideaway resort

The hotel stands 14 kilometers north of Cancun and transports guests via yacht from its Cancun VIP Lounge to Isla Mujeres.
Guests are greeted with chilled champagne and cool towels. Rejuvenation continues at The Spa, presenting a menu of Mayan-inspired services such as indigenous steam bath sessions. The Spa's fitness area features an assortment of cardiovascular and weight-training equipment and stocks chilled towels. The Spa's Garden Studio sets the scene for yoga, Pilates and tai chi sessions. Outdoor activities include island tours on golf carts and kayaking adventures in Caribbean waters.
Unik offers several dining options. Pearl restaurant pairs fresh seafood and pasta with wine selections by the hotel's resident sommelier. Jade restaurant fuses Asian and Mexican flavors to create a unique gourmet menu. The poolside Breeze restaurant utilizes fresh seasonal produce and seafood from local farmers and fishermen. Additionally, La Isla diner provides poolside lunch service while Aqua pool bar mixes specialty tropical cocktails.

Guestrooms at Unik feature flat-screen televisions with DVD/CD players. Cable television is provided. A bedding menu offers a selection of pillows and linens. Feather duvets top the beds. Room services include butler service and nightly aromatherapy turn-down service. Select suites open to ocean-view terraces with spa tubs and outdoor living areas. Bathrooms supply bathrobes, slippers, designer toiletries and woven cotton towels. Select bathrooms feature spa tubs and marble-top vanities with double sinks.
Near the resort, the vestiges of an ancient temple preserve the story of Ixchel, Mayan goddess of the moon and fertility.

Villa Rolandi Thalasso spa gourmet & beach club
This luxury resort lies between the white-sand beach and the Makax Lagoon. The ferry terminal is located a short distance away. Dolphin Discovery, where these extraordinary mammals greet visitors with a handshake and a kiss on the cheek, is located one kilometer from this property.

This resort delivers complimentary continental breakfasts to its guests, daily. An extensive bar accompanies the Restaurant Casa Rolandi Isla Mujeres which is known for its signature Swiss-Northern Italian cuisine. Complimentary Internet access and fax and photocopy services are available 24 hours a day. Constructed in modern Mexican-Mediterranean style, the hotel features Tikul stone floors and tiled vault ceilings that are built to absorb sound. An outdoor pool features a cascading waterfall, where the atmosphere is ideal for sunbathing and sipping cocktails. The front desk staff can arrange tours, fishing excursions, scuba-diving expeditions and boat rentals. Resort amenities include on-site laundry facilities, massage by appointment, and room service. The hotel also offers discounted passes to a nearby fitness center.

Villa Rolandi offers 35 air-conditioned, ocean-front Junior Suites with fully stocked refreshment cabinets, digital-lock safes, and cable television. Private bathrooms are tiled in marble and feature showers, separate vanity areas, terry bathrobes and slippers. Private balconies feature uniquely designed spa tubs. Inviting detail lends warmth to the suites' individualized layouts that feature rich, custom-crafted wood furnishings. Artworks and design accents, such as wrought-iron railings, vibrant fabrics and marble-topped counters, reflect this region's colorful Mexican heritage.


These are some of the most popular hotels, I found a couple more, but little information about them, if you need any help please mail us, and we`ll do our best to get your hotel here..

Saving Playa Norte

The last couple of weeks there has been a lot of activity on Playa Norte (the North beach close to El Centro) because the sea has started to eat away some areas from the beach, it really has changed a lot! (Some say this is after Cancun took sand from an area close to Isla Mujeres, and this changed the currents.)


After Wilma damaged the areas around here, Cancun were the only ones that got money from the government to fix their damaged beaches. This year, the same thing happened, but Isla Mujeres, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen and Tulum went together and complained about this. They also needed to fix up their beaches!

The money has still not been granted!

The landowners in front of the beach have come together to pay for repairs, and we are happy to see they have started working on trying to make the beaches as they once were!

The big black thing is helping the sand gather instead of just being pulled away.
We hope they can make the beaches as they were!

Facts about Isla Mujeres

Isla Mujeres (Spanish for "Island of Women") is an island in the Caribbean located eight miles off of the eastern coast of the Yucatan peninsula, close to Cancun, Mexico.
The island is only 8 kilometers (5 miles) long and 800 meters (0.5 mile) wide with a downtown (El Centro) district of ten square blocks. The terrain is flat with beaches on all sides.

Isla Mujeres is only a 15-20 minute trip with express ferry from either Gran Puerto Cancun (Ultramar) or from Puerto Juarez (Lancha Rapida) Both harbors are located within 5 minutes from each other, and the ferry price is 70 pesos for a round trip ticket (tourist price) and 50 pesos for the islanders. The ferry leaves every 30 minutes, first one starting at 06.00 and last one around 23.30 There are different queues for Islanders and tourists, and after the first 20 or so Islanders are allowed on board, the tourist line is opened.
If you want to travel directly from the Hotel Zone in Cancùn, you can travel with Ultramar, and the ferry leaves 4-5 times a day.

According to the legend, Isla Mujeres was used as a sanctuary by the Mayan people, and it was dedicated to the goddess of love and fertility, Ixchel. When the Spanish arrived they found a large number of women statues carved in stone in honor of the goddess, and it is from here that the island gets it’s name "Isla Mujeres" (The Island of Women).
There is also another legend saying that the island was used as a refuge by the pirate and slavetrader, Fermin Mundaca, who fell in love with a young island girl known as La Triguena (the brunette) and he built a beautiful hacienda that once covered almost 40% of Isla Mujeres.
The hacienda is surrounded by beautiful gardens including the solar clock garden called "The rose of the winds) He built the hacienda and the gardens to try impress La Triguena and win her heart over, but all his work was in vain, as she soon married another guy that was closer to her age (Mundaca was 37 years older than her)
To this day, the empty tomb of Mundaca still awaits him in the Isla Mujeres cemetery, and you can see the tomb that was carved by Mundaca himself with a skull and a cross, and his final message for La Triguena, "As you are, I was. As I am, you will be"

The origin of the name of Isla Mujeres is unclear. Some say it is from the Spanish explorer Francisco Hernandez de Cordoba, who arrived on the island to find only women and stone statuettes of women, hence the name Isla Mujeres or Island of women.
Others believe the name comes from the fact that the island was once worshiping grounds for Ixchel, the Mayan goddess of fertility.

Frenchy in Paradise Island

Hey there, I am new on the Island and was nicely offered to participate on IslaLife, anything would do said my friend Daniel. So crappy, boring, badly written should be fine...
I am just joking, I ll try my best, but, where was I already? Jajajaja

Oh yes, lets start from the beginning, who is this crazy person? Why is she here? What did and does she do? How did she end up in Paradise?
Many many questions that will be answered when their time comes, when I feel like it, or maybe never to let people imagine and dream their own story.
I am Karoline, French, Master in Psychology, its funny how few words discribes a persons whole life, I could have said, likes cheese, children and sun, but I guess the image of a child-cheese-sandwich melting in the sun would not promote well neither my story nor the island or even my point!
So here I am, after "tripping around the world" for a year, from Europe through Canada to India Asia Australia, I guess I had to end it with a "A" again, and here it is: "Isla".
This little island I heard about on the internet and its Little Yellow School (http://www.isla-mujeres.net/school/home.htm) was what attracted me at first, and after not even on day, I was in love!

So here is a little presentation of our Isla and some (only of few for now) high points of interest:
Isla que bonita con...
Playa del Norte and the chill sand beaches





la "comida" tan buena for each and every taste from tacos deliciosos...

to home-made Cool ice-creams (blink-blink)...

and of course any drink you'd like...

and we can't forget the Mescal-scorpion-shots, that we definetly had in one of the crazy bars on Avenida Hidalgo, the main street on Isla:

The (often not entirely remembered) nights at Pocna
...
and even a soon to open Language and Bartending School how cool is that?!
Check it out at http://phunkyphreak.blogspot.com/

Yes, I suppose you must be thinking !!Mamamia!! It pretty much fits the description of Paradise

But a Heaven where the capital sins are mused by so many...
Lust,Gluttony, Envy...and most of all Sloth (I prefer to call it the art of perfectionning chilling) coz what else can you do with so much sun, silver sand and transparent-turquoise water???

I have been living in la Gloria for a few weeks now, its a cool area, with much more locals, Mexican fiestas and intimate strips of sand

and a rocky, dangerous and attractive east side, with impressive surfs coming from the caribbean sea on windy days
lots of small "Abarrotes" where you can always find everything a proper mexican "corner-store" should have, coke, tostadas, toilet paper and usually a dog at the door...
I love that area, althought its probably the poorest part of Isla
thats also why they built the school here, to enable the children and family the most in need to attend easily

Its also a more peaceful area, with a lot less tourists and therefore, less hassling from the street sellers, but you know, at the same time we need to understand, they have a rent to pay, a family to feed, and so many other things....

The people from Isla, for whom the tourists are the first income, will often give it back to you in many smiles if you don't just ignore them...
And in general I have the impression that los Mexicanos are very friendly, they greet you or smile to you on the street (and not only guys ;))









the children are so cute, you almost wanna eat them
and even the taxis drivers have always some crazy story to tell you about their
wifes' -brother-in-law-cuñado-de-su -Mama and god knows what
who has a cheese store in Oaxaca (and they know that talking cheese with a french girl always works!)
or that other time when "El Grillo" my favorite late-night driver, saved a huge blue-crab (cangrejo azul), trying to cross the road, supposibly they are endangered and as I can see also protected...
So many adventures and stories to tell already, in just 3 weeks
and so many more to come!
Besos from Paradise

To be continued...

Moving to Isla Mujeres

Mexico it was supposed to be a study and exploring trip.. I wanted to see all that Mexico had to offer, but only had limited time (and money) to do so..

We started out in a remote town high up in the mountains called Guanajuato, which lies in the state of (you guessed it!) Guanajuato!

The huge difference in coming from the freezing country of Norway to the warm and exotic Mexico was quite a shock!

There were so many things to get used to, and so much to learn at once..


My patience was the first thing that needed a huuuuge change..
I feel I have become a much more patient man than before visiting Mexico..

Guanajuato was where I tried to learn some Spanish, where I met a lot of new friends, and where they always had an excuse to have a fiesta! If you are ever nearby Guanajuato during the Cervantino festival, you`ll understand what I`m talking about.

The town just explodes with people! Fantastic place!
But somehow I felt something was missing.. The beaches, the ocean and the waves...
I am from a town in Norway called Kristiansand (population 75 000), but what`s nice about it is it`s close to the ocean.. and I love the ocean!
I am used to seeing it everywhere, and since we now were in Mexico, going to the beach was something I just had to do!

We went on a trip to Playa Maruata in Michoacan together with some friends from Guanajuato. Maruata is a beautiful place where there are very few tourists!
We spent our first night setting up tents by the beach, going swimming, and eating pescadillos (fish"burgers") Eventually we bought a hammock from one of the beachvendors, and just lying in the hammock enjoying the view is one of my best memories of Maruata!

Fantastic sight watching the sunset!

The next morning, we woke up to some disturbing news..
A couple that were sleeping together in one of the tents had just gone out a
short trip to the toilet, and when they came back, both their backpacks had been stolen! Their money, clothes, food and drinks were all gone! We decided to help them out so we could stay a night our two more, and altough we kept an eye on our tents did`nt think much more of it..

We still had a nice time, went swimming (which as we later learned, turned out was dangerous) and kept an eye out at night for any turtles laying eggs on the beach. We learned about the recent shark attacks on the west coast of Mexico when we came back to GTO (Guanajuato), and especially during the times the turtles were laying eggs, the ocean was supposed to be unsafe..



Oh well! We`re still alive and kicking, so no worries! :)
We had another great night with fun and games in our hammocks by the beach.. Just wonderful!

The next morning, our unlucky couple found out someone had stolen their sandals, so now they were broke, without clothes, cellphone, ipod or shoes! Poor them!




We saw no turtles during our trip, but i caught this turtle cracker trying to run away, does that count?











We decided to stay one more night, as this was not a mayor incident, and this night we were late in bed! We had a good party the six of us, some mescal, pescadillas and snacks, and we were back in our happy moods! We played our legendary game of "Pantalones" and it worked as it always does.. VERY WELL!
I fell asleep at once, but later woke up because of Merethe`s yelling, she said she felt someone was outside the tent, and I took my devilsticks and yelled too.. When we took a look outside, it was empty.. spooky!
It was harder to fall asleep after that, and I woke up really early..

Spent the morning hung over in our hammock, when I suddenly noticed something funny with our tent.. There was a big cut next to the entrance, just above the plastic part..
Merethe was right, someone obviously tried to rob our tent while we were sleeping in it..
We did not miss anything, but still..Not fun at all!
This was such a beautiful place, I wish we could feel safe there!
We decided to end it, and go back to Guanajuato
At least two of our group only had to carry their tents.. (look at the bright side!)
We had our heavy backpacks!






Back in Guanajuato we were 2000 meters above sealevel, and surrounded by mountains.. It was freezing at night in the wintertime! The wind was horrible once the sun went down for the night.


Anyway, when we decided to move on and heard about this laidback beautiful Island called Isla Mujeres, a very popular backpacking island, we just had to go there!
We arrived in December 2007 and our first nights were spent on the most popular hostals on the Island, Pocna.. But let`s not get too much ahead.. This Island can satisfy almost anyone! In
so many ways!

I`ll be writing much more, so pay close attention to the blog!

Also, all feedback is great! We love hearing from visitors and inhabitants on Isla Mujeres! We are also looking for co-writers to the blog, to make sure it`s as good as possible! Do you want to join us and tell everyone how life on Isla Mujeres is?

Please contact me by mail :phunkyphreak@gmail.com