Get THE Map Mapchick's map of Isla M is indespensable :lol: It has EVERYTHING on it. Lodging, services, dining, cart routs. It's perfect for sightseeing. There's a link at the bottem of this page, "Cando maps". Her Cancun map, PDC and Cozumel maps are all great and easy to use. 8.00 on the honor system and you'll have it in less than a week. Jimmy
Re: Get THE Map OR, you can point your browser here http://www.isla-mujeres.net/maproom.htm and have great maps for free in about a second
You are getting great info here. From the Hotel Zone, the bus you want is the R-1(in big letters on the front window) but make sure it says Pto Juarez above the front window, as all R-1's do not go to the ports. Like Steve says, Gran Puerto, which is the first port you come to, has fast, new boats. The bus basically makes two turns, the first onto Av. Tulum downtown, and then another right onto Lopez Portillo about 1 mile later. Straight ahead you see what looks like a tall observation tower (but is really a restaurant) and this is where you want to get off the bus. The boat tickets are $35 pesos per person each way and you can buy a round trip ticket if you want. The bus is $6.5 pesos per person each way. Playa Norte is the big sandy beach mentioned and it is to your left as you get off the boat. Golf carts are everywhere and $450 pesos for the day. Something you must do is have some "Tik n Chik" for lunch. This is a whole fish cooked over a wood flame, covered with annoto paste, served with tortillas and "fixins" so you can eat like tacos. Yummy. I suggest Playa Lancheros or Playa Tiburon, both on the Mapchick map and on the tiny map you get from the golf cart places. Tiburon is just past the turtle farm. Both are accessible by golf cart. Have fun.
Good (important) point TJ made about the R1's. If if doesn't have "Pto Juarez" painted on the front window (you'll see what we mean), then it's not your bus. I don't think you can miss the Gran Puerto stop, but if you do, not to worry... Gran Puerto is the second last stop on that route. The last stop is (non-Grand) Puerto, where the smaller, slower ferry leaves from. You can take it (and come back on the fast one - there's no need or use to buy round trip tix for either of these, even though they'll want you to) - or you can just wait for the bus to turn around and go back to Gran Puerto (which may cost an extra 6.5 peso pp bus fare). Whatever you do - do NOT take the Isla ferry that leaves from near the Embarcadero (in the Hotel Zone). It is wayyyy overpriced, it is as slow as molasses, and it's rocks tremendously, even in the most calm of waters you're likely to see in Mujeres Bay. And - as TJ so aptly said - Have Fun
