Unveiling Isla Mujeres: Unmatched Adventures from Budget Stays to Beach Escapes
If you’re looking for the clearest water you have ever seen, add Isla Mujeres to your list! Playa Norte is ranked trip advisors top 10 beaches in the world and as someone who has been to a lot of beaches, it’s true this one was pretty great.
Isla Mujeres was a last minute edition and I am so happy we added it to our route. After two weeks traveling through Mexico I needed a little bit of my homeland and that I got much of. If you are wanting traditional Mexico experience you will not be getting that is Isla Mujeres, however if you are wanting to explore Mexico outside of the resorts of Cancun without going too crazy (whether you fear traveling through Mexico, etc) this is a great way to do so.
If you book any hotels, I do get commission off of booking.com & it would just be so insanely appreciated if you’d book through my link. I get commission through most of the links attached & I would be so grateful if you could use those links to book if you found my blog helpful. I'‘m not paid by these companies but use TravelPayouts, if you want to link your travels after too & get commission sign up here!
Isla Mujeres was so much fun! We stayed at Selina Hostel which was right on a beach, but walking distance from THE beach (aka Playa Norte). You can find dorm rooms for as low as $25 at Selina. There was also a gym at this Selina which was amazing. For $100 MXN you could use the gym and they actually had a lot - squat rack, free weights, TRX bands, etc. There was also free morning yoga classes each morning as well as CrossFit classes fro $100 MXN. This Selina also had a pool, was located right on the beach, had beach volleyball, bikes to rent, and a full stocked bar + restaurant.
We only had a few days in Isla Mujeres and like any tourist island, there’s good & bad. So let’s get into it.
First off, if you are wanting to do boat tours around Cancun I beg of you — book these from Cancun. If you are staying a few days in Cancun as well there are far better tours from Cancun. We booked one through get your guide & to be honest I would not recommend. We were thrown on a small boat with about eight other people and hurried on and off this small boat in three different spots. We got maybe ten-twenty minutes per spot before we were rushed back on. Overall, money would’ve been spent better elsewhere. This is not to say that the snorkeling wasn't amazing, because it was! That’s something you should definitely do - just book from Cancun. Here’s a couple good options linked here.
If you are wanting to know the best place to spend your money get your booty over to Kin Ha. If anyone goes to Isla Mujeres without going here, you are absolutely crazy. This is a beach club that was SO MUCH FUN. I don’t care how old you are or even if you are married with kids, y’all go here. For 500 pesos you get access to kayaks, paddle boards, snorkeling, this awesome dock to swim & hangout at with a swing. The best part is that 400 of those pesos you can use towards food. I could’ve hung out here all day but we spent a good three hours kayaking, snorkeling etc until 5pm when the actives closed. After that we let those 400 pesos go far during happy hour and got a few drinks and a meal with those pesos.
Another great thing to do is to rent a golf cart. There will be tons of people trying to sell you them for an arm & a leg but I heard Rentadora Caribe was about $66 for the day — I did see this on tiktok from 2023 so it might be a little more expensive now but even so, it is far better than the $30 an hour I was seeing some people try to charge.
Punta Sur is another very popular place for tourists to check out. It’s pretty but honestly nothing too special. We maybe spent five minutes here, my best advice on the way up to Kin Ha have your taxi driver go to Punta Sur and then wait for you since Punta Sur is only about five more minutes up the road.
Isla Animals. I am so sad this is currently closed for volunteers or else I would’ve been there in a heartbeat. Essentially it is an animal rescue that lets volunteers walk + hangout with the dogs! Such a fun way to give back a little even while traveling + hopefully inspire you to get to serving while you’re back home too.
Next up, the food.
Antal Cafe tucked a little outside of town with a unique vibe of being a holistic cafe. Their coffee + matcha was pretty good, nothing too crazy but a good option for breakfast!
North Garden: LISTEN TO ME, GET A BAGEL HERE. I’ve been to New York and tried a bunch of bagels there, nothing will ever beat these bagels, nothing. I got a bagel sandwich our first morning and on the last morning two minutes before we left I ran to grab another bagel and brought it to the airport. Who am I kidding it didn’t make it to the airport it was downed in the back of a taxi. Their coffee was also fantastic and it was a short walk from Selina on the way to Playa Norte!
Isla Burger: I did not think I would have the best burger of my life in Mexico, but here we are. Grab one of these and watch the sunset on Playa Norte — walk a bit further north?? west?? (towards the sun setting lol) and you’ll get the best sunset view while eating a damn good burger!
Why Holbox Should Be Your Next Vacation Destination: Insights & Travel Advice
So you’ve heard of Cancun, obviously but have you heard of Holbox, Mexico? It’s time to think beyond the typical tourist spots like Cancun. Let me introduce you to Holbox, an underrated treasure north of the Yucatan’s party central. This laid-back island swaps cars for golf carts and skyscrapers for palm trees, offering a slice of paradise with less crowd and more character.
Most of your time will truly probably be spent relaxing by the beach. Staying in a hotel like Hotel Hau you won’t have any need to reserve a spot at a beach club because there are plenty of chairs, towels, and food! Running back and forth between lounging on the beach, jumping in the pool, swimming in the ocean, and hanging out in the rooftop pool - my time was taken up quickly.
If you book any hotels, I do get commission off of booking.com & it would just be so insanely appreciated if you’d book through my link. I get commission through most of the links attached & I would be so grateful if you could use those links to book if you found my blog helpful. I'‘m not paid by these companies but use TravelPayouts, if you want to link your travels after too & get commission sign up here!
Getting there
You’ll want to take a shuttle & then a ferry over to the island. Bookaway is great that they offer a ticket with the shuttle + the ferry which makes it super easy! If you’re traveling from Cancun (shuttle + ferry linked here) they even pick up straight from the airport.
Once you get off the ferry hop on a golf cart taxi! Keep pesos on you to pay!
Where to stay?
Holbox Hau was a DREAM. This beach front property was stunning, they had amazing breakfast, some of the best mojitos I’ve ever had (plus a great happy hour menu), a rooftop pool, and beautiful rooms. Starting at $140 per night, your money is going to take you a lot further in Holbox than in would in Cancun. Additionally, if you attend during shoulder season (right before peak season), you can enjoy a rooftop pool to yourself & a private sunset view.
Hotel Hau was a bit further out of town, but a fifteen minute walk on the beach to & from town was actually super nice. Taxis via golf cart are also available and the hotel will call one for you. I’d recommend doing this to & from the ferry as it’s about a twenty minute drive. However, since it is a bit further outside of town you’ll find a nearly almost private beach with the most beautiful view of the sunset!! This was my favorite place we stayed in the Yucatan!!
Brunch at Painapol
You all know a vacation isn’t complete without a beautiful brunch. Painapol is the spot for all your brunch dreams to come true. Their smoothie bowls are as colorful as the island itself, and the avocado toast is chef's kiss. It's the fuel you need for a day of exploring.
About sunrise…
We heard on the east side is beautiful however we did not make it over there. On the west side it wasn’t great but still nice to walk on the beach.
About sunset…
YES! Holbox is genuinely the place I saw the most gorgeous sunset ever. Park it at a beach club or restaurant to watch sunset, go for a swim to watch it, or your hotels rooftop pool!
LET’S GO DANCE!!
We went over to the Hot Corner for dinner & drinks which was great but the live music was everything. After we finished dinner we spent the night dancing in the streets and just picking up some beers from the convenience store across the street. This was such a fun experience, even on a Monday during shoulder season the streets were packed!
Marquesitas
If you’re traveling through the Yucatan you’ve likely already tried one of these but I cannot write a Yucatan blog post without mentioning them! I ate about five during this trip, SO GOOD!
It's essentially a crispy rolled-up crepe, made from a batter similar to that of a waffle or crepe, cooked on a special iron until it's thin and crispy. The traditional filling is Edam cheese, but as a dairy free gal I filled it with Nutella, fruit, and on occasion peanut butter!
When to go: June - September is whale shark season, thus I will absolutely be going back to swim with some whale sharks. We went during April and it wasn't too crowded at all. Seems we went in-between the spring break + summer crowd! If you’re going in June - September here are a couple tours that looked great! Get your guide whale shark!
Things that are on the list for next time:
Punta Mosquito: we heard sunrise here is awesome! It is a massive sandbar but honestly we felt like the entire beach even outside of our hotel was much of a sandbar.
Rent bikes: I cannot remember if our hotel had bike rentals but there was plenty of spots to do so!
Bioluminescence: typically present year round, there are many tours to rent kayaks & do such!
The “Maldives of Mexico”
Bacalar. I bet you’ve never heard of this place but once you see the kool-aid water & realize it’s actually FRESH WATER & not salt water you’ll have your heart set on traveling here. When planning a trip to Mexico, many people think of Cancún as their go-to destination for its pristine beaches and vibrant nightlife. However, there's a hidden gem just a few hours south of Cancún that deserves your attention: Bacalar.
If you book any hotels, I do get commission off of booking.com & it would just be so insanely appreciated if you’d book through my link. I get commission through most of the links attached & I would be so grateful if you could use those links to book if you found my blog helpful. I'‘m not paid by these companies but use TravelPayouts, if you want to link your travels after too & get commission sign up here!
The Maldives of Mexico
Bacalar, often known as the "Lake of Seven Colors," is a tranquil town nestled on the shores of Bacalar Lagoon. While Cancún's bustling beaches attract crowds, Bacalar offers a more serene and intimate experience with its stunning natural beauty and laid-back atmosphere.
1. Bacalar Lagoon: A Natural Wonder
Bacalar Lagoon is renowned for its breathtaking shades of blue, ranging from turquoise to deep indigo. The clear, calm waters are perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking.
Explore the lagoon's unique cenotes (natural sinkholes) and learn about the local flora and fauna.
2. Outdoor Adventures
Bacalar offers various outdoor activities for adventure seekers, such as sailing, paddleboarding, and even scuba diving in the lagoon's cenotes.
Take a hike or bike ride through the lush surroundings to experience the region's natural beauty.
3. Relaxation and Wellness
Unlike Cancún's bustling beaches, Bacalar's lagoon provides a peaceful retreat where you can unwind and connect with nature.
Consider indulging in a wellness experience, such as a yoga class by the lagoon or a relaxing spa treatment.
4. Local Cuisine and Markets
Experience the flavors of Bacalar by sampling traditional Yucatecan dishes at local restaurants. Try fresh seafood, cochinita pibil, and other regional specialties. Sampling a marquesita is a MUST while exploring the Yucatan.
Explore the town's markets for unique handicrafts and souvenirs made by local artisans.
Bacalar is a destination that offers a perfect blend of adventure, relaxation, and cultural immersion. If you're looking for an alternative to the crowds of Cancún, consider exploring the serene beauty of Bacalar. You'll leave with unforgettable memories and a new appreciation for Mexico's diverse landscapes and cultures.
Tips you need:
Cash: This is honestly the biggest thing you will need - for taxis, hostel accommodations, local restaurants and your fair share of marquestias.
Getting there: The most affordable option is to fly into Cancun and hop on an ADO bus to Bacalar. Another option is to fly into Belize City, I was just not so comfortable crossing the border on foot — however if you are well traveled it should not be a problem. I booked from Cancun to Bacalar using Bookaway of course. The ride was actually super comfortable, no need to take dramamine like in Guatemala. The seats are comfortable there is a bathroom on board and the five hour ride goes by in no time.
Reel safe sunscreen: The lagoon is BEAUTIFUL but it is because they do such an amazing job taking care of it. Please do not come here & hurt against that effort. Make sure you are wearing reef safe sunscreen when swimming in the lagoon.
ESim Cards: If you’re new around here we don’t believe in paying for a whole new phone plan. purchase an ESim when traveling to another country to save you time + convenience.
Day 1:
Morning: Sailing Excursion with Day Tour Bacalar
Start your first day with a sailing excursion on the breathtaking Bacalar Lagoon. This gives you a great tour of the lagoon right off the bat. I booked through GetYourGuide here — these had of the best reviews and we loved our tour guides!! The tour with Get Your Guide includes swimming and exploring the lagoon's unique cenotes and pirate history.
This tour also included kayaks, they told us we could come back and use them whenever we wanted on our trip there. Unfortunately we were starving and never got around to going back with the weather.
Recently awarded #7 worldwide as best sailing and day cruises options by TripAdvisor traveler's choice awards 2022!!!
Afternoon: Lunch at Antojitos Orizaba
After your sailing excursion, refuel with a meal at Antojitos Orizaba. This restaurant serves traditional Mexican dishes at budget-friendly prices.
Try local favorites like tacos, tamales, and quesadillas to experience the region's culinary delights. The vibrant atmosphere and delicious food make it a perfect lunch spot.
Evening: Sunset at the Lagoon
After lunch we went to find a swim spot, lots of these collect a couple pesos for entry. It was rather rainy during the afternoon but it was still beautiful.
Day 2:
Morning: Sunrise at a Local Pier
Start your second day early with a sunrise viewing at a local pier. The peaceful ambiance and stunning view of the sun rising over the horizon will leave you in awe. Weather wise, I again hope you have better luck than we did.
Xibalba Hostel
After your sunrise adventure, head back to Xibalba. This hostel was a nice and quiet as well, which was personally great for Bacalar. Their pool was great, the breakfast was small but did the job. Private rooms were about $40 a night which was AWESOME. However if you are solo traveling or just looking to meet some more people/ be more social check out Che Hostel, I read some great reviews.
If you are looking to splurge a little bit look on airbnb, they have some great options for places right on the water. Additionally stay at Khaban, this is my dream spot with beautiful bungalows it is a DREAM.
Morning: Explore Bacalar Town
Spend the morning exploring Bacalar town. You can also browse local shops for souvenirs or gifts.
Afternoon: Kayaking on the Lagoon
End your 48 hours with a relaxing kayak trip on Bacalar Lagoon. Renting a kayak is budget-friendly and allows you to explore the lagoon at your own pace. Ask locals for recommendations or jump through to search different tours here.
Paddle through the clear waters and enjoy the tranquility of the lagoon as the sun begins to set.
Bacalar is truly a place I found on social media and became obsessed with. Because it is kind of a hassle to get to it is super under developed. The town does such a great job at making sure they preserve the lagoon so do your part!!
Cabo San Lucas Travel Guide
MEXICOOOOOOO!!!!!
We spent five nights in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico thanks to Hotel Tesoro — they set us up in the best place. Hotel Tesoro was an all inclusive resort which was located right by the marina. Staying at the marina helped us with transportation because it was right by all the tours we booked. We were able to walk most places being so close to downtown and in the long run we saved money with the hotel being all-inclusive! I honestly do not think I have ever enjoyed a trip as much as I loved Cabo. We made so many friends on this trip and are already looking to plan our next trip back.
If you book any hotels, I do get commission off of booking.com & it would just be so insanely appreciated if you’d book through my link. I get commission through most of the links attached & I would be so grateful if you could use those links to book if you found my blog helpful. I'‘m not paid by these companies but use TravelPayouts, if you want to link your travels after too & get commission sign up here!
Getting to Cabo:
Time zone in Cabo San Lucas, BCS, Mexico (GMT-6). Two hours behind EST.
We took a flight from Miami to Mexico City, which was about two and half hours, then a second flight from Mexico City to Cabo which was two hours. On the way back we flew a total of four hours and had our layover in Dallas. On the way there we flew AeroMexico — which I believe is owned by Delta. On the way back we flew American, we booked through Expedia to find the most affordable option for a round trip.
From the airport you will need to take a shuttle, my recommendation - book beforehand in order to ensure your shuttle is not $80 which what we ended up paying the first time. This time we will be using this booking here ($32 roundtrip per a person). For larger groups book here ($75 one way for a group - up to 5 people).
Best Time to Go:
The best time to go to Cabo San Lucas is between May and June. October and November can also be great months to travel to Mexico after all of the summertime rainstorms have passed. We traveled in November and I thought it was such a perfect time. The water was definitely cold but because of the tide you don’t do too much swimming in Cabo.
Hotel Tesoro!!
Camel riding is such a unique experience and we had no idea it was something we’d be able to do in Mexico. This excursion was great for people who want a lot out of the experience. We were out on their property for a few hours - camel back riding, food tasting, learning about Cabo, etc. This was a day I wish I was a little more mentally prepared for it to be long. We booked with Cabo Adventures.
Sunset Sail with Cabo Adventures
This is a MUST on your trip to Cabo. If you know anything about me, you know I love sailboats so spending the night watching the sunset on a sailboat was music to my ears. Every single day in Cabo was beautiful so it seemed like like every single sunset got better and better. We also booked through Cabo Adventures for this sunset sail. This tour was about two hours on the sailboat. It was a small group of people on board which gave us plenty of chances to dance around the boat & have a good time. The staff was amazing & they took care of our every need. These tours are also a great way to meet friends from all over the world, which personally is my favorite part of booking excursions.
Tu Enamorado Sunset Sail
I cannot even express the beauty that is this boat. We set sail for a sunset dinner cruise paired with yummy drinks, surf + turf and the most beautiful view in the whole world. This boat was the sailboat of my dreams. We booked this tour through Wild Cabo Tours and their staff was so much fun. They made us feel right at home, we also made lots of friends on the sailboat. It was no short of an amazing time. The food was probably my favorite I had while in Cabo.
Mt. Solmar
This was a hike we so badly wanted to do but our nights lasted a little longer than we planned them to. This hike is a guided hike at 8am everyday besides Saturday. I’ve heard such great things about this hike, we will absolutely be doing it first thing on our next trip back.
Fiesta Tour
This tour was so much FUN. We were definitely the younger group of people on this boat but it was such a fun time. We ate yummy fajitas and watched such a beautiful sunset. We also booked this tour with Cabo Tours so it was no surprise that the staff became our best friends. They were such a fun group and we so thoroughly enjoyed our time with them. The boat was a two story boat with tables downstairs and a dance floor on the roof.
Beaches
Sur beach house
We took a water taxi over to Sur Beach House on a Saturday afternoon and only waited a couple minutes for a table. We were shocked by the beauty of this place. It was so beautiful seeing the ocean from a different side opposed to where we stayed + the other beaches we went to. The food we ate at Sur beach house was a little bit of a splurge but it was the only meal we really ate out so we figured it was worth it. Their sushi was incredible and Maries pasty was perfect. They also have beach seating (I’d assume for a price) where we can sit on the beach and order drinks + food.
Lovers Beach
The next two beaches were back to back to one another. If you are taking a water taxi to get to these beaches, just tell them lovers beach and you’ll keep walking to the back side of the beach & will find divorce beach. Lovers beach is a beautiful beach full of photo spots and gorgeous blue water.
Divorce Beach
This beach was so unique!! Divorce beach is on the other side of Lovers Beach and it’s called Divorce beach because of how strong the waves are. They are so strong that you are not allowed to swim in the water on this side of the beach. The waves were insane. This is something to note about all of Cabo, the tide is really strong and definitely will pull you out. I would recommend staying shallow everywhere swimming in Cabo.
Packing List
I honestly packed pretty minimal considering I did bring FOUR pairs of shoes. Why I thought I needed that, I am still not sure. I packed my Hokas and never wore them once, but the were intended for the hike. Our outfits were in fact extra, thus why we got cat called so much, but we went with the intention of shooting content. If you are are just looking to hang out, anything is honestly fine.
MUST PACK
A good pair of walking shoes (I wore my converse everywhere)
Sandals/flip flops — for beach days, to wear with dresses
Sunglasses
A good hat — I brought my cowboy hat & it just fit the vibes every time
Crossbody bag — I brought my Thread Wallets crossbody (code MACKENZIEMARSH20) and it just made me feel safer keeping cash, credit cards, and even my passport on me at times.
Hair ties/slick back hair gel — We wore our hair up more often than not on the boats so it was nice to look clean on the sailboat rides. We did not bring a single hair curler/straightener etc so we were really making do.
WHAT I LOVED HAVING
Long skirt — My long linen skirt was worn so often, it was nice to dress the skirt up & down depending on where we were going. the skirt is linked here.
Linen pants — Another item that was great to walk around in, wear as a cover up, or dress up. Linked my favorite pair here.
Jeans — We ended up going out at night and I was happy to have a pair of jeans.
Things to note about Cabo
Pricing: If you’re not a big foodie, staying at an all inclusive is the way to go to get the bang out of your buck. We only ate one meal out of the resort since our resort was walking distance from EVERYTHING, we were able to run home eat then come back out again. Additionally, if you drink our resort even let us take to-go drinks so whether you’re wanting some alcoholic or even a coffee to-go, it was great. Food was fairly reasonably priced everywhere, considering it was high quality food + all the seafood was as fresh as it could be. Make sure you budget tipping, most employees rely on tips for their income so PLEASE tip your excursions, restaurants, hotels, etc.
Taxis: Our largest expense was the taxi from the airport to the hotel, this cost us $80 one way… The ride back as only $44 since we booked it ahead of time. Book a shuttle ahead of time here to save money. These were the only taxis we paid for though because we were again close to everything.
Shoes: Lots of the streets are cobble stone so heels wouldn’t be the best option. Make sure to bring comfortable shoes because you will walk a lot!
Safety: I say this as someone who is pretty well traveled. This is not somewhere I’d recommend going (especially alone or with a small group of people), if you haven’t all traveled internationally before. You definitely have to walk around the place with confidence when you say no. If you’re someone who hates getting cat called, good luck in Cabo. The cat calling is ver original in Mexico and you will get offered boyfriends to bodyguards. After you get used to it, it gets pretty comical. If you don’t like iguanas or don’t believe $20 is a fair price for a photo with an iguana with a cowboy hat on, say no to the men who will throw an iguana on you daily.
Language Barrier: English is just as common as Spanish here. Everyone spoke both. If you did not know Spanish it was not a big deal.
Money: Pack cash. It doesn’t matter if it is pesos or US dollars always keep cash on you. The taxis, water taxis, bars, and of course tips are all in cash. There are ATM’s everywhere but obviously the fee on an ATM is not fun to pay for. We took out about $250 cash between the two of us & it was plenty for us.
Culturally: Americans rush EVERYTHING. Do not expect restaurants to rush you out the same way they do in the states, it will take a while to get your check.