Transportation: Transportation on Isla Mujeres consists primarily of taxis or golf carts and mopeds or scooters. As of 2005 there were 121 taxis, 500 golf carts and 1500 mopeds or scooters, (we have seen a family of five on a scooter – one little one standing at the front, dad driving and two little ones on the seat in front of mum). There's also a bus service that runs from the Downtown to the different neighborhoods, called colonias in Spanish (where most of locals live).

Mayan History: In Pre-Columbian times the island was sacred to the Mayan goddess of childbirth and medicine, Ix Chel. When the Spanish arrived in the 16th century they named it "Isla Mujeres" because of the many images of goddesses. The first information available about Isla Mujeres is from the period between 564 - 1516 AC, when it was part of the Mayan province called Ekab. There were 4 Mayan provinces in what is today the State of Quintana Roo. The Maya also exploited the salt that the island produced in the "salinas" (small interior lagoons). The salt was used not only for the conservation of food and medicine but also has a generally accepted currency for commerce of goods along the whole Mayan region.

The Mayan goddess Ixchel had a temple in what is today the Hacienda Mundaca (Mundaca's Plantation House). A small Mayan temple was once located on the southern tip of the island. However in 1988 Hurricane Gilbert caused extensive damage, leaving most of the foundation but only a very small portion of the temple. Since the 1970’s, along with close-by Cancún, there has been substantial tourist development in Isla Mujeres.

Island connectivity to the mainland: Ferry boats run every half an hour to Cancun, from the island and Puerto Juárez (where we went to get our ten year Cruising Permit – three pounds twenty five each way) or Gran Puerto on the mainland. The island is popular with day trippers, the evenings are quiet after the tour groups leave.

We stopped at the Turtle Farm (own blog) 

Eateries: There are numerous places to eat fresh seafood cooked with local and traditional recipes, also many other types of food are available at restaurants on the island such as: black angus steaks, Mexican, Yucatecan, Italian, Caribbean, Mediterranean, Hebrew, French, Thai, Cuban, Mayan and there is even a Sushi Bar. Hotel prices vary from cheap to very expensive at the resorts on the southwest end such as Hotel Villa Rolandi, and Playa Norte Ixchel Beach Hotel.

On the east is the Caribbean Sea with a strong surf and rocky coast, and on the west the skyline of Cancún is seen across the clear waters. On the north end is El Centro (downtown), whose central axis, Hidalgo Street, is the main dining and entertainment area. Also located on the north end is a famous beach called Playa Norte, which has recovered quickly since Hurricane Wilma hit the area in 2005. the island of Isla Mujeres is located close to one of many coral reefs such as the one located in Garrafon Park, which is an area popular for its snorkeling and scuba diving. The Cancun underwater museum, created by English sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor, is located off the western coast of Isla Mujeres.

The island's relative proximity to Cuba has made it one of the favorite stepping stones of Cubans trying to reach the United States in recent years.