Articles with the theme isla mujeres
The Islands of Quintana Roo, Mexico
When you think of vacationing in Mexico, you probably think of Cancun, the Riviera Maya, and Playa del Carmen. You may not be aware of the fact that the state of Quintana Roo is home to four islands as well. The sun shines brightly on these island paradises and reflects off of their white sand beaches, so island life tends to move slowly, as do its habitants. These islands range in size and population but are all rich with natural beauty, Mayan history and/or Mexican culture. Next time you are in the area, take a day (at least) to explore one or more of these laid back, relaxing island retreats.
Cozumel
The largest and most populated of the four islands, Cozumel is located approximately 11 miles off the coastal town of Playa del Carmen. It is about 30 miles long and 10 miles wide. It is Mexico’s third largest island. Cozumel is home to the second largest coral barrier reef in the world, and is a snorkel and dive mecca. The largest concentration of restaurants, bars and shopping is located in the downtown area of the city of San Miguel. Mayan people have inhabited Cozumel since 300 AD. The island has a rich history that includes Mayan worship of the goddess of fertility, a smallpox epidemic and pirates.
Major airlines fly to Cozumel, cruises dock there, or you can take a ferry or air taxi.
Isla Mujeres
“The Island of the Women” is named for the many cult images of goddesses that the Spanish found when they discovered the island, a sanctuary dedicated to the Mayan goddess Ixchel, in the 16th century. Isla, as it is lovingly called by locals, is located 8 miles off the coast of Cancun and is only about 4 miles long and half a mile wide at its widest point. There are many charming hotels and restaurants that welcome visitors from all over the globe. You won’t find a lot of cars on Isla, but you will find scooters, bicycles and golf cars galore. Rent one and be your own tour guide. Then park at North Beach and have a cold one while you take a dip in the crystal blue water.
You can take an air taxi or a ferry from the Cancun Hotel Zone or Puerto Juarez to get to Isla Mujeres.
Holbox
As we go down the list, these islands become less inhabited. Holbox is a true island refuge, where you won’t find ATMs or even cars! Most of the locals are fishermen, so imagine the fresh seafood that is available. There are many charming boutique hotels on the island. Tourism still hasn’t taken over Holbox, which means “Black Hole” in Maya, but it is quickly becoming a popular destination due to the hundreds of whale sharks that gather in the area each May-September. Visitors come from all over the globe to swim with these gentle giants. Visitors also love to kite boarding off the beaches of Holbox.
You can get to Holbox by traveling by bus to the port of Chiquila and then taking a private boat or ferry, or by taking an air taxi.
Isla Contoy
Nobody lives on Isla Contoy! Well, except for many birds and sea turtles. This island is located approximately 18 miles north of Isla Mujeres, where the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea meet. It is only about 5 miles long and only about a tenth of a mile wide. It is considered the most important nesting place of sea birds in the entire Mexican Caribbean. Isla Contoy is a Mexican national park and is protected. There are only a few tour providers who are allowed to bring visitors to the island and only 200 people may visit per day. There are no hotels on the island. There is only a visitor center.
You can visit Isla Contoy by taking a tour or if you would like to visit in your own boat you must apply for permission at the park offices in Cancun or on Isla Mujeres.
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Kristin Busse is an American expat who has been living in Cancun, Mexico since 2001. A wife, mother, singer, salsa dancer and now writer, she has worked in many different industries but is currently enjoying exploring the Yucatan Peninsula and sharing her expertise and experience with readers around the world. Follow Kristin on Twitter.
Punta Sur: Where Mexico Awakens | A Historical Overview
Punta Sur. It is the southern-most point on Isla Mujeres and the eastern-most point in the entire country of Mexico. It is where tourists today go to climb the lighthouse for a view of Cancun’s hotel zone or simply relax on the warm rocks by the water. But what most don’t realize is that Punta Sur and Isla Mujeres in themselves have long, extensive and fascinating histories.
Way before Mexico’s fight for independence began; Isla Mujeres was an island of transition. It began when the Spanish arrived and the Maya inhabitants of the island fled the to seek refuge deeper in the mainland. But the Spanish didn’t stay for too long. They had bigger conquests to carry out therefore, allowing the island to become a resting port for ships travelling to Cuba and the Gulf of Mexico from the region that we know today as Honduras. Post Spanish inquisition, the island became a safe haven for the suppressed indigenous that fled the enslavement of Spanish haciendas. With its constant evolution, Isla Mujeres grew to be an island inhabited by an extraordinarily-eclectic group of people, a group that consisted of the indigenous, foreign-ship captains and sometimes pirates.
Lawless pirates, ship captains and indigenous refugees sound like a mismatched group of people and it probably was but overtime, the island eventually settled into tranquility with a population that lived peacefully amongst each other and thrived off the island’s fishing and forestry industry. It was this population that began the Isla Mujeres New Years tradition on Punta Sur. Because Punta Sur is literally where Mexico awakens (i.e. the portion of Mexico that receives the first rays of sun light), the people of Isla Mujeres would celebrate by gathering on the island’s southern-most point to await the sunrise, bringing in the New Year and ridding themselves of the past. Some say this tradition began well before the 1800s when reaming awake all night was necessary to keep watch of the horizon for any incoming invasions.
Today, travelers that visit Isla Mujeres can stand in the same point that thousands did before them at ‘Punta de Amancer’, or in English, ‘The point of sunrise.’ and imagine what life was like on the island over 2,000 years ago when the Mayas roamed the island or 200 years ago when the New Years tradition began. If only the island could speak… Oh, the stories it could tell.
Isla Mujeres Facts:
1) The original Mayan ruin that was lost at sea contained engraved messages in its walls from pirates and ship captains to make their presence and domination known during the island’s earliest of days.
2) The Spanish and subsequent cultures used Punta Sur as an observation point and the Mayas used it to study the cosmos.
3) Jose Martí, a Cuban figure and an important figure in Latin American literature, visited the island during his country’s bid for independence from the Spanish.
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About the Author
Kristin McCollum is a travel writer and photographer that has spent the past year traveling and working throughout Europe and Mexico. After living in the Yucatan Peninsula, she found inspiration in every person she met and in the natural beauty which surrounded her.
A Day on Isla Mujeres | Photos & Tips
Isla Mujeres, “the island of the women”, is a small island off the coast of Cancun. It is 5 miles long and a half a mile wide at its widest point. While there are plenty of hotels and hostels on the island, it’s also a great place to visit for the day. Of course, since it is an island, you must travel to “Isla” as it is lovingly referred to by residents, by boat. The ferry is reasonably priced (about 15 U.S. Dollars roundtrip) and runs every half hour.
Once you get to Isla, there is plenty to do. You can choose to relax or you can explore and go, go, go all day! Here are a few favorite things to do…
1. Relax on the Beach
Playa Norte’s white sand beach is magnificent. There are many beach clubs and restaurants on Playa Norte where you can rent beach chairs and an umbrella (you’ll need it at midday). Sometimes the chairs and umbrellas are free with a drink or food order. All restaurants offer cocktails, soft drinks and food. Fresh seafood is abundant here. Try ceviche, a dish made from fresh raw seafood that is marinated in lime. Ceviche is served with tortilla chips and/or saltine crackers. It’s the perfect lunch on a hot day.
2. Rent a Golf Cart or Moped and Explore
You can rent a golf cart or a moped by the hour or for the entire day. You will need your vehicle for at least two hours if you would like to circle the entire island and stop at a few interesting places along the way. At Punta Sur, the southernmost point of the island, there is a Mayan temple which is devoted to Ixchel, the goddess of the moon and wife of the sun. Ixchel is considered a fertility goddess with healing powers and for centuries Mayan women traveled to Isla Mujeres yearly to seek her help. In 1517 when Spanish explorers discovered Isla they found many female shaped idols representing the goddess Ixchel, which is how Isla Mujeres got its name.
3. Visit the Turtle Farm
For many years giant sea turtles were killed for their meat and shell and their eggs dug up for food. However, they are now federally protected in Mexico and Isla Mujeres is their ancestral hatching ground. Every May through September the turtles lay their eggs in the soft sand. Here at the farm they are placed in protected areas to keep them safe from predators. The newly hatched turtles are placed in tanks and released into the sea by local school children.
4. Go Scuba Diving or Snorkeling
The Manchones Reef begins just off of Isla’s shore and close by are the Cuevones and Banderas Reefs. The calm clear waters are perfect for any level of diver. You will experience the vibrant colors of the coral reef and many different kinds of sea life. Other places to dive include the Cave of the Sleeping Sharks and the Underwater Sculpture Museum.
5. Visit Downtown
Downtown Isla is a charming, colorful place to explore. Have lunch at one of the many restaurants that serve food from a variety of different cultures. There are also many shops that sell a great variety of handicrafts and jewelry. There are even a few galleries featuring local artists. In the evenings The Plaza, located in the heart of downtown Isla, comes alive with dances, events and celebrations. Visit the cemetery where the pirate Fermin Mundaca’s empty tomb still awaits him. Mundaca settled on Isla Mujeres after retiring from pirating and slave trading around 1858. As legend tells it, he slowly went insane and died of a broken heart in Merida after his love married another man.
These are just a few of the many things to do on Isla Mujeres. A place you will like so much that you will want to come back the next day!
Have you been to Isla Mujeres? Can you think of anything else to do there?
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About the Author
Kristin Busse is currently a travel writer but has worked in many different industries. She lives in Cancun, Mexico and plans to use her diverse experiences to write about the Yucatan Peninsula from her unique perspective.
The Whale Shark Adventure | Cancun – Isla Mujeres
If you visit Cancun, the Riviera Maya, Holbox or Isla Mujeres take one day off the beach and wake up early to enjoy one of the most exciting adventures. Join our expert tour guides for the unique experience of swimming with WHALE SHARKS; season is coming to an end next month!
Do you have an underwater camera? Don’t forget to bring it or get one for less than $20 USD! If you want to see all the photos, click in our Whale Shark Adventure Photo Album.
Have you ever image to swim with the biggest fish on earth? Will you do it? Share your thoughts in the comments below! We want to know!
How Your Swim with Whale Sharks Will Save the World
Being named the largest fish species with an estimated measurement of up to 20-35 feet, the whale shark tends to leave a large impression wherever it swims.
And now, the life-changing experience of swimming with the whale shark will not only affect how you view the world, but how the world sees the whale shark and the efforts being made to preserve the environment. These THREE contributions—by no means small—will be the result of your once in a lifetime experience with the whale shark.
1. Citizen Scientist Track Whale Sharks:
The ECOCEAN Whale Shark Photo-Identification Library is a virtual database of whale shark encounters. The pictures are uploaded by snorkelers—citizen scientists—and biologists use a system similar to the Hubble telescope used to identify stars to match the skin patterns behind the gills of each shark and any scars to distinguish between individual animals. The white, checkered-pattern is unique to each whale shark and functions as a fingerprint. The images are compared to existing photographs and categorized as a new sighting or flagged as a returning visitor. With cutting-edge software, biologists use these white-checkered designs to identify migratory patterns and learn more about this mysterious creature. To date, more than 28,000 photos have been collected from around the world. Tip: When photographing the whale shark, the most important thing to remember is to remain at least 3 meters (10 feet) away from the shark to not alter their behavior.
2. Awareness Leads to Conservation:
Despite an increase in research over the past decade, the biology and ecology of whale sharks remain an enigma, with still much to learn to assist efforts in conserving the species. The whale shark is currently listed as vulnerable in the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. Up to 1,000 whale sharks were hunted in Taiwan last century before a government ban in 2001. The change of attitude towards the world’s gentle giant is in large part due to the attention people like Dave Duran bring to the animals. Duran is a cameraman turned diver in Taiwan who 12 years ago shared his footage of the whale shark with the world and brought the international spotlight to that part of the world and to the whale shark. Because of this and the diffusion of information, in 2005, the Mexican government set aside 247,105 acres of Isla Mujeres ocean as a protected area for the whale shark. But despite all these advances, there is still a threat to the future of this beautiful creature. By bringing attention to the whale shark and this kind of tourism, travelers highlight the beauty of the world’s largest fish species, encouraging others to learn and preserve.
3. Economic Gain for Local Economies:
Well-managed ecotourism has a tremendous economic and ecologically sustainable impact. The economic gain—from a business perspective—generated from whale shark ecotourism benefits the local economy and the environment. Whale shark tourism first started in the late 1980s in Australia and has now proliferated to at least 20 other locations around the world, including several locations in Mexico. An estimated 100,000 people participate in whale shark tourism activities around the world annually, paying up to $350 USD for a single encounter, which in turn generates millions of dollars for local economies. In Donsol, Sorsogon in the Philippines, the whale shark ecotourism industry shifted the municipality poverty line from rank 76 amongst the poorest to a rank of 17. In Mexico, tourism represented income for the country in 12,900 million dollars in 2007. Tourism provided more than 180,000 jobs. Mexico is properly positioned for prosperity and growth in tourism, benefiting local communities throughout the country. The country’s leading tourism authorities are aware of the benefits of ecotourism and plan future investments with this in mind, including such things as the preservation of the whale shark in the warm waters of the Mexican Caribbean.
Will you contribute to saving the world?
About the Author.
Pamela Acosta is a travel photographer and writer for Yucatan Holidays. She is seeking to travel throughout the Yucatan Peninsula, Riviera Maya & Cancun in an attempt to capture beauty and wonder in words & pixels. Follow Pamela on Twitter.
Sea Turtle Preservation in the Yucatan Peninsula
In a region like Mexico where vast areas of pristine nature still exist, the effects of pollution, poaching, and human encroachment are hard to ignore. A recent example of environmental contamination is the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, resulting in the devastation of local sea turtles and marine life near the Gulf Coast states of Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas, USA.
Fortunately, this threat has not extended to the Caribbean Sea or to sea turtles and other marine life in the Yucatan Peninsula, and is not expected to do so. (Concerns about oil reaching the Yucatan Peninsula, where Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and the Riviera Maya are located, are being investigated by local authorities, and proactive measures are being considered for future implementation if necessary.)
Sea Turtle Preservation
Recent environmental crises have heightened public awareness of nature conservation, but endangered sea turtles have been protected by federal law in Mexico since 1990. Sea turtle preservation in this part of the world is supported by various government and private organizations, individuals, and volunteers with a passion for preserving nature’s ecosystems.
Three endangered species of sea turtles commonly found in the Yucatan Peninsula are the loggerhead, hawksbill, and green sea turtles (less commonly, the Kemp’s Ridley and leatherback sea turtles). Hard to imagine, but these timid, massive creatures float effortlessly in water, yet are slow and awkward on land, where they must spawn their young and are most vulnerable to poachers who hunt for their meat, shells, and eggs.
Importance of Nature Reserves
Nature conservation is essential for maintaining the ecosystems that provide mankind with food, clean water, and fuel. Look at one example of the negative chain reaction that environmental climate change can have on nature:
Sea turtles need beaches and dunes to nest and lay their eggs. Since sand does not absorb nutrients well, the unhatched eggs and hatched egg shells provide nutrients to dune vegetation for improved plant growth. Stronger plants have larger roots, which hold the sand in place and prevent erosion (especially important for Cancun’s newly restored beaches — an $80 million government investment).
Sea Turtle Sanctuaries
There are several sea turtle preserves and protected nesting sites throughout the Yucatan Peninsula, three of which are near Cancun and accessible to tourists. Sea turtle sanctuaries allow travelers to learn about sea turtles while simultaneously protecting them.
May through September is sea turtle nesting season, where they can be observed safely at:
Isla Mujeres
The Tortugranja (turtle farm) on the island of Isla Mujeres is just a 30-minute ferry ride offshore from Cancun’s port. The turtle farm not only shelters nesting turtles but also captures them at sea, temporarily protecting them while mating. It has rescued up to six species of sea turtles, turtle eggs, and hatchlings, and has invited travelers to watch their release into the sea at maturation. Want more information? Send an email.
Open daily 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., the Isla Mujeres Turtle Farm offers a one-hour tour about sea turtle behavior. Located at the southernmost end of the island at Carretera Sac Bajo #5, it is best reached by taxi.
Akumal Bay
Akumal Bay is a small but delightful, oceanfront town with a Sea Turtle Sanctuary and is only about 30 minutes south of Cancun and Playa del Carmen. The sanctuary offers a 50-minute sea turtle snorkeling tour along the coral reefs of the Caribbean Sea where tourists can swim with the loggerhead turtles in their natural habitat. The Centro Ecológico Akumal offers the opportunity to adopt a sea turtle.
After the snorkeling tour, a buffet lunch and open bar are provided on Akumal’s long, white sand beaches for a two-hour break. The tour begins with either a ferry ride from Cozumel at 9:30 a.m. or a meetup at Señor Frog’s in Playa del Carmen at 10:30 a.m.
Xcaret
Xcaret eco park sets up sea turtle shelters during nesting season while representatives search large stretches of coastline for turtle eggs and hatchlings, bringing them to the shelter. When the eggs hatch, they become part of the park’s Aquarium Conservation Program where they can mature safely.
After a year, the young turtles became part of Xcaret’s Environmental Education Program where tourists can observe them and learn about sea turtle behavior and preservation. Travelers are then invited to witness their release into the sea. Seasonal eco tours are offered at Xcaret’s turtle shelters.
Sea turtles are an important part of the ecosystem that mankind relies on for survival. When nature suffers, all aspects of life do. Sea turtles have existed for about 150 million years and can teach us what is needed for a healthy environment by learning about their extended survival. When traveling to the Yucatan Peninsula, consider discovering how these incredible creatures are being saved from extinction.
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Christina Famiglietti is a professional writer and editor with experience in various industries. Her most recent passion is the Mexican Caribbean, where she lives and is inspired to write about her beloved Mexico — its nature, culture, travel, and tourism.
Chichen Itza to Bacalar in 10 pictures|Yucatan Holidays
“An image is worth a thousand words” and that’s why we collected 10 of the most beautiful pictures from around the Yucatan Peninsula and the Riviera Maya area to give you an idea of what you can enjoy: Chichen Itza, Holbox, Cancun, Nichupté Lagoon, Isla Mujeres, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and Bacalar. Some are ours, some are from other passionate travelers, but all are worth seeing and sharing.
The Kukulkan Pyramid in Chichen Itza – the Mayan culture at its best
Holbox in the northern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula: peaceful and unspoiled.
Cancun, an aerial view of the all-time travelers paradise in the Mexican Caribbean.
Colorful sunset at the busy Hotel Zone in Cancun.
Besides the amazing beaches, the Nichupté Lagoon in Cancun is worth visiting.
Isla Mujeres, few kms from Cancun is a paradise for snorkeling and scuba diving.
Playa del Carmen, with beautiful landscapes and an exquisite relaxed atmosphere.
A magical sunrise at Hacienda Tres Rios Resort in the Riviera Maya. Breathtaking
Tulum, the magic of the Mayan ruins and the beauty of the Caribbean Sea
The Bacalar Lagoon, the “Lagoon of the 7 Colors” is amazingly romantic.
Do you need any more reasons to come down here? Take a look at our brand new beaches in Cancun:
Recovered Beaches in Cancun
Visit our Yucatan Holidays website and start planning the vacation of a lifetime in Mexico.
The Cancun Underwater Museum Pictures and Details
Man on Fire: Located in Manchones Reef on the coast of Isla Mujeres
Since November 2009, Cancun and Isla Mujeres have their own underwater museum, just like the ones in Canterbury (UK) and in the West Indies. The artist, Jason de Caires Taylor, started the first of three phases for the project with the placement of three sculptures: Hombre en Llamas (Man on Fire), La Jardinera de la Esperanza (The Gardener of Hope), and El Coleccionista de los Sueños Perdidos (The Archive of Lost Dreams).
De Caires Taylor is currently working on 400 life-size sculptures of figures called The Silent Evolution. “I am excited that this will become the beginning of the world’s largest underwater museum. This is a unique opportunity to explore the boundaries of art and combine it with reef conservation,” said the British sculptor.
If you want to visit this amazing underwater museum near Cancun, visit the Yucatan Holidays website or send us an email at: info@yucatanholidays.com
Coming soon! The world’s largest underwater museum will start its second and third phase in Cancun and Isla Mujeres. All photos: Jason de Caires Taylor
The Cancun beach recovery project has begun: Details, pictures and videos.
On October 31st, the beach recovery program for Cancun and the Riviera Maya (Playa del Carmen and Cozumel) finally started. Even with a rainy day, the “Kaishuu” dredge and tons of equipment in the coast were set to start pouring sand along the Cancun beach for the initial stage of the project.
Despite concerns with ecological organizations, the authorities approved to take the sand from a sand bank known as “La Ollita” near Isla Mujeres, instead of from Cozumel. The authorities commented that approximately 1.5 millions cubic meters of sand will be dredged from this area. In a press conference, the Governor of the State of Quintana Roo, Félix González Canto said that he expects the project to be ready by the end of the year. However, the place from which the sand will be extracted for the Riviera Maya beach has yet to be defined, because the full project requires at least 7 millions cubic meters of sand.
The project started in Punta Cancun behind the Royal Sunset Hotel last Saturday, and will run several kilometers along the coast. This is the second time a beach recovery program has occurred since hurricane “Wilma” in 2005. But this time, it is expected to have a maintenance plan for at least 10 years. Hope they are right.
Great pictures.
Some great shots from the beach recovery program in Cancun.
Photos: Jim in Cancun & Abner Chim.
And a couple of videos.
World’s Largest Underwater Museum in the Riviera Maya, Mexico
In November, Mexico debuts off the shores of Cancun the first stage of largest underwater museum in the world.The first phase of the new ambitious underwater project is currently underway, placed within the National Marine Park of Cancun, Isla Mujeres and Nizuc. The installations, designed to form artificial reef structures, will encompass a monumental body of work consisting of over 400 figurative pieces.
Mexico has just announced plans to build the largest underwater museum in the world, with around 400 figures made of concrete submerged in the Caribbean sea, near Cancun. The goal is not only to keep their tourists happy but to help protect their coral reef. In essence, the Mexican government is looking to create a new tourist attraction that will be a good alternative to their deteriorating reefs.
“The underwater museum will draw many tourists, allowing us to give a rest to the natural reefs. It’s like a restoration process,” national park director Jaime González explained to this reporter.
The concrete that will be used to create the scultpures will be PH neutral, which will allow the birth of algae and the proliferation of invertebrates. This will cause the sculpture areas to fill up with thousands of colorful fish.
Four sculptures in human forms, made of concrete, will be submerged starting in November. Jason de Caires Taylor has been named artistic director of the project. In May 2006 he gained international recognition for creating the world’s first underwater sculpture park in Grenada, West Indies.
Each sculpture will be human sized, with a base of four square metres. There will be theme-based galleries as well. Stories include “The Dream Catcher,” which will be about a person who sorts bottles that arrive with messages sent by castaways, and another will be titled “Coral Collector”.
The Subaquatic Sculpture Museum will be situated in the West Coast National Park in the southeastern state of Quintana Roo, on the Yucatán Peninsula. You can’t miss the opportunity to visit this amazing place. Start planning your vacation and we’ll bring you closer to this artistic, natural and one-of-a-kind museum. Visit Yucatan Holidays.
Text: mymodernmet.com
underwatersculpture.com
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