Thinking of tours while in Cancun for 5 days. Any advice on whether to do Isla Mujeres on our own or as a tour? We are intersted in snorkeling and shopping there. Thank you!!!

Don't take a tour. It's much more convenient to go on your own and do what you want at your own pace. You can catch a ferry at Northern tip of the hotel zone by the Xcaret building, or at Puerto Juarez. Puerto Juarez is cheaper (aprrox. $6 each way) and the ferry runs on the half hour. Once you're on the island you can walk to all the shopping. Rent a scooter or golf cart and you can drive around the enitre island. You can rent by the hour or by the day. Trust me, you don't want to take a tour. Just do your own thing.

on your own with the ferry

Thanks for your replies. Will travel on our own taking public transportation. Planning on renting a golf cart, exploring, shopping and enjoying the beach. If we lie out at the beach, is the golf cart safe somewhere along there with us? Also, any recommendations for meals while we're there - yummy and safe food and drink???? Thank you!!!!!!!!!

Restaurants - Maria Bonita, El Pescador, La Habichuela<BR>Sights - Chichen Itza, Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel<BR>Activities - Horseback riding, beach, lunch all at Tres Rios, snorkleling/diving <BR>I'm curious... Where can you rent a golf cart in Cancun?! (And why?)

I think Laurie meant they would rent a golf cart on Isla Mujeres.

Yes, the golf cart will be safe; just park it along the street close to playa norte. one hint, the golf carts all look alike, so either remember your number (we rented from ciro's and each one was numbered) or tie a bandanna on it or something so you remember which one is yours. <BR>I think Nancy's recs were all for cancun. On Isla, we ate at a number of places downtown, and everything was good and fresh. Part of the fun is just strolling around and looking at menus and seeing what grabs you. Most places are relatively inexpensive also. Have fun!

Thanks for the clarifications guys! Whew! All I could imagine was someone trying to take a golf cart in Cancun - not good! <BR>Yes, my dining recs were for Cancun. <BR>Laurie, if snorkeling is one of the main reasons you are going to IM, be SURE you know where to go. When we went, as another poster pointed out, the coral was all dead and the snorkeling was not good at all.<BR>Great snorkeling is also at Akumal and Cozumel (via ferry from Playa del Carmen 45 min. south of Cancun.)

Great advice from y'all. Thank you. Still regarding all of this. When we're on Isla Mujeres for a day, for food and golf card rental should we have US dollars, pesos or credit cards. In other words do the restaurants take credit cards generally? Could be stupid question, but do we need to take our passport when we ferry over the Isla Mujeres?

No passport is needed to go to Isla Mujeres. <BR><BR>Golf cart....great idea...i hadn't thought of that!

If you would like some more detailed information on Isla Mujeres go to www.isla-mujeres.net and go to the message board. It is a wealth of information!

you can pay for golfcart with a credit card. many of the restaurants take them as well, but not the really small taquerias.