Isla Mujeres is one of my favorite destinations in Mexico. It’s an island off the coast of Cancun, that you take a ferry to get to. Downtown, known as El Centro, is very walkable and is where a high concentration of restaurants and bars are. It is also near North Beach (Playa Norte), which has been recognized as one of the best beaches in the world.
You likely want to stay in this area if it is your first time visiting the island. But there is so much more to the island than this area. If you go explore, then you will find some of the best restaurants on Isla Mujeres, great bars, and a beautiful view at Punta Sur.
So… Please leave downtown and explore all of Isla Mujeres!
For more information about this wonderful island, make sure to check out my Isla Mujeres Travel Guide!
If you are staying on the north part of Isla Mujeres near downtown and Playa Norte, then you will be able to walk all around that area. If you want to explore the rest of the island, then these are the most common ways to get around:
- Take a Taxi: This is a great option if you are going somewhere specific, such as a restaurant, and then returning. The restaurants will help you call a taxi.
- Rent a Golf Cart: This is the most popular way for people to explore Isla Mujeres on their own schedule. You can rent golf carts by the day or week. But make sure to reserve them ahead of time or get there early in the morning, as they can sell out during the busy months.
- Take a Guided Tour: Isla Driver Robbie and Cultura Cruisers are two highly recommended and popular tours on Isla Mujeres.
- By Bus: This is the least expensive way to get around the island and isn’t complicated once you know the route. But it is the slowest option.
1. Relax at Playa Norte
No trip to Isla Mujeres is complete without a day at Playa Norte, the island’s most famous beach and one of the most beautiful beaches in all of Mexico. With powdery white sand, calm turquoise water, and swaying palm trees, it’s the perfect spot to swim, sunbathe, or simply unwind with a drink in hand. The water here is shallow and crystal clear, making it ideal for floating for hours or watching the sunset from the shoreline.
Lined with laid-back beach bars and restaurants, Playa Norte has plenty of places to grab a cocktail or fresh ceviche between swims. You can rent a lounge chair for the day or bring a towel and find your own patch of sand.
You’ll quickly see why Playa Norte consistently ranks among the best beaches in the Caribbean.
2. Explore Punta Sur
One of the best reasons to rent a golf cart for the day is to drive to the southernmost tip of the island, called Punta Sur (translated as “South Point”). Locals and frequent visitors will say that sunrise is the best time to come as its beautiful and peaceful. I haven’t made it for sunrise yet, and likely never will because that happens super early in the morning. But I have been for sunset, and even though there are more people there it’s still a great view.
You can walk down pathways at the end and watch the waves crash into the rocks. There is also a small restaurant as well as some shops and several food carts. There isn’t much shade, so on a sunny day don’t forget the sunblock!
3. Enjoy a Beach Sunset
Location
These are my favorite spots to watch a sunset on Isla Mujeres:
Playa Centro: You’ll sometimes see a section of this beach labeled as Playa Sol or called that by bloggers. Because it faces southwest, it’s the most direct facing beach for winter sunsets. You can sit at on the beach or grab a cocktail at Coco Restaurant and Beach Bar.
Playa Norte (North Beach): In summer though when the sun set further to the north, there is still no better place to see the sunset than Playa Norte. Though the beach bars start shutting down at sunset, most will still be open to grab a drink and sit at a table or on the sand. This beach is truly magical morning, afternoon, and evening.
Kin-Ha: A great place to spend the day swimming in either the pool or ocean. But don’t rush out before sunset. See my picture below.
Soggy Peso: The bar is set back off the water a bit, but you still get a great view through a few coconut trees while sipping on a super strong margarita.
Playa Tiburon: My least favorite on my list, not because of the view, but rather this is where many of the tours from Cancun arrive and so it’s quite busy during the day. Though most day boats are gone by sunset, so it does get a little more relaxed.
4. Snorkel or Dave at the Underwater Museum of Art
Just off the coast of Isla Mujeres lies one of the most unique attractions in Mexico, the Underwater Museum of Art (MUSA) or in Spanish called the Museo Subacuático de Arte.
This submerged gallery features over 500 life-size sculptures placed on the ocean floor and was created to help restore coral reefs and promote marine life. Each piece slowly transforms into an artificial reef, covered in coral and sea life over time. It’s an incredible blend of art, nature, and conservation. And probably the best snorkeling or diving experiences near Isla Mujeres.
You can explore MUSA by snorkel, scuba, or glass-bottom boat, depending on your comfort level. Most visitors book directly through the official MUSA site or local operators
You can book through local dive shops like Squalo Adventures or Pocna Dive Center. Or book guided excursions to MUSA on Viator from Isla Mujeres or Cancun. Tours typically include equipment, a certified guide, and stops at nearby reefs.
If you’re staying on Isla Mujeres, boats depart from marinas near downtown or Playa Lancheros. The museum’s Manchones Reef section sits about 30 feet below the surface, making it ideal for snorkelers.
Tip: Book early during high season and bring biodegradable sunscreen and a rash guard — coral-safe practices help preserve the reef. Morning tours tend to have calmer seas and clearer visibility.
5. Spend the Day Swimming at Kin Há
Kin Ha is typically classified as a beach club, despite having no beach. What it does have though, is a dock lined with lounge chairs and a three-level pool. The adults only pool has a swim up bar and the kids pool has a small waterslide. You can walk out on the dock where you can jump into the ocean using the rope swing, bounce on the water trampoline, or enjoy water sports like snorkeling and paddle boarding.
While the food isn’t as fancy as some of the top restaurants, it has gotten much better and even a great spot for weekend brunch. This is one of my favorite places to hang out for the day. It’s also open the later than most other beach clubs and bars on the south part of the island (places outside of downtown close quite early).
Despite not having a beach, Kin Há is absolutely one of the best beach clubs on Isla Mujeres.
6. Spend a Day at a Beach Club
If your hotel or accommodation doesn’t have a reserved beach area, then you might want to consider a Beach Club.
A beach club is a private or semi-private beachfront venue where you can spend the day relaxing with access to comfortable lounge chairs, umbrellas, food, drinks, music, and beachside service. It’s essentially an upgraded bech experience.
Instead of laying your towel on the public sand, a beach club gives you reserved seating, shade, restrooms, and waiter service, sometimes with amenities like pools, hammocks, or even DJs. Most beach clubs on Isla Mujeres are open to the public, but you will have to pay for either:
- a day pass fee: e.g., around $10–$25 USD or
- a minimum spend on food and drinks – usually $25–$50 USD per person
Some of my favorite beach clubs are:
Mayan Beach Club: My favorite beach club, located on the northwest corner of Playa Norte with great food and a great location on the beach.
Guru Beach Club: A trendier adults-only beach club with lounge beds around a small pool. The beach area is just around the corner from the main part of Playa Norte, and while the beach is less busy, this is a club I tend to stay at the pool.
Green Demon Beach Club: directly on Playa Norte, this club has a laid-back beach bed and hammock vibe.
Kin Há: Located on the south part of the island. You will likely have to make a concerted effort to go here, so I have included it as its own recommended activity. It’s also the only beach club that doesn’t have a beach, and instead has chairs are lined up on a deck over the water. But don’t let this stop you from visiting, it’s one of my favorite places on the island.
7. Try Local Beer at La Isla Brewing Co
Just around the corner from Mango Cafe is the island’s only brewery, La Isla Brewery. If you stop in they will give you tastings of their beers. They bottle Blonde Ale, IPA, Double IPA, Rum & Vanilla Porter, Ginger Beer (gluten free), and my favorite, their hibiscus beer. You may notice that I seem to like many things hibiscus (known as Jamaica in Mexico), but part of the attraction is that it isn’t as common where I’m from in the U.S. and so I like to take advantage of trying new things. Plus, I can order Dos Equis or Corona anywhere. You can mix and match six-packs to go, so there’s no need no choose just one.
8. Take a Guided Tour
There are two very popular tours to take on Isla Mujeres.
Isla Driver Robby: Robby and his team will take you on a private tour around the island by golf cart. He will show you some places you might not find on your own, but also is flexible so you can go where you’d like and don’t have to be beholden to a schedule. Facebook
Cultura Cruisers: They offer bicycle, walking, or golf cart tours with a focus on the local food and culture. I highly recommend this tour. culturacruisers.com
9. Try Mayan Tikin Xic for Lunch at Playa Lancheros
Tikin Xic, (pronounced “teek-in sheek”) is a Yucatan style whole white fish marinated with adobo de achiote and sour oranges. It is historically wrapped in a banana leaf and cooked in a pit beneath a wood fire. However, these days it is often butterflied and cooked in a grill basket for easier cooking.
One of the restaurants in Isla Mujeres that serves this fantastic style of fish is Playa Lancheros. It’s right on the beach, towards the south end of the island. It can take 40 minutes or so to cook, so you have some time to enjoy drinks on the beach, or even a swim while you wait.
10. View the Rainbow Stairs
One of the most popular photo spots in recent years is the rainbow stairs in La Gloria.
These stairs (also known as Escaleras de Colores) are one of the island’s most colorful hidden gems. Each step is hand-painted in bright rainbow hues, often featuring inspirational Spanish phrases and tropical motifs that make it a favorite stop for photos and a glimpse of local creativity.
The stairs connect two streets on a steep hill, offering a quick workout and a peek into everyday island life beyond the touristy downtown. They were originally painted by local artists and residents to bring joy and community spirit to La Gloria and have since become a must-stop for visitors exploring Isla Mujeres by golf cart.
11. Stroll the Malecón Caribe
The Malecón Caribe (also called the Caribbean Malecón or Malecón Oriente) runs along the northeastern coast of Isla Mujeres. While less than a mile long, it offers one of the island’s most peaceful and dramatic walks. This seaside promenade runs along the rugged Caribbean-facing seawall, where waves crash against the rocks and the ocean stretches endlessly toward the horizon.
It starts at the Isla Mujeres sign and runs south to just before the airport. You will see people jogging and biking, but it doesn’t get too crowded.
It’s the best place on Isla Mujeres to watch the sunrise, especially if you’re staying in Centro. The light paints the water shades of pink and gold before the day begins, and you’ll often have the walkway nearly to yourself. Murals and ocean-view benches line the path, making it perfect for a quiet morning stroll or jog before breakfast.
12. Breakfast at Mango Cafe
If you are looking for the best breakfast on Isla Mujeres, then you should try Mango Cafe. My favorite dish is the stuffed poblano pepper with egg, onion, bacon, and cheese. The coconut French toast is also very popular for breakfast here. They also have different flavors of mimosas, such as watermelon, hibiscus, and mango. Make sure to make this one of your breakfast spots on the island.
13. Grab a Frozen Mojito at The Joint
Down near Punta Sur on the south side of the island, you can find one of the best bars in Isla Mujeres. The Joint is a reggae bar with live music and both Mexican and Caribbean food. But one of my favorite things on a hot day in Mexico, are their frozen mojitos. In addition to what they refer to as their “legendary frozen mojito” they also have specialty flavors that include: coconut, tropical mango, orange-cilantro, cucumber, mixed berry, and ginger-mint. The frozen mojito at The Joint is one of the most famous cocktails on Isla Mujeres.
14. Stop for a Margarita at Soggy Peso
The most famous cocktail on Isla Mujeres is easily the margarita at Soggy Peso.
You always need one final stop before heading home. And the Soggy Peso is great place for a final stop. Their margaritas are known to be the strongest on the island, yet surprisingly good. This is 20-minute walk from downtown, or quick cab ride. It resembles a tiki bar, or perhaps a bar found in the Florida Keys that is tucked away in the trees. Its westward facing, so it’s a great spot for sunset. Soggy Peso is consistently named as one of the favorite bars on the island among tourists and ex pats.
Other Great Places to Go
Aquatic Funday Park: Great place to bring the kids for the day, with waterslides. I probably wouldn’t book this as a daytrip from Cancun, but if you are staying on the island for several days with children then I think it’s a great activity for one of your days. Entrance is currently around $43 (sometimes there are discounts for cheaper) which gets you access to the waterslides, beach chairs, and food.
El Borracho Burro Cantina: Located across from Kin Ha, they have live music, cornhole, and a great bar vibe.
Isla Mujeres
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