Isla Mujeres Travel Forum

My fiance and I are thinking of taking our honeymoon on Isla Mujeres. I was just wondering how the island withstood the huricane and if things will be back to normal in May. Also, if anyone could recomend a resort on the beach.

Gracias

Storm damage will not be a problem at all and things will be back to normal (or as normal as things get in mexico :-) by February, much less May.

I love Isla and highly recommend it, but I think for a honeymoon I might look to playa or some of the "out of town" resorts down around Tulum and Akumal, etc.

But don't get me wrong, Isla is wonderful. Try more research on this site and forums... http://www.islamujeres.info/home.asp

Have a nice time :-)

I do not know the damage report however I have been twice and stayed at the Avalon Reef and would stay there again and again/

Interesting. The Avalon Reef (as it's now called by the ***head new owners who won't let locals on the property) sat vacant for like 20 years because of hurricane damage before being refurbished and condo-ized about 5 years ago.

I think Isla Mujeres is a perfect place for a honeymoon!

Here are my tips for a stress free cheap journey:

When you arrive at Cancun International airport (after stopping to exchange $100 USD into Pesos at the booth-the rest of the time use the ATM's and get 1000 pesos at a time as needed), walk out the main doors into a mess of taxis and van drivers, put determined looks on your faces, swing to the right and walk up past departures and straight to the big ADO busses (it is a little walk and you cant really see them from arrivals). You may have to wait a little while for the bus to leave, but for a little over a dollar you have a comfortable safe trip to the central Cancun bus station.

Once there, go outside and ask a taxi driver how much to go to Puerto Juarez. It should be $4-5. At the port take the big ferry--they have several, the best (in my opinion) are the big yellow and blue boats.

A quick 20 minute ride and you will be on the Isla. I recommend renting a golf cart immediately. I have been there several times and (I am really cheap) didnt want to spend the money on a golf cart. It is totally worth it! From the second you get on the isla until the second you leave. But if you got your walking shoes on and plenty of water and energy maybe you would disagree.

The other side of the Isla (that has the Garafon park) is beautiful. If you rent a golf cart you can take your time and find the cheap ways to get in the middle of the beauty. There is a hotel right beside the park that is not affiliated with it. They will let you snorkel and enjoy the beauty for 30 pesos--where the park costs approx 45-50 USD per person to get in.

We walked over at dusk after everyone left the Garafon park and looked in the gardens. We were scared we were going to get caught and didnt spend much time there, though. It is nice, but I dont think it is worth what they ask.

We stayed one time at the hotel I was referring to above, and they tried to put us in a stale room, but the maid came yelling in spanish at the guy in the office and she led us into a nicely fresh room that she had just cleaned. It was kind of funny, because she scolded the old guy that put us in that room from the balcony while he hastily went back up to his office to get the other room key. But it was $55 per night to stay there, it had a gorgeous view and a daytime restaurant and we pretty much had the place to ourselves.

There are other places that we stay at--Na Balam is way overpriced and for what? Hotel Francis Arlene is reasonably priced ($40 when we stayed) and in the middle of town, but closer to the rocky side of the Isla. The island is so small, though, and if you have transport, you can easily go to any beach. I dont know if it is necessary or not but if you ask to see a room before renting you get a good room at Francis Arlene.

I wouldnt go for the hotels on the first road right after getting off the boat. Some are pretty dumpy, and for just a little more you can get a great place.

I know this comment wont help much unless someone else reads this and charms in with a name and possibly a website--but there is a hotel on the rocky side of the island that is run by a very clear English speaking Mexican guy with a white beard and a very smelly cigar (LOL). It is up a little hill before the residential area really starts. It is Rosa something. A just a few blocks from the Main Market. Anyway, there is no AC in the rooms, but since it is right on the beach and they have big windows that open it is pretty nice. I think $55 USD per night.

Speaking of the main market, food on the island is fairly cheap in general, but stay out of the touristic looking places, as the quality of the food decreases the more touristy you get. However, food at the market? Beer at the market? Go with something local (pls dont reach for the corona) like Sol. If you stay in downtown there is no reason not to go to the market 2 times a day, get fresh stuff and eat fabulously! Plus isnt it romantic when a guy gets a fresh picnic together and takes his newly married bride to the beach? Maybe a bottle of Vino...the possibilities are endless!

I recommend if you dont book your hotel before you go to use Pesos. I feel bad when I use a credit card. I know they have fees, and I know those fees are passed back to me somehow. Plus not all places take CC.

I have been several times and these tips were still valid as of July 05. I will be returning end of this month, so if changes have been made I will post them.

Good advice there.
One thing I'd say...take the old open ferry, not the new, fast closed-in ones. There is no comparison to the quality of the trip.
Also, don't worry so much about grabbing pesos as soon as possible. Dollars work fine until you get to a bank and get situated.
Don't use credit cards for anything other than hotels and rent cars. Risky.

I think I just prefer the pesos from the start because I am a quite tight with my money and dont do math well in my head. When I pay in dollars I end up rounding out and then trying to do the math in my head for the next five minutes wondering if I gave too much! :)

Does the older ferry leave from Puerto Juarez? The last time I rode it there was a kind of white boat that we took. It was a very windy day and it seemed to take quite a bit longer, we got wet and it shook around alot, am I thinking of the same one you are talking about?

Sounds like it :-)

I think you must be talking about Ino at the RocaMar. Never stayed there, although many swear by it. Ino is a delight. try here for info. on rentals. They are reputable. We are going this May as well. 4th or 5th trip for us. On that side of the island even though it's breezy-waay cooler than in town, I still like to have a/c, which is why we have never stayed there.

sorry the link didnt work
http://www.lostoasis.net/
not trying to advertise. just an informational link for whats available.