Four Caribbean islands near Cancun

Isla Mujeres

Isla Mujeres, a beautiful place with pedestrian streets full of color and life. It is a place where Caribbean buildings dominate the landscape, contrasting with the beautiful turquoise waters that surround the island. Declared a magical city in 2015, it is 8 kilometers long and 500 meters wide, located northeast of Cancun, 13 kilometers from its coast and 20 minutes away by ferry. Isla Mujeres offers visitors a magical experience for its natural beauty and cultural richness, besides being an important part of the Mayan civilization.

How to get to Isla Mujeres?

There are two ways to get to Isla Mujeres, you can take the ferry from the Embarcadero to Isla Mujeres in Cancun’s Hotel Zone, next to the Scenic Tower. The other option is to take the ferry in Puerto Juarez, where boats leave every 30 minutes to the northern part of the island.

How to make the trip more practical?

There are several ways to get around Isla Mujeres. Driving a car is not recommended due to the lack of parking on the island. Instead, we recommend renting a golf cart or scooter to get around the island. You will need a valid driver’s license for this, and it is subject to availability.

What to do on Isla Mujeres?

• Isla Mujeres has a lot to offer beyond its beautiful beaches. If you want to get to know the island, we recommend the following:
• Walk down Miguel Hidalgo Street, it is the main street and has 3 kilometers of shops, restaurants, bars, and live music. This street is full of life from sunrise to sunset, so it doesn’t matter if you go during the day or at night, it has a lot to offer.
• Isla Mujeres is a colorful place, full of street art and colorful houses, walking through its streets is a feast for the eyes. You can also take a walk along the boardwalk, you can tour the island from north to south in 40 minutes with a beautiful view of the sea. On this walk you will find several points of interest such as the statue “La Trigueña” and the colorful sign of Isla Mujeres, so you can take all the pictures you want.
• You can visit the old house of the Spanish pirate Fermín de Mundaca. He was accused of slave trading in the 19th century. In this hacienda you can walk through his gardens and listen to his famous love story. It is open from 9 am to 5 pm and the tour takes 20 to 30 minutes.
• From May to September is sea turtle season in the central part of the island. These beautiful animals come to lay their eggs, and several volunteers work together to collect the eggs and take them to a farm where they are protected from predators. On some occasions, visitors can help release the newly hatched hatchlings.
• Another interesting place to visit on Isla Mujeres is Punta Sur. It is located at the tip of the island and is famous for its pre-Hispanic remains dedicated to the goddess Ixchel. When the Spaniards arrived, they saw the place full of statues of women that were a tribute to the goddess, so the island got its name from these figurines.
• Visit Playa Norte, recognized as one of the 10 best beaches in the world. We recommend watching the sunset while enjoying the sand so fine it looks like talcum powder.
• Visit the Underwater Museum of Art (MUSA), an innovative project to combat the effects of climate change in the oceans. It houses more than 400 works by contemporary sculptors from Mexico and around the world.
• Manchones Reef, where you will find the Bay Cross, a bronze cross that is one of the favorite sites for underwater photographers and divers.

Cozumel

Cozumel is one of the most popular destinations for travelers looking for an immersive underwater experience. Thanks to its turquoise and crystal-clear waters, white sand, reefs, and endless underwater flora and fauna, this destination is perfect for relaxing and enjoying the sun. Cozumel is an island of tradition and modernity. It combines its legacy of Mayan culture with its modern infrastructure to receive tourism, a great example is its international airport that allows people to arrive from all over the world.

Surrounded by the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea, this island is home to the second-largest barrier reef in the world. It is an ideal destination for adventure, relaxation, and all kinds of activities surrounded by nature. It has been declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNSECO.

How to get there?

Thanks to its modern infrastructure, you can get to Cozumel in several ways:
1. By air: Cozumel has an international airport that facilitates access to this beautiful island.
2. By cruise ship: Cozumel has three international piers and receives cruise ships every day of the week.
3. By ferry: There are two ways to get to Cozumel, the first takes 30 minutes and is for passengers only. The second option takes 60 minutes and is the car ferry. They leave Playa del Carmen every day of the week with different schedules.

How to make the trip more convenient?

There are several ways to get around Cozumel, you can take a taxi but it is not the cheapest option. If you are staying for a few days, you could rent a car or motorcycle to save money.

Be a responsible traveler.

When visiting Cozumel, we recommend that you respect the ban on octopus, tuna, and lobster. Remember that the snail is a protected species, so avoid eating it. Also, do not touch or remove starfish or hit the reefs. Every time you apply sunscreen, remember that the best option is to use a biodegradable one.

What to do in Cozumel?

Cozumel is synonymous with diving; it is a place where you can connect with nature. There is also an ecological reserve in the south of the island called Punta Sur where you can enjoy lagoons, beaches, mangroves, a lighthouse, and even the ruins of a Mayan tomb.

• You can visit El Cielo, so called because there are a lot of starfish at the bottom of the sea.
• There is also the archaeological site of San Gervasio, founded around 300 A.D. and has six architectural complexes: Chicán Nah (small house), El Álamo, Nohoch Nah (big house), Murciélagos, Ka’na Nah (high house) and El Ramonal. It is believed that this place is dedicated to the goddess Ixchel, goddess of fertility, love, medicine, and weaving.
• You can cycle through the town of San Miguel, which has more than 30 murals by Mexican and foreign artists that decorate its streets. You can also visit the downtown area where you will find shops, restaurants, bars, and art galleries.
• Visit the most beautiful beaches with white sand and crystal-clear turquoise water, perfect for sunbathing and relaxing. You can visit Palancar, Playa Mia, Playa San Francisco and Playa Paradise.
• For the more adventurous there are the reefs of Paraiso, Yucab, San Francisco, Santa Rosa, Palancar, and Maracaibo.

Holbox

Holbox, which means “black hole” in Mayan, is a quiet island where you will find many golf carts, but not many ATMs or cars. Many of the locals are fishermen, so fresh seafood is plentiful. There are many charming boutique hotels on the island. Holbox is quickly becoming a popular destination for the hundreds of whale sharks that congregate in the area every May through September. Visitors come from all over the world to swim with these gentle giants.

How to get there?

There are two ways to get here, by sea or by air. The easiest way is to take a boat, either a private boat or a ferry. They usually go from Chiquilá to Holbox. To get to Chiquilá, you can take a bus or car from Playa del Carmen, Cancun, or other points on the Riviera Maya. The average distance between Cancun and Chiquilá is 140 kilometers, if you decide to go by car, it will take you about two hours to get to Chiquilá.

How to make the trip more practical?

Here the roads are not paved and there are no cars. Everyone travels by golf cart or bicycle. If you want to get around the island, we recommend renting one of these vehicles; this way you will have the freedom to explore the island.

What to do in Holbox?

The island is not a place of luxury, but you will find a beautiful, simple, unspoiled place: a paradise. Here you can dedicate yourself to rest and relaxation. It is a place with colorful streets surrounded by turquoise waters that make Holbox a place like no other.

Conscious traveler

Remember that it is important not to leave a footprint in this beautiful place. Avoid picking up shells or sand. You must take care of this ecosystem as much as possible. You can also recycle as much as possible, because all the garbage you generate stays in this beautiful place.

What to do in Holbox?

• Visit Punta Cocos, located in one of the points of Holbox; it is a place that transmits incredible peace. There are almost no people, so you can enjoy your privacy.
• Punta Mosquitos, literally on the other side of Punta Cocos. In this area, you will find more “luxurious” hotels. This is one of the best places to see the sunset, what you should consider before visiting is to bring plenty of mosquito repellent.
• If you like adventure and challenge, kite surfing is a popular sport on the beaches of Holbox.
• Try the lobster pizza, one of the typical dishes of the island. You won’t regret trying it, it is one of those dishes that will be unforgettable.

Contoy Island

Located 30 kilometers north of Isla Mujeres, where the waters of the Caribbean Sea meet the Gulf of Mexico. It is a dream destination for wildlife lovers, only 200 visitors are allowed per day to preserve its natural beauty. It is an area declared a Natural Reserve and National Wildlife Refuge since 1961. It is also known as the Island of Birds for its wonderful variety of birds.

It has an extension of 8 kilometers long and 800 meters wide. It is in a reef mass, it marks the beginning of the second longest barrier reef in the world, the Mesoamerican Reef, so there are abundant marine species, especially crustaceans. Besides being a nesting site for birds, it also serves as a refuge for hundreds of lobsters. It is an island uninhabited by humans and is managed by the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas.

How to make the trip more practical?

It is essential that you know how to swim because if you step on the reef, you could damage it completely. Another recommendation is to remember that you cannot use sunscreen in this National Park, not even biodegradable. The mission is to preserve this paradise that protects magnificent natural beauties and its semi-virgin beaches. Avoid leaving a trace, take all your garbage with you, and remember that it is absolutely forbidden to feed any animal.

Remember that this is an area where cosmetics and other beauty products are not allowed, as the oil layer on the sea surface limits the amount of sunlight and kills the corals. Take precautions and wear a long-sleeved T-shirt with UVA protection.
Bring mosquito repellent as there are many on this island.

How to get there?

You can get there by authorized boats from Cancun, Puerto Juarez, or Isla Mujeres. Departures are at 9 a.m. and return around 5 p.m. The trip can take one to two hours, depending on the type of boat, departure point, and weather conditions.

What to do?

• Snorkeling: This is one of the main attractions because in addition to the wonderful view of the coral reef, you will be able to appreciate all the marine life that revolves around it.
• There is a museum exhibit where you can learn about the pre-Hispanic heritage of the island; here you will learn all about the flora and fauna of the place. There is also an observation tower 20 meters high where you can enjoy a panoramic view and the best thing is that the entrance is free.
• You can enjoy a birdwatching lookout, home to about 70 species of seabirds, considered the most important in the Caribbean.
• There is a guided walk through the park, although it is quite short. From the beach, another trail leads to a small inland lake surrounded by mangroves; the rest of the island is closed to tourism. You can also take the tour to the lagoon of Puerto Viejo, this is a nesting site of the brown pelican, the largest on the Atlantic coast of Mexico. This tour is optional and has an additional cost that goes to support the park’s conservation programs.
• Try a specialty of Yucatecan gastronomy, the delicious Tikin Xic fish.