Why is it called Isla Mujeres?
Mujeres is the Spanish for Women. So why is it called “Women Island”??
It was back in 564-1516 AD when the Mayan had a sanctuary dedicated to Ixchel (goddess of the moon, fertility, abundance and medicine) down by the South point of the island. In 1517 a Spanish expedition under the leadership of Francisco Fernandez de Cordoba found the island and saw the sanctuary with a representation of Ixchel and all the women statues that the Mayan used to offer to their goddess and this why he called it “Isla Mujeres”.
Another version says that because it’s a fisherman island and the men are always out in the ocean fishing you can only find women on the island, but I like the first version better
Now Isla Mujeres has more than 17000 residents (including the mainland portion) and is mapped at 21 11 5 and longitude West 86 42 50, has an average temperature of 80f or 27c with 60% humidity all year.
How To Get there
From the airport to the ferry dock:
For airport transfers I can arrange a private van for 45 usd for up to 6 people going straight from the airport to the ferry dock . If you have a bigger group please contact me for a quote. ( AC van with bilingual driver)
Contact Us to Book: [email protected]
There is also an ADO bus from the airport to the bus station in Cancun downtown that would be the cheapest option. Then from the bus terminal you can take a taxi to the ferry dock.
Ferry Service to Isla Mujeres
There are 2 boat companies that will take you there. Ultramar leaves from Puerto Juarez, Playa Tortugas, El Embarcadero and Playa Caracol on the hotel zone.
Jetway is the other company and they depart only from Puerto Juarez.
In Punta Sam you can get a car-ferry but is it bigger and much slower.
Puerto Juarez is quite close to downtown Cancun, but not within a walking distance. Puerto Juarez and Punta Sam can be reached by buses starting opposite the ADO bus station in downtown within a few minutes. Or you can also take a taxi. If you have a car rental there are parking areas at all the terminals.