The “Island of Women”, a five-mile long plot of land just off Cancún’s northern shore, is one of the most popular destinations for daytrippers. Its coral reefs and tropical fish draw crowds of water sports enthusiasts, while roads tightly packed with clothing and craft shops lure those in search of souvenirs.

Directions from Cancun

Avoiding street vendors’ sales pitches for trips to Isla Mujeres is significantly more challenging than actually getting to the island. A number of tour companies, including Aqua World and Sun Tours, organize trips to the Isla, so options are many. The hotel zone, malls and downtown are saturated with kiosks offering packages, though prices and promotions vary. Each of the groups also has its own itinerary, so it is helpful to know what you are looking for. Some tour boats take you for a halfday stay at a private beach club, and then drop you mid-town for a couple hours of shopping. These tend to include a buffet lunch and drinks, and range from $30- $45USD, depending on the season. Snorkeling and other equipment rental are generally an added expense. Other tours transport you by ferry directly to the mammoth eco-park and coral reef, Garaffón, at the southern end of the island. Packages cost between $35 and $55, and include water activities for families.

Many of these organized trips transport you on a party boat with blaring music, non-stop MC commentary and an open bar. The independent-minded traveler may want to catch a ferry directly to Isla Mujeres at one of the many embarkation points within Cancún. Boats leave from the Embarcadero (Blvd Kukulcán, Km 4), Puerto Juarez, and Punta Sam for around $2-3 each way, and dock near the island’s ever-popular Playa del Norte (North Beach).

If Cancún is American in tone, then Playa del Carmen is its European counterpart. Artsy and bohemian, this small beach town is laid-back and casual, with scattered local lodging. Playa was a remote fishing village not ten years ago, and it has retained its intimacy and warmth, evidenced by the plethora of coffee shops and palapa huts where you can sip a fruit shake and take in the surroundings. Beaches and walkways are crowded even in the off season, and makeshift shops, rental huts and accommodations have sprouted up practically overnight. Waterfront bars and discos are another highlight, so it may be worth sticking around for the night. Plots of white sand and translucent waters in Playa have the picturesque beauty characteristic of the Caribbean coast—but at the rate it is being developed, you will want to get there soon.

On the beach, there are plenty of accessible, affordable restaurants and bars. When you tire of sunbathing and happy hours, it’s easy to pick up snorkeling equipment, take a windsurfing lesson, or get a massage.

Directions from Cancun

From the Hotel Zone, catch the R-1 bus to the Estación de autobuses (bus station) downtown on Av Tulum and Uxmal. First class buses have A/C, comfortable seats, and TVs. They leave every 15 minutes and travel nonstop to Playa del Carmen for $4. Avoid sitting at the back, near the bathrooms.

First class buses pull into the station at Av 5 and Av Juarez. Av 5 runs parallel to the beach, and is teeming with souvenir vendors, restaurants and bars. Expect to be beckoned from all sides by shop owners and hostesses vying for business. Walking north along Av 5, the commotion quiets and the atmosphere becomes more peaceful, especially north of Calle 10.

Cancún is wallpapered with advertisements for this sprawling eco-themepark, located 50 miles to its south. Affectionately named “nature’s sacred paradise”, Xcaret is built around coral reefs, bamboo forests and waterfalls. This mega-activity complex is a popular site for family excursions, as it is equally entertaining for people of all ages. In fact, so many adventureseeking travelers visit Xcaret each year that the natural attractions are starting to suffer the wear and tear of tourism. Still, its impressive wildlife facilities—including a butterfly pavilion, bat cave, aquarium and orchid conservatory—continue to draw enthusiastic crowds.

The park is open Monday to Saturday 8:30am – 10pm, Sunday 8:30am – 5:30pm (no evening show). More information is available at www.xcaret.net or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Admission and exhibits, $49USD (children 5-12 are half price). Additional charge for snorkeling $22, scuba diving $45, horseback riding $39, swimming with the dolphins $80.

Life jackets, bags, and locks for storing personal items are distributed at the entrance. There are restaurants inside the park, so you can not bring in outside food.

Washing off your sun block before going in the water helps to protect the natural habitat, which can be easily poisoned by chemicals.

Directions from Cancun

Catch a bus from the XCaret Tour Center in front of Plaza Caracol (881-2400 or 883 3144 or 883 0654). You can also buy package tickets that include transportation from your hotel travel agent or one of the many tour kiosks along the strip.

A 10-acre ecological theme park, Xel-Ha (“where waters are born”) is replete with aquatic adventures, both highenergy and relaxing, that justify its name. Novice divers can explore marine life and the area’s intricate reef zone through snuba—a combination of snorkeling and scuba— without traditional deep sea diving. The park is perhaps best suited for children and first-time snorkelers: waters are calm with no undertow. However, the experienced snorkeler or diver may be disappointed, as much of the coral and marine life has been compromised by tourist activity. Nonetheless, adventure-seekers can be duly entertained with cliff diving and jungle swings, or simply lounge and absorb the natural surroundings. Discover lagoons, cenotes (natural wells), and coves along the beach that are home to exotic animal and plant life, nap on the Hammock Island, sunbathe or visit the spa.

The park is open every day of the year from 9am on, with closing hours varying by season. For information, call (984) 875-6000, www.xelha.com.mx.

Admission is either basic or all-inclusive. Basic admission and inner tubes, $19USD. all-inclusive option with meals and equipment, $43. Free parking with admission. You can either rent water equipment on site or bring your own. Children under 5 are free, ages 5-12 get a 50% discount.

Directions from Cancun

Xel-Ha is 60 miles south of Cancún, and is easily reached by bus or car. You can purchase an organized tour package from any travel agency, kiosk or major hotel. Combination packages for visiting Tulum and Xel-Ha are also available.

Should you choose to go independently, take the following route: From Cancún’s hotel zone, take the R-1 bus to the main terminal downtown (Av Tulum and Uxmal) and catch a bus to Playa del Carmen. There you can pick up a bus for Xel-Ha, just 25 minutes south.