Isla Mujeres, Mexico
Tourism

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white sand fringed by coconut palms, lagoons of crystal-clear water and coral reefs with an abundance of fish.

History

Little is known of the island's history in pre-Conquest days. The Mayas have left traces of their presence in remains of buildings, some of which date from the 8th and 9th c. ad. Most of the temples that have been found are thought to have been dedicated to Ixchel, goddess of the moon and fertility.

The island was discovered in 1517 - two years before Cortés landed in Mexico - by a Spanish expedition under Francisco Hernández de Córdoba, who named it "Island of Women" after the large number of terracotta female figurines which he and his men found in the Maya ruins. In later periods the Isla Mujeres, like most of the Caribbean islands, was a pirates' and smugglers' lair. It is only within the last twenty years or so that tourism has come to the island and turned a sleepy fishing settlement into a popular holiday resort. Unlike the neighbouring island of Cozumel and the modern seaside resort of Cancún, Isla Mujeres has remained relatively unspoiled and not too crowded. In order to promote its trade the island has been made a free port.

Sights

The island's main attractions lie on and in the sea and are readily accessible on foot, by bicycle or by moped. The best bathing place is the Playa Cocteros ("Los Cocos") on the north-west side of the island; and at the northern tip begin the coral reefs which provide such splendid opportunities for snorkellers. The east coast, on the Caribbean, also boasts some beautiful beaches and reefs, such as Playa Ponchol, but strong currents make bathing hazardous.