Vacation rentals in Isla Mujeres

Isla Mujeres — a small island just a short ferry ride across the Bahia de Mujeres from Cancun in Mexico — is a quiet place where white sandy beaches, relics of Mayan civilization, and Caribbean culture attract visitors seeking a low-key vibe. Everything in the north end of the island is easily accessible on foot, making it a great place to explore at a leisurely pace. In Playa Norte, the most popular beach on the island, is where you’ll find outfitters renting snorkeling gear, kayaks, lounge chairs, and beach umbrellas, as well as restaurants and snack bars.

While you could easily kick your feet up and lounge in the sand all day here, there is plenty to do to get your heart pumping: soar over the turquoise waters as you zip-line over the sea, rent a catamaran and bob along the waves as dolphins play in the distance, or simply grab a snorkel and goggles and swim in the clear turquoise waters.

You can find vacation rentals on Isla Mujeres year-round. However, be aware that while it’s almost always hot here, the wet season between June and November sees a fair amount of rainfall. Tropical storm and hurricane season is from August through October.

While the water is warm enough to swim year-round, the weather during the summer can be unpredictable. The trade-off for the possibly wet weather is that summer is also whale shark season in Isla Mujeres, so if you want a chance at seeing these incredible animals, consider braving the rain.

Ixchel Temple Ruins

Hike, bike, or drive your golf cart out to the southern tip of the island to see these historic Mayan ruins. The structure itself is relatively small and located on the tip of the island, but the journey here is half the fun. Walk along the rocky shore to take in sweeping ocean views across the shallows, with the mainland off in the distance. Grab some lunch at the seaside restaurant before heading back to your vacation rental.

MUSA Underwater Art Museum

Take a trip to the Underwater Art Museum, or MUSA, which has hundreds of sculptures on view. MUSA has two locations, one off Cancun and one off Isla Mujeres. The latter is the Salon Manchones location, where scuba divers can swim past 487 works of art in water that’s 26 feet deep.

Dolphin watching

Dolphin watching is another popular activity on Isla Mujeres. To make the most of your spotting potential, book an afternoon ride out from the Isla Mujeres Docks on the western shore of the island.