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Isla Mujeres is the name of a small island,
as well as the town on that island, a short distance off the
coast of the north east of the Yucatan Peninsula in the
Caribbean Sea. Isla Mujeres is one of the eight
municipalities of the Mexican state of Quintana Roo. It is
about 13 km north east of Cancún, at 21.20° North, 86.72°
West. The island is some 7 km long and 650 meters wide. In
2000 it had a population of about 10,000. As of 2005 there
were 121 taxis, 500 golf carts, and 1500 mo-ped scooters.
In Pre-Columbian times the island was sacred
to the Maya Moon Goddess, Ix Chel. When the Spanish arrived
here in the 16th century they named it "Isla Mujeres"
meaning "Island of Women" because of the many cult images of
the Moon Goddess here.
There was a small Mayan temple on the south
tip of the island; however in 1988 Hurricane Gilbert caused
extensive damage to it leaving most of the foundation and a
very small portion of the temple remaining.
Since the 1970s there has been substantial
development for tourism here. Ferry boats run every half
hour during daylight between Isla Mujeres and Puerto Juarez
or Puerto Cancún on the mainland. It is very popular with
day trippers but when they leave it is a quiet place. There
are numerous places to eat fresh seafood. Hotel prices vary
from cheap to very expensive at the resorts on the south
west end such as Hotel Villa Rolandi.
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On the east is the Caribbean Sea with the
strong surf and a rocky coast, and on the west the skyline
of cancun is seen fronting clear waters. On the north end is
Isla Town. In town on the north end strip is a famous beach
called Playa Norta which has recovered quickly since
Hurricane Wilma hit the area in 2005.
Isla Mujeres is located close to one of the
many coral reefs. The area is popular for its snorkeling and
scuba diving.
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 Cancún
Cancún
Cancún geo
Town and beaches
Arrival and transportation
Restaurants
Entertainment and nightlife
Bars and nightclubs
Shows and dinner cruise
Listings
Moving from Cancun
Ferry
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Cozumel
Cozumel
Getting there
Airlines and airports
Geo and brief history
Getting there from Cancun
Diving
Chankanaab Park
Museum of the Island of Cozumel
Isla Mujeres
Brief history
Exploring Isla Mujeres
Places to visit
Contoy Island
Sleeping sharks
Biking
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