The new issue of Islands magazine has an article about Isla Mujeres, which is just off the coast of Cancun. I’m looking for an island to visit in February and I’m wondering if anyone has ever visited? Its a toss up between Isla Mujeres and St. Martin (Orient Beach to be exact).
plnnr:
Are you a heterosexual male? And doesn’t Isla Mujeres translate as “Island of Women?”
For me, the choice would be clear.
Yes, I’m a hetero male. Isla Mujeres got its name from the Mayan statues on the island, not the sex of the inhabitants. Were it different, there would be no question about my destination.
Well, thank god. My Spanish is a little iffy, and I was briefly worried that plnnr had decided to spend his vacation on “Murder Island.”
I don’t know about you, but Isla Mujeres sounds like a more fun trip for me than the one I was planning to the Isle of Lesbos.
Damn it, Ike, you’ve ruined it for me. I was so looking forward to getting away with murder during my vacation. You know, do a little site seeing, knife some poor slob in the back and watch the blood flow, visit a cantina, drink a cerveza or dos, slit the chef’s throat, poison the maid, garrote the concierge. Now, it looks like I’ll just lay on the beach. Leave it to the members of the SDMB to ruin a perfectly good vacation plan.
Now, about that trip to the Island of Lesbos…I guess I better pack an extra strap-on or two, maybe some flannel shirts and work boots, an extra set of golf clubs, a case or two of Old Spice. I hear that you can trade all of these trinkets for native crafts.
I’ve been to Isla Mujeres for an overnight stay. It was on a short sailing trip from Cancún. Mujeres is a pretty laid back place although there are a couple pretty nice hotels and restaurants. If you’re looking for a nice quiet, and maybe romantic, getaway, you could do far worse. If you want a bit more nightlife and better snorkeling, or diving, I’d recommend Cozumel.
Here’s a semi-official Isla Mujeres website with a wealth of info and even a small message board.
http://www.isla-mujeres.net/
Interesting Historical Tidbit®
LAFITTE, Jean (1780?-1826?). The pirate Jean Lafitte was also a patriot. Little is known about his early life. No one knows who his parents were. A dozen French cities claim to be his birthplace. His exact birth date is also unknown. Jean Lafitte appeared in New Orleans about 1806. He opened a blacksmith shop as a cover for his smuggling business. He sold goods captured by pirates from ships sailing the Caribbean Sea.
For two years Lafitte prospered. He was handsome, educated, and pleasant. When the United States outlawed the importing of slaves, in 1808, Lafitte began smuggling them in as a new source of profit. Lafitte became the leader of smugglers who had a base on Grand Terre Island, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of New Orleans. From here he controlled imports into New Orleans. He insisted that his captains operate as privateers, legally commissioned to capture ships and cargoes of enemy nations. At that time this meant British and French ships.
Because other business suffered from Lafitte’s activities, he and his men were indicted as pirates. In 1814 his base on Grand Terre was destroyed by a United States Navy force. Lafitte escaped.
At this time an English captain offered Lafitte $30,000 and a commission to help the British attack New Orleans. Instead, Lafitte told Governor Claiborne of the planned attack and offered his help. During the battle Lafitte fought well. Later United States President James Madison pardoned him and his men for their acts of piracy.
Lafitte’s successful days were over. Many of his men deserted him as he sailed for three years looking for a new base. In 1817 he settled on the island that is now Galveston, Tex. In 1821 Lieutenant Lawrence Kearney of the United States Navy ordered Galveston evacuated. After that, Lafitte located his base of operations on Isla Mujeres off Yucatan, Mexico, but his forces were small. He died about 1826 at Teljas, on the Yucatan mainland.
Isla Mujeres is an interesting place. Beautiful beaches, especially on the North end of the island. Touristy, but not as bad as Cancun. It’s a great bargain too.
On the down side it is Mexico. Don’t drink the water, etc. Poverty is a problem, and the plumbing is a joke.
Now what was that Austrailian gals name? Hmmm…
Poverty? Plumbing? Well, if you want Hilton Shitbox Quality, I suggest you stay home… but to see something in this world, one often has to sacrifice a little luxury.
A VERY tiny bit of luxury, in this case.
Haven’t been there, heard it’s pretty, but more touristy by the year. Yucatan in general has stolen my heart.
Just pointing out some facts for someone who’s never been there before.
Jump to conclusions often, Coldfire?
No my dear. I’ve just returned from a holiday in the Yucatan, and I can with certainty state that poverty is NOT a problem there. Sure, it’s not a Western European country of the States, but I can’t really see how it would affect a tourist in any way, that’s all.
Most hotels (USD 15 - 30 a night gets you a nice room) have decent toilets. It is however customary to put the used toilet paper in a separate bin. That is all as far as plumbing goes.
No big downsides in my opinion, that’s all. Where’s the conclusion jumping there?
You want me to shave before we cuddle, Snookums? My whiskers get a bit scratchy this time of day.
Maybe you were presuming I’m female. Dunno. Whatever.
Why would you presume I want H.S.Q.? I was pointing out the facts just in case plnnr was expecting H.S.Q. Personally, I like islands off the beaten path like Culebra and Ambergris Caye.