Step 1:
Fly into the Cancun International Airport (CUN). There are many airlines that have direct flights to Cancun. Others may have one connecting flight. The airport is very modern and entering through Immigration is quick and easy.
Step 2:
Book a transfer from the airport to the Puerto Juarez ferry terminal in Cancun. There are many transfer companies, but our favorite is CARM (acronym for Cancun and Riviera Maya). They are prompt, professional, and have great customer service. You can book your own transfer or have our Concierge handle that for you. If booking on your own, we recommend you include the purchase of your ROUND TRIP ferry tickets from CARM. The price will be the same as paying for them at the ferry terminal without the hassle. They hand you the tickets when they greet you at the airport. https://www.cancunandrivieramaya.com/
There are taxis and buses that can transfer you, but we do not recommend this option.
Step 3:
Take the Ultramar ferry from Puerto Juarez to Isla Mujeres and quickly be transported to paradise. The ride is only 20 minutes long. If the weather is nice, sit on the upper deck to enjoy the Caribbean breeze, turquoise and blue water, and be serenaded by a local musician. Otherwise, sit below in the AC. The ride is smooth, the crew is professional, and the boats are clean and modern. Porters will offer to load your luggage (for a $2-$5 tip, $50-$70 pesos), or you can handle your own.
Step 4:
Arrive on the island! Last step, take a taxi to the house. The taxi stand (Sitio Taxi) is directly to the left as you exit the ferry terminal on Isla Mujeres.
Or our property manager can greet and help you get a taxi to Casa Brisa Tranquila (pronounced “CA-sa BREE-sa tran-KEY-la”). Don’t worry if you don’t speak Spanish, the drivers will know where the house is when you tell them where you are going.
The taxi ride is about 10 minutes to the southern end of the island. The cost of a taxi is around $10 ($200 pesos) includes the tip for the driver to load and unload your luggage.
There are porters (“maleteros”) at the dock on the island who can transport your luggage to the taxi stand for you on a tricycle cart. They solely work for tips (about $2-$5, or $50-$70 pesos). Or you can roll your luggage to the taxi stand on your own. It is just a few steps away.
Discover the history, take in the views, and enjoy the places to eat within walking distance to Casa Brisa Tranquila.
Walking or jogging along the cliff behind the house is a popular activity. This is the eastern side of the island that faces the Caribbean Sea. There is a walking path all along the cliff. You can access the path from the rear gate of our property. At certain parts along the cliff you may find a way to walk down to the water, but be prepared for rock climbing! You may be lucky to see frigates soaring in the sky, turtles nesting in the sand, dolphins jumping the waves, sail boats, fishing boats, lobster divers, iguanas and, of course, breathtaking sunrises and colorful reflections of the sunsets.
The southern tip of the island is known for its ancient temple to the Mayan goddess of women, Ixchel (the reason the island has its name!). She was the goddess of the fertility and the moon. Just turn left as you exit the house and where the perimeter road bends take the paved road to the left that leads straight to the southern point. For a small fee, you can enter the park to walk to the ancient temple of Ixchel, enjoy the sculptures and the walking paths that take you to the water’s edge where the Caribbean Sea meets the Bay of Cancun.
From the house walk to the left around the bend on the perimeter road. There will be an observation area on the left from which to take in the captivating view of the Bay of Cancun and skyline of Cancun in the distance. The entrance to Parque Garrafón is just past that observation area. The park offers zip lining, snorkeling, kayaking, swimming, and food! Reservations are recommended. For more information, our Concierge can help you, or you can check out their website: https://www.garrafon.com/
The Joint Reggae Bar and Grill: (10-minute walk)
Walk left from the house and continue around the bend on the perimeter road to the Cancun Bay side of the island. The Joint will be on the right about another 3-minute walk straight ahead. They offer live music, great food and beverages, and even sunset cruises. To learn more: https://thejointisla.com/
Rancho Capricho Taco Bar: (12-minute walk)
This ranch and super nice taco bar on the Cancun Bay side of the island is just a little past The Joint on the perimeter road. The Rancho is known for having the best tacos on the island! They also have a full bar, great smoothies, and convenience store. The ranch is next to a corral where you can see horses and other animals. https://rancho-capricho.negocio.site/
El Borracho Burro Cantina: (15-minute walk)
A bar/restaurant meaning “Drunk Donkey,” is a unique outdoor space with a bar, food, and live entertainment and music daily. Sit among the tropical foliage and enjoy the atmosphere and fun. Open 12-8pm every day, except Tuesday. El Borracho Burro on Facebook
A water activity delight with 3 pools, swim-up bar, water slide, and kayaks! Enjoy American and Mexican cuisine with a full service bar. Ask about a day pass to enjoy the water, bay side beach, and restaurant amenities. https://kinhaislamujeres.com/
There are many Caribbean islands to choose from when deciding where to spend your vacation and Isla Mujeres should be at the top of the list. If you are looking for a place with history, great beaches, water sports of all kinds, and a lot of local flavor with a loving community feel then Isla Mujeres is a terrific option. “Isla”, located off the coast of Cancun, is a very special place close to ancient Mayan ruins, colonial towns, cenotes, and water sports—everything the Yucatan Peninsula has to offer.
Isla Mujeres enjoys a storied history. The name of the island translates to the “Island of Women” and it is named for Ixchel, the goddess of the moon, women, fertility, and happiness. You can visit a re-creation of her temple on the southern tip of the island. In pre-Colombian history, Isla was part of the Mayan province Ekab and was known for its fishing and for its salt harvesting. There are 2 salt water lagoons on the island- Salina Grande and Salina Chica. In 1517, the Spaniard Fransisco Hernandez de Cordova sailed from Cuba to Isla Mujeres, where legend has it he encountered the island inhabited by women priestesses to Ixchel. Hence he named the island Isla Mujeres (Island of Women). Isla’s strategic location made it the perfect hideaway for pirates and buccaneers in the 19th Century. Famous pirates, such as Jean Lafitte, Henry Morgan, and Fermin Antonio Mundaca made the island their home. Both Lafitte (in 1826) and Mundaca (in 1880) died on Isla. Mundaca’s grave with the skull and crossbones is a tourist attraction on the north end of the island. Following Mexico’s independence in 1821, Isla continued as a small fishing village. During the War of Castes (1847-1901) many Mayans living on the mainland found refuge on Isla Mujeres. Since Isla is the eastern most point of Mexico, during WWII the Mexican Navy established a permanent naval base on Isla which continues to today.
It is consistently ranked at the top of world class beaches with superb vacation amenities such as: fishing tournaments, reef snorkeling, and swimming with whale sharks as their migration routes bring them close to Isla Mujeres from June through September.
Natural wildlife and sea life habitats flourish. The eastern coast of Isla is a popular nesting site for sea turtles each year. You can enjoy a day trip to nearby historical sites, such as Chichen-Itza and Tulum or stay local to soak up the sun, local history of pirates and Mayan goddesses, and enjoy the chill vibe of this safe island.
In addition, Isla Mujeres boasts world class sunsets and sunrises. With many restauranteurs and mixologists, you can enjoy all types of cuisine and drinks. You will not go hungry!
Being close to many hubs via the Cancun International Airport (CUN), allows for easy air travel and a reasonably priced option for a Caribbean vacation.
Isla Mujeres is a peaceful, community-oriented island that is home to many families whose rich heritage began with fishing. There are schools, homes, parks, churches, and neighborhoods on the island that contribute to the unique fabric of Mexican culture and family traditions.
Isleños (local islanders) are friendly, family oriented, and happy to share their island.
A popular mode of transportation for locals and tourists is by golf cart. Having a cart allows you the freedom to explore Isla Mujeres on your own. You can rent a cart on an hourly or daily basis from a plethora of rental companies on the island. Our concierge can help with reservations.
Renting a bike is another great way to explore the island while getting in a little exercise. The island has relatively flat terrain, however, there are a few small hills on the island. We can recommend bicycle rental companies to you.
A popular mode of getting around the island for the fitness conscious. In the mornings and evenings while it is cool, you will see many runners and walkers getting in their steps. Join them!
Yes, Isla has a public bus service! This is the least expensive way to travel the island. There are two bus routes. Route 4 frequently passes Casa Brisa Tranquila from 7am-9pm daily. To travel from our house to downtown and the north beach area, the cost is $2.00 US. They offer an all-day pass for $7.00. Simply hail the bus outside of our house as you see it pass by.
The fastest way to travel on Isla is to use a taxi service. If you are downtown, there is a main taxi hub from which to get a taxi. Anywhere else on the island, you can hail a taxi as you see one driving past. Ask the driver how much it will cost to get to your destination before getting in. At Casa Brisa Tranquila, we have a list of preferred drivers to call to pick you up directly at the house or have our property manager make the call for you.
For maps, bus routes, and rental information: Visit https://www.tasteofisla.com/ Or Download the “Map Chicks of Isla Mujeres” App onto your phone. This shareable App costs $15.00 US but is well worth it!
A 5-minute walk from Casa Brisa Tranquila, Punta Sur is the southern point of Isla Mujeres and the furthest eastern point of Mexico. The history of Punta Sur dates to the Maya when in ancient history Mayan women would boat over to this easternmost tip of their territory to worship the goddess of women and the moon (Ixchel) to pray for fertility. A temple dedicated to Ixchel remains at the tip, along with a sculpture garden, walking paths, and shops. Being the most eastern point of Mexico, on New Year’s Day at sunrise Punta Sur becomes the place where everyone on the island comes to witness the sun rising onto Mexico to begin the new year. From Casa Brisa Tranquila, our guests can witness this sunrise directly from the balcony.
Snorkeling and Scuba Diving, Boating, Sailing, Swimming:
Isla is known for its water sports! The world’s second largest coral reef runs past the island and an underwater museum in the Bay of Cancun makes for wonderful underwater experiences scuba diving or snorkeling.
During the summer months, swim with the whale sharks who migrate past Isla from June- August. Known as “gentle giants” they only eat plankton.
Join a deep-sea fishing tour leaving daily from the docks. Take your freshly caught fish to any one of the beachside restaurants and they will prepare it for you! In February, Isla hosts a sailfish tournament. Catamarans, sail boats, or panga boats abound offering offshore fishing, and sunset or daytime cruises daily.
Often ranked among the top 10 beaches of the world, Playa Norte (North Beach) is just minutes from Casa Brisa Tranquila. Beach access is free. Bring your towels and sunscreen to enjoy sitting on the white sand or under a palm tree enjoying the soft waves of clear Caribbean blue waters. Or sit on a lounger under an umbrella at any one of the Playa Norte beach clubs for a small rental fee that often is applied to your food/bar tab. Waiters will serve you right on the beach.
Take advantage of the therapists offering a massage from their beach side spa. Located on all beaches and in all beach clubs, you will be pampered and fully relaxed by a soothing massage.
Shopping options on the island range from beachside vendors to souvenir shops, unique clothing boutiques, fruit stands, and grocery stores. A popular shopping experience is strolling along Avenida Hidalgo, a pedestrian street in the downtown area that leads you from the North Beach area to the local town square.
Lined with shops, restaurants, and bars, Avenida Hidalgo is the center of color, culture, festivities, and nightlife on Isla Mujeres. Barter for your souvenirs in the shops, dine on foods ranging from Mexican, to American, to Mediterranean, to Middle Eastern, to Asian cuisine, and sip handcrafted cocktails.
For an extensive list of restaurants and bars, visit: https://www.tasteofisla.com/
Our Guest Book at Casa Brisa Tranquila has two pages dedicated to our favorite recommendations of activities and restaurants!
Many dining options are available for every taste and palette. You can upscale your experience with fine dining and white table cloths or downscale it by sliding your toes in the sand at any one of the delicious beachside restaurants.
Cultura Cruisers offers a wonderful, guided food tour to explore local and authentic cuisine. Discover where and what isleños eat! https://culturacruisers.com/
Playa Lancheros is a mid-island waterside restaurant with spectacular views of Cancun in the distance. Playa Lancheros is the best place to order a traditional Mayan fish, called Tic-n-Xic. This dish is prepared in the pre-Colombian cooking style directly in the wood fire flames. The mild white fish (usually freshly caught grouper or red snapper) is slow cooked slathered with Mayan spices wrapped in banana leaves. It is not spicy at all, but rather mild and citrusy. Enjoy a part of history and Mayan culture!
Private Chef Experience Enjoy the villa while inviting a private chef in to spoil you and entertain you with delicious meals and cocktails. Check out Dinnertainment or ask our concierge for more ideas.
Explore the island and discover its treasures on your own. Renting a golf cart, bicycle, walking, or getting a day pass on the bus are easy and excellent ways to experience what Isla Mujeres has to offer.
Hire a guide for a different type of exploration. Ask our concierge to help arrange the details.
Ride around the perimeter road or turn inland to find local neighborhoods, churches, parks, shops, beaches, restaurants/bars, and promenades.
Ask us to help you reserve your golf cart or bicycle so you can enjoy the local flavor of the island on your own!
A relaxing vacation home on Isla Mujeres, Mexico
Tranquil ~ Relax, Rejuvenate, and Renew by allowing us to provide a well-deserved pampered get-away
Private ~ Experience the quiet location on the island’s South End
Tropical ~ The sound of waves, gentle breezes, and swaying palm trees surround you in this tropical paradise.
