There are plenty of things to do in Isla Mujeres, from spending the day at Playa Norte to snorkeling, visiting beach clubs, and exploring the southern end of the island by golf cart. Most visitors spend much of their time in Centro, where you’ll find restaurants, bars, and shops within walking distance of the ferry terminal and beach.
But some of my favorite places on Isla Mujeres are farther south. Punta Sur has rocky cliffs and coastal views, Kin Há is a good place to spend an afternoon swimming, and The Joint is worth stopping at for a frozen mojito and live music. I’ve also found some of my favorite restaurants and bars while exploring areas outside downtown.
Here are 16 of my favorite things to do on Isla Mujeres, including beaches, outdoor activities, places to eat and drink, and a few stops you might otherwise miss.
For more help planning your trip, check out my Isla Mujeres Travel Guide.
16 Things to Do in Isla Mujeres
Here are nine of my favorite places for breakfast on Isla Mujeres, from small Mexican loncherÃas to restaurants serving eggs Benedict, French toast, and specialty coffee. I’ve included what I like about each one, along with some of my favorite dishes to order.
1. Relax at Playa Norte
Playa Norte is the most popular beach on Isla Mujeres, known for its white sand, shallow turquoise water, and calm conditions that make it easy to spend hours swimming or floating in the Caribbean. It’s located just a short walk from downtown, with beach bars and restaurants nearby where you can grab lunch or a drink.
You can rent lounge chairs and umbrellas at one of the beach clubs or simply bring a towel and find a spot on the public beach. I particularly like Playa Norte in the late afternoon, when the sun starts getting lower and you can stay for sunset. It’s also one of the few beaches in this part of Mexico where you can watch the sun set over the water.
If you’re visiting Isla Mujeres for the first time, I’d recommend setting aside at least a few hours here rather than just stopping for photos.
2. Explore Punta Sur
One of the best reasons to rent a golf cart on Isla Mujeres is to visit Punta Sur at the southern tip of the island. It’s known for its rocky cliffs overlooking the Caribbean Sea, with walking paths that take you down toward the water and some great views along the way.
Punta Sur is also home to an outdoor sculpture park featuring artwork inspired by Maya culture, along with the remains of a small temple associated with Ixchel, the Maya goddess of the moon and fertility. The park added four new sculptures in 2026, bringing the total to 21. There’s an entrance fee to explore the park, but you can also enjoy coastal views from outside the ticketed area.
Sunrise is a popular time to visit Punta Sur, and locals will tell you it’s worth getting up early to see it. I haven’t managed to make it there for sunrise yet, and honestly, I probably never will. But I’ve visited later in the day, and the views are still worth the trip.
There are also a few small shops and places to grab a drink or snack near the entrance. There’s very little shade along the coastal paths, so bring sunscreen, water, and comfortable shoes.
3. Enjoy a Beach Sunset
Location
Watching the sunset is one of my favorite things to do on Isla Mujeres, usually with a cocktail in hand. Since the sun sets farther north in the summer and farther south in the winter, some beaches have better views depending on the time of year. Here are a few of my favorite places to watch the sunset.
Playa Centro: Also sometimes called Playa Sol, this beach faces southwest and is one of my favorite spots for winter sunsets. You can sit on the sand or grab a drink at one of the nearby beachfront bars and restaurants.
Playa Norte: During the summer, when the sun sets farther north, Playa Norte is a particularly good spot. You can watch from the sand or stop at one of the beach bars for a drink before sunset.
Kin Há: If you’re spending the day swimming in the pools or ocean at Kin Há, I’d recommend staying for sunset. The waterfront seating and views across the water make it a good place to finish the afternoon.
Soggy Peso: This is another favorite of mine, particularly for its strong margaritas and casual atmosphere. The bar is set slightly back from the waterfront, with views of the sunset through the palm trees and boats anchored offshore.
Playa Tiburón: This isn’t my favorite beach on the list because it can get busy with tour boats arriving from Cancún. However, many of the boats leave by late afternoon, making it a quieter place to watch the sunset if you’re already exploring this part of the island.
4. Snorkel or Dive at the Underwater Museum of Art (MUSA)
Just off the coast of Isla Mujeres is the Underwater Museum of Art, known as MUSA (Museo Subacuático de Arte). The museum features more than 500 life-size sculptures placed on the ocean floor, designed to encourage marine life and help reduce pressure on nearby natural reefs. Over time, coral and other marine organisms grow on the sculptures, gradually turning them into artificial reefs.
One of the main galleries is Manchones, near the southern end of Isla Mujeres, where hundreds of sculptures sit approximately 26 to 33 feet (8 to 10 meters) below the surface. You can see the sculptures while snorkeling, although scuba diving gives you a much closer view. If you’re snorkeling, visibility depends on the water conditions, and you’ll be looking down at the sculptures from the surface.
Several dive shops, including Squalo Adventures and Pocna Dive Center, offer trips to MUSA. You can also book guided excursions to MUSA on Viator from Isla Mujeres or Cancún. Tours often combine the underwater sculptures with snorkeling or diving at nearby reefs, so check the itinerary before booking.
Tip: Morning trips often have calmer water, although visibility varies. Bring a rash guard or other sun-protective clothing, and check your tour operator’s sunscreen rules before getting on the boat.
5. Swim with Whale Sharks
Every summer, whale sharks gather in the waters north of Isla Mujeres and Isla Contoy to feed on plankton and fish eggs. These are the largest fish in the world, sometimes growing more than 40 feet long, and despite their size, they’re generally not dangerous to swimmers. The area is known for having one of the world’s largest seasonal gatherings of whale sharks.
Whale shark tours typically operate from June through mid-September, with July and August usually offering the best chances of seeing them. Tours leave early in the morning and involve a boat ride into the open ocean to find the sharks. Once there, you’ll enter the water in small groups, usually two swimmers at a time with a guide, to snorkel alongside them. Touching or chasing the sharks is prohibited.
Most excursions take several hours and include snorkeling equipment, life jackets, and snacks or lunch. You can book a whale shark tour in Isla Mujeres through Viator or arrange one through a licensed local operator. Since these are wild animals, sightings aren’t guaranteed, and trips can be canceled due to weather or sea conditions.
Tip: Bring a rash guard, hat, and sunglasses for sun protection. Sunscreen rules vary by operator, and some prohibit even biodegradable sunscreen during the excursion. If you’re prone to seasickness, consider taking medication before the trip since you’ll be spending several hours on the open water.
6. Spend the Day Swimming at Kin Há
Kin Há is one of my favorite beach clubs on Isla Mujeres, even though it doesn’t actually have a beach. Instead, it has several waterfront decks with lounge chairs, direct access to the ocean, and three swimming pools. There’s an adults-only pool with a swim-up bar, an infinity pool overlooking the water, and a children’s pool with a small waterslide.
There are plenty of ways to get into the ocean, including a rope swing off the dock and stairs leading directly into the water. You can also use snorkeling equipment, kayaks, and paddleboards, which are included with the day pass. It’s a good option for families or anyone who wants to spend the afternoon swimming without going to a traditional beach.
The food has improved quite a bit over the years, and Kin Há is also a good spot for weekend brunch. Another reason I like it is that it stays open later than many of the beach clubs on the southern part of the island. I’ve spent entire days here swimming, eating, and having drinks, and I’d recommend staying for sunset if you have the time.
7. Spend a Day at a Beach Club
If your hotel doesn’t have its own beach area, spending a day at a beach club is a good alternative. Most beach clubs on Isla Mujeres offer lounge chairs, umbrellas, restrooms, and food and drink service. Some also have swimming pools, hammocks, or DJs. Depending on the club, you may pay a day-pass fee, rent a lounge chair, or agree to a minimum spend on food and drinks.
Here are a few of my favorites:
Mayan Beach Club: My favorite beach club on Isla Mujeres, located directly on Playa Norte. I like the beachfront seating, and the food and drinks are good enough that I usually spend most of the day here.
Guru Beach Club: An adults-only beach club with lounge beds surrounding a small pool. It’s near the western end of Playa Norte, away from some of the busier sections of the beach. I usually end up spending more time at the pool than on the sand.
Green Demon Beach Club: Located directly on Playa Norte, with beach beds, hammocks, and food and drink service. It’s a good choice if you want to spend the day swimming and relaxing on the beach without bringing your own chairs and umbrellas.
Kin Há: Located on the southern part of Isla Mujeres, Kin Há is different from the other beach clubs because it doesn’t have a sandy beach. Instead, there are waterfront decks, swimming pools, and direct access to the ocean. I’ve covered it in more detail above since it’s one of my favorite places to spend an afternoon on the island.
8. Try Local Beer at La Isla Brewing Co
Isla Brewing Company is the only craft brewery on Isla Mujeres, with a beer garden on Jesús MartÃnez Ross in the Salinas neighborhood. The brewery originally had a small tasting room near Mango Café but moved to its current location in 2023. The new space has outdoor tables beneath the trees, string lights, and plenty of seating.
They brew several styles of beer, including Blonde Ale, IPA, Double IPA, and Rum and Vanilla Porter, along with more unusual options like ginger beer and hibiscus beer. My favorite is the hibiscus beer, made with the flower known as jamaica in Mexico. It’s worth trying if you want something different from the usual Mexican lagers.
Isla Brewing also has a full bar serving cocktails and other drinks, plus a food menu with quesabirria tacos, empanadas, quesadillas, and other Mexican dishes. You can order beers to drink there or purchase bottles to take away, and it’s a good stop while exploring the middle of the island by golf cart.
9. Take a Guided Tour
Renting a golf cart is a good way to explore Isla Mujeres on your own, but a guided tour can introduce you to neighborhoods, restaurants, and local traditions you might otherwise miss. Here are two options worth considering, depending on whether you’re more interested in sightseeing or trying local food.
Isla Driver Robby: Robby and his team offer private sightseeing tours around Isla Mujeres by golf cart. The tours are flexible, allowing you to explore different parts of the island, visit popular attractions, and stop at places you might not know about on your own. You can contact him through Isla Driver Robby’s Facebook page.
Cultura Cruisers: This is one I personally recommend, especially if you’re interested in Mexican food and learning more about daily life on Isla Mujeres. They offer bicycle, walking, and golf cart food tours that visit local neighborhoods, small restaurants, street food stands, and sometimes residents’ homes. Options include traditional Mexican food tours, a Sunday cochinita pibil tour, and evening walking tours in La Gloria. You can find the available tours at culturacruisers.com.
10. Try Mayan Tikin Xic for Lunch at Playa Lancheros
Tikin Xic (pronounced “teek-in sheek”) is a traditional Yucatecan fish dish made with a whole fish marinated in achiote, sour orange juice, and spices. The fish is typically butterflied, wrapped or placed on banana leaves, and grilled over charcoal. It’s one of the regional dishes worth trying while visiting Isla Mujeres.
One of the best-known places to order it is Playa Lancheros, a beachfront restaurant on the western side of the island. The fish is cooked to order and can take around 40 minutes to prepare, so it’s a good place to have a drink or spend some time by the water while you wait.
I’d recommend ordering it to share, particularly if you’re visiting with someone else. It’s a whole fish, and the portions can be substantial.
11. View the Rainbow Stairs
The Rainbow Stairs, also known as the Escaleras de Colores, are a colorful set of steps in the La Gloria neighborhood of Isla Mujeres. The stairs are painted in bright rainbow colors, with Spanish phrases and decorative designs along the way.
They’re a quick stop if you’re exploring the island by golf cart and want to see something outside the main tourist area. La Gloria is a residential neighborhood in the middle of the island, so you can easily combine a visit with lunch or another stop nearby.
12. Stroll the Malecón Caribe
The Malecón Caribe is a seaside walkway along the eastern coast of Isla Mujeres, not far from downtown. It follows the rocky Caribbean shoreline, with waves crashing against the rocks, colorful murals, and benches where you can stop and enjoy the ocean views.
It’s a good place for a morning walk, especially if you’re staying in Centro and want to get some exercise before breakfast. You’ll see locals walking, jogging, and occasionally riding bikes along the path. Unlike Playa Norte, this side of the island has rougher water and rocky shores rather than sandy beaches.
The Malecón is also one of the better places to watch the sunrise on Isla Mujeres, since it faces east over the Caribbean Sea. If you’re up early enough, you can catch the sunrise without having to drive all the way to Punta Sur.
13. Have Breakfast at Mango Cafe
Mango Café is one of my favorite breakfast restaurants on Isla Mujeres. It’s located in the middle of the island, making it a good stop while exploring by golf cart, particularly if you’re heading toward Punta Sur.
My favorite dish is the stuffed poblano pepper, filled with eggs, onions, bacon, and cheese. The coconut French toast is another popular choice, and they also serve flavored mimosas, including watermelon, hibiscus, and mango.
For more places to eat in the morning, check out my best breakfast on Isla Mujeres guide, which covers nine restaurants around the island.
14. Grab a Frozen Mojito at The Joint
The Joint is a reggae bar near Punta Sur on the southern end of Isla Mujeres, known for its live music and frozen mojitos. It’s a good place to stop for a drink while exploring the island by golf cart, particularly if you’re already visiting Punta Sur.
The frozen mojitos are the main attraction, with flavors including coconut, mango, mixed berry, and ginger-mint, along with the original mint version. The bar also serves Mexican and Caribbean food, so you can stop for lunch or just have a few drinks while listening to the music.
I particularly like the colorful frozen drinks, which are served in large glasses. Between the reggae music, outdoor seating, and mojitos, The Joint is one of my favorite bars on this part of the island.
15. Stop for a Margarita at Soggy Peso
Soggy Peso is a small waterfront bar on the western side of Isla Mujeres, about a 20-minute walk from downtown. It’s tucked among palm trees overlooking the water, with a casual atmosphere that reminds me more of a Florida Keys tiki bar than a typical tourist bar in Mexico.
The bar is particularly known for its strong margaritas, and it’s a popular hangout for both visitors and expats who spend time on the island. There’s outdoor seating near the water, with views of the boats anchored offshore.
I particularly like coming here in the late afternoon for a margarita and sunset. It’s a little outside the main downtown area, but it’s worth stopping by if you’re exploring the island or looking for somewhere different to have a drink.
16. Garrafón Natural Reef Park
Location
Garrafón Natural Reef Park is located near Punta Sur on the southern end of Isla Mujeres. It’s an option if you’re looking for a full day of activities rather than spending your time at one of the beach clubs near downtown.
The park offers snorkeling along the reef, kayaking, a zipline over the Caribbean, and an infinity pool overlooking the water. There’s also a children’s play area, restaurants, and bars. Some packages include food, drinks, and transportation from Cancún, although what’s included depends on the ticket you purchase.
Garrafón is more of an organized excursion than a typical beach club, and admission can be expensive, particularly for families. I’d compare the available packages before booking and confirm whether they accept visitors arriving independently from Isla Mujeres.
For current admission options and activities, visit the Garrafón Natural Reef Park website.
Final thoughts: Things to Do in Isla Mujeres
Isla Mujeres is a small island, but there’s plenty to see and do beyond Playa Norte and downtown. I always recommend renting a golf cart for at least one day to explore the rest of the island, whether that means visiting Punta Sur, stopping at a local restaurant, or having a frozen mojito at The Joint. Some of my favorite places are outside the main tourist area, so it’s worth taking the time to explore.
If you’re planning a trip, check out my Isla Mujeres Travel Guide for more information on the island. You can also read my guides to the best restaurants on Isla Mujeres, best breakfast on Isla Mujeres, and best hotels on Isla Mujeres to help plan the rest of your visit.
Isla Mujeres
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