Just One Day On Isla Mujeres

Mary from Minnesota, who we met on the ferry last year, coming home from Isla Mujeres, asked, “If you had a day to ‘see’ and experience Isla, in all its glory, what would you recommend people do?

My idea of a perfect day on Isla would be . . .

• Arrive early, arrive early, arrive early.

• On the ferry, find a seat on the top level, outside.

• Have breakfast at La Cazuela M & J. Corner of Abasolo and Guerrero. If you love eggs, this is the place.

• Then I would walk to Hotel Na Balam and rent two chairs and a sombrilla and relax on what is considered one of the 10 best beaches in the WORLD, Playa Norte. They have nice clean bathrooms, and a full menu restaurant with great margaritas. I would get one made with Herradura. When you walk through reception, tell them Tocino sent you. They will be so happy, they will probably try to give you besos y abrazos, especially Braulio. Be careful of Braulio. Ja Ja Check out the grounds. Are they not beautiful? Stay here all day, or book now for 2019.

• Treat yourselves to lunch right at your private palapa, or go inside the restaurant. Its name is Oceanas.

• Stay on Isla for dinner. Do not go back to Cancun! Shop along Hidalgo.

• You can make reservations at Olivia. It is Mediterranean. E-mail is Zelzers@gmail.com Tell them Tocino sent you. That is my last name in Spanish.  Think labne, labne -- make sure to order some. The wine is really good here. Reservations only and closed on Sunday and Monday. My FAVORITE on Isla Mujeres. It is on Av. Matamoros, across from a burger place.

• Or . . . El Varadera Qubano (Cuban) and the freshest fish ever. The view will knock you out. It is on the lagoon, where the pirate ships used to dock. Not sure when it is closed. Hands down the BEST mojitos on Isla. Just tell the taxi driver -- it is half way down the five mile long island, El Baradero Cuban restaurante on Calle Septiembre. Do not be afraid when you first see it from the street . . . and try not to step on the chickens.

• Gelato …. did someone say gelato? Better here than in Sicily. The one near the super mercado and the vocala is the best. I would get coconut.

• My daughter does a Joga retreat every year here and the yogis’ favorite restaurant might just be Lola Valentina’s, right on the main street, Hidalgo, on the north end. Google and check out the awesome menu. Lola is really Lauri Dumm from Oregon, but the Mexicans cannot pronounce it so she became Lola. Well Iris in Spanish is Edys. Go figure.

p.s.

Mary, you truly made my day, thinking about Isla. Any more questions? E-mail me, por favor. Try to enjoy this special place that we have been going to for 30 years. The ferry back to Cancun runs every half hour. Next year, stay for a week or a month, or even for 50 days.

Sandy and I, y friends, are going back in Febrero y Marzo.