Is it a tourist trap??? How long should we spend there?? Which areas are best to stay?

It is not a tourist trap at all, but a quiet, laid-back, inexpensive place to spend a vacaion. There are lots places to eat and drink, but not much in the way of night-life. The best beach is Playa Norte at the north end of town. Check out www.isla-mujeres.net for information on places to stay and read the message boards. We have stayed a number of times for one week and twice for two weeks. If you are planning to visit from Cancun, I would certainly allow two or three nights.

Just got back from Thanksgiving in Mexico including 3 nights on Isla Mujeres. We went there without any reservations and ended up walking in and staying at the Na Balam - it was great! (+/- 125 a night) Nice wide sandy beaches, blue green water, great bar and not many people this time of year. Looks like some places have switched to "high season" rates on Nov 15 but you can get a decent room (nothing fancy) near the beach for 300 to 400 pesos a night ($35 to $40). The town is not a tourist trap but they have a lot of "junk shops" all selling the usual tee shirts, beads, etc. Nice laid back atmosphere.

Hi,<BR>I wouldn't spend too much time there because while it is a lovely place, there are better places to be in the Yucatan. There's a great place in Tulum called Osho Oasis and it is paradise. The ruins in that area are quite fine as well. My advice - 3-4 days tops in Isla and then head to Tulum. Good luck. p.s - Cancun is a bit of a tourist trap so I would minimize my time there as well. Merida is another lovely place to visit that is not a tourist trap.

I thought it was a bit of a tourist trap but certainly better than Cancun

<BR>Read your post on the travel board. You may want to check out the web sites below for a romantic, relaxing vacation south towards the Tankah/Tulum area. Secluded and quiet beaches, but within driving distance to many archaeological sites, Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve, cenotes and great laid back beachfront restaurants and bars.<BR><BR>http://CasaTropical.com<BR>Casa Tropical Tankah... Romantic, Mayan Riviera, beachfront villa, located on privately owned, 1/2 acre lot. Located in Tankah, Mexico, a 1 hour drive south of Cancun airport, 3 miles north of the Tulum ruins, with other major archaeological sites within driving distance. Great views with barrier reef just offshore, and Manatee Cenote up the beach for diving, snorkeling or swimming, jungle style. Two guests quarters with kitchenettes, private patios, maid, gardener, manager. Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve is just south of Tankah and Tulum. <BR>Photo Album of Casa Tropical<BR>http://community.webshots.com/album/21853140fZQuralFFw<BR><BR>Weather Base (past weather history, temps, rainfall, etc.)<BR>http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weatherall.php3?s=509567&amp;refer=<BR><BR>Hidden Worlds snorkel &amp; dive tours of cenotes<BR>http://hiddenworlds.com.mx/<BR><BR>Aktun Chen <BR>www.aktunchen.com<BR><BR>Maps of Riviera Maya Can-do Maps <BR>http://WWW.cancunmap.com/<BR><BR> Check out this web site for tours lead by the Friends of Sian Ka'an group. It is a non-profit organization and tour guides are usually biologists. Very informative tours lead by a very worthwhile organization. <BR>Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve<BR>http://www.cancun.com/siankaan/<BR><BR>photo of tankah's cenote'<BR>http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian/issues98/apr98/diver_jpg.html<BR><BR>