Worship the sun like a Mayan on idyllic Isla Mujeres
Once a sacred Mayan island, one look at those white sand beaches and turquoise waters and you'll realize there's still a bit of magic about an Isla Mujeres vacation rental. The water's warm, the seafood's fresh, and the vibe is so laid-back it's virtually horizontal. Buzz around between the island's attractions on a golf cart, snorkel with the fishies, or just lie back on the sand and rest your eyes. Across the bay from the heady delights of Cancun, your pesos will go further and life is mellower - but only if you want it to be.
Snoop round Jack Sparrow's crib on Isla Mujeres
Ever wondered how a pirate might live? Find out by taking a stroll among the ruins of Hacienda Mundaca, once home to a 19th-century buccaneer. If that's not enough history for you then why not visit the remnants of a Mayan temple at Punta Sur? For something a bit more modern and organic, try the MUSA underwater sculpture museum, ever-evolving as the coral begins to grow on the sculptures. And no Isla Mujeres vacation rental is complete without cuteness overload at the Tortuga Granja turtle farm.
Be at one with the big blue on Isla Mujeres
Water this color is too dreamy to stay out of for long. Swimming is a must on Isla Mujeres, whether you're snorkeling with the tropical fish, scuba diving with whale sharks, or just floating around on your back like a snoozing otter. Sailing and windsurfing are big too, and you can even swim with dolphins if the mood takes you. When you're done with the sea creatures, you can enjoy dining on them at one of the island's many fantastic seafood restaurants, before hitting some chilled-out beach bars.
Steamy summers and warm winter breezes on Isla Mujeres
You're going to spend a lot of time in your bathing suit here, but that's sort of the point. Hot and humid, June and July are the steamiest months for an Isla Mujeres vacation rental, with occasional summer storms that tend to blow through pretty quickly. Winter is still hot, but tends to be drier, and in January a cool evening breeze might even see you reaching for that stylish linen jacket. Hurricane season runs from May through November, but September and November are the times you'll want to keep the closest eye on the weather forecast.
Riff off the reef life with crushed-coral beaches on Isla Mujeres
It's not exactly a tough life on this tropical island, with its azure waters and white crushed-coral beaches. Playa Norte is the best on the island (or in the Caribbean, according to the locals), while there are some quieter beaches to the west. The coral reefs themselves are a big draw, and an easy way to experience the various coral-dwelling critters is at the Garrafon Natural Reef Park. Part of the charm of Isla Mujeres is that it's pretty compact, and the best way to take a tour around it is by hiring a golf cart.
Traveling to and around Isla Mujeres
The nearest airport is in Cancun Intl. Airport (CUN), located 16.2 mi (26.1 km) from the city center.