We have just booked a one week trip to Isla, leaving next week. Through this forum I was able to find a condo at Ixchel (sp)

I see that there is not a lot of information on Isla Mujeras on Fodors. We were in PDC last year and liked it but felt that it was too built up for us. We are traveling with our three teens. Can anyone give me some green flags as far as excursions, special beaches, restaurants? We will stay on Isla the entire week. I am working at my job most of this week and will have little time to create a full list of ideas. I appreciate any suggestions. Should we bring our own snorkel gear? Last year we used what ever the excursion guides gave us, are there more opportunities to snorkel without guides?

We love to eat, snorkel, tour, but mostly we look forward to a relaxing week. I think that I will feel better if I go with a short list to pull out if our kids decide that they are board with our pace.

We went to Isla last month for the first time. We've stayed in that area 7 other times.

There are no real guided excursions or tours like in Cancun or Playa. We stayed at the Avalon Reef Club and they offered a snorkel tour from the hotel that we did. There were also tours to Contoy. We found the snorkeling pretty good. Better than Canun and Playa, but not as good as Cozumel.

Rent a golf cart and tour the Island. There are several places you can stop along the way to snorkel. The rental companies will give you a detailed map. We used Ciros. Yes, bring your own snorkel gear. Playa Norte Beach is also really nice.

The town area has tons of restaurants/bars. We didn't find much nightlife except hanging out at a restuarant or bar. We found the atmosphere really great and relaxing, but a little too slow paced for us. We still prefer Cozumel.

thank you..we are staying in Playa Norte.

Definitely do rent a golf cart for at least a day. You can snorkel for a few dollars at Hotel Garrafon on the south end of the island. You can rent equipment there, although I brougth my own. They also have a bar and snacks, along with loungers. It's right next door to the much more expensive Garrafon Park. I wouldn't call the snorkeling great, but it's ok, and the price was right.

Across the street is a great little restaurant, El Pueblito. Very good guacamole and chicken enchiladas.

Further on up the island, on the peninsula, there are various beach clubs and restaurants. Most people love the Mayan grilled fish dish 'Tix n Xic', at what used to be called Playa Lancheros, I'm not sure what the new name is. One order of the stuff will feed at least two people, probably more.

There's also Zamas Beach Club, which has a lovely pool. Used to be 'free' as long as you ordered food or drink, I'm not sure that's true any more.

I would arrange a snorkel tour with Captain Tony. His home/office is on Matamoros, just a block or so off the beach. He also does trips to Isla Contoy.

As for restaurants, someone else will have to recommend high end ones, I just don't go to them. I think the best fish I had was for lunch at Social Justica, on Medina, close to the ferry. There were four of us, all had fish, all prepared different ways, and all delicious. Cheap as well. Actually, any of those restuarants along there have very good food.

We also enjoyed French Bistro, Miguel's Moonlight (don't miss the pomegranate margueritas), and others I don't recall.

Although you're leaving soon, I very strongly recommend you try and order a 'Map Chick' map.
http://www.mapchick.com/
It's really invaluable for a first trip, or even returning ones. She mails them from here in Iowa, so if you e-mail her today, you should be able to receive it before you leave.

Enjoy your trip. I hope you enjoy Isla.

Don't miss a lunch on the beach at Playa Lancheros - best grilled fish you will ever eat.

I have not really ever had a "bad" meal at any of the downtown restaurants, but the standouts are Rolandi's for pizza / pasta / prime rib, and Pinguino's for breakfast. While waiting for your ferry to return to Cancun, even the restaurant (can't remember the name) at the northernmost ferry pier has a great selection and good prices.

Have to agree with Jean (and by the way you will find more posts about Mexico and Isla specifically over on Trip Advisor) about renting a golf cart for the day. It is always a lot of fun.

There are several dive shops in town that you can arrange snorkel tours with, and there is decent snorkeling at Hotel Garrafon de Castillo, next door to the main Garrafon Park. Garrafon Park would get pricey with 3 teens, as they only offer all-inclusive at about US$50pp. Trip to Isla Contoy with Captain Tony is a good idea, we have not been yet, but many folks recommend him.

Also agree with several of Jean's restaurant suggestions, had terrific fish tacos at El Pueblito (grilled not fried) and hubby could not finish all his enchiladas. Zama's beach club was great also.

You can also try the site www.islamujeres.info for more chat.