The Island of Women is known as Isla Mujeres, the name of the place in the Mexican tongue. It is located just off the northeastern coast of the Yucatan peninsula. It is particularly small, being only 7 kilometers long and 650 meters wide.

Etymology

The island was considered sacred by the Mayans, because it was there that they worshipped Ix Chel. Ix Chel is the moon goddess in ancient Mayan mythology. Because of that, the Mayans placed several cult images of the goddess in the island. It was from these images that the Spanish led by Francisco Hernandez Cordova gave the name ?Isla Mujeres? to the island.

History

Isla Mujeres was discovered by an expedition led by Cordova in 1517. Sailing from Cuba in search of slaves to be forced into the mines, Cordova found the island. Cordova and his companions landed and searched the temple of Ixchel in the southern point of the island. They took back some pieces of gold, and left.

For 300 years, no one lived in the island. However, pirates and fishermen sought refuge in the island before sailing the high seas. Notable pirates like Henry Morgan and Jean Lafitte were one of those pirates that set foot to the island. Because of that, legends about treasure being buried beneath the white sands of Isla Mujeres are abundant in the island.

It was not only during the start of Mexico's independence that Mayans arrived in the island. Finding abundant supply of fish in the waters around Isla Mujeres, the Mayans slowly repopulated the island.

Tourist Activities in the Island

The island is immensely filled with day trippers. It is during the day that tour groups and tourists frequent the island, although there are hotels and establishments in the island itself such as of Grupo Mayan.

Isla Mujeres is a perfect place in Mexico where you can enjoy fresh seafood because fishing is one of the main industries in the Island. Mayan cuisine is also available in the island.

Being a small island, visitors can finish touring the island in just one day. One notable spot in the island is the temple of Ixchel, which served both as a temple and as a lighthouse. However, only the ruins of the temple remained after Hurricane Wilma destroyed the structure.

Getting to the Island

There are many ways to get to the island from the airport in Mexico City. You can take either a taxi or airport van from the airport to Puerto Juarez, where you will embark the ferries bound for the island. You can also choose to take a bus ride to Cancun Centro, and then another bus to Puerto Juarez. The taxi route is generally more expensive, but will get you there in half the time required when taking the bus. However, traveling by bus is cheaper.

When you get to the ferry docks, you can then board a ferry boat which will take you to the island. The trip is only 15 minutes and costs 35 Mexican pesos.