Isla Mujeres is a small island a short distance off the northeast coast of the Yucatán Peninsula in the Caribbean Sea about 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) northeast of
Cancún. The island is some 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) long and 650 metres (2,130 ft) wide, with the main town having a population of 11,147. Transportation on Isla Mujeres consists primarily of taxis or
golf carts and moped scooters. In Pre-Columbian times the island was sacred to the Mayan aged goddess of childbirth and medicine, Ix Chel. When the Spanish arrived here in the 16th century they named it "Isla Mujeres" (meaning Women Island) because of the many cult images of goddesses 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. Since the 1970s along with Cancún there has been substantial development for tourism in Isla Mujeres.
Ferry boats run every half hour during daylight between the island and Puerto Juárez or Puerto Cancún on the mainland. The island is popular with day trippers, but activity quiets down in the evening after the tour groups leave. There are numerous places to eat fresh seafood, as well as Maya cuisine. Hotel prices vary from cheap to very expensive at the resorts on the southwest end such as Hotel Villa Rolandi. On the east is the Caribbean Sea with a strong surf and rocky coast, and on the west the skyline of Cancún is seen across the clear waters. On the north end is
El Centro (downtown), whose central axis,
Hidalgo Street, is the main dining and entertainment area. Also located on the north end is a famous beach called
Playa Norte, which has recovered quickly since Hurricane Wilma hit the area in 2005.
The island of Isla Mujeres is located close to one of many
coral reefs, and the area is popular for its snorkeling and scuba diving. Isla Mujeres is also home to a population of
sea turtles. Because of the recent endangerment of sea turtles in the area, a facility was set up on the southern end of the island for the rehabilitation and breeding of them. This facility is open to the public.
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