Things to do in Isla Mujeres
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Aluxes Coffee House
Aluxes serves bagels with cream cheese, sandwiches, muffins, and hot and iced coffee. Between Guerrero and Hidalgo.
reviewed
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Pizza Rolandi
Below the Hotel Belmar, between Abasolo and Madero, it bakes very good thin-crust pizzas and calzones in a wood-fired oven. The menu also includes pasta, fresh salads, fish, good coffee and some Italian specialties – definitely don’t come here looking for Mexican.
reviewed
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Isla Mujeres Tortugranja
Although they are endangered, sea turtles are still killed throughout Latin America for their eggs and meat, which is considered a delicacy. Three species of sea turtle lay eggs in the sand along the island's calm western shore, and they are now being protected - one tortugita (little turtle) at a time.
In the 1980s, efforts by a local fisherman led to the founding of the Isla Mujeres Tortugranja, 5km south of town, which protects the turtles' breeding grounds and places wire cages around their eggs to protect against predators. Hatchlings live in three large pools for up to a year, then are tagged for monitoring and released. Because most turtles in the wild die within t…
reviewed
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Hacienda Mundaca
This hacienda is at the large bend in Avenida Rueda Medina, about 4km south of the town. Its story is perhaps more intriguing than the ruins that remain. A 19th-century slave trader and reputed pirate, Fermín Antonio Mundaca de Marechaja, fell in love with a local woman known as La Trigueña (Brunette). To win her, Mundaca built a two-story mansion complete with gardens and graceful archways, as well as a small fortification.
reviewed
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Mañana
A good-vibe place with colorful hand-painted tables, superfriendly service and some excellent veggie options - the hummus and veggie baguette is the restaurant's signature dish - Mañana is perhaps the best lunch spot on the island. It also has coffee, licuados (blends of fruit or juice with water or milk, and sugar) and some Middle Eastern dishes. There's a book exchange, too.
reviewed
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Fisherman’s Cooperative Booth
The fisherfolk of Isla Mujeres have formed a cooperative to offer snorkeling tours of various sites from M$260, including the reef off Playa Garrafón, and day trips to Isla Contoy for M$715. You can book through the Fisherman’s Cooperative Booth in a palapa steps away from the dock. Booking here ensures your money goes to locals.
reviewed
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Restaurante Bucaneros
Below the Hotel Mesón del Bucanero between Abasolo and Madero, this is a fan-cooled, mostly outdoor restaurant with a pleasing ambience and a variety of alcoholic and nonalcoholic tropical shakes and drinks. The best deal is the menú especial (set menu), which gives you a choice of several mains accompanied by soup or salad and a dessert.
reviewed
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Viva Cuba Libre
Its decibel levels compete with neighboring restaurants, but really, we all like Cuban son (a type of dance) more than bad disco remixes, don’t we? Apart from that, you get a well-deserved break from Mexican fare with ropa vieja (slow-cooked shredded beef), Cuban lobster and other Caribbean favorites. Viva Cuba, indeed!
reviewed
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Sunset Grill
This is a romantic spot for sunset cocktails and maybe even a beachside meal. While the menu runs the gamut from seafood to pasta, the Caribbean black grouper is especially tasty. There’s a smattering of vegetarian options on offer here, too, like crispy tofu with sautéed veggies.
reviewed
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Hotel Garrafón de Castilla
Hotel Garrafón de Castilla provides chairs, umbrellas, showers and baths for the entrance fee. Snorkeling gear is M$70 extra. The hotel rents lockers and towels, and offers snorkeling tours to the offshore reef for M$200. Taxis from town cost M$61.
reviewed
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La Peña
This English-run club features the sound of waves, lots of wood and a nice pool table. Off the north side of the plaza, it has a great atmosphere and a fabulous music mix. Some say it's the best in town.
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La Lomita
The ‘Little Hill’ serves good, cheap Mexican food in a small, colorful setting between Allende and Uribe. Seafood and chicken dishes predominate. Try the fantastic bean and avocado soup, or ceviche.
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La Luna
This club features the sound of waves, lots of wood and a nice pool table. Off the north side of the plaza, it has a great atmosphere and a fabulous music mix. Some say it’s the best in town.
reviewed
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Satay
Mix things up a little with the Thai red snapper or toro and papaya salad at this Asian-fusion restaurant. It’s not beachfront, but the modern, cool ambience is pleasant enough.
reviewed
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Mundaca Divers
Mundaca Divers offers dives for M$585 (one tank) to M$780 (two tanks) and snorkeling tours from M$325. It also has an office at the Avalon Reef Club.
reviewed
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Mercado Municipal
Inside the remodeled market are a couple of stalls selling hot food cheap. Four open-air restaurants out the front serve simple, filling meals at fair prices.
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La Malquerida
Seems pricier than it could be and doesn't have the view the beach bars do, but it's open daily and sometimes has live music.
reviewed
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El Patio
This fun spot has a sand floor and an open-air back patio. There’s occasional live music, and the food’s worth checking out.
reviewed
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Felipez Water Sports Center
Felipez Water Sports Center rents kayaks/sailboats (M$250/350 per hour). It also arranges fishing trips.
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La Flor de Michoacán
Near the plaza, this is the place to go for excellent and inexpensive milkshakes, fruit drinks and shaved ices.
reviewed
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Paletería y Nevería La Michoacana
Near the Plaza, this is the place to go for excellent and inexpensive milkshakes, fruit drinks and shaved ices.
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Fayne’s
This disco-bar-restaurant often features live reggae, salsa and other Caribbean sounds. Near Matamoros.
reviewed
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Coral Scuba Dive Center
Coral Scuba Dive Center, between Abasolo and Madero, offers dives and snorkel trips.
reviewed
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Sea Hawk Divers
Sea Hawk Divers offers dives for M$650 (one tank) to M$845 (two tanks), a resort course for M$1105, PADI Open Water certification (M$4550), snorkeling tours from M$325 and fishing tours from M$4550.
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