Place is personal, subjective, and important—and as you consider places to live in Mexico, Mexperience helps you to consider your choices and shortlist locations that may suit your lifestyle needs.

Discover places to live, work or retire in Mexico

To help you discover and explore potential places to live here, Mexperience publishes a curated list of locations to consider for living, working or retirement in Mexico—organized by popularity and notoriety and classified by the location type.

Our articles introduce you to key places where many foreign residents live now, emerging locations that are becoming increasingly popular with foreign residents, as well as those places that are less well known, or situated off-the-beaten path. We also publish a selection of detailed guides of places to live in Mexico:

The most popular places to live in Mexico

Discover locations that have for a long time, or in recent times, garnered considerable popularity with foreign residents (retirees and others) and have active communities of interest established at the location.

Emerging locations to live in Mexico

Discover locations that have, in recent years, been catching the attention of foreign residents and have fledgling or developing communities of interest present there.

Underexplored locations to live in Mexico

Discover places that do not have significant numbers of foreign residents already established and are generally ‘off-the-beaten-path’ for most foreigners considering Mexico for living and retirement. These places can offer attractions that may be of interest to some potential foreign residents and retirees seeking someplace more traditional, unusual, and with a lower concentration of foreign residents living there.

Detailed living guides

For detailed guides to selected places to live and work or retire, connect to our section with Guides to Living Places in Mexico

The islands can be enjoyed as part of a side-trip when you are visiting nearby Cancún, Rivera Maya, or the Yucatán, or you could opt to stay on either island for an extended visit if you prefer to base yourself away from the mainland.

Experience Isla Mujeres

Isla Mujeres has a laid-back, simple and comfortable atmosphere where visitors go to relax, rest, and take part in a wide variety of water sports. The feel here is tranquil, rustic, and easy-going. You can count on the hotels being comfortable, without the commercial feel (and amenities) of nearby Cancún.

Isla Mujeres is also a popular destination for couples on honeymoon as well as romantic breaks. Families do holiday here as well, although they tend to day-trip from the mainland as extended stays on the island may prove a bit too quiet, especially for younger and energetic children.

Day-trippers from Cancún arrive on ferries during the day and transform the island into a hive of commercial activity as they wander around the town shopping, eating, drinking, and haggling with the numerous souvenir and crafts vendors. The beaches are also busier during the peak daytime hours as they, too, fill up with the day-trippers. But when the last evening ferries leave, the island calms down and returns to its natural serene and tranquil state.

Access to Isla Mujeres is by ferry or boat only. Ferries from several ports in and around Cancún transport foot passengers to Isla Mujeres frequently, seven days a week. The journey time takes about twenty minutes each way.  Once on the island, getting around is done principally by taxi, by bicycle, by golf cart, and on foot.

Learn More: Guide to Isla Mujeres

Experience Cozumel

Cozumel is Mexico’s original “Caribbean” destination: an island about forty miles south of Cancún situated off the coast near Playa del Carmen.  It’s Mexico’s largest Caribbean island, and also a major international cruise ship destination.

This island is a popular cruise ship destinations and because of this the island itself ranks among one of the world’s most visited tourist spots.  It is also one of the world’s top places for SCUBA diving: if you’re an avid diver you have probably heard of, or visited, Cozumel; if you want to learn how to dive, you can do that here, too.

San Miguel de Cozumel is the one and only town on the island. During the daytime when the cruise ships are docked, the town center becomes crowded with passing visitors, which fill the streets and provide a brisk trade for local merchants.  When the cruise ships pull away after sundown, the feel and atmosphere of Cozumel changes remarkably.

Many visitors to the island stay at one of the main beach resorts, which are situated about ten miles away from the town center, on the south side of the island. When you’re deciding where to stay on Cozumel island, there are two broad choices: you can either stay in or near the town center, or you can go out of town and stay at one of the beach-side vacation resorts. Less than five percent of the island is developed, and most of the undeveloped land is rugged wilderness featuring quiet and deserted beaches.

Cozumel island does have an international airport so direct flights to the island are available from Mexico as flights from overseas during the peak holiday season. Less expensive flights may be sought to Cancún, from where you can take a relatively short road trip to Playa del Carmen and board a passenger ferry to the island of Cozumel from there. The ferries cross frequently, seven days a week, and the journey time takes about 45 minutes each way.

Learn More: Guide to Cozumel

A rewarding water experience is to get up close with dolphins and swim with them at one of Mexico’s many excellent dolphin centers…

About Dolphins

Dolphins are marine mammals and closely related whales and porpoises. They swim in pods in shallower waters near continental shelves, feeding on fish and squid. In addition to being highly intelligent, their attractive looks and playful nature has endeared them to humans and have enjoyed prominence in human pop culture. Learn more (Wiki)

[Menu]

Swimming With Dolphins in Mexico

It’s possible to swim with dolphins at many dolphin centers situated at beach towns and resorts across Mexico. Mexican laws make it illegal to capture dolphins from the wild, so all the dolphins you swim with in Mexico are born in captivity and trained for the purpose of swimming with humans.

Advice for Swimming With Dolphins in Mexico

To help you prepare for your swim with dolphins, we have published a number of tips and advice from experts.

When to Go

You can swim with dolphins all year-round in Mexico. Most dolphin centers have enough dolphins to run several programs a day, six days a week. All dolphins are properly cared for and are given sufficient rest. Most dolphin centers close one day per week to allow all the dolphins at the center to rest and to enable deep cleaning and other maintenance jobs to be undertaken by center staff.

What to Wear

Take your swim gear to the dolphin center with you. Do NOT apply any sun-tan lotion before swimming with the dolphins; if you have sun tan lotion on you, you will normally be asked to shower in your bathing suit to wash it off before you enter the water with the dolphins. Cover your upper torso with a long cotton t-shirt, as it will be exposed to the sun. If you have very sensitive skin, you can cover your arms with a long sleeved t-shirt. Some dolphin centers offer snorkeling equipment and flippers (where these are required for the swim program, not all are); all centers provide flotation vests, which are obligatory.

Health Considerations

If you suffer badly with asthma or have other severe breathing difficulties, or if you are currently unwell with a cold or flu, you cannot swim with dolphins. Swimming with dolphins is not beneficial to anyone who has had a heart attack, stroke or epileptic fit.

Swimming Pool or Lagoon?

Most dolphin centers in Mexico you will swim with the dolphins inside a large, specially adapted swimming pool. Some centers, like the one in Isla Mujeres, allow you to swim with dolphins in sea water, inside a specially constructed lagoon.

What to Expect

Most centers offer at least two different program types; the more expensive programs offer you more time with dolphins and usually in smaller groups so you get a more ‘personal’ experience than if you purchase a less expensive program.

When you arrive at the dolphin center, you will be given a briefing by one of the center’s trainers or the lead guide.

When the briefing is over, you’ll be taken to the locker area where you are asked to leave all jewelry, watches, phones, etc. You can also store your other personal items here and you’ll need to leave your camera behind, too, even if it’s waterproof. The centers do not allow you to take photographs of the dolphins; most have a photographer taking pictures of you and your group’s experience with the dolphins, and offer these for sale at the end of the program.

The next stop is the pool or the lagoon. Most programs include a combination of “dolphin show” time, where the trainers get the dolphins to perform a number of stunts in return for food, and “personal time”, where individuals in the group are given an opportunity to swim with the dolphins, stroke them, etc.

Most programs end with a spectacular display of dolphins performing a series of synchronized water aerobics right in front of you, as you stand near the edge of the pool or the lagoon.

[Menu]

Watching Wild Dolphins Swim in Mexico

Dolphins can often be seen swimming off Mexico’s Pacific Coast as well as in the waters around Baja California Sur and the Sea of Cortes (also known as the Gulf of California). Your viewing experience will depend on climatic and sea conditions, as well as how close or far the dolphins are from the shoreline. Some resorts offer boat tours which take you out to the sea to get a close-up glimpse of dolphins and / as part of a whale watching excursion (in season).

[Menu]

The State of Quintana Roo, on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, hosts Mexico’s most visited beach side resort: Cancun (pronounced “Kan-KOON”).

Over two million people flock to the shores of Cancun annually, and there is good reason for this. The local environment is stunning; the beaches along the Riviera Maya are pristine and the sea here is perfect for swimming and water activities; added to this, within a short traveling distance visitors can find themselves at the heart of some of the most breathtaking archaeological wonders of the world.

Cancun is a traditional commercialized resort destination. The island is now connected on both sides with bridges and all along the main avenue (Avenida Kukulcan) you’ll discover a plethora of hotels and resorts, shops, restaurants, bars and night spots – in essence – all of the ingredients you’ll ever need for that no-hassle, chill-out and relax holiday in pleasant surroundings and fine weather.

Cancun is easy for foreigners to travel around. Everyone speaks English; you’ll see names and brands that you are familiar with at home, and everything is catered for. Cancun is the place to come if you’re looking for a hassle-free holiday and that also offers the opportunity to discover some archaeological wonders left behind by the Mayas.

Isla Mujeres, Playa del Carmen and Cozumel are all nearby, and you can discover these places individually with Mexperience. The archaeological wonders at Tulum, Chichen Itza and Coba are three of the main historical attractions in the area. A little further away, but well worth the trip if you have the time and inclination, is the colonial city of Merida and nearby archaeological site of Uxmal — one of the most attractive of all ancient ruins in Mexico.

If you’re planning a honeymoon in Mexico then Isla Mujeres is quieter, less commercialized and more exclusive. Some honeymooners spend a week in Cancun and a week on the island of Isla Mujeres for variety of atmosphere.

The fact that so many people travel to Cancun — and keep going back — is a testimony to its magnetic appeal. If you’re looking for something quieter or more exclusive in a resort, then explore Punta de Mita, Costa Alegre, Huatulco and Puerto Escondido (these are situated on Mexico’s Pacific coastline) instead.

Cancun has a lot to offer tourists. If you’re looking for some easy-to-arrange fun at some of Mexico’s best hotels and resorts —coupled with wonderful beaches and all within easy reach of Mayan ruins — consider Cancun.

Key Attractions

Cancun’s Beaches

The choice to develop Cancun as a tourist atrraction was due in no small part to its dreamy tropical beaches. However hurricane Wilma in 2005 swept away many of the tourist beaches, leaving behind thin strips of sandy shore where before there were wide bands of beach area. There have been efforts to reconstruct the beaches and replace the sand, but human engineering can’t match that of mother nature. Resorts which once could boast ample beachfronts have tried to compensate for the diminished sand by adding pools and gardens to their properties to enhance the ambience and provide outdoor ocean-facing facilities. You can still enjoy a wonderful experience in Cancun; the waters are still turqoise and picturesque and the destination offers a wide variety of amenities which extend beyond beach life. If you absolutely must have an ample beach to walk on, sunbathe and swim from, consider nearby Playa del Carmen Cozumel, Isla Mujeres and Tulum.

Diving and Snorkeling

If you want to SCUBA dive or just snorkel in the clear shallow waters and see the coral and fish, Cancun has ideal waters for both. The corals, shallow reefs and sheer diversity of marine life make Cancun one of top resorts world-wide for divers and snorkelers. Of particular note is the Gran Arrecife Maya (Great Mesoamerica Reef), which is one of the largest reefs in the whole world.

If you want to learn how to SCUBA dive, Cancun is an excellent place to learn, and there are plenty of operators who will help to get you started. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to breathe under water, give SCUBA diving a try on your visit to Cancun—very few forget this wonderful experience. For experienced SCUBA divers in particular, the Island of Cozumel offers better facilities and is THE place to dive in this region of Mexico.

Spas in Cancun

Cancun is host to a number excellent resort spas. For more information about spas and how to benefit from a magnificent spa experience in Mexico, connect to the Mexperience guide about Spas in Mexico for full details and to browse spas in Cancun.

Water Sports

If you’re looking for fun on the water, whether it’s pedal power or motor-power, Cancun offers you choice, variety and expertise in all things water-based. The lagoon to the west of Cancun (Laguna Nichupe) offers sailboats, jet-skis, windsurfing and other water-sport equipment for rent. Deep-sea fishing is also a popular activity here. See Also: Water Sports in Mexico.

Sports Fishing Experiences

Cancun is one of Mexico’s top destinations for deep sea sports fishing – especially in the waters around nearby Cozumel. See Also: Sports Fishing in Mexico.

‘Jungle’ Tour on Water

Ride through Cancun’s mangrove estuaries on a small motorized boat, leading out into Mexico’s Caribbean sea and reefs. You rent your own boat, and see the sights at your own pace (payment is by the hour). You can stop your boat and dive into the shallow waters to snorkel around the reefs and local marine life there. The operators provide snorkeling equipment and refreshments for you to take with you, included in the price. It’s a great way to see this magical part of the world!

Local Boat Cruises

Regular excursions are available to Isla Mujeres: Connect to Isla Mujeres with Mexperience for more information about the island. You can get to the island by:

• Shuttle Boat – from Playa Linda or Playa Tortuga
• Water Taxi – (fast, but more expensive) from Xcaret Terminal
• Public Ferry – from Puerto Juarez
• Pleasure Boat – see below.

Pleasure boat cruises are a great and popular way to see Cancun from the sea and also to visit the surrounding islands, including Isla Mujeres. Some pleasure boats have glass bottomed hulls and travel slowly over the shallow reefs.

Swimming with Dolphins

You can swim with the dolphins from nearby Isla Mujeres. Connect to the Mexperience guide to Isla Mujeres for details.

Bird’s Eye View of Cancun… by Helicopter

You can buy your own “customized” air tour of Cancun and surroundings, with flights available days and evenings, weather conditions permitting. See the blues and greens of the spectacular sea here; the pristine beaches, the Mayan ruins and much more – from the air.

Horseback and ATV (All Terrain Vehicle) Riding

Experience the thrill of horseback riding and visit some of the most scenically pleasing areas around Cancun, including Mayan ruins, caves, natural springs and stunning beaches! These packages last about 5 or 6 hours and provide an exhilarating way to experience the area around Cancun. Check with your local hotel for details.

Xel-Ha National Park

Day-trips to Xel-Ha are readily available and very convenient from Cancun. Xel-Ha is a national park which has been converted into a water theme park built around a collection of natural lagoons and inlets. The park offers a range of water activities, primarily based around snorkeling, although you can also float down the river in a ring, dive under water without tanks (they connect hoses to a helmet) and swim with dolphins (this costs extra and space is limited, so arrive early if you want to do this). There are also five restaurants and a bar where you have unlimited food and drink if you paid the all-inclusive price.

Golfing in Cancun

Cancun has some spectacular golf courses and offers the ideal climate for golf. Many people travel to Cancun for the great golf available here; many courses are affiliated with, or owned by, key hotels in the area.

Archaeology Parks

Nearby Cancun you’ll find an extensive choice of Mayan ancient cities, converted into archaeology parks open to the public. Nearby parks include Tulum, which overlooks the turquoise Mexican Caribbean, Coba, and Chichen Itza, voted as one of the “new wonders” of the world.

Getting There & Around

By Air – Cancun’s international airport is one of the busiest airports in Mexico, receiving frequent flights from the US, Canadian and European cities. From Mexico, you can fly to Cancun from Mexico City. The airport is 9 miles (16 km) south west from the city center and 6 miles (10 km) from the hotel zone. Ground transportation options, including taxis, rental cars and shuttles, are available from the airport. For detailed information about flights and flying, see the Mexperience guide to Air Travel in Mexico.

By Bus – You can travel to Cancun on a luxury bus from Mexico City – but the trip will take around 24 hours. Flying is the most sensible way to get to Cancun, unless you are on a budget and don’t mind the wait (and want to see the sights along the way). For local bus transportation within Cancun, see paragraph below. For detailed information about bus transportation read the Mexperience guide to Bus Travel in Mexico.

By Car – Driving to Cancun from Mexico City is recommended only if you have a good reason to go by road – for example, you want to stop and see places on the way; the drive from the capital to Cancun takes 24-30 hours and will require at least one overnight stop en route. A fast and efficient toll road connects Cancun to the colonial city of Merida, and there is an excellent road network around the Yucatan region enabling you to explore this unique and vibrant region of Mexico beyond the commercial beach resorts of Cancun and Riviera Maya. See additional information about Driving in Mexico and Mexico’s Toll Roads on Mexperience.

Car Rental – To explore Mexico’s provincial towns and cities—including its beach locations and the scenery and attractions nearby them —consider renting a car for your visit. Having your own car will give you more flexibility than using public transport options and, in some cases, offer you access to places which are otherwise difficult to visit without the use of a car. Read our guide to Car Rental in Mexico to learn what you need to know about car rental in Mexico and connect to the Mexperience Travel Center to reserve your Rental Car.

Local Buses – Local buses run a 24 hour service up and down the main Avenida Kukulcan; they are regular, clean, comfortable and very efficient; they are also air-conditioned and very inexpensive. You can also ride executive style minibuses and vans to nearby places like Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Chichen Itza; these options work out considerably less expensive than hiring a taxi to these areas.

Taxis – Taxis from Cancun Airport into town or other destinations can be quite expensive compared to comparable rides in other parts of Mexico. Check prices before getting in. In most of Mexico’s beachside towns and cities are not metered, so agree your price before you get in. Taxi travel is very affordable in Mexico, in comparison to the USA, Canada and Europe, and so provides a viable means of public transportation in Mexico. Your hotel can arrange taxis for you; some post their rates on a board in the lobby; taxi hotel rates are usually higher than cabs you hail off the street. If you speak Spanish, you will have a distinct advantage and be able to negotiate a price with the driver. For detailed information, read the Mexperience guide to Taxi Travel in Mexico.

Warning About Mopeds – Mopeds can zip you around Cancun, but beware – they can be dangerous too. You may want to consider a safer alternative (like an open air Jeep) which will be more expensive, but safer. See car rental, above, for details.

Cancun Essentials

Telephone: Connect to the Communications in Mexico page on Mexperience for detailed information about keeping in touch and the latest table of national dialing codes.

Exchanging Currency: Most of Cancun’s Banks with ATM machines are found on Avenida Tulum. During business hours, they and the Casas de Cambio will buy traveler’s checks and cash from you as well. For detailed information about exchanging and managing your money, read the Mexperience guide to Money in Mexico.

Airport Transfers: Ground transportation from the airport to your accommodations in Cancun can be arranged in advance with online booking companies, for example with eTransfers.

Travel Insurance: We recommend that you are adequately covered with travel medical insurance and/or travel assistance insurance when you are visiting Mexico. Read the Mexperience guide to Travel Insurance in Mexico for full details and links to specialist insurance suppliers.

Internet Access: Internet cafes can be easily found in towns and cities across Mexico and WiFi is increasingly commonplace–from cafes, shops, hotels, and some cities even offer free WiFi in some defined public spaces.

Safety in Cancun: Cancun is a very safe place at all hours. There is very little crime in Cancun, although petty theft on beaches is as common as in any other tourist spot – so don’t leave your gold watch on the beach for others to check the time with while you’re not looking! Car break-ins are becoming more common; once again, common sense (not leaving valuables in the car / in view) will minimize the already small risk of this happening to you.

Beach Safety: Some of Cancun’s beaches are exposed to the open sea, making some of the undercurrents particularly strong. Cancun’s hotels and beaches run a consistent flag color system to advise tourists of sea conditions. Observe the flags, act accordingly and you’ll be fine:

• White Flag – Excellent Sea Conditions – go and have fun!
• Green – Normal Sea Conditions – safe to swim!
• Yellow – Changeable sea conditions – practice caution!
• Black or Red – Unsafe / Danger – head for the pool!

Remember that sea conditions can change while you’re out swimming, so keep and eye on the flag colors back on the beach.

What to Buy in Cancun

There is an advantage to shopping in Cancun – especially for people living in Europe. Quintana Roo, the state in which Cancun is situated, is a duty-free zone in Mexico. This means that bargains may be obtained on luxury items like expensive perfumes, jewelry, cosmetics and the like. Large value items should be declared on your return to your home country – see Customs Allowances in the Mexico Essentials Section

There are lots of shopping centers, malls, open air markets, crafts centers, clothes and fashion stores and more in Cancun; you can literally shop until you drop… or shop until you get too tired and need to get back to your sun lounge on the beach.

Local Climate

Cancun is hot and humid, but the humidity is not as drenching as it can be in some other places in Mexico. August through October is hurricane season in this part of the world and the weather becomes more changeable and less predictable during these months. The rainy season is May through October. November through February is the high season in Cancun and quite hot; evenings can be cooler, so a warm pullover may be a useful item to pack with you during these times.

Weather & Climates in Mexico

Learn more about the weather and climates through the seasons and regions by connecting to the Mexperience guide about Weather and Climates in Mexico

In stark contrast to Cancun, Isla Mujeres (Island of Women) is a laid-back, simple and comfortable island where visitors go to relax and take part in a wide variety of water sports.

The feel here is tranquil, rustic and easy-going. You can count on the hotels being comfortable, without the commercialization of their Cancun counterparts.

People who travel to this island tend to live out an experience involving some water-based adventure or just relaxing completely on the island’s soft white beaches next to the deep turquoise-blue waters.

It’s also a top destination for honeymooners and couples who want to spend quality time together. Families do holiday here as well, although they tend to day-trip from the mainland as a week or two permanently on the island may prove a bit too quiet for the energetic.

Day-trippers from Cancun arrive on ferries during the day and make the island a hive of commercial activity as they wander around the town, shopping, eating, drinking and haggling with the numerous souvenir and crafts vendors. The beaches are also busier during the peak daytime hours as they too, fill up with the day-trippers. But when the evening ferries leave, the island calms down and returns to its natural serene and tranquil state.

If you want to experience a fervent night life, glitzy hotels and a faster pace, stay in Cancun, across the water. But if you’re looking for a romantic getaway or a place to relax, unwind, dive, snorkel, swim and enjoy some wonderful sight-seeing, silky white sand beaches, accompanied by a tranquil and restful atmosphere then head for Isla Mujeres.

Key Attractions

Isla Mujeres Beaches

Now called Playa Norte, this beach is the best (and most popular) on Isla Mujeres. Soft, white sand and turquoise-blue waters greet you and set the perfect scene for sunbathing, swimming and relaxation.

Honeymoons on Isla Mujeres

Isla Mujeres is one of the preferred destinations for couples going on honeymoon in Mexico. The island offers tranquility, privacy and a number of excellent hotels. Once the day trippers leave, the island’s character changes and becomes more serene and romantic. The island provides rest and intimacy as well as access to a number of activities and easy access to Cancun (a short ferry trip across the water) for more activities and day trips to places like Chichen Itza, Tulum, Coba and Xel-Ha Water Park.

See Also: Weddings and Honeymoons in Mexico

Snorkeling

A good place to snorkel on Isla Mujeres is Playa Garrafon (see below for details) where you’ll be treated to views of brilliantly colored tropical fish. Another good place for snorkeling is the Machines Reef and Bahía Mujeres (Women’s Bay). Both locations require boat transport out, and this can be arranged locally.

Fishing from Isla Mujeres

Fishing trips can be arranged locally with the boatmen’s co-operative. The costs can be shared by grouping together with other people and include a boat & crew, equipment, bait, food and refreshments. See Also: Sports Fishing in Mexico.

Swim with Dolphins on Isla Mujeres

Isla mujeres offers you an opportunity to swim with doplhins in a specially-design sea-water enclosure—distinct from a swimming pool, where most doplhin swims take place. Consult the Mexperience Tours and Acitivies page (see below) for details and to make reservations. See Also: Swimming with Dolphins in Mexico.

Getting There & Around

Access to Isla Mujeres is by ferry from Cancun and other docks along the Rivera Maya. Ferries make frequent crossings and take only 15-20 minutes each way.

By Ferry – You can board a ferry to Isla Mujeres from five main places on the mainland:

• Puerto Juarez 1.5 miles north of Cancun (most common / popular)
• Punta Sam 3 miles north of Cancun
• Playa Linda at Cancun
• Playa Tortuga at Cancun
• Club Nautico Dock at Xcaret

Taxis – Taxis are not metered on the island, so agree your price before you get in. Taxi travel is very affordable in Mexico, in comparison to the USA, Canada and Europe, and so provides a viable means of public transportation in Mexico. Your hotel can arrange taxis for you; some post their rates on a board in the lobby; taxi hotel rates are usually higher than cabs you hail off the street. If you speak Spanish, you will have a distinct advantage and be able to negotiate a price with the driver. For detailed information, read the Mexperience guide to Taxi Travel in Mexico.

Golf Carts – Many people on the island get around on golf carts; they are clean and quiet, and because the island is quite small, they are very effective. They are not expensive to rent and make an ideal vehicle to explore and get around the island during your visit. There are a number of special rental agencies along the main street, near the market.

Moped / Bicycle – As an alternative to a golf cart, you can also rent a moped or pedal bike to get around the island. Because the island’s traffic is limited, riding a bicycle is relaxed and safe.

Isla Mujeres Essentials

Telephone: Connect to the Communications in Mexico page on Mexperience for detailed information about keeping in touch and the latest table of national dialing codes.

Exchanging Currency: Banks with ATM machines can be found in the downtown area of the island, close to the main port. During business hours, they and the Casas de Cambio will buy traveler’s checks and cash from you as well. For detailed information about exchanging and managing your money, read the Mexperience guide to Money in Mexico.

Travel Insurance: We recommend that you are adequately covered with travel medical insurance and/or travel assistance insurance when you are visiting Mexico. Read the Mexperience guide to Travel Insurance in Mexico for full details and links to specialist insurance suppliers.

Internet Access: Internet cafes can be easily found in towns and cities across Mexico and WiFi is increasingly commonplace–from cafes, shops, hotels, and some cities even offer free WiFi in some defined public spaces.

Busy Times: Because of its location and appeal, the tourist season on the island is a little different to that of other places on the Yucatan Peninsula. The most expensive months are December to the end of May. If you want to save money, go between June and November. The island can get quite busy during the daytime but calms down again in the evening and night when the day-trippers from the mainland and the nearby island of Cozumel leave.

Snorkel Safety at Playa Garrafon National Park: At times the water on the snorkeling reef at the national park can get a bit choppy, making snorkeling difficult or perhaps dangerous. If you’re not a strong swimmer, don’t venture out too far; although most of the reef is shallow, there are some steep drops.

What to Buy in Isla Mujeres

Ambulant vendors will be out in force trying to sell you an array of crafts including rugs, glassware, onyx and silver as you arrive on the island and as you wander around elsewhere. Isla Mujeres is not really a place to shop for anything specific other than jewelry (see below), although with all the eager ambulant salespeople, some bargains on Mexican arts and crafts can be struck—and prices can be lower than those in Cancun or Cozumel.

Isla Mujeres is known for its jewelry, and you could take home a fine piece of craftsmanship from here—be it a ruby, sapphire or diamond. Loose stones may be bought if you prefer and then crafted into fine gold and silver jewelry to your specification.

Local Climate

The climate on Isla Mujeres is very much like that of Cancun: hot and humid, but the humidity is not as drenching as it can be in some other places in Mexico. July through October is hurricane season in this part of the world, and the weather becomes more changeable and less predictable during these months. The rainy season is May through October.

Weather & Climates in Mexico

Learn more about the weather and climates through the seasons and regions by connecting to the Mexperience guide about Weather and Climates in Mexico