Yes! Isla Mujeres is a small island that is, for the most part, free of crime. There is a reasonably large navy base on the island, which is a great presence when it comes to keeping things tranquil locally.
We have been to the island three times and have never felt unsafe or in danger.
We absolutely adore all the kiddos, but we've decided to make our special week for the adults. We've only included kids within the immediate family. We hope you understand and support our decision to have a more grown-up affair. We truly believe it'll add a special vibe and create some unforgettable memories for everyone involved. Thanks for understanding!
We would recommend getting your passport ASAP just to ensure you receive it in time. Don't wait too long to start working on that. If you already have a passport, check to make sure it won't be expired. The current expedited processing time for passport is 7-9 weeks. Normal processing time is 10-13 weeks.
If your passport expires BEFORE or DURING your stay in Mexico, then you MUST renew your passport BEFORE your trip to Mexico. If your passport will expire SHORTLY AFTER your trip to Mexico, then please contact your airline and find out if they will allow you to fly to Mexico with your passport. Each airline has their own INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL policies and they may not allow you to fly to Mexico with your expiring passport.
We will be booking through Southwest, which will only book flights 6 months in advance. When the flights do become available to book, we will send out an update in the Facebook group. We suggest booking them quickly to ensure a spot. Frontier Airlines also offers direct flights into Cancun.
Isla Mujeres has some of the safest water treatment systems in Mexico since it is connected to the Cancun Hotel Zone. With that said, tap water is safe for showering and brushing teeth but we would not recommend drinking it directly from the tap.
All of the local establishments outsource their ice to the two main ice factories here on the island, which provide filtered ice. So, you can drink without concern.
Isla Mujeres offers a wide range of dining options, from local eateries and street food stalls to upscale restaurants. Here is a rough estimate of the average prices for meals:
Local eateries, taco stands, or small family-owned restaurants: you can expect to pay around 100-200 Mexican pesos ($5-$15 USD) per meal. These places often offer delicious and authentic Mexican cuisine at affordable prices.
Mid-Range Restaurants including casual dining establishments, seafood restaurants, and international cuisine options: you can expect to spend around 200-500 pesos ($15-$30 USD) per meal. These places typically offer a wider variety of dishes and a more comfortable dining experience.
Upscale and Fine Dining: Isla Mujeres also has upscale restaurants that offer gourmet cuisine and upscale dining experiences. Prices in these establishments can range from 500 pesos ($30 USD+) to several thousand pesos per meal, depending on the restaurant, the type of cuisine, and the level of luxury.
Cervesas (Beer): (40-60 MXN) ($2-$4 USD)
Soda /Bottled Water: (15-40 MXN) ($1 - $2 USD)
Tip: Ixchel Hotel offers suites that have full kitchens. There is a grocery store on the island that will have everything you need. We typically make a light breakfast and lunch and then eat out every night.
It's also worth noting that prices can fluctuate depending on the current exchange rate and seasonal factors. Additionally, dining at restaurants in touristy areas or beachfront locations may generally be more expensive than those further away from the main tourist spots.
The Mexican peso is the standard currency used in Mexico. Everyone in Cancun and in Isla will take US dollars or Mexico pesos. However, we recommend always paying in pesos. To get the best exchange rate, we recommend either getting pesos from your bank in the states (Bank of America has great rates) or taking your pesos from the ATMs here on the island. There are several banks on Isla with ATM machines including one directly across the street from the ferry (in English and Spanish). Remember, there will be bank fees for every transaction. We do not recommend travelers checks as many places do not accept them. Also, most establishments do not accept credit cards (due to the higher transaction fees here in Mexico). Pesos are king!
We know you may have questions regarding access to alcohol during your trip. While the Ixchel hotel packages do not include alcoholic beverages, we want to assure you that there are plenty of options available:
We will have an open bar at the Wedding Ceremony and Reception.
Ixchel Hotel’s bar is open until 10 pm and has a variety of drinks.
The island has numerous bars, restaurants and beach clubs with wait staff. You can access the beach clubs by paying an entry fee, and in some cases, the entry fee includes consumption (food & drink). For recommendations on beach clubs, visit our Things To Do List.
Tip: We typically bring our big tumblers, purchase our liquor and mixers at the grocery store, and drink those all day. :)
The wedding party is required to stay at Ixchel Hotel, as the hotel does not allow visitors or day passes, and this is where we will be getting ready for the Wedding Ceremony.
For everyone else - we understand that everyone has different preferences when it comes to accommodation, and we want you to feel comfortable during your stay. If you prefer to stay somewhere other than Ixchel Hotel, that is perfectly okay. We respect your choice and want you to tailor your vacation to your individual needs.
We would love to create an atmosphere where everyone can come together, mingle, bond, and have an incredible time. We believe that by having all our friends and family in the same place, sharing excitement and creating lifelong memories, the experience will be even more memorable and enjoyable for all. There is a possibility that if guests are scattered across the island, they might miss out on some of these special moments and connections.
Ultimately, we want you to have the freedom to choose what makes the most sense for you. We want everyone to have a fantastic time, whether they choose to stay at Ixchel Hotel or elsewhere. So please feel free to make a decision that aligns best.