Spa and Beach Vacation Guru

If you are fascinated about vacationing on a small island, far from the hustle and bustle and where time passed by at its own slow pace, then Isla Mujeres is the perfect place for your vacation. Located in the Caribbean Sea only 20 minutes by boat from the Mexican Coast of Cancun. Isla Mujeres is a serenely calm spot encircled by waters of different shades of blue and green.

Just 11 km north of Cancun, Isla Mujeres (Women Island) has decidedly a different rhythm: more laid back, more Caribbean, keeping with its pirate past. Less than a kilometer wide and barely 8 km long, it is a typical palm-fringed tropical retreat, discovered in the 1950´s when Cozumel and Cancun were mere figments of developers' imaginations.

Isla Mujeres got its name from The Conqueror Francisco Hernandez de Cordoba, who was reportedly impressed by the large number of female figurines he found in temples on the island. Today it is a favorite destination for relaxed travelers and serious divers, though it is increasingly frequented by day-trippers from Cancun.

The locals are fishermen and divers who have lived here for generations; islanders who want the island to remain the paradise they know and love. Sunsets are spectacular, a ball of fire going down over the water, setting behind the cityscape of not-so-distant Cancun. There is only one small archaeological site in Isla Mujeres. This small construction is dedicated to Ixchel, the goddess of love and fertility, its unique location its worth to pay a visit to the area.

Ferrys from Puerto Juarez and express boats from Cancun dock at the main village, its harbor dotted with colorful fishing boats and its sandy lanes lined with a jumble of shops, outdoor cafes and restaurants. Golf carts, motorcycles or bicycles are the most common forms of transportation and are available to rent.

Beaches and Attractions

The most frequented and highly recommended beaches are located on the north tip of Isla Mujeres, where the shallow beaches of crystal clear waters are calm with beautiful coral reefs at short distance from the beach.
Island attractions are many and varied: Garrafon National Park, the Mayan temple. You can visit the local Turtle Protection Center for a very enlightening example on how to respect and protect the endangered marine life. For dive enthusiasts, there are the offshore reefs of El Farito, Punta Norte and the incomparable Manchones, as well as the Cave of the Sleeping Sharks.

This charming island has everything you are looking for in your holidays, peace, tranquility, wonderful views, incredible beaches and souvenirs. Its sandy, paved streets are lined with colorful, picturesque buildings where you can find small shops. If you are one of those collectors that buy something from every place you visit, in Isla Mujeres you will find many items for you collection, mainly crafts made by local artisans that use materials from the sea such as shells, sand, star fishes and conches.

In the main avenue you will find shops with jewelry, from colorful necklaces, earrings and bracelets, to expensive original pieces encrusted with precious and semiprecious stones; and some exclusive boutiques with clothes, beach wear, and sun glasses among others.

If you are visiting Isla Mujeres, one resort, the La Casa de los Suenos Resort and Spa, comes highly recommended. A poetic celebration of the senses, La Casa de los Sueños Resort and Spa is where mind, body and spiritual indulgence converge, just as its creators intended. Overlooking the turquoise passage that renders Isla Mujeres another world from bustling Cancun, the contemporary Mexican architecture of the villa-style building is enriched with strong colors, texture and dominant Asian touches, a theme that repeats throughout. Each of the eight ocean-view rooms is aptly named to reflect the planned effect of this spa and wellness resort - Sun, Moon, Peace, Abundance, Harmony, Serenity, Joy, Love É

The nucleus is the Spa Zenter, an immense facility given the intimate size of the hotel, where ritualistic treatments blend holistic, Asian and European techniques to nourish the body and soul.

In its spacious guest rooms, handcrafted objects, fabrics and embroideries chosen from Mexican villages fuse with Eastern and Old World furnishings - an exotic ensemble. Ocean breezes and sumptuous beds draped in Frette Egyptian linens lend to one of Mexico´s most euphoric sleeping experiences. A dream villa with private swimming pool is available for ultimate intimacy.