Step out of your Isla Mujeres hotel in Quintana Roo, Mexico and revel in a myriad of natural attractions that you can visit. Here are the top 3 spots you should add to your list.
1. Garrafon National Park
Known widely for its picturesque beach and underwater scenes, as well as its recreational options, this park is the goto place for travelers who enjoys all types of marine life and diversions. Aside from waterbased activities such as kayaking and snorkeling, the park also has plenty to offer to avid hikers and bikers.
2. Hacienda Mundaca
The hacienda, which was built from materials taken from the Mayan temples in the island, originally belonged to a Spanish pirate and slave trader named Fermin Mundaca. Stories say that the structure was built to win the heart of a local woman who eventually rejected Mundaca and married another man.
3. Turtle Protection Center
This federally funded farm protects turtle eggs from predators. Once the turtles have hatched, they are transferred to a pond then taken to the sea to be set free. The farm is open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM, and entrance costs only 30 pesos.
You can also time your holiday in the island with the following events and celebrations. This way, you will not only get to see its natural beauty but also interact with the locals and other tourists in the most festive of atmospheres.
• New Year's Eve Celebration – Toast to the New Year with lively music, a cacophony of flavors, and upbeat music at the island's Central Plaza. More than the fireworks, food carts, live bands, and free flowing drinks, you will also get to dance all night and treat everyone as friends and acquaintance by greeting them a happy new year.
• Isla Carnival Feast on February or March – Own the dance floor with the Isla Mujeres community for 5 days and nights during the Isla Carnival. This homestyled Mardi Gras prompts locals of all ages in pompous costumes to hit the streets and move to the music at the drop of a hat.
• Whale Shark Festival on June or July – This event promotes practices that will lead to a lasting and mutually beneficial relationship between the island and its marine inhabitants, especially the endangered whale shark. To best view the happening during this busy period, reserve a room at a beachfront accommodation, such as Rocamar Hotel Panoramico, ahead of time.
• Independence Day Celebration in September – Appreciate Mexico's heroes in this solemn gathering and hear the words of Grito de Dolores, a speech made by Father Miguel Hidalgo in 1810 which sparked the efforts to overthrow the Spanish rule. The reading is followed by a fireworks display, which can be viewed from the window of your Isla Mujeres hotel.
Top 3 Places to See in Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo, Mexico
