A beautiful beach with an amazing family and a Corona in your hand? Could you ask for anything else for a perfect Christmas holiday? I think not. And for those of you who could come up with a few examples….shush! Let me have my moment.
We stayed in a beautiful little beach house that my mom rented for the week, Casa Rosa. It was perfectly perfect for our family; we loved the pool and the backyard beach. There were iguanas all over the yard (you will find this everywhere on the island) that could be found scrounging for food during the day. Don’t worry, I never fed them…
We frequented downtown Isla Mujeres (via golf cart) and enjoyed every minute of it. One of my favorite bars will go unnamed because I had one too many Coronas before entering it (and thus do not remember the name). It’s a little garden bar, with fun signs and fun bartenders. And by fun, I mean perfectly adequate for me, my parents, and my stepdad’s parents. We are party animals obviously.
Quite possibly one of the prettiest places on the island is Playa Norte. The beach is unbelievable; the water is clearer than you could imagine, the sand is perfectly spotless, and the sights keep you quite busy. Although we found this beach too populated, and thus spent more time at other beaches, it was still the prettiest.
Since we had a house with a full kitchen, we took advantage of making afternoon tapas at home. Primarily guacamole and chips. With homemade guacamole. I think I ate almost the whole bowl. It’s normal to eat it by the spoonful right? When in Mexico…
Having afternoon/evening snacks at home, we were able to catch some beautiful sunsets at home, this being the best one.
And the drumroll please….
My favorite day on the island was most definitely the day we visited Tortugranja. Tortugranja is a sea turtle sanctuary, costs $3 USD to get in, and low and behold: IT HAS BABY SEA TURTLES. I was in heaven. Although my bucket list would tell you that I want to witness them hatch on shore, scurry into the ocean, and take off in the surf….this was a close second. It’ll have to do for now.
Holding baby sea turtles? Does it get much better than this?
Food. It’s clearly one of my favorite things. Another one of my favorite things? This Chile Relano Stuffed Pepper (pictured below). I thought maybe I had died and gone to heaven when it was brought out, set in front of me, and someone handed me a fork. I hadn’t. I had just stepped into Mango’s Cafe, on the island, for the best breakfast I’ve had in my entire life. You haven’t lived until you’ve been to Mango’s, and I think a piece of my heart was left on the empty plate of this pictured pepper. 
The beach restaurant that we frequented, Playa Lancheros, is located on the opposite end of the island from the tourist crowd. It’s close enough to the snorkeling park, Garrafon Park, which draws large crowds (if you’re interested in snorkeling, I suggest stopping at Garrafon de Castillo – only a few dollars will buy you snorkeling equipment and it’s relatively the same as the big park). At Lancheros, you’ll find cheap beer, cheap tacos, and a great scene. I think a few tequila shots were even taken…but I can’t fully remember…
Overall, Isla Mujeres exceeded my expectations for beauty and for fun. It’s the perfect place for a family get-away, or just for friends that want a low-key vacation. Just a few minutes by ferry from Cancun, it’s even worth a day trip. But nothing can compare to a week-long stay on the beautiful island.
‘Til next time Isla: Adios!
PS: Can you tell I’d love to be a travel blogger?!?
What beautiful photos. Captures the island!!
Thanks! 🙂
Aw, those baby sea turtles look so adorable! 🙂
They were the best!! Greatest experience of the trip!
Looks so fun, and SO beautful!! The colors are stunning!
Thank you!! It was an unbelievable trip! 🙂
Wow you had a really great trip and I’m totally loving the pictures (I’m totally not jealous #livinginnorthpole haha). Aah the baby turtles are soooooooo adorable, oh my goodness! <3 I really enjoyed reading your post 😀
Aren’t the turtles just amazing!?!?! I died!!!! 🙂
OMG those turtles! My bathtub needs at least 2! Your pictures were amazing. I think I’m coming down with a travel bug =/
The running joke the whole week was where I was hiding one of the baby turtles to take home with us!! They were adorable! 🙂
Sounds like a fabulous way to spend Christmas – beaches and baby turtles – perfect!
Right!?! The island is beautiful!! My perfect holiday. 🙂
OK. Love your post because a) you said you’d like to be a travel blogger (go you!) b) it’s talking about a paradise! c) you held a baby turtle? and showed me a photo? LOVE YOU FOREVER (it’s on my bucket list too- the ‘seeing them rush off to the sea’ type moment, though, of course, I wouldn’t say no to holding one!) and d) you used the craziest (coolest) actions on your photos (or are they the actual colours? They *can’t* be….can they?!)….
Oh my gosh thank you for such kind words (although I’m not surprised at all by your kindness, you’re too amazing!). They are definitely edited photos, I have an app that I like to use called Snapseed (it’s free!). But really, the place was that beautiful. Sometimes I feel like if you don’t edit the photos, they don’t do the location any justice! Now…onto my dream of travel blogging! 🙂
Must check out Snapseed…your photos looked like some weird funky 70s nightclub/old Spanish ‘flamenco’ postcards/ritzy lights all rolled in to one (it IS a compliment!!)…….
I really wish I was away right now and not stuck in a blizzard! Gorgeous pictures!
Hola! I have never been to Mexico, but this looks lovely! 🙂 We may just have to spend a Christmas or New Years there one of these years… love the photos!!
Omg I’ve been to that same bar you can’t remember the name of and I’m having the exact same problem! Going back to Isla for New Years and am hoping to get back to that bar somehow! Was tons of fun!
Ohhhhh I’m jealous of your trip!!! Let me know if you ever figure out what the bar is! Have fun!