Isla Mujeres Archives - World's Best Beaches

Sharks and Rays in Cozumel

Want so see some amazing creatures up close? You’re in for a treat! The non-stop current that flows past the island from south to north gives Cozumel its reputation for true 100-foot visibility and perpetual drift diving. And with that fancy current comes plenty of food for this spectacular reef. In fact, some sponges, such as the Elephant Ear sponge, can grow as large as 12 feet across! Other sponges, like the Barrel sponge, can get pretty big as well. As you make your way along the wall - and it is significant and goes very, very deep, you’ll see such a variety of things. This is why Cozumel has become such a diving and snorkeling mecca.

I’ve taken the snorkel tour off the tour boats that allow you to “float” over Palancar Reef as the current takes you along. All you do is look down. At the end of the reef everyone gets back into the boat and there is a party-like atmosphere all the way back to the shore.

There are three major ocean currents that come together right here bringing an abundant variety of marine life to the area. The wall is right underneath you from 70 to 90 feet with breathtaking drop offs and very swift currents that can push you down or up. It looks as if no one has ever been out here before, sort of virgin territory, but, alas, people see Palancar almost everyday.

The current is very swift, but the boat stays right with you and not far away. And you’ll see manta rays, and quite possibly a shark or two down at the bottom. Keep your eyes open and notice what others are looking at as well.

There are a good many dive operations in Cozumel. You will have to go through online resources or make a decision once there as to the operator you use. Close by Cozumel, at Isla Mujeres, there is a known cave which always has a few sleeping shark there. Some brave divers pet the shark and that’s quite an experience!

So there are places to see huge rays and the mysterious shark. All you have to do is a little planning either online, or when you arrive in Cozumel as the operators are working every day. The trip to Isla Mujeres is a short hop on a ferry away. Plan in advance to get the very best prices and if you operate down there and would like us to list you here, please let us know.

The Best Beaches Around Cancun

According to many enthusiasts, some of the best beaches in Cancun are on the seaward side of the island. Taking a stroll on the sands here is in itself something straight out of a dream. Cancun Island -shaped like a number 7 and flanked by Bahia de Mujeres to the north, the Caribbean Sea to the east and Nichupte Lagoon to the west is joined to the mainland by two bridges. The first crosses the Nichupte Channel, four kilometers from downtown Cancun, and the second joins Punta Nizuc to the mainland at Nizuc Channel to the south, en route to the airport and the Riviera Maya. The volcanic Revillagigedo Islands, known for their unique ecosystem, are also part of the Manzanillo municipality. However, your sports fishing operator won’t be able to take you there – the islands are located hundreds of miles offshore.

Cancun beach

Isla Mujeres, Playa del Carmen and Cozumel are all nearby, and you can discover these places individually with Mexperience. The archaeological wonders at Tulum, Chichen Itza and Coba are three of the main historical attractions in the area. The city has grown rapidly over the past thirty years to become a city of approximately 600,000 residents, covering the former island and the nearby mainland. Most ‘cancunenses’ here are from Yucatan and other Mexican states. The island’s energized atmosphere emanates from the middle, its heartbeat, an area known as the Party Zone featuring the best nightclubs, bars, restaurants, and shopping malls.

Isla’s best beaches are on the northern most tip of the island, near the downtown area, and the pristine sea that surrounds them is as calm as a giant swimming pool. Also close by are the Sculpture Park, an open-air gallery, as well as breathtaking natural attractions, such as panoramic cliff views, and bountiful coral reefs teeming with marine life , ideal for snorkeling. World-famous, this island presents spectacular coral reefs with large walls that form one of the most privileged diving sites around. Shallow diving to deep diving is practiced here through the numerous diving services, all certified and renowned. On the inland side of Cancun lies Laguna Nichupte, a vast lagoon that serves as home to numerous marinas, waterfront restaurants, shopping malls, a couple of golf courses, a few islands, inlets and some fantastic sunsets. There is an area near the center of all this which is known as the Party Zone which is home to many of the areas nightclubs and discos.

There aren’t many cars on this tiny island. You can rent a bike, moped (wear your helmet) or golf cart for a full or half day and see most of what there is to see. Cozumel, which is Mexico’s most populated island. The waters of Cozumel are unsurpassed for their clarity and for the variety of brilliantly colored marine life. This small island (25 km/16 mi long) rests at the tip of Quintana Roo, just north of Cancun and offers a kind of romance and tranquility that is rare these days. The small village has no paved roads and the gregarious residents get around on electric golf carts.

Plan some time to visit one or more of the ruins or beautiful islands or parks. Chichen Itza is a little further away (2 1/2 hours by car), but there are many day tours available from Cancun. It is also a main stopover and departure point for cruise liners and other boats going to Isla Mujeres. Cancun combines a wonderful and exotic tropical island setting along with modern conveniences. The Cancun area is home to more than 18,000 hotel rooms and over 200 restaurants.

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Pictures of Cancun Beaches

First, let’s check out the North side starting with Playa Las Perlas. Playa Las Perlas is a wonderful place to swim and relax in the sun as well. Playa Las Perlas is great for swimming and sunning while the other two beaches are great for water sports such as jet skiing, scuba diving, snorkeling, and parasailing. When spending time on the northern side of Cancun, take a day trip to Isla Mujeres, which is located eight miles off the shore.

Next we have Playa Linda. Playa Linda Beach affords guests with a host of watersports, including waterskiing, jet-skiing, kayaking, snorkeling, windsurfing, and boating. Land-lovers can enjoy the paddle-tennis court, beach volleyball, and nearby golf.

Playa Langosta, which means Lobster, is really fun. In fact, you can surf and swim here, play in the waves and have a great time. Facing Bahia de Mujeres, the beach is coated with Cancun’s signature powdered coral sand and the waters are quite shallow, making in good for snorkelling too. If you’ve had enough of the water there are lots of beach restaurants and bars.

There are real turtles on Playa Tortugas and you can find them abundantly in the water when snorkeling. Cancun offers the unparalleled beauty of the Caribbean Sea’s turquoise-blue water and white-sand beaches. During your stay, you can do water sports or other activities: snorkeling, scuba diving, parachuting, or you can take a spin on a waverunner. Because of it’s protected western location the water at this beach is not the magical turquoise color of the beaches further east.

And on the Northern end, we cannot forget Playa Caracol. The dazzling white sand of Cancun’s beaches is light in weight and cool underfoot even in the blazing sun. That’s because it is composed not of silica but rather of microscopic plankton fossils called disco-aster (a tiny star-shaped creature). All shuttles to Isla Mujeres leave from the northern beaches. At the docks on the northern side vistors can find water taxis and boats that offer diving and snorkeling tours.