Hotels on Isla Mujeres

I have received many emails with questions about where to stay when they visit Isla Mujeres.. There are many options, ranging from luxury resorts to cheap hostals, and it all depends on your taste and wallet size.. So to be fair, I`ll list all known hotels and hostals I could find information about, with links so you can check it out yourself, or even book your dream vacation on.. I hope I got all, if you know about any that are not on my list, please email me, and I`ll add it as soon as possible! Ok.. Starting Alphabetically with descriptions :

Hotels on Isla Mujeres

Avalon

The Avalon Reef Club Isla Mujeres is a luxury-class hotel located 41 kilometers from Cancun International Airport. This beautiful property is a great hotel that offers its guests plenty of reasons to stay there. The hotel is close to several sights worth checking out during their visit. In addition, an array of awesome amenities await guests when they check in, helping to make each stay more enjoyable and pleasurable. The number of facilities, features and services is seemingly endless. It is the ideal choice when staying in this vibrant city.
When it comes to the hotel's accommodations, guests will find everything they want and need. With tastefully appointed guest rooms that are well stocked with the modern amenities travelers expect today, the hotel goes a long way to make sure everyone enjoys their stay. Adding to the overall pleasure of a stay here is the attentive and personable staff. Always professional, the knowledgeable staff is on call for every guest's needs and requests. The hotel is close to area dining, entertainment and shopping venues.

Casa de los Sueños Spa & resort

Exclusivity is guaranteed with eight originally decorated rooms all with an ocean view terrace, plus a dream Villa with an atmosphere designed to heighten the senses and promote total well-being. Wake up to tranquility and discover the flavors of nature, comfortable luxury, Mexican hospitality, and Mayan culture. To ensure the peaceful environment televisions, telephones, alarm clocks and the visits of children under age of 21 are not part of our services. This will allow you to be as close as possible to the beauty and sounds of nature.
No children allowed.

Casa Ixchel Boutique Hotel
The Hotel Was Built in 1980 and Comprises a Total of 9 Guest Rooms. The Hotel Offers a Holistic Place in Which To Relax and Recharge Body, Mind and Soul. It is Situated Right On the Shores of the Caribbean Sea, and Provides Guests With Terraces With Both Sun and Shade, from Which They Can Enjoy the Beauty of the Natural Surroundings. Facilities On Offer Include Wlan Internet Access, a Children'S Playground and Parking For Those Arriving by Car.

Cristalmar Beach club & resort

Surrounded by turquoise waters, the Cristalmar Resort & Beach Club offers secluded tranquility, yet is close enough to explore the mainland, historic sites and Cancun nightlife. Located on the quiet south coast of Isla Mujeres 3 miles from downtown pier, the resort offers a diver shop, game room, pool, restuarant, mopeds, bicycles, golf carts, diving, fishing and land excursions. The 1 and 2 bedroom units has kitchenette, dining room, hot & cold water.

Ixchel Beach hotel
Positioned one-half kilometer from downtown Isla Mujeres in Mexico, the beachfront Ixchel Beach Hotel stands less than eight kilometers from the Ixchel Ruins.
Garaffon National Park is located six kilometers away.
The Sunset Grill is a beachfront palapa that features buffet and a la carte service for breakfast, snacks and Mexican seafood for lunch and gourmet and international specialties for dinner. The Kalak snack bar prepares buffet-style breakfasts and offers poolside service. Wireless Internet access is available in public areas of the hotel. Property conveniences include laundry facilities, concierge services and a 24-hour front desk. An outdoor pool and beach frontage offer seaside recreation, and massage services are available upon request.

This hotel features 48 air-conditioned guestrooms, and one- and two-bedroom suites. Accommodations reflect the colors of the beach and boast garden and/or ocean views. All rooms feature satellite television, CD and DVD players, safe-deposit boxes and marble bathrooms with showers, only. Suites include balconies or terraces, separate master bedrooms, dining and living areas. Kitchenettes contain refrigerators, coffeemakers, toasters, microwave ovens and bottled water. Select suites feature jetted tubs. Penthouse accommodations connect to bedroom suites via spiral stairways and include roof gardens.


Los Arcos Suites
Placed in the heart of Isla Mujeres and offering comfortable accommodation, this property is a new jewel that combines the taste of Mexico with all modern conveniences for a memorable stay. Located on the famous Ave Hidalgo, the Suites Los Arcos is in center of the shopping and dinning district of the beautiful island of Isla Mujeres. The hotel offers completely equipped suites that come with a well equipped kitchenette as well. There is no restaurant available on-site. During leisure, you can visit the various attractions of the city.

Na Balam Hotel
Na Balam is a refuge for the soul in the Mexican Caribbean on Isla Mujeres, a small island only 20 minutes from Cancun. It is a site chosen by nature to enjoy every sunrise in México. The Na Balam Hotel is located on the most magnificent beach in the Mexican Caribbean with tropical gardens and hammocks under beautiful palm trees.

The hotels 28 rooms are all surrounded by tropical gardens and come with a king size or two queen beds, a private terrace or balcony, air conditioning and ceiling fans and in-room safety deposit boxes and 24 hours security protection. The 3 magnificent suites feature a king sized bed, Mayan-Modern decoration, air-conditioning, ceiling fans, a private patio and a small pool with hydro-massage with a stunning view of the inlet; ideal for honeymooners or anyone wishing a romantic and/or peaceful stay in a beautiful place.

Nautibeach suites & town resort
An earthly wonder of sand and sea meet at Nautibeach Condos nestled on the north end beach of Isla Mujeres, Mexico.
Your own balcony compliments your beautiful two bedroom condo and together offer a space for recharging your spirit, watching masterpiece sunsets, planning your next day, or doing nothing.

Nautibeach Condos offers the perfect island retreat, with an emphasis on superior and friendly personal service.

Experience the barefoot elegance of Nautibeach Condos.

Palace Hotel

Small and luxurious, located on the beautiful and charming island of Isla Mujeres, on a powdery-white sand beach, this resort is sure to guarantee a private and relaxed stay. Guests can lounge around the free form pool or on the tranquil beach or for a bit of the local custom, they can enjoy the nice breeze lying on one of hammocks strung amongst the palm frees.

This all-inclusive resort features 62 Superior Deluxe accommodations all with a double Jacuzzi, balcony and 24-hour room service. A variety of international favorites offer a la carte breakfast and dinner. And don't miss the ample lunch buffet in the open-air restaurant by the sand where you can enjoy the Caribbean breeze.

Perla del Caribe Marazul Hotel

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The Hotel Perla Del Caribe is situated on the beach in the heart of Isla Mujeres, approximately 30 minutes by boat to Cancun.
Hotel amenities include babysitting, restaurant, bar, outdoor pool, and two sundecks.
Guest rooms feature fully tiled bathrooms, hot and cold running water, A/C (most rooms), telephones, and balconies.

Pocna

The Pocna Hostel is located on Isla Mujeres. It is only 6 blocks from the pier and even closer to the beach. The hotel offers beds in mixed dormitories and private rooms. There is also camping available for guests with tents. There is a game room, meeting area, restaurant/bar, beach bar, pool, beach volleyball, internet, cable television, table tennis and wireless internet access. Very popular with backpackers, and the beach bar at night is worth a look if you like to party!

Posada del Mar beach club & hotel

Posada del Mar is a small Caribbean Style hotel set among lush tropical grounds, consisting of 30 rooms in the Main Building with three floors and 21 large rooms in the New Section. Isla Mujeres and Posada del Mar are an excellent combination for children. Two children, 11 years and under, can stay FREE in the same room with two full-paying adults. When you stay at Posada del Mar you are considered to be a member of our family. Just ask and we will do our best to accommodate you. Guest rooms are equipped with tile floors, individual air conditioning, a ceiling fan, shower and balcony. A colonial style aqueduct provides a waterfall into our swimming pool. When our guests are not out exploring the island, they are lounging around our swimming pool

Privilege Aluxes Hotel

Featuring 124 luxury units, brand new modern facilities for those travelers looking for an excellence privileged surrounding. The five scaled floor Privilege Aluxes Isla Mujeres hotel buildings are in front of Playa Norte, considered one of the best beaches in the area which is suntan perfect under the breeze of the coconut trees, to savor typical, fresh and gourmet dishes. Spectacular sunsets to admire are an everyday experience to guests, visitors and locals. The north end of the 4.6 miles long island is ideal to swim and relax just a few steps from the hotel. Due to the excellent conditions it is one of the perfect places for aquatic activities.

ALL INCLUSIVE Gourmet, by PRIVILEGE HOTELS, two outdoor swimming pools, room service 24 hrs Three Gourmet Restaurants, Pool Bar: Lunch ? Snack, Bartender & waiter service at Solarium, Pools & Beach, Minibar in every room (refilled daily, water, juices, soft drinks, beers and snacks), Coffee service in the rooms: daily replacement, Safety deposit boxes, Fitness & hotel facilities & beach.

Raintree`s Villa Vera Hotel

Spread over five floors, this professionally managed luxury resort offers tasteful amenities to discriminating travelers. The Sandcastle at Birch Bay has condominium units, guest amenity areas, retail space and the attention to detail of a first class hotel. Our two-bedroom condominiums average 1050 square feet, and the three bedroom residences averaging 1280 square feet. Each unit is professionally decorated and furnished and includes washer/dryers, balconies and dual line phones. Every unit has a view. The on-site restaurant, provides room service and convenient food service. Guests have access to a ground floor health club with male and female locker rooms and a fully equipped workout room. The on site day spa is available for massage or facials as well as a number of other relaxing treatments.

Secreto Hotel

Secreto Is An Oasis Of Casual Luxury Within The Small Fisherman S Village Of Isla Mujeres. Situated On A Secluded Cove And Surrounded By Palm Trees, This Small Hotel Feels Like Your Own Private Beach House. Discreet And Secretive - Just As The Name Implies. Not Even An Entrance Sign Notifies You Of Its Existence Underscoring Secreto S Very Essence. Your Room Exudes Warmth And Intimacy, Whether You Re Relaxing Under The Veils Of Secreto S Four-post Beds Or Enjoying A Cocktail On Your Terrace. At Night, Open Your Terrace Doors, And Let The Tropical Breeze Whisk You To Sleep. Every Room Offers Superb Ocean Views, And Features The Very Best In Amenities, Including Your Own Cd Sound System. During The Day, Cool Tropical Winds Refresh Those Passing The Day Away From The Comfort Of A Deep, Outside Living Room Sofa. Panoramic Ocean Views Create The Perfect Back-drop For Enjoying Breakfast Or Getting A Massage. With Its Handsome Architecture And Mediterranean Sensuality. Secreto Is The Perfect Setting For A Blissful Vacation At The Beach.

Unika Unique Hideaway resort

The hotel stands 14 kilometers north of Cancun and transports guests via yacht from its Cancun VIP Lounge to Isla Mujeres.
Guests are greeted with chilled champagne and cool towels. Rejuvenation continues at The Spa, presenting a menu of Mayan-inspired services such as indigenous steam bath sessions. The Spa's fitness area features an assortment of cardiovascular and weight-training equipment and stocks chilled towels. The Spa's Garden Studio sets the scene for yoga, Pilates and tai chi sessions. Outdoor activities include island tours on golf carts and kayaking adventures in Caribbean waters.
Unik offers several dining options. Pearl restaurant pairs fresh seafood and pasta with wine selections by the hotel's resident sommelier. Jade restaurant fuses Asian and Mexican flavors to create a unique gourmet menu. The poolside Breeze restaurant utilizes fresh seasonal produce and seafood from local farmers and fishermen. Additionally, La Isla diner provides poolside lunch service while Aqua pool bar mixes specialty tropical cocktails.

Guestrooms at Unik feature flat-screen televisions with DVD/CD players. Cable television is provided. A bedding menu offers a selection of pillows and linens. Feather duvets top the beds. Room services include butler service and nightly aromatherapy turn-down service. Select suites open to ocean-view terraces with spa tubs and outdoor living areas. Bathrooms supply bathrobes, slippers, designer toiletries and woven cotton towels. Select bathrooms feature spa tubs and marble-top vanities with double sinks.
Near the resort, the vestiges of an ancient temple preserve the story of Ixchel, Mayan goddess of the moon and fertility.

Villa Rolandi Thalasso spa gourmet & beach club
This luxury resort lies between the white-sand beach and the Makax Lagoon. The ferry terminal is located a short distance away. Dolphin Discovery, where these extraordinary mammals greet visitors with a handshake and a kiss on the cheek, is located one kilometer from this property.

This resort delivers complimentary continental breakfasts to its guests, daily. An extensive bar accompanies the Restaurant Casa Rolandi Isla Mujeres which is known for its signature Swiss-Northern Italian cuisine. Complimentary Internet access and fax and photocopy services are available 24 hours a day. Constructed in modern Mexican-Mediterranean style, the hotel features Tikul stone floors and tiled vault ceilings that are built to absorb sound. An outdoor pool features a cascading waterfall, where the atmosphere is ideal for sunbathing and sipping cocktails. The front desk staff can arrange tours, fishing excursions, scuba-diving expeditions and boat rentals. Resort amenities include on-site laundry facilities, massage by appointment, and room service. The hotel also offers discounted passes to a nearby fitness center.

Villa Rolandi offers 35 air-conditioned, ocean-front Junior Suites with fully stocked refreshment cabinets, digital-lock safes, and cable television. Private bathrooms are tiled in marble and feature showers, separate vanity areas, terry bathrobes and slippers. Private balconies feature uniquely designed spa tubs. Inviting detail lends warmth to the suites' individualized layouts that feature rich, custom-crafted wood furnishings. Artworks and design accents, such as wrought-iron railings, vibrant fabrics and marble-topped counters, reflect this region's colorful Mexican heritage.


These are some of the most popular hotels, I found a couple more, but little information about them, if you need any help please mail us, and we`ll do our best to get your hotel here..

Updating other blogs..

I am currently working hard on promoting Isla Mujeres with it`s own blog on http://islalife.blogspot.com , and it`s turning out great! This is why there has been few posts lately! Keep checking back, as updates will come..
If you are interested in writing for IslaLife, please contact us!

Help a fellow traveller!

A friend of mine from Kristiansand, Norway wants to move down to Mexico and join us on Isla Mujeres!

She has heard so much about this incredible island, and wants to experience all it has to offer.


Thereza is her name, and as she describes herself on her profile page on www.nettby.no : "I think mahogany, fur and McDonald's are uncool, I have a thing for post it notes and elephant babies, my favorite color is red, and I never wear to of the same socks!"

Who can deny such a person the experience of a lifetime?

She is working hard now in Norway to get the funds for travelling and living the first couple of months before she finds some work. All money she earns will be added in the equation so you can keep posted on how far she has come!

I think it would be a great idea if all of us here on the internetz got together and helped her out, so I have made a donation page on paypal for her!
If you can, please help!

As soon as enough funds are in, she will be leaving the cold summers of Norway to live on our beautiful island, Isla Mujeres, in Mexico.

The necessary amount is 25000 NOK (3,108.735 EUR or 4,769.72 USD) and I will keep you posted on how fast we can reach the amount needed!
Please help with as little or as much as possible! If everybody shares just a little, it would help SO much!

I have started the donation with 50NOK (6.21747 EUR or 9.53944 USD) as I am not a rich guy myself, but anything goes, and this means we only need 24950 NOK (3,102.518 EUR or 4,760.18 USD) to get her to Mexico!

Click here to help Thereza get to Isla Mujeres!

Help us change someones life, wouldn't you have liked it if someone had done this for you?

La buena vida

The life on Isla Mujeres is great!
The reason the posts are running a little behind is just that the beach is soooooo good and the sun soooo hot that sometimes I just have to prioritize a little bit in Islas favour.. I will have a huge update here again soon, hope you will check back! :)

Bye for now! Just got a fruitshake at Comono, a great restaurant with Hookahs(waterpipes) :D

-D-


Ps: here`s a little teaser of whats to come in the update :)











Curious yet? :p

Oh.. And a Happy new 2008 to you all! :)

Feliz Navidad!

I just wanted to wish all my readers a merry christmas!
I hope you will all have nice celebrations, nice presents, and happy times! :)
More updates to come soon! :)

We made the apartment feel a little more "christmassy"

We bought a piñata for christmas! :D

Aaaw.. look at the cute widdle jaguar and christmas tree! :D

Here is how we celebrated Christmas 2007
I just have to say this is one of my nicest christmasses ever! :)
MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Want a sip?

Hot christmasbabe!

OhYEAH!
This guy will soon face a hard stick!

Christmas at Casa Isla Mujeres! :)

We found some seashells on the beach..

Penguins in Isla Mujeres!
Nice eeeh.. Christmastree! :p

Snorkelling, Cancùn, Cenotes & Chichen Itza

After staying on Isla Mujeres a couple of days, we met a nice couple from Estados Unidos (Usa) and have been hanging out with them the last couple of days here..

We went snorkelling on Saturday, but it was a little windy, and the currents were a little edgy, so the trip was cut short because of that, but the 2 or so hours we were in the water we saw some cool colourful fish, lots of corals, and I even caught a glimpse of some Barracudas lurking about..

We have «one time» underwater camera, but we`re saving those pictures for later, so stop by, and they may be out! :)

On sunday we thought it would be a good idea to see what the mainland had to offer, and took the ferry to Cancùn to go sightseeing..

My first impression of Cancùn was not the best, as we have become a little more adjusted to the laidback island of Isla Mujeres.. Cancùn is made for tourists, and people who want to spend a years salary in a couple of weeks! There are shops everywhere, Gucci, Rolex, fancy jewelry, expensive food, drinks and even the cabs are expensive compared to any other place in Mexico..

It`s crazyprices everywhere, and in they eyes of a backpacker, it`s terrible! But on the other hand, the people that usually stay in Cancùn are the people that don`t mind spending a lot on vacation, visiting with their yachts, living in ritzy hotels with all inclusive, and paying extra for VIP entrance to discos and bars.. It`s not my thing as I feel I miss out a lot on what is really happening around. I prefer walking around looking at how the locals make their living or relaxing in a hammock at the beach, buying directly from the locals help contribute to their wellbeing.. Buying rolexes at the gigantic malls in Cancùn is probably just helping some big company give more money to their stockholders..

Anyway.. Cancùn is a crazy place, with flashy lights, lots of people everywhere, huge shops, huge restaurants, and people offering trips to this and that on every corner.. We even fell for one of their packages at the end of the day.. We wanted to go visit Chichen Itza, and were thinking about renting a car for a day, drive up to the pyramids, and maybe spend the night close by, that way we could see the sound/light show..

But as we walked around in Cancùn, we found a guy offering a full day trip with a guide to Chichen Itza, the Cenotes, and showing Valladolid, including buffèt and a dance show.. He charged 440 pesos (220,- NOK) per person for this.. To rent a car would cost 440,- for a day too, but this would not be including food, highway tolls, gas, or a guide, so we went for the easy alternative... Relaxing on a airconditioned bus..

I would recommend this to anyone not known in the area, as it is a much easier and cheaper alternative to doing stuff yourself.. :)

We were picked up early the next morning and the busride took about 2.5 hours.. after 1.5 hours we stopped by the Cenote, and this was an incredible sight..

It was a huge hole in the ground, and stairs had been made for easy access to the gigantic underground well..

Roots hanging down from the top of it all the way down to the water, and the water was several hundred meters deep, connecting with other cenotes several miles away.. Looks like something from a paradise movie, and absolutely a sight!

It was a little bit crowded, as this was a very popular place to go with the tourbuses..

But people were jumping in the Cenote all the time! Just look at the pictures and you`ll see what I mean..

After the Cenotes, it was off to get some grub, and we drove for 10min before arriving at the buffèt..

Here they had great food, and the locals showed us some of their dances, they balanced bottles and serving trays on their heads while dancing, and showed some real skill balancing this.. Must have had a lot of practice!

Then it was off to the main attraction, the pyramid and ruins of Chichen Itza:

The guide brought us around to all the attractions and told us a lot of how things were done here back in the days of the Maya and the Toltecs.

He told us how the real human offerings were done, not by cutting open the chest to see the beating hearts, but by cutting open the stomachs of the poor victims, then reaching in under the ribs to grab the heart and pull it out, still beating and pumping out blood while they had it in their hands.. Terrible stuff! He also told us about how the pyramids were built using a mix of rubber, clay and water to make the cement water resistant and last until our days..

He showed us how that if you stood directly in front of the stairs to the pyramid and clapped your hands, the echo sounded like an eagle screeching, and as eagles were a big deal for the mayans, they had calculated exactly how to get this effect.

The same with the ball park.. Here there were 7 players on each team, dressed in heavy armour, beautiful feathers, and trying to get a heavy compact rubber ball through the «hoops» which was an almost impossible achievement, as throwing the ball directly through the hoop was not possible.. It was not allowed touching the ball with your hands, they had wooden sticks.

They had to use geometry to find the perfect spot for the ball to bounce off the wall, then through the hoop. If you stand in front of the hoops, and clap, the clap will echo 7 times back an forth, symbolizing the 7 players on each team.

In the game, one goal and the game was over. The captain of the winning team was honoured by decapitation, this giving him direct access to the heavens and the gods. This was a great honour for the Mayan people.

Death was not seen as a punishment or a bad thing, it was a way to the next life and to glory.

Human sacrifice was done daily to send «messengers» to the gods asking for rain or sun.

The priests were astrologers, and using the stars calculated exactly when the sun would get blocked by other planets, down to the minute/second. The huge pyramid is actually a mayan calendar, and is incredibly complex.

According to the Mayan calendar, december 2012 is going to be the end of a 26 000 year circle, where the earth`s «wobble» will come full circle. There are many theories about what will happen, some say the poles of the earth will turn upside down, others the world will end, and some that there will be huge changes to climate and the way we live. I guess the only way to find out is by waiting for it.. :)

People also said the world would end in 2000, but we`re still here, messing it up!

When you are at the site, you will be guaranteed to be asked a couple hundred times if you want to buy stuff, there is lots and lots of beautiful artwork for sale, and the locals make their living of the tourists buying stuff.. Some give you good prices, others have found out that some «gringos» pay whatever they say so they charge higher.. I would recommend asking around the different places for prices, and haggle as much as you want.. you can find many similar works around so don`t worry if one guy is expensive.

I bought a ceremonial offering knife for 150 pesos (75,- NOK) but they charged a lot more other places for this.. Just use your head when buying.. If you are happy with the price, and they are happy with the price, buy it! Remember you are helping the locals in most of the cases here.. And these are not rich people..

The guide told us how the Mayan people still live in the areas, living off the forests, hunting meat, fishing, and growing what they need. We were told that the Mayans today aren`t even registered in the «system» as they have to pay to get a birth certificate, and if they pay for this they have to pay taxes.. And as most of their system is built up around them living of their own natural land, not the commercialized world «we» live in they do not want this..

Even the women who give birth, do not go to hospitals or anything. Giving birth is done by sitting on the knees tying a sheet around their belly, and as the first retractions come they tie the sheet harder and harder, helping the baby out.. They have no social aid, no benefits and noone else than their families to help them if anything goes wrong.

I gotta say I am impressed.. But this is they way they have done it since 1000`s of years ago..

After a long day walking around the area, we were happy to get back on the bus again, getting a little shut-eye before coming back to Cancùn doing some last minute shopping and then taking the ferry back to laidback and quiet Isla Mujeres..

Life is good on Isla Mujeres... and we`re not leaving here until the end of January..

Aah! Paradise!