I got back last Saturday from my first trip to Isla Mujeres. Thanks to everyone who suggested this little gem in the Caribbean. I was there from July 7-14. I flew out of New Orleans to Cancun and arranged for a transfer to the Puerta Juarez through CARM, included in the transfer were my roundtrip ferry tickets. It was a very seamless and easy process. On the way to the ferry, the driver stopped so I could exchange for Pesos...the exchange rate was 18 pesos to the dollar, slightly better than what I saw on Isla.

Ultramar Ferry to Isla from Puerta Juarez. The singer was really good.

I stayed at the Sea Hawk Dive Shop and Suites which was about 50 or so yards from Playa Norte. It was a great little place, my room which was on the third floor, was large with a nice balcony complete with a hammock, couch and coffee table. The balcony also had clotheslines to hang your wet swimsuit and towels to dry and provided beach chairs. It was also located next door to the ChaChaCha Gourment Garden which had live music every night so, I got to hear some good singers/bands.

I found out that the best time of the day to go to Playa Norte was in the morning before all the boats from Cancun and people coming over on the ferry for the day hit the beach.

North Garden Restaurant was across the street from where I stayed so, I ate for lunch twice and breakfast twice. Veggie Omelet with homemade bread and roasted potatoes

First time having a Strawberry Mimosa which was great

Pecan Benedict with Orange Juice

Grilled Chicken Sandwich on Homemade Foccia Bread with salad and a green tea

I also ate at Dopi's, Soggy Peso, Mango Cafe, BallyHoo, Jax, Skull's Landing, The Joint and Ruben's the rest of my stay.

Lobster Tacos at Dopi's on Hidalgo

Chicken Fajitas and several Painkillers at Soggy Peso with a great sunset

Mushroom Swiss Burger and Fries with a Dirty Colada at Jax

Coconut Encrusted Chicken Fingers and Salad at Skull's Landing with a Coke Light. This was my least favorite meal the entire week.

Breakfast Quesadillas and a Mimosa at Mango Cafe

Fish (grouper) and Chips with a Coke Light for dinner at Bally Hoo

Friday I took a Taxi and ventured to the south end of the island where I had lunch at The Joint before walking down to Punta Sur and then back to the Joint for more Frozen Mojitos. The Joint was a great place and had a band playing during lunch.

Chicken Jerk Sandwich and Frozen Mojito at the Joint

Punta Sur

I usually either went for a run or walk in the morning along the Malecon and saw some beautiful sunrises

AFter I got back from Punta Sur and The Joint, I had dinner at Ruben's.

Coconut Shrimp and a glass of Ice Tea

The sunsets were probably the most beautiful I've seen

Last but not least, I had never had a Cocos Frios so I got one from the Sea Hawk and it was very refreshing.

I did this as a solo trip and had a wonderful time! One of the things I really enjoyed was the laid back, no hurry vibe of the Island. It's definitely on my list of places to visit again. Next time I go, I'll probably stay mid-island on the Caribbean side which, although is very rocky, does have some nice, small beaches. I also didn't get to visit the Dolphin Discovery, Tortugranja or Garaffon Natural Reef Park which I will try to do on my next visit as well as try those restaurants which I didn't get to this time.

This post was edited on 7/19/18 at 3:43 pm