With bags packed we take a taxi to the ferry port buy our tickets and jump aboard the Ultramar fast ferry to Isla Mujeres just five miles off the coast.
Ultramar has a fleet of very modern passenger catamarans out of Cancun port. There is one departing every 30 minutes and they are always full.
Isla Mujeres is delightful - a small island just seven miles long. The north end sees the most tourist action whilst the south side is host to mostly private homes and guest houses. Our hotel is just off the main town square dominated by a large church and within easy walk of absolutely everything.
Without Alexia we need to get out and do some exercise and our location is perfect for that. Here are some pics of the town.
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| Many of the buildings look as if they are about to crumble away but inside they open up into well kept homes |
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| Golf carts and motor cycles are available for rent at many locations in town - this view is the road which runs just outside the ferry port where the majority of people arrive. Unless you fly in by private aircraft or have your own boat there is no other way to reach the island. |
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| Isla Mujeres is laid back and friendly, no-one is too busy to say 'Hola' . Endless places to eat or find a snack - street vendors produce excellent food, there are small family run restaurants or large upscale hotels - the choice is yours and it's fun. William was delighted to find an Italian restaurant advertising its gluten free pasta specials !! |
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| Streets bustle with activity all day - locals and tourists alike beetle along at high speed! The great thing is that all roads are one-way and drivers will just stop for you to cross the road at any time - a lost courtesy in most countries! |
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| The beaches are much less congested here on the island and the safe shallow waters are good for swimming or just wallowing. |
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| This is where we took our evening strolls along the 'Malecon' or Pier. This paved lit walkway is just a hundred yards from the back of our hotel and runs along a stretch of beach that is rocky but with great views.. It's usually bustling with life and often there were family groups BBQing dinner. Always live music somewhere in the background. |
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| Away from the hotel area there are stretches of the beach which are fairly deserted but you are never more than a short walk from all the activity in town - the foot prints in the sand let you know a lot of people have walked by today - you can see Cancun in the distance.f |
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We took our golf cart and toured the island in a day - finding wonderful places to stop and enjoy the view
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Our Hotel in Isla Mujeres - The Francis Arlene
The hotel sections will give you an idea of what to expect if you ever visit this area.
A modest 550 pesos per night (approx 24.50 GBP) we stayed here for just over two weeks
The interior courtyard of our hotel at the Frances Arlene - very comfortable and each room had a small 'cocina' or kitchen so we could cook in the room if we wanted to and dining tables outside where you could sit and enjoy the views..
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