Mexico
Isla Mujeres - The Island of Women
Where time passes slowly and your dream vacation becomes a reality. Located just eight miles across the Bahia de Mujeres (Bay of Women) from Cancun, Isla Mujeres is only 5 miles long and half a mile wide at its widest point. The colorful downtown area, known as ‘Centro’ is four by six blocks – perfect for exploring by foot. The town square, vibrant homes, and many shops and restaurants add to its appeal. The average temperature is between 24 and 30 celsius (74 - 84 degrees) with 60% humidity and the hottest months are June thru September. For hundreds of years Isla Mujeres was a fishing village and though its now thoroughly discovered by tourists it still retains it's charming and tranquil atmosphere. As you explore the island and stroll through the streets, you’ll see families gathered together in Caribbean styled homes, tucked between small hotels, shops and restaurants, giving Isla a small town feeling very different from the high-rise hotels and designer stores of Cancun. Isla’s diversity, from the fisherman, artists and musicians to divers, chefs and ex-pats, make up a community unlike any other. With the beauty of the Caribbean, the heritage of the Mayans, and the friendly charm of the people, Isla has become a haven for people from all over the world.
Time of the MayaIsla’s history dates back over 1500 years when it was part of the Maya province, Ekab. The island served as the sanctuary for the goddess Ixchel, the Maya goddess of the moon, fertility, medicine and happiness. The Temple was located at the South point of the island and was also used as the lighthouse. The light from torches was shown through holes in the walls, which could be seen by the navigators at sea. The Maya also came to the island to harvest salt from the salt lagoons. Recently the National Institute of History and Anthropology, announced the discovery of Mayan ruins and pieces of various materials in Mundaca Hacienda. There is evidence of five Mayan buildings, one of which could be the true temple of the goddess Ixchel and the south point ruin simply a lighthouse. The INAH also found and is holding over 100 pieces of obsidian, jade, and human skeletons and skulls. Isla remained a sanctuary until it was discovered by Francisco Fernández de Córdoba in 1517. Legend has it that the only inhabitants of the island were the priestess of Ixchel and her court of women. Scattered around were numerous gold, silver and clay statues of Ixchel, and so the island got its name: Isla Mujeres, the Island of Women. "During Lent of 1517 Francisco Hernandez de Cordova sailed from Cuba with three ships to procure slaves for the mines... (others say he sailed to discover new lands). He landed on the Isla de las Mujeres, to which he gave this name because the idols he found there, of the goddesses of the country, "Ixchel" and her daughters and daughter-in-law's "Ixchebeliax", "Ixhunie", "Ixhunieta", only vestured from the girdled down, and having the breast uncovered after the manner of the Indians. The building was of stone, such as to astonished them, and they found certain objects of gold which they took."
Excerpt from "Yucatan, Before and After the Conquest" written in 1566 by Friar Diego de Landa. source: http://www.fodors.com
Isla Mujeres - The Island of Women
Where time passes slowly and your dream vacation becomes a reality. Located just eight miles across the Bahia de Mujeres (Bay of Women) from Cancun, Isla Mujeres is only 5 miles long and half a mile wide at its widest point. The colorful downtown area, known as ‘Centro’ is four by six blocks – perfect for exploring by foot. The town square, vibrant homes, and many shops and restaurants add to its appeal. The average temperature is between 24 and 30 celsius (74 - 84 degrees) with 60% humidity and the hottest months are June thru September. For hundreds of years Isla Mujeres was a fishing village and though its now thoroughly discovered by tourists it still retains it's charming and tranquil atmosphere. As you explore the island and stroll through the streets, you’ll see families gathered together in Caribbean styled homes, tucked between small hotels, shops and restaurants, giving Isla a small town feeling very different from the high-rise hotels and designer stores of Cancun. Isla’s diversity, from the fisherman, artists and musicians to divers, chefs and ex-pats, make up a community unlike any other. With the beauty of the Caribbean, the heritage of the Mayans, and the friendly charm of the people, Isla has become a haven for people from all over the world.
Time of the MayaIsla’s history dates back over 1500 years when it was part of the Maya province, Ekab. The island served as the sanctuary for the goddess Ixchel, the Maya goddess of the moon, fertility, medicine and happiness. The Temple was located at the South point of the island and was also used as the lighthouse. The light from torches was shown through holes in the walls, which could be seen by the navigators at sea. The Maya also came to the island to harvest salt from the salt lagoons. Recently the National Institute of History and Anthropology, announced the discovery of Mayan ruins and pieces of various materials in Mundaca Hacienda. There is evidence of five Mayan buildings, one of which could be the true temple of the goddess Ixchel and the south point ruin simply a lighthouse. The INAH also found and is holding over 100 pieces of obsidian, jade, and human skeletons and skulls. Isla remained a sanctuary until it was discovered by Francisco Fernández de Córdoba in 1517. Legend has it that the only inhabitants of the island were the priestess of Ixchel and her court of women. Scattered around were numerous gold, silver and clay statues of Ixchel, and so the island got its name: Isla Mujeres, the Island of Women. "During Lent of 1517 Francisco Hernandez de Cordova sailed from Cuba with three ships to procure slaves for the mines... (others say he sailed to discover new lands). He landed on the Isla de las Mujeres, to which he gave this name because the idols he found there, of the goddesses of the country, "Ixchel" and her daughters and daughter-in-law's "Ixchebeliax", "Ixhunie", "Ixhunieta", only vestured from the girdled down, and having the breast uncovered after the manner of the Indians. The building was of stone, such as to astonished them, and they found certain objects of gold which they took."
Excerpt from "Yucatan, Before and After the Conquest" written in 1566 by Friar Diego de Landa. source: http://www.fodors.com