My husband and I went to Cancun a few times and never found a beach where we felt like our 2 year old twins could just play in the water without us holding them and they being swept away.  So one day while we were on a trip we asked a taxi driver and he said Norte Playe Beach.  We asked… where is that and he said on Isla Mujeres.  After asking how to get there, we made the venture the next afternoon.  We took a taxi to the ferry, grabbed the ferry, and went to the island.  Got to the island and asked a taxi driver if he could take us to Norte Playe Beach.  I stepped out and said Yes… this is the water I would feel safe with my child in.  It was clean and calm.  That year we went twice to that island and have gone every year since.

The first trip we went we barely left the area we were staying because we were fine with the public beach and resturants.  We later learned, the island had so much to explore and we love it.

I hate to spread this information, because then it will become more touristy… but I also love it, so I want others to enjoy it if they would like.  If you want a laid back island trip or an area where you can find calm water, then Isla Mujeres may be the ticket.  I enjoy how calm the water generally is on the north and west sides of the island.  Playa Norte Beach is the beach for you if you have small children.  It is on the north end.

So here are the 4 things in order to make the trip.

1.  Find a plane ticket.  We generally can find direct flights (4 hours) from Denver to Cancun.  We find flights through Frontier Airlines or United Airlines.

2. Find transport from Airport to the Island.  We have used USA Transfers and have always had success with them.  They will take you from the airport to the ferry- Puerto Juarez  and you can also have them get your ferry tickets when you get there so you don’t have to worry about where to go for tickets.  We always also book the return trip with them.

3. Find a hotel.  There are many hotels.  We have stayed at 4 different hotels.

   1. Ixchel Hotel.  This one is our favorite so far.  Right down the street from Hildago Street (resturants, shopping, entertainment), has 2 pools and beach chairs for guests with service from the bar.

   2. Hotel Pasada Del Mara –  Similiar to a Super 8- has a pool and simple hotel room. Walk across the street and you are at the public beach.

   3. Villa Kiin – This hotel is a very inexpensive hotel that is right near Norte Playa Beach.  The best beach on the island.  There is no real perks.  No beach chairs, no real food at the hotel..  But for the price.  It is a bargain.  There is food nearby and you can always walk across to the other hotels and rent a beach bed to hang out at.

   4. Izla Hotel– A great little resort.  It has a great pool, has a great breakfast buffet included with room.  It has beach chairs and beach beds just for hotel guests.  One problem, the swimming is not that great because it is on the lower west side and the sand makes you sink…  but you can be at the best beach with a 10 minute taxi ride.  So it works out fine.

4. Enjoy.. The restaurants down Hildago street and other restaurants around the island. Here are a few examples of our must goes to every trip.  Mango Cafe, Rolandi’s at Zoetry Resort (Breakfast is our favorite) , Mama Rosa’s and so many more.  Find the fresh churros at the end of Hildago street by the square.  Visit the Turtle Farm at Tortugranja.  Go to the way southern point of the island and go to Punta Sur.  Pay the little fee and walk all the way down.  There are walking trails down by the water, that can not be seen from the entrance.  Rent a golf cart (sometimes need to rent in advance) and tour the island and stop whenever you wish. Or grab a Taxi cab and tour around very easily. Go snorkeling at the Norte Playa Beach.  

If you are interested in more information, here is a book I saw that has many of my favorite places and suggestions.  Best of Isla Mujeres.

So much to see and do.