Areas in Isla
North: Beaches & Downtown Vibe
Playa Norte (North Beach): The island's best beach, known for soft white sand and calm, shallow, turquoise water. It’s perfect for swimming and has excellent sunset views. Easily walkable from downtown.
Centro (Downtown): The main hub for shopping, dining, and nightlife. Stroll down Ave. Hidalgo (pedestrian-only) for shops, art, and bars.
The Caribbean-Side Malecón: A great seaside walkway for an afternoon stroll, featuring sea life sculptures, the rainbow stairs, and the unique Shell House.
South: History & Iconic Views (this is where your house is)
Punta Sur (South Point): The dramatic southern tip with rugged cliffs and Mayan ruins dedicated to the goddess Ixchel. It's the first spot in Mexico to see the sunrise. A must-do photo opportunity. Recommendation: Plan a morning trip here. This is an amazing spot for sunrise and sunsets. Sometimes, on Sundays, schedule varies depending on what month it is, they do a Mayan ritual at sunrise - a must see, if they are doing it during March when you are there. Refer to the section on this page: "Favorite Places to Visit" for more Punta Sur info, pics & videos
Local Charm & Quiet Spots
Sac Bajo: A quiet stretch of land on the western bay with gentle water and stunning sunset views. Great for a slower morning or relaxed beach club day.
The Colonias (Local Neighborhoods): Head here if you want a more local feel, finding family-run restaurants and genuine street food.
Tips for your stay
Mapchicks Isla Mujeres: super helpful resource guide. Has restaurants, maps, beach clubs and so many other ideas/places to check out. There is a fee for this app, but in my opinion, totally worth it!
Helpful APPS to download - Don't forget to download your AIRLINE app!
WhatsApp: Almost all of the businesses use WhatsApp for communication. Also, good for everyone in your group to use in case you have connectivity issues. This app will always work!
Currency: Bring pesos. (or get some when you arrive.) Many restaurants, taco stands, and taxis are cash-only. Use ATMs inside banks in Centro. North end: I would use the ATM in the supermarket: Super Aki - which is right next to the basketball courts. South end: I would use the ATM inside Chedraui (the large grocery store). Special note when using the ATM's: you will be asked several questions during cash withdraw. When the ATM asks if you want to “ACCEPT” or “DECLINE” the conversion rate, most experienced travelers choose DECLINE.
WHY DECLINE CONVERSION?
Because selecting DECLINE usually allows your own bank to handle the currency conversion instead of the ATM company, which often helps you avoid extra conversion markups and hidden fees. Declining does NOT cancel your withdrawal. It only declines that particular ATM’s exchange rate. (see video below regarding the ATM declining option)
If you are bringing USD cash, it is best to switch over to pesos. I have found the best conversion rates right at the Isla ferry terminal. As soon as you get off the ferry, look to your right. There are two counters to exchange your dollars over to pesos. If you are exchanging a small amount, you do not need your passport. But if it's over around $500 (I think....) you need to show your passport.
If you are looking for an alternative to not carry a lot of cash with you to the island, I have used Xoom several times. Basically, it's sending yourself money from your own debit card. Go to xoom.com & create an account. Send it to Mexico - I have only sent to the bank Elektra - which was close to where I was staying. North end - across the street from the Mercado. Then you take your passport, show them your receipt from Xoom and they give you the amount sent in pesos. Tip: your Xoom account name has to be EXACTLY as your name appears on your passport - or they will not give you your money. I learned this the hard way, lol!! If you want more info on this, let me know and I will give you the exact pickup location.
Tipping: Tip service workers in cash. Try to keep some small pesos bills handy for all of the times you need to tip ;)
Water: Do not drink the tap water. Stick to bottled or purified water. The ice at restaurants is safe.
Communication: WhatsApp is widely used by tours, restaurants, and locals.
Transportation: Great you have your golf cart taken care of! Would be great if you could arrange ahead of time for pick up at the ferry. You do not want to walk to your house from the ferry - way too long of a walk, especially with luggage. If they cannot have your golf carts at the ferry terminal when you arrive, there are plenty of taxis right outside the ferry terminal. Walk out of the terminal and go left. There are a ton of them. Just be sure to agree to the price BEFORE you get in the taxi! It should not be more than $10/$15 USD to get to your house. If it is, go to the next taxi and ask them.
Food Delivery:
Keep in mind, everything is a little slower in Mexico, so order ahead of time. It may take a bit ;)
Parking your golf cart: If you see RED on the curb, do not park there. If you see yellow, safe place to park. Always use your lock and never leave anything in your cart - it will get taken. The lock should go around your steering wheel and the seat handlebar. Parking can be difficult to find when trying to go to restaurants near Hidalgo or Playa Norte. One tip for parking near Playa Norte - if you can't find a spot, act like you are going to Mayan Beach Club, they have their own parking lot. Take the main street all the way to traffic circle. Go half way around (where Jax Sports Bar is) and go down that street. You will see a guard gate with a lift bar. Tell him you are going to Mayan Beach club and give him a tip - like $100 pesos - he will let you in and park your cart there. I have done this for years and never had an issue - even if you do not go to Mayan
ATM video
Why "decline" conversion -->
Taste of Isla
Plenty of "Isla" info! There's a website too.
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Click below for some more recommendations!
Where to Eat
Isla has so many food options! I have categorized them as "higher-end" and "mid-level" however, even the higher end options are still very casual. You can dine almost anywhere in flip flops and tank tops. (The only one that I am recomendding that has a dress code is listed as the "splurge" choice - Impressions by Secrets. I will list more info regarding that one below.
I could be here all day, listing place to eat! I have eaten at so many of them and it really is difficult narrowing it down...Here are some of the places that I regularly go to when visiting the island:
Dinner Recomendations
Lola Valentina
Mid -high $
Has outdoor seating and dining inside, with air conditioning. Swings as bar seating. Excellent food & service. I have eaten hear several times and have never had a bad meal - always delicious! Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. My fav's from here: Crispy shrimp tempura appetizer, empanadas, lobster pasta and Dirty Monkey frozen drink.
Additional Note: If you are looking for some "island inspired" jewelry as well, there is a local artist, Omar Herrera, (I. M. Signature Crafts) that makes all genuine sterling silver, island inspired - many in the shape of the island, and he has a case of some of his jewelry inside the restaurant. I have several pieces made by him and wear them all the time, excellent quality. Look for more info on Omar's jewelry in the "shopping" section.
DeNuccio's Ristorante
Mid to High $
This place has excellent reviews, very popular and during high season, I would try to get reservations. I loved eating here when I needed some home cooked pasta! Perched on the Caribbean Sea, De Nuccio’s Ristorante brings the soul of Italy to paradise. Savor family recipes in a setting that’s both refined and relaxed, whether on our oceanfront patio, at the upper-deck bar with sunset cocktails, or in our airy dining room with sweeping sea views.
Every dish is homemade with love, inspired by Maria and Dan De Nuccio’s Italian heritage. From romantic dinners to family celebrations, each visit feels like coming home to Italy, right here in the Caribbean.
Excellent italian food! Not too far from where you are staying. You can see the ocean from the restaurant.
Sonny's Pizza - Mid $
Phone/WhatsApp: +52 998 346 5700
Amazing pizza! Can only order whole pizzas - not by the slice. Evening hours only. They have very weird hours and sometimes seem to make them up as they go, lol! Even if google says they are open, that does not mean that they are. So I would always check first. But, totally worth the trip. I have tried many of the pizzas and they were all fantastic. My favorite pizza on the island. Sonny's Pizza main location is on the north end, in Centro, by the basketball courts and the Super Aki grocery store, but they also sell their pizza on the south end, at a restaurant called The Joint. They offer other Italian dishes as well. You can also use "Isla Delivery" to get it delivered.
Guacamole- Mid $
They have a large variety of dishes here - great place to go if everyone is looking for something different. This is usually where we go when wanting lobster. Big screen tv's as well, if looking for sports. We usually end up here a couple times during our stay. Live music on some nights too.
Phone/WhatsApp: +52 984 165 1175
Rosa Sirena's Restaurant & Rooftop Palapa Bar - High $
You will notice that some of the restaurants do not have websites & it may sometimes be difficult to find their menus online.
I have started a Google Drive folder with some fun "Isla Guides." One of the folders will contain photos of some restaurant menus. There are not many in this folder right now, but by the time you get to Isla in March, it will be updated with many more. If you cannot find a menu in the google drive folder, check the "Taste of Isla" website too.
REMINDER: This google drive folder IS NOT COMPLETE yet!
El Borracho Burro Cantina- Low - Mid $
Fun and lively place - super inexpensive place to grab a beer, tacos/wings... Live music, should be close to your house.
Phone/WhatsApp:
SUNDAY - SATURDAY
12PM - 8:30PM
North End
Mid-island
Higher end restaurant. Located in an area that you may not expect a nice restaurant to be in. Somewhat sketchy when pulling up - but this is an extremely popular place to go. I have gone there, by myself, many times and never felt afraid....The food/service is fantastic. Love the rooftop! If you are celebrating anything, let the manager know - they will sing you a song :) The drunken shrimp appetizer was my favorite - comes with a rosemary leaf on fire. When ordering steak or chops, they bring you a variety of knives to choose from. Excellent specialy drinks too. All homemade desserts - very large dessert portion. The chocolate cake was absolutely amazing. I have heard many people request to purchase entire cakes to take back to their hotel for celebrating special occasions - could be a neat idea for a "grad" cake - I am not sure of the cost. But I'm sure you could email or WhatsApp them for info if you would be interested in something like that...or check some local bakeries or Chedraui grocery store for a cake.
For a large party, I would definitely make reservations before you even leave for your trip, if you want to go here.
Live music nightly 7-9, casual dining, and delicious craft cocktails under our beautiful shaded palapa overlooking the Isla Mujeres colonias. Send a Facebook DM for recommended reservations Tuesday through Sunday
Phone/WhatsApp: +52 998 147 9382
Mid-island
North end of Island - Centro area - on Hildago
South end of Island - near Punta Sur
North end of Island
(& also sells pizza at "The Joint" on the South end of the Island)
Honesty, there are so many great choices for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, drinks....,A "list" doesn't really do it justice. I have not even put all of my favorites here.
I am also in the process of creating an Excel sheet with "food options"
That will also be done by the time you go on your trip, so be sure to check it out.
You will have access to the "extra guides" I am creating - menu, restaurant, things to do, etc... These guides may need a password to view, but I will be sure to send you all of the passwords required to access any of my fun guides :)
Here is the links - please keep in mind, that these are a "work in progress" so they will be updated & constantly changed - in "live" view mode.)
Just a fun video of my personal Isla travels
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