We are going to share the things to be careful of in Isla Mujeres due to the importance of this issue.
Isla Mujeres is a stunning island to make some travel memories. Located just off the coast of Cancun, attracting thousands of tourists because of its delicious food, relaxing beaches, and friendly citizens. However, when it comes to traveling to any tourist place, it’s always beneficial to be aware of things that could put you in trouble.
List of Things to Be Careful of in Isla Mujeres
Isla Mujeres is also known as the “Island of Women”, a sacred place where the goddess Ixchel (the goddess of medicine and fertility) was worshiped by women. Today, Isla Mujeres has become a popular tourist spot for swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing on the beach. People travel from all over the world each year to enjoy and spend some quality time in the sun, sand, and sea. It’s a safe place to visit but there are a few things to be careful of in Isla Mujeres to ensure your trip is secure. We have created a list below for your safety:
1. Be On Time for Your Ferry
If your plan includes taking the ferry to Isla Mujeres, then it’s important to arrive on time. The plus point of reaching the ferry earlier, it will be less crowded. Additionally, the island is most crowded in the late morning and early afternoon, so reaching there early will help help you a lot.
The cost of the ferry ticket is $18 for one way and $25 for the round trip, there’s a 50% reduced price for children. The round-trip ticket comes with free access to the Scenic Tower of Cancun (Torre Escénica de Cancun). It will be best to arrive 15 to 25 minutes before the departure time on your ticket. You can secure good seats if you’re in line to board early. Also, the waiting time for the next ferry is one hour, so if you miss this one you will have to wait for one hour.
2. Avoid Drinking Tap Water
Tap water on the island of Isla Mujeres is fine for taking a shower, but it may not be suitable for drinking and contain harmful bacteria. You don’t want to make your stomach upset and spoil your trip. As a result, drinking tap water is not a good idea even for washing your teeth. The bottled water on the island will be a good choice, if that’s not available at least boil the water before consuming it.
3. Don’t Forget About the Sun and Heat
Isla Mujeres is a paradise island, and the sun there feels different. However, the sun can be incredibly strong when it comes to heat during the summer. That’s why it’s recommended to use sunscreen and consume plenty of water to stay hydrated and active. If you feel dizzy, find yourself a shade and rest until you cool down. With some backup plan, you can always enjoy and explore all that Isla Mujeres has to show.
4. Be Cautious When Swimming
Isla Mujeres is a safe place for tourists by all means. You can enjoy the clear blue waters and white sand beaches. However, it’s better to be cautious when swimming. Always follow the advice of lifeguards on duty. Keep watch for currents and tides including some sea creatures that cause rashes and allergies such as jellyfish. If you are not an experienced swimmer, stay near the surface where the water level is low and you can touch the bottom.
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5. Always be Alert to Your Surroundings
Populated areas are often very safe as there are people around. It’s always a good idea to be alert in the least populated areas so be aware of your surroundings. Pay attention to the people around you, and make sure you are not being followed or watched. Know your way back to the hotel and what time it will get dark so you don’t feel stranded in an unfamiliar place. These are some small attention to detail but can help you to avoid potential hazards when traveling.
6. Keep an Eye out For Pickpockets
While pickpocketing is not very common in Isla Mujeres, it’s important to keep in mind that they are usually found at tourist destinations. The bright side is that restaurants and hotels in Isla Mujeres offer credit card payments. There’s no need to carry tons of cash. Just keep some in case of emergency or for buying some local souvenirs you may like.
7. Be Careful When Spending in Pesos
It’s usually cheaper when you are paying in local currency, especially if you do transactions via credit card with no foreign transaction fee, it may not be the same case in Isla Mujeres, Riviera Maya, and Cancun. Most people learn it the hard way and lost a lot of money to figure this one out.
The exchange rate at many hotels and restaurants in Isla Mujeres, Riviera Maya, and Cancun is outdated. This means paying in US dollars will be better instead of pesos. For example, the old exchange rate is 1 USD equals 21 pesos, a hotel room costs 4200 pesos which is equal to 200 USD. However, the new exchange rate is 1 USD equals 20 pesos, which means that will cost you 210 USD equal to 4200 pesos. Hence if you pay in US dollars instead of pesos, you can save $10 for the same room.
It’s better to ask for the prices in both currencies to avoid being overcharged. The situation will be different in each scenario and it might not be worth it, but it’s a good call for bigger purchases.
8. Bargain and Say No If Necessary
While there are other things to be careful of In Isla Mujeres, street and beach vendors can be pushy sometimes. It’s a place to relax and enjoy but if you bump into them don’t be shy to say no to their products or services. Make sure to bargain for the items you are purchasing. They usually give the tourists a high price but agree to negotiate.
Don’t forget about the vacation club promoters, stay away from them as far as you can. They offer tourists free transportation and cheap tours in exchange for “90 minutes of their time. They will even provide you with free breakfast and then start their sales pitch for the 90 minutes you agreed on and they won’t stop until you close a deal worth $20,000 to $40,000. That’s why stay away from such promoters.
Special Advice for Visitors
Isla Mujeres is an island with natural beauty. It’s about a 15-minute boat ride far from Cancun. However, there are a few things to be careful of when visiting this place. We hope this article was helpful to you. Make sure you follow these simple safety tips and use your common sense. We do wish you a safe journey and a relaxing holiday on the island!