What to do in Isla Mujeres – Exciting Activities for First Time Visitors

You’ve made it to the island and now you’re wondering ‘what is there to do in Isla Mujeres?’. Well, you’re in for a right treat as there are a lot of different things to do in Isla Mujeres for any type of traveller.

It is a beautiful island that prides itself on a mix between relaxation and partying. You can choose to have one or the other or even both if that is what you feel.

Due to the placid nature of the island, this is what makes Isla Mujeres worth visiting and adding to your Mexico bucket list!

Where to Stay in Isla Mujeres

Best Things to do in Isla Mujeres

We’ve started off this guide with a general list of the best things to do in Isla Mujeres for any type of traveller. After spending a lot of time exploring some of the best sights on the island, you will find everything you need to know in this section.

However, if you’re on the island and specifically looking for things to do at night or when it’s raining in Isla Mujeres then scroll down a bit further for more information.

Snorkelling with whale sharks

One of the best things to do in Isla Mujeres is to go snorkelling with whale sharks. You can do this activity in a few different places in Mexico but in our opinion Isla Mujeres is one of the greatest places to do it. Even if you only have 2 days or so in Isla Mujeres, this is an activity that you simply cannot miss!

These friendly giants of the sea are amazing creatures and you should definitely not pass up the opportunity to see them. This is truly a bucket list experience and a memory that will stay with you forever.

The whale shark season in Isla Mujeres is usually between May – September but it is always worth checking the best time to visit Isla Mujeres as this does fall in with the rainy season too. If you’re planning to swim with whale sharks in Isla Mujeres then you will want to make sure that you visit during the best time so you can increase your chances of seeing these beautiful creatures!

You can also have the opportunity to see them if you’re doing some diving on the island too but the snorkelling tours are the most common.

Best Whale Shark Tours in Isla Mujeres

• Whale Shark Tour Isla Mujeres
• Snorkelling with Whale Sharks – Isla Mujeres
• Exciting Swim with Whale Sharks Private VIP Tour

Diving

There are a lot of incredible dive sites in Isla Mujeres so it really is one of the best spots to go diving. From shipwrecks, national parks and drift dives, there are plenty of amazing underwater places to see.

Best Diving Tours in Isla Mujeres

• PADI Discover Scuba Diving for Divers without Certification
• Scuba Diver Certification Course
• PADI Open Water Diver Course
• 2-Tank Dives MUSA and Manchones Reef (Certified Divers)
• 2-Tank Wreck & Drift Reef Dives
• 2-Tank Wreck & Drift Reef Dives

Sing Karaoke

Even on a small island, there are plenty of opportunities to sing karaoke. A personal favourite of ours is visiting Stingray for karaoke and their nights are just epic.

This is a really fun thing to do in the evening especially if you’re travelling with a group of people or you met some new people at your hostel.

Alternatively, even if you’re travelling solo, we would recommend heading to Stingray just for the entertainment purposes alone!

Party at Nomads Beach Hotel

Sunrise at Punta Sur

Punta Sur is the Southernmost spot on the island and this is where you will get some of the most beautiful photos in Isla Mujeres.

Before sunrise, head over to Punta Sur to see the most spectacular sunrises you will have ever seen. This beautiful point on the island is also a popular spot for lizards so this is a great space to see some of the wildlife too.

For any couples travelling to Isla Mujeres, this is one of the ultimate spots to go to. If you’re thinking of proposing in Isla Mujeres then head to Punta Sur for sunrise with a breakfast picnic in hand and you’ll find one of the most romantic spots.

Relax on Playa Norte

A lot of the locals hang around on the 420 area of the beach and bring food and drinks with them. Another thing we love about Playa Norte is that there are a lot of locals that will walk the beach with delicious goods such as fresh pineapple, mango, cans of beer and more.

Rent a Golf Cart

One of the things that most tourists are not accustomed to about Isla Mujeres is that the best way to get around the island is by golf cart.

When you’re visiting Isla Mujeres you need to rent a golf cart especially if you’re planning to hit up Punta Sur. This is the easiest and the best way to get around Isla Mujeres.

If you’re visiting Isla Mujeres on a day trip from Cancun then you will want to be able to explore as much as possible in a short space of time. Renting a golf cart is one of the best ways to do that so that you can see everything on the island.

See the MUSA

The Museum of Underwater Art (MUSA) is one of the main reasons that tourists come to Isla Mujeres and take part in diving and snorkelling trips.

When Amy was learning to dive in Isla Mujeres, her last lesson for her certification was around MUSA and it was an amazing experience.

These underwater statues draw tourists from all over the world and it is no wonder why. Whether you plan to do this experience in Isla Mujeres or Cancun, you will have a different experience every time.

The unique part about this museum is not just that it is underwater but also that it is spread out over multiple locations too. We don’t want to say too much and spoil it but this is something that you absolutely need to do before leaving Isla Mujeres.

Party at a beach club

This is another one for the party travellers or potentially the spring breakers in Isla Mujeres but partying at a beach club is an epic experience.

See live music

For anyone that is looking for a more chilled vibe when visiting Isla Mujeres then seeing some live music on the island is a great option.

There is nothing that screams vacation like traditional live music shows. Imagine the sun has just set but you can still feel the warmth kissing your skin, the sounds of a beautiful acoustic guitar fills the air and you’re holding hands with your loved one tapping along to the beat.

In particular, we recommend visiting the live music shows at El Patio. This spot is located on a rooftop in Miguel Hidalgo and has such a romantic, relaxing vibe about it.

Alternatively, if rock is more your style then another great live music option is the Rock Bar located on Miguel Hidalgo too. It has cheap beers, is a small intimate spot but plays more rock and alternative music.

Stroll through the Zocalo

Even if you’re just on a day trip from Cancun, you will want to take some time wandering around Isla Mujeres’ Zocalo.

Not to mention that there are a lot of amazing restaurants in Isla Mujeres too and the Zocalo is one of the best places to start trying as many as possible.

Day trip to Isla Contoy

If you’ve realised that Mexican islands are made for you after your experience in Isla Mujeres then why not take another day trip to Isla Contoy?

Isla Contoy is another small slice of paradise similar to Isla Mujeres with white sandy beaches and stunning blue waters. It may sound cliche but it really is the truth!

It is a great island to visit for peace and relaxation and is also a natural park. If you’re interested in wildlife in particular then this is the place that you want to visit.

The island is protected and attracts many different wildlife species including migratory birds and marine life.

Note that as Isla Contoy is a protected area, suncream is not allowed on the island so it is best using a rashguard instead. However, it is a beautiful place to visit and this should hopefully not put you off.

Yoga on the beach

What is more zen for a relaxing break away than enjoying some peaceful yoga on the beach?

If you’re not certain on where to go then The Treehouse Yoga is a great spot that overlooks the beautiful Playa Norte. You will find sessions early in the morning which are a great way to start your day and then there are sometimes sunset sessions too.

No matter which one you choose, you will love this experience and it is a great way to relax and truly let your vacation in.

Deep Sea Fishing

If you’re someone that enjoys fishing then this is a relaxing way to spend your time in Isla Mujeres. There are a lot of different companies that offer deep sea fishing tours in Isla Mujeres so you will be spoilt for choice.

If you’ve never been fishing before then the instructors will teach you how to do it and guide you through the process of catching the fish.

Often when you’re booking these tours, all the fishing equipment and drinks are included as well as a professional guide. This is a great experience for families in Isla Mujeres as well so that you can teach your children new things in one of the most beautiful settings.

Best Fishing Tours in Isla Mujeres

• Private Inshore Fishing Experience in Isla Mujeres and Cancun
• Local Fishin & Snorkelling Tour in Isla Mujeres

Street Art

One of the things we love the most about Isla Mujeres is all the beautiful street art that is hiding around every corner. If you’re renting a golf cart on the island then you should run through a self-guided tour of the street art in Isla Mujeres.

Sunset Cruise

Mercado Municipal

To have a slightly more authentic experience in Isla Mujeres, you will want to take a visit to Mercado Municipal. This incredible market is open from 6am until 2am and is where a lot of the locals hang out when they’re not working.

This is where you will find some of the tastiest authentic food in Isla Mujeres. There are plenty of choices of different Mexican tacos and an amazing break from the tex-mex food that is popular around Yucatan.

Here there will be live music and a lot of festivity which makes this one of the best authentic spots to visit. Head to the Mercado to pick up some groceries as well, especially if you’re on a budget in Isla Mujeres and want to cook your own food too.

Isla Mujeres Sign

Before you leave Isla Mujeres, you have to take a picture with the Isla Mujeres sign. If you follow Calle Abasolo then you won’t be able to miss it. The area is absolutely beautiful too so its a nice area to stroll around.

Ixchel Ruins

There’s not much of the ruins remaining now but this is still a really important sight to visit before leaving Isla Mujeres. Take a golf cart out to the Ixchel ruins and embrace some of the history of the island.

These ruins honour the goddess Ixchel and can be found in Punta Sur. If you’re planning to visit Punta Sur for sunset then you may want to time it right so that you can explore the ruins before relaxing and watching the sunset.

There are a lot of different stories about Ixchel and has a lot of importance in Mayan history. You can find more in-depth information about the tales of Ixchel here

Taco Crawl

La Tortuga Granja

One of the best experiences that Amy had in Mexico was releasing a baby turtle into the ocean. She didn’t do this in Isla Mujeres but she wishes she had known about it whilst she was on the island.

Head to La Tortuga Granja where the turtle farm collects the turtle eggs to keep them safe from species that will harm them. Between August and October, the turtles are released into the wild.

There is a slight admission fee to enter but this helps the locals to continue protecting these endangered animals.

Rent a Yacht

If you know how to sail then why not rent a yacht whilst you’re in Isla Mujeres and have a truly unique experience. There are a lot of different options of yachts, catamarans and boats to hire so you will be able to choose what is best for your party.

Head out on your own adventure around Isla Mujeres snorkelling, enjoying a few drinks and enjoying the sun.

Things to do in Isla Mujeres When it is Raining

• Isla Brewing Company
• Tiny Gecko
• Women’s Beading Cooperative
• Drinks at Stingray
• Snappers Sports Bar

Explore Isla Mujeres Now

Before you head to the island, make sure that you refresh yourself on the best ways to get to Isla Mujeres so that you can save money and time! One of the main highlights of Isla Mujeres is that it is all about relaxation and serenity. Take some time to cool off from your everyday life and try some new experiences like swimming with whale sharks and learning to dive.

Mexico Bucket List