A scene at a beach with a wooden pier extending into the water, several birds perched on the posts, and people sitting and standing on the pier. The water is blue and the sky is partly cloudy with the sun shining. Isla Mujeres, Mexico, Island, Travel

Isla Mujeres is a skinny, little island 20 minutes by ferry off the coast of Cancun. At a mere 4.3 miles in length, it is a frequent day trip for tourists just passing through. However, beyond the souvenir shops, crowded beaches and ocean based excursions there is still plenty more to explore.

Walking along the quieter east side of the island offers unique topography and a chance to witness the first place the sun rises in all of Mexico. Down at Punta Sur - A.K.A. “Southern Tip” - you can learn the rich history of Ixchel - Goddess of moon, fertility and more. Sprinkled throughout the island you can also find terrific hole-in-the-wall restaurants and bars - best accessed by golf cart.

An elderly man sitting on a pink sidewalk against a colorful wall, wearing a sailor cap, striped hoodie, shorts, and a wristwatch. Isla Mujeres, Mexico, Island, Travel, Caribbean

Tide pools and rocky shoreline with waves and palm trees in the background on a sunset beach in Hawaii. Isla Mujeres, Mexico, Island, Travel, Caribbean

People enjoying a swimming pool during sunset, with a woman smiling and holding a beer bottle, wearing sunglasses, and a man sitting beside her. Isla Mujeres, Mexico, Island, Travel, Caribbean

A person sitting on the edge of a wooden dock over turquoise water, with sailboats and a cloudy sky in the background. Isla Mujeres, Mexico, Island, Travel, Caribbean

Woman with short curly hair wearing a black bikini top and patterned sarong, walking along the sandy beach with ocean waves and rocks in the background. Isla Mujeres, Mexico, Island, Travel, Caribbean

A man jogging on a sidewalk near a child riding a bike, with pink bollards and blue railing along the path, under a cloudy sky. Isla Mujeres, Mexico, Island, Travel, Caribbean

Dried clay or dirt and cement mixture in a bowl, a chunk of similar material on a wooden workbench, a paintbrush, and a yellow and black object in the background. Isla Mujeres, Mexico, Travel

A young man with glasses, a beard, and a tattooed arm, smiling while holding a jar, standing outside near a wooden structure with open window shutters. Isla Mujeres, Mexico, Travel

A rustic wooden door with open shutters, leading into a cozy indoors space with artwork on the walls, surrounded by a garden with trees and plants. Isla Mujeres, Mexico, Travel

Three pottery planters shaped like human faces with leafy plants, placed on a stone surface outdoors. Isla Mujeres, Mexico, Travel

Nalu Art / Ulan Eatery is a celebration of art, culture and community inspired by island’s rich history and ties with nature.

Their story is best told by the founder, Rikki.

A woman standing on a wooden deck outdoors, surrounded by trees and potted plants, with a stone wall in the background. She is wearing a black sleeveless top, yellow patterned shorts, and black sandals, smiling at the camera. Isla Mujeres, Mexico,

A variety of sea creatures travel from far and wide to mate at Punta Sur. Some have attributed the phenomenon to the meeting of waterways - a vortex.

The Mayan people would pilgrimage from across the empire to Punta Sur, bring offerings to Ixchel’s temple. They would make the long journey, canoe across the ocean from the main land, all to asking the Goddess for fertility. Even today, many come to this sacred ground for similar spiritual purposes.

This history contributed to the island’s name - Isla Mujeres or “Island of Women”.