Looking for the perfect relaxing and adventurous tropical island getaway? Look no further than Isla Mujeres, a small tropical island in the Mexican Caribbean surrounded by aqua blue waters and dotted with coconut trees.
For our spring break getaway, we were looking for a short tropical escape for a romantic snorkel and paddleboard adventure. As off-the-beaten-path type travelers, we wanted to steer clear of Cancun’s overly developed and Americanized spring-break party scenes.
We chose Isla Mujeres for its quick and easy travel distance (just a short ferry ride from Mexico’s bustling Cancun coastline), its coral reefs, and its small size, giving us just enough island to explore in a relaxed manner over three full days.
Getting to Isla Mujeres
✈️ Book your flight to Cancun International Airport. Don’t forget your passport and COVID vaccination card.
Plan an hour to clear customs and grab your checked luggage, or 30 minutes if you’ve packed light. Click here for information on packing and flying with your own SUP and snorkel gear.
? Grab a shuttle or taxi to Gran Puerto / Puerto Juarez. It’s about a 30 -40 minute drive to the ferry terminal from the airport, depending on traffic. Be ready for a crowd of taxi men heckling for your ride fare as soon as the airport doors open. We splurged and paid $78 for a private shuttle van to the port. However you can spend less to share the ride with other passengers.
⛴ Board the blue and yellow Ultramar Ferry (about $24 round trip tickets purchased with cash or card at the port) for the short and enjoyable 20-minute crossing to Isla Mujeres. The high-speed ferries leave conveniently every half hour from 6 a.m. to 11:30 p.m, so no stress if you just miss it, another is coming shortly:-)
? Grab a cold beer (or two) at the terminal before you depart, and hold on to your hat on the upper deck. Have some pesos or dollars ready for tipping (propinas) the live musician and buying extra snacks or drinks on board. (be forewarned: the Dos Equis sells out quickly!)
? Enjoy the dazzling blue water and get in the mood for your island escape!
Tip: Look around for other travelers to share rides with (to and from the airport to ferry)
Protip: Draw cash before departing the US and change money in Mexico. ATMs in the airport, ferry terminal and on the island are unreliable. Most places will accept USD, however you’ll pay extra (less exchange value.)
Grab a cold beer before boarding the Ferry to Isla Mujeres and enjoy the view and entertainment!
Getting Around Isla Mujeres
Golf cart is the most popular (and the most fun) way for tourists to get around Isla Mujeres. It’s the perfect speed for cruising the island open air in your bathing suit, taking in the sea views and salt air, and pit stopping at roadside vendors peddling sea shells, cocos frios (cold coconuts) and crocheted beachwear.
Little red taxis are available as well and cost about $5 a trip to go anywhere on the island. There are few cars on the island and no traditional rental cars. Locals get around by moped (usually a whole family on one!) If you’re staying on the north end of the island and want to make some destination stops to the Punta Sur Park or Dolphin Discovery Center, then taxi may be your best option.
However if you’re staying in the Colonia or the South end of the island like we did, I’d recommend renting wheels for having the most freedom and flexibility to explore the island during your stay.
For on-the-go SUP adventures, strap the paddleboard to the top of your golf cart, and go explore!
Benefits: Carts fit up to four people and the back seat folds down for carrying luggage and beach bags. Pack your bungee cords or cinch straps to cart around your SUP!
Protip: For the most Freedom, Fun and Flexibility, rent a golf cart! The island is small and narrow. Throw out the map and let your adventure be your guide!
Rent a golf cart from they guys with Rentadora Caribe. Convenient, Quality carts, Great service. Look for this sign when you leave the ferry.
Golf Cart Rentals
Golf cart rentals are hourly or daily. There are several golf cart rental providers in the Centro, all within a few blocks of the ferry terminal. Since we were traveling with extra luggage carrying our inflatable stand-up-paddleboard and snorkel gear, we chose Caribe rentals directly across the street from the ferry terminal for convenience.
We negotiated a five day rental for the cost of four ($250 still Island prices are high, don’t be afraid to negotiate). Rentals are first come first serve, not reserved in advance.
We were super happy with the high clearance and rugged wheeled cart needed for some of island’s rustic roads. Caribe’s carts were well-maintained, came with enough gas for our five day rental, and had a ton of pep. We literally flew past the other carts (~20mph) and could cover the 5-mile island from head to toe in about 20 minutes.
Isla Mujeres Adventures - Top Three Favorites List
1.
Watch the Sunrise at Parque Punta Sur
Watch the sunrise at the Cliff of the Dawn. Archaeological site on the farthest southern point of the Isla Mujeres and the Cliff of the Dawn, the eastern most point in all of Mexico! parque sur!Or stroll though the park under clandestine night cover (preferably during the full moon) and watch the dark forms of frigatebirds soar over head while the foaming surf thunders on the rocks below.
Explore the local neighborhoods by golf cart and find your favorite taco vendor.
3.
SUP and Snorkel at Garrafon Reef
SUP / snorkel in the garrafón reef. Bob like a cork on the gentle sweeping turquoise waves. Jump in for a refreshing swim. Don your fins and snorkel to swim with the fish below. Bring home a shell or two. check out hotel la joya for the perfect lunch / launch site. Bring your own paddleboard and snorkel gear for a self-guided adventure and explore the reef on your own leisure.
Pack: your own inflatable paddleboard and snorkel gear to make your own island adventure ??
Parque Punta Sur is must visit. 30 pesos entry fee ($1.50).
2.
Cruise through the Colonia by golf cart
Cruise on golf cart through the Colonia barrio and observe life spill out onto the streets through open doors and windows. Drive-by late-night basketball pickups and wave to local couples and islander families passing you down the narrow streets 2-3 per moped. Grab a 10 pm torta at the outdoor street vendors with local families, and listen to the sound of music and laughter drift out the open-air Iglesias.
Self-guided SUP and snorkel adventures in the Garrafon reef area. Anchor off near docks to find schools of fish and corals encrusting the submerged piers.
Where to Stay on Isla Mujeres
Isla Mujeres (the Island of Women) is a long, narrow island, divided into roughly three zones, the north island (Centro), the middle island (Colonia) and the South island (Punta Sur).
If you want to be in the center of the tourist action with walking access to lively sandy sunning beaches, the north island is your jam. However if you’re looking for more local culture, reef access, and dazzling cliff views, the south end is your spot.
North End / El Centro / Downtown
The ferry drops you off on the Island’s north end, in the city centre (Centro), a colorful and lively street grid with 1-3 story shopfronts and homes. Centro has the island’s highest concentration of tourism, with lodging, restaurants, shopping and bars. Walk Hidalgo Street—the outdoor pedestrian mall—to find souvenirs, handmade arts and crafts, and a variety of places to dine. If you’re looking for sandy beaches and the ‘action’, you’ll find it at the crowded palapa beach bars on the north point.
Protip: For the best location for a SUP and Snorkel adventure, stay on the south end of the island near the Garrafon Reef Park.
South Point / Punta Sur
The south side of the island is less developed (though quickly developing) with a more quiet and chill vibe. It’s a mixture of coastal cliff-perched private vacation homes, small boutique hotels, and the concrete shells of unfinished and under construction dreams. The Punta Sur park on the very southern tip is definitely worth a visit. We chose to stay on the south side of the island for its proximity to the Garrafón reef and easy access for our self-guided standup paddleboard and snorkeling fun.
The Colonia (Central)
The colony. This is the central neighborhood in the middle of the island where the locals live, though it appears there are many rentable villas and apartments within and on it’s edges. If you’re looking for the off-the-beaten-path cultural experience and to partake in the everyday life of the Mexican islanders, Colonia would be your spot. While there’s public access to the coastline along this stretch eastern island, the coral cliff face gets pummeled with heavy wind and waves, so not an ideal spot for swimming or sunbathing. However there’s a lovely paved promenade perfect for a post-meal stroll.
Sac Bajo
Narrow strip of land on the Bay side of the island with wealthy private homes, historic beach clubs, and luxury hotels. If you’re looking for 4 or 5 star hotels with infinity pools overlooking the Caribbean, you may find your spot here. We found our favorite local sea shell vendors while cruising this strip.
Best Place to Stay for Snorkel / SUP Adventure Isla Mujeres
Best side of Isla to Snorkel & SUP
The best side of the island to snorkel and SUP is the southwest side of the island.
Where we were. The Bay side.
Wind shadow. Reef Interest. What to see (underwater and on shore)
Places to pirate and dock. Beach clubs? Dock bars?
Where are you seeing the most people? Around the reef point
Best Hotel for a romantic Snorkel Vacay on Isla Mujeres – Hotel La Joya
The perfect accommodation for our self-guided snorkel and stand-up paddleboard trip, was a little jewel of a hotel on island’s south end. We chose the hotel for it’s location on the Garrafon reef, it’s small size (about 20 rooms of so), and authentic architectural style and charm.
For such a small hotel with an unassuming hidden entry, we were astonished by the five-star views of the water and luxurious garden atmosphere. The hotel is perched on a rocky cliff above the reef, spilling down in architectural terraces with sweeping views from the private terraces of every room to the glittering turquoise waters below.
La Joya was everything we were hoping for and much more: romantic, secluded, charming, quiet, beautiful, comfortable, natural, inviting, delicious and perfectly situated for our water adventures.
We chose the King Suite A for our couples holiday and felt like we were given the honeymoon suite. We loved waking up to a spectacular sea view every morning and having our breakfast served on our private terrace (Included in the price of the room) While we enjoyed unobstructed views to the sea, our room was hidden from view meaning we could leave the drapes open all day and night with full privacy.
Inflating the standup paddleboard was easy breezy from our private rooftop terrace garden.
Launching the SUP at Garrafon Reef
The semi-private beach at Hotel La Joya is just a few steps down from the hotel terrace. While it feels like a private beach access for the hotel, there is also a hidden pathway from the upper road that the locals and other travelers have discovered. The ‘beach’ is a small landing, not a place to try to lay out a beach towel and sun, but a perfect spot for launching the SUP or wading in for a swim.
Along this side of the island is Rocky reef shoreline with ankle-deep sand-bottomed pools ringed by raised oyster and sea grass beds. This is a good spot to put on your snorkel / diving booties for walking the shallow pools in the shoreline and for wading the SUP and snorkel gear out to deeper water. Once over the oyster bed shelves, you drop down to waist or chest level to powder white sand pockets. it’s the white sand that makes the water here so dazzling in turquoise hues.
Protip: Bring your dive booties for walking along the rocky shoreline and traversing the oyster beds.
Putting on dive booties along the rocky shoreline to gear up for an afternoon of SUP and Snorkel adventures in the Garrafon Reef zone.
What you’ll find in Isla Mujere’s reefs Garrafon Reef
Water beautiful color, clear and lighty saline. We felt very buoyant and safe without wearing the PFD. Light sand bars makes for crystal clear turquoise waters. The Reef— unfortunately like 90% of the worlds reefs— is now more like a coral graveyard. I enjoyed my time on top of the waves paddling around on the SUP while Eric swam with the fishes.
Every now and then he’d resurface with a large conch shell, sometimes vacant and other times inhabited. I found a few star fish and a sand dollar on my snorkel dives. I most enjoyed swimming into schools of small fish as they swayed in the currents near the crests of reef edge.
The most variety of fish and coral we found were under the boat docks and clinging to the submerged piers of the beach clubs and hotels. Eric observed a two foot long More eel curled in a hollow near our anchor point. By far my favorite fish was a giant Porcupine Puffer, a big fat one about two feet long blinking at us unsuspiciously through giant cartoon like eyes. Very cute!
Protip: Bring a small anchor and line to anchor off at your snorkeling location. You’ll be so happy you did!
Besides the colorful parrot fish, by far the largest and cutest fish I saw was a Porcupine puffer fish. He was huge! About 2 feet long and fat with large adorable black beady eyes. Photo of diver and fish by Dive Zihua
Benefits of Bringing your Board
- Freedom and flexibility
- Safety and Stability
- Have your own floating platform
- Multi-purpose: boat, seat, buoy, sunbathing deck, gear transport
- Lightweight and easy to maneuver
- Visibility (to other boats / safety)
- Tandem paddle and snorkel fun
- Sit, Lie, Ride, Chill.
Hotel La Joya’s main outdoor staircase connecting rooms and pool terrace restaurant, sunbathing terrace and reef-access beach.
Best Launch spot for a Snorkel and SUP adventure in Isla Mujeres
The La Joya hotel and our King A suite was not only perfect for a romantic getaway, but it was also a perfect launchpad for our self-guided paddleboard and snorkel adventure.
In addition to the large outdoor covered terrace, Room #6 included an additional rooftop lawn terrace overlooking the sea which was perfect for setting up and taking down the inflatable SUP and hanging out snorkel gear to dry.
We could super easily move the paddleboard between the open terrace or our room and the hotel’s central outdoor stair to access the beach. It was just down two flights of outdoor stairs to the pool terrace. Another lawn panel below to store the board during the day between adventures. Then just another flight of outdoor steps down to the water and the small semi-private ‘beach’. It doesn’t get much easier!
Protip: If you’re traveling with your own inflatable Standup Paddleboard gear, request room #6!
The shallow sand pools, oyster beds and rocky shoreline along the Garrafon Reef at Hotel La Joya Beach
Snorkel / SUP at Garrafon Reef
The Garrafon Reef (Parque Nacional Costa Occidental de Isla Mujeres) is one of the best places on Isla Mujeres for a self-guided SUP and snorkel excursion. We found it to be the ideal place for paddlings around in the SUP and anchoring off for snorkeling and swimming. The reef is found on the south side of the island in the —Bay.
The reef is on the leeward side of the island and is about ____wide and 10-12 feet deep and a tapestry of white sand and reef structures. We found the reef depth perfect for setting an anchor from the front of the SUP giving us freedom and visibility from boating neighbors to snorkel together.
While the reef is a popular recreation spot for boating day trips that anchor in the reef for swimming and snorkeling parties, it’s not a highly active motor boat or jetski zone. So we felt relatively safe paddling. It’s not a surf beach either. While there can be bigger swells fun to ride on but not crashing waves (only on the edge of the reef).
Protip: The ‘Garrafon Reef Park’ is a paid entry amusement park with ziplines and other tourist traps. You do not need to enter the park to enjoy the reef!
Anchored off and sitting pretty on the SUP while my buddy snorkels.
Protip: Snorkeling with a Paddleboard gives you mobility, safety, and visibility, plus a platform to chill.
Bring-your-own-Paddleboard (BYOB)
If you want to SUP during your Isla stay (which I highly recommend!), you may be disappointed with the lack of SUP rentals on the island. While our hotel at a few old kayaks for guest-use, they did not have paddleboards. Hit or miss with rentals at the beach clubs. The island has not fully integrated SUPs into their suite of offerings.
Yet having the paddleboard was one of the highlights of our trip. It allowed us the freedom, flexbility, mobility and stability to explore the reef area right outside our hotel, when we wanted and where we wanted and for free. With the paddleboard, we were able to launch easily from shore and safely reach areas we wanted to explore by snorkel. A small anchor that we packed in our luggage also allowed us to anchor off and swim/snorkel together and have visibility to other water craft in the reef.
Catamaran and party boats anchored off in the Garrafon reef area just off the shore and beach access from the Hotel La Joya. Popular island destination for snorkeling and swimming.
Enjoying cold margaritas, fresh guacamole, ceviche, and shrimp tacos from the sunning deck at Hotel La Joya after our SUP and Snorkel adventure in Garrafon Reef. Couldn’t be happier with where we landed for our tropical getaway!
Snorkeling at El Farito
While the first two days of our trip we enjoyed awesome weather—80 degree temps with a light breeze blowing from the south, the last full day of our trip was too windy and gusty to snorkel or SUP comfortably in the Garrafon reef area. (too exposed to wind and wave fetch).
We decided to strap the paddleboard to the top of the golf cart (read more about how to travel with your SUP here) and explore a different area of the island. During the ferry ride in we observed snorkel boats clustered around a mini lighthouse (El Farito) at the end of the Sac Bajo peninsula, which looked to be sheltered a bit from the wind and wave fetch.
Though we scoped out launching at the end of Sac Bajo to paddle along the mangrove buffer to the reef point, the gravel road was fenced off thwarting our plan. Instead we decided to try our luck paddling through the sailboat mooring field, launching at the same location as the snorkeling tours.
Enjoy a Pina colada and the sweet and tangy grilled shrimp under the coconut trees after your adventures.
Anchored off with the Snorkel tour boats at El Farito. You can see the exposed reef line and little lighthouse in the distance.
We paddled out in about 20 min. to join the rest of the snorkel expeditions near the sunken shipwrecks near the reef outcrops. We observed more marine life here, larger and greater variety schools of fish and aquatic plant and coral life. Though nothing like how I imagine the reefs once were.
On our paddle back to shore, we fought even gustier wind conditions and choppier water. We gratefully took the dingy lift offered by the friendly Irish catamaran who shuttles us back to shore safely. (Love the sailing community!)
After the adventurous afternoon on the water, we staved off our hunger and thirst under the coconut trees at the outdoor beach restaurant and bar El Restaurant Comejan.
Snorkel Tours: Book a snorkel tour to El Farito and the ‘underwater museum’, at the Palapa counter outside Restaurant El Comejan. (~$35/pp) For the most enjoyment, bring your own mask and snorkel.
Gear for a Self-Guided Snorkel / SUP Adventure in Isla Mujeres
